i had my 7 wk check up yesterday & was given the ok to drive again, but was told I had to ring my insurance company & let them know I have had a thr.
Has anyone else done this? I get the feeling they may use it as an excuse to charge me extra or in the case of an accident would my insurance be void if I hadn't informed them?
For some reason I'm quite nervous about getting behind the wheel again although I've been driving for nearly 50 yrs. not used to feeling this vulnerable!
thanks, Val.
I was never told to tell my insurers about my THR. I was quite nervous about driving and didnt get behind the wheel until about 10 weeks post op. Once you get going its ok. I was scared because i was still under the restricions but if your careful its fine. I wasnt thinking of telling my insurers at all i dont see the point everything is back to normal now at 5 months post op
I started driving again the day I came home from seeing my Surgeon at 6weeks couldn't wait but didn't tell insurance people don't think its necessary
Thanks, I wish they hadn't told me as now I don't know what to do. I don't see how it makes any difference, I wouldn't drive if I thought I wasn't capable. I want to get driving as soon as I can as I live in the country & am getting sick of having to rely on my partner to drive me everywhere. If others aren't doing it then I probably won't either.
thanks. I don't think I'm going to bother.
i was told today that I can drive and insurance wasn`t mentioned x
Hello Val, I had a booklet prior to op last july that stated that u needed to inform ur car insurance company if you drive, mine required a confirmation letter that I was fit to drive but it seems that not all car insurances operate same rules.
Arthur
Hi was told its a legal requirement to inform insurance or it won't be valued .
i rang and told them and they made a note no charge .
I have been driving since 6 weeks check up and it's fine . Good luck
Hi. Am interested to hear how you get on. I too was thinking the same yesterday as a passenger, what if I had to do an emergency stop!
I did have anb issue with the insurance company as I was fir to drive after four weeks as my car is automatic and it was left hip that was replaced. Their take on it was that I needed the Consultant to sign me and my view was that he would be far too busy dealing with other patients to be concerned about me being fit to drive.
I therefore rang them and confirmed that in my opinion, having driven for many years and being capable of emergency stops and general road care, was perefactly safe and that from that date I was mobile.
I had no extra costs on my insurance premiums
I live in the US, and I was never told, either time I had my hip surgeries, that I had to contact my car insurance. I wouldn't contact them if I were you. If the doctor gave the OK to drive, it's not necessary to inform your car insurance. That could just open a can of worms, and they may feel the need to increase your premium, just because they know you've had surgery. I've had over 26 surgeries since 2006, and I've never informed my car insurance. They don't need to know.
Was told in 6 week check up I could drive if I could do an emergency stop . Dr told me to sit in parked car without engine on and try it .
It's all very well but if you had an accident in near future you wouldn't be covered . So it's not worth the risk . I didn't pay anything
I can't remember who advised me to contact my insurance company I think it was the hospital. When I contacted them they said I didn't actually need to as long as long as I don't drive during the time my surgeon has said I shouldn't drive. But another insurer may be different.
Linnet x
Hi Val,
I was told by NHS that my insurance would be void 'probably for 6 weeks'; & that I must get their OK to start driving again.
As it happens, I 'phoned my company the day I got home post op (7 days, due to stop in community hospital for a few days) & was told as far as they were concerned I could drive that day! (Even more amazingly, the agent I spoke to had had a THR himself!)
I would recommend that you do ring your company ~ insurance companies are renowned for using any excuse possible to weasle out of meeting a claim. If you tell them it shouldn't be a problem, & you'll then be able to drive with complete peace of mind.
I was told that I had to inform insurance company of thr by both consultant and nurses at hospital. I think it might be in case you have a collision and then couldn't stop in time because of hip. If you haven't told them they could void your insurance should you have a road traffic collision. They don't need to make any changes to your insurance just put a note on it, so there shouldn't be any additional charges.
Thanks for all your responses, as in most things we are all told different things. I think I may have a look at my ins policy & see if there are any clauses that state you have to inform them of certain ops etc.
i have just driven about 6 miles & practised emergency stop. No problem except a few aching muscles.
My car is auto as well Trevor but I've had right thr.
There's nothing in my policy that states I have to inform them of any operations. I don't drive until I get the OK from my surgeon. And I'm more cautious when driving after a surgery, as I think more post-op patients. When you think of drivers who drive impaired or otherwise inattentive, they're all covered by their insurances. I doubt they inform their insurance companies when they drive drunk or are texting. There's no reason to inform them of a surgery because they're always covered.
Things may be different in uk . Was told to inform them by about 3 medical staff so I did .
Hi Val
Someone mentioned about people texting and being drunk etc and were still covered ....they are only converd because no one has found out. If they had an accident it might be diferent.
Anyway back to your point. I would tell the insurance company anyway
I've had 2 THR's and both times got the OK from the consultant but was told to tell the insrance company anyway. I did and it didnt makeany difference tomy premiums
Love
Eileen UK