re: #192 A Mom Anon

So much for the bike ride, it looks like all hell is gonna break loose with rain in a minute.

So, here’s something to toss out there today… I need help with something.

The No Longer a Teenager got his driver’s license yesterday. Which is seriously cool and totally awesome and we are just busting with pride. It’s a HUGE deal for some people with Asperger’s to learn this skill because you have to push down lots of fear and sensory overload to do it. I cannot even express how proud I am of him, he’s one of the bravest people I’ve ever known.

The issue now becomes auto insurance. He is saving for a car but has a way to go before he has enough to get something safe to drive. Meanwhile, he can drive my car enough to keep his skills sharp when he’s home from vocational rehab school. Does anyone know the best and least expensive way to add him as a driver to our existing policy? He’s 20, and I don’t think the student discounts are going to work here since this isn’t an academic school he’s attending (it’s a school for young adults with learning disabilities, he’s learning basic job and life/social skills with the goal of being an employable human at the end), and I’m kinda scared that if the insurance company figures out he has Asperger’s they won’t insure him. I called them once and the conversation really didn’t make it clear what to do or how much it would cost. We’re in GA, does anyone have any thoughts or ideas about what to do?

If the State has granted him a driver’s license I do not think they can discriminate based on a medical diagnosis. If they do, I’d fight it—file a report with the Insurance Board and Attorney General.

I also, do not think they can raise rates because of it.

IIRC, The cheapest way to insure a young man is to buy a beater car and carry the minimum insurance on it. After Liabiity, the greats cost is for Collision coverage. So go without coverage for the vehicle itself.