Thanks for your input. It sounded odd to me too. I guess we're in a pickle whether he's on the policy or not since we (I) made the mistake of going for a DL renewal instead of letting it lapse. I've always been efficient about getting things done way before they need to be taken care of and in this case, it stung us. What was I thinking? I WASN'T thinking. That's why we ended up in the predicament. Anyway I'm doing my best to make sure DH does not ever drive again.
texasgirl...We are insured with the same company as you are. In fact, DH started work for this company when they were a very small company and retired at 65. When I called I got the same advice because I am an older (81) driver and it was best not to rock the boat. He does not drive and has not for over 4 years. I even got a check from the company last week because of my safe driving. The policy was issued in both our names.
I appreciate knowing you received the same advise from your agent. DH turns 60 next week and it's still a shocker how our lives have been turned upside down. Just nearing retirement and, well, you know the story.
That's great you received a check for safe driving. I doubt we'll be getting one. Although we have an accident free record with Allstate for over 20 years, we have a 19 year old son on the policy. I think that blows any money back for us until he's on his own policy.
Divvi--I get what you are saying but could this be possible--if the husband is still on the policy, even with a revoked license, there is a POSSIBILITY that he'd be covered in the event of an accident? But it he's off the policy, no way. I agree with you, though, that in these economic times, the company will probably look for any loophole not to cover someone.
I was also told to keep my husband on the policy--by two different insurance agents. They said it doesn't affect the cost--we already get the cheapest rate as retired people--that's all I was concerned about.
yes marilyn its possible some insurances would more than likely cover it but then again its a risky supposition to assume that. the best way to know is to read the fine print of your auto policy = they sometimes tend to not be very clear and put things in laymans language to understand like alot of legal policies do. there is one exclusion i am aware of that is very significant and sometimes over looked on policies. some states have certain insurance regulations requiring the exclusions to read clearly. one in particular is an exclusion that can read like "anyone using a vehicle without the reasonable belief that the person is entitled to do so"....hummmm. an expired or revoked license is a misdemenor charge i think. i think its pretty clear driving with a revoked or expired license may mean exactly whats stated in that phrase EXCLUDING that driver from coverages. its a tricky business and the insurance companies are in it for gain not loss. all i can say is yes if you think your spouse will gain access to driving you may still want to keep them on the policy regardless of the possiblities of personal liablility. i would furter recommend if that if you have a spouse who even thinks he can drive raise the limits of your liability to the total maximum offered usually 500k - and if possible get an umbrella policy for another 1million on top of that. you can always cancell these coverages later but at least you are doing what you can to get a maximum payout if the claim is paid. just my own opinions of course but i did this and STILL carry the 500k limits its not that much more to play it safe. divvi might i also add that taking a driver off a policy esp if they are titled owner of a vehicle isnt possible in some insurance policies. removing a driver can trigger a red flag to insur com as well. insurance agents are paid commisions for each policy they maintain. if you get cancelled your agent loses his commission. dont rock the boat seems to be the norm from alot of agents.
adding a note. i did some research and found that in almost every state if you get CAUGHT *(not EVEN in an accident which would be horrific) driving after your license is revoked by the state (ie dementia) it s considered an ENCARCERABLE' (mandatory jailtime)offense, heavy duty up to 5k fines and many states its a 3rd degree FELONY offense. now consider your spouse charged with the above... heavens help us.
the excuse that our AD spouses got behind the wheel while no licensing probably wouldnt influence a court of law esp if there was injuries involved with an accident. paying for atty fees for a defense which runs significantly into the thousands, plus court fines, and possbily encarceration for our spouses is not something any of us can afford or want to take lightly. Divvi
Can I sum up what I think I should do? I'm having trouble putting all of this together. Will someone help me?
Next week my dh is having another go at a neurologist. I am sure, as happened a year ago at dh first go with this doctor and getting dx, that the doctor will tell him not to drive anymore. So, when this happens, should I, once he agrees:
Notify his and my insurance company, telling them he won't be driving anymore?
Go to the motor vehicle dept and cancel his license, getting an ID card instead? (Being 79 years old, he has to renew his license yearly. He just did that)
Simply let his license run out and not renew it next year, but at the same time don't let him drive? And don't say anything to the insurance company?
Whew. Please sum up in a few sentences which path I should take. I don't want to get involved with the insurance company when perhaps I shouldn't, and mess things up.
My husband's drivers license doesn't expire until next year. I'm going to wait until it expires and then get him the state ID card. He already knows this and everytime we pass the DMV office near our home he will say that's where I go for my ID. I have not notified our insurance company that he has stopped driving. The car is in his name and from what I understand his name is required to be on the insurance because of that. When his license expires next year, I might change the ownership over to me and then tell the insurance company. My husband hasn't driven since March of this year and my agent knows my husband has dementia and has never asked me if he is driving or not.
Thanks very much, Deb. That sounds like a good plan. Gosh, but I dread this. He's going to fight me every inch of the way. But it has to be done. I'm sure the doctor will tell him that.
hanging on, depends if your dr has to ADVISE the DMV that your dh isnt capable of driving anymore thus revoking his license. once the DMV is automatically then your spouse will not have a license due to revokation and will need to go ahead and get a state ID card instead. if your dr just tells your spouse not to drive but doesnt notify DMV then you might consider just letting his license run thru til expires and get an id then. but even then you must not let him get access to drive at all. once the dr puts it in his file no driving its out there and can come back to haunt you if he ever drives and gets in trouble. you need to wait and see what his dr will do i think then decide? sorry if its confusing. its really just making sure they dont drive at all licensed or not. divvi
divvi is right. My husband's neurologist didn't report by husband. Told me that he wasn't the DMV and I would know when he should stop driving. He would only step in if I needed his help to stop his driving. I stopped his driving before anything bad happened. The reason I stopped it was as I was slowly taking over the driving he started giving me dangerous instructions while I was driving....like changing lanes when there were cars right next to me or telling me to turn left because there were no cars on the left but plenty coming at me on the right (he never looked both ways). I know how lucky I am that he hasn't given me any trouble but just in case I never keep the car key in my purse or where he can see it...I always hide the keys (house and car).
But if the doctor did notify the DMV they might revoke your husband's license and then you would have to get the ID earlier
Deb, I don't think the neurologist will notify the DMV. But he will tell him to stop driving. I'm going to insist that DH follow the doctor's orders, leaning on the fact that if he has an accident and hurts someone, we can kiss our investments goodbye. That will hit home with him.
Good luck. I hope your husband will listen to the doctor. Sometimes that is the only person they will listen to. I think that our DHs think we are doing this on purpose. I wish they understood that this is not something we enjoy doing. I really do miss him doing all the longer drives but will never ever complain about it. The alternative would be worse.