Sleep apnoea - car insurance - driver licence

Coooker

My friend is having problems with her sleep and has had medical advice from a specialist suggesting it is likely obstructive sleep apnoea. Her next step is to get the formal apnoea testing done before she can get a formal diagnosis and treatment. She has now told me that she is not willing to get tested as she is afraid it will mean she will not be able to afford her car insurance premiums as you must advise the car licensing authority if you have been diagnosed and there are rules to be followed. I think it would be irresponsible not to follow this up as I know it is having a terrible impact on her health and well-being. Has anyone been diagnosed with sleep apnoea and can you advise your experience of maintaining your driving license and how much did it impact your car insurance premium exactly please? TIA :-)

drunkmonkey

Are you sure your not thinking of life insurance not car insurance, if your getting the treatment for it there should be no extra risk. The risk is if your not getting treatment.
She should get tested asap.

drunkmonkey

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Are you sure your not thinking of life insurance not car insurance, if your getting the treatment for it there should be no extra risk. The risk is if your not getting treatment.
She should get tested asap.

Car insurance companies might consider you more at risk of crashing, and hike your premiums to the ceiling.

drunkmonkey

Deleted User wrote: »

Car insurance companies might consider you more at risk of crashing, and hike your premiums to the ceiling.

Don't see how they could if you've it under control with a CPAP machine.

Coooker

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Don't see how they could if you've it under control with a CPAP machine.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! Yes I am referring to car insurance as you need to advise the licensing people when diagnosed and therefore this info would be made available to insurance company. I am hoping someone who is a driver with sleep apnoea can advise if it impacted their premium. Cheers!

coylemj

'Sleep apnoea syndrome' (yes or no) is one of the medical questions on the driving licence form.

Q.36 in the right column on page 3 .....

https://www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/DrivingLicence/D401_Full_Licence_app_form.pdf

Henry Ford III

If a specialist has suggested your friend has a condition that would affect her licensing/insurance it must be disclosed.

drunkmonkey

They really need to get checked out and just deal with what ever comes. I'm pretty sure I lost a good friend in a car accident because of this but he was never diagnosed probably due to his age and it was just classed as a road accident.
Was in the car with him loads of times and he could just fall asleep all of a sudden. Was kinda funny back then as one of us would just grab the wheel and wake him up but looking back he should have got checked out, we put it down to late nights but it was more than that in hindsight.

Coooker

Thanks for the thoughts everyone! I am aware of the licensing requirements. I just want to hear from someone who has experience of whether this usually impacts on motor insurance premiums as this is the information she needs - and if so roughly how much extra should she expect to pay. Agree that it should be dealt with - just hoping to reassure her that it might not be as much of a financial burden so she can stop stressing, I just need the facts first. Might just call an insurance company to discuss. Cheers!

drunkmonkey

I'll tell you exactly but you'll have to wait until Monday.

Coooker

Thank you for the help Drunkmonkey! I will look forward to your advice on Monday :-)

Mortelaro

drunkmonkey wrote: »

They really need to get checked out and just deal with what ever comes. I'm pretty sure I lost a good friend in a car accident because of this but he was never diagnosed probably due to his age and it was just classed as a road accident.
Was in the car with him loads of times and he could just fall asleep all of a sudden. Was kinda funny back then as one of us would just grab the wheel and wake him up but looking back he should have got checked out, we put it down to late nights but it was more than that in hindsight.

That's narcolepsy though not sleep apnea
Sleep apnea would mean the person will want to nap during the day because they're very tired due to their snoring waking them up at night
It's easily fixed with a device worn at night that regulates breathing
It shouldn't affect driving as obviously no one should drive when extremely tired

Mortelaro

Just to add my brother has sleep apnea and no issues with insurance
His specialist took him into the hospital to the sleep unit where your sleep is analysed
The result was he was given the device to wear at night
It prevents the airways closing and gives you an opportunity for a good nights sleep

drunkmonkey

You could be right it might have been narcolepsy. Only seemed to happen when driving, he could be out all day and night with us and not a bother on him.
When I said all of a shot you would notice him start to drift off.

Benttassi

For a treatable condition like sleep apnea or high blood pressure do the insurance co. make a note of it or will they need further documentation such as a fitness to drive cert from the GP?

I'm in a similar position being treated for BP and I don't know if it's short or long term,I guess I'll just notify them anyway

NUTLEY BOY

I have no idea of what the specific insurance cost implications might be.
However, a few more serious issues arise from the OP.

The driver has been told by a consultant that sleep apnoea is suspected as distinct from diagnosed. Deciding not to proceed to diagnostic testing to avoid declaring a formal (anticipated) diagnosis is a fallacious exercise. Not having testing does not make a condition (whatever it is in fact) non-existent.

As matters stand OP is clearly on notice of the existence of a significant problem and is IMHO now fixed with possession of knowledge of a material fact from an insurance perspective.

A material fact is one that could influence a prudent insurance underwriter in deciding whether or not to accept a risk proposed for insurance and, if so, upon what terms and conditions. Generally, it is the underwriter who decides if they regard the fact as material and not the proposer.

If OP does not declare present issues they are at risk of having any policy cancelled ab initio for misrepresentation by failure to disclose. That creates a host of future and further insurance problems.

Non-disclosure may also constitute a criminal offence under the RTA 1961.

Additionally, if the driver takes the wheel of a car in the knowledge that they have active symptoms - as distinct from a specific diagnosis - which may, on the facts, impair them significantly in their ability to drive and they kill or injure someone else that might visit a different world of legal grief to them.

Others have covered the driving licence situation. Suffice to say that if your licence is withdrawn from you your motor insurance is rendered effectively nugatory.

+1 OP's view that the matter should be completed to a formal diagnosis. This way a medical management programme can be created and it may not prove to be as bad as feared.

drunkmonkey

Simple explanation the insurance company can't discriminate, ie you don't get extra loading as there's something wrong with you, wheelchair etc.
But and it's a big but if you have it and don't disclose it to the NDS your screwed if it's found out and you have an accident.
So get tested, if you have it disclose it to the NDS. End of story.

rubberdungeon

I don’t know what effect it will have on your friends insurance, the Road Safety Authority have this on their website in relation to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Syndrome (OSAS)


Group 1 drivers – driving a car, motor cycle or tractor

1. You must not drive until your symptoms are under control and can be kept under control with ongoing treatment. This must be confirmed by a medical professional. Also, you will need to have regular medical reviews.

2. You must also notify the NDLS.

3. After that, a 1-3 year licence may be granted.

There’s some more information here


http://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/News/2017/New-driver-information-leaflets-published-for-drivers-with-health-problems-/

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/Obstructive%20Sleep%20Apnoea%20Syndrome%20(OSAS)%20and%20Driving.pdf

Sorry I can’t be more helpful

drunkmonkey

No effect on insurance price but a huge one if you don't disclose it to NDLS and have an accident.