You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Long story short…badly broken collarbone at the Golfie 8 weeks ago. Plated and screwed just over 5 weeks ago - all nice and back together instantly though some recovery and physio to be done. Had x-Ray and saw consultant 3.5 weeks ago - happy with progress and 4 weeks til I can drive. Saw physio on Monday who was very pleased with range of movement and happy to say on the appt notes she’s happy for me to drive. She did mention it might be worth reading my insurance policy in case I need to make them aware of the situation. I have another X-ray and consultant appt on 18th Aug where the ‘structure’ will be more telling…I feel like I’m fine to drive and desperate after being housebound for so long…obvs I want to be covered if I’m in a car incident. Anyone been through similar or can offer any sound advice?
Read insurance company and then ring as advised by physio would be my advice. It may depend if left or right and if car is auto etc… 🤷🏽♂️ I would want to make 100% sure I was covered even though a medical professional has pronounced me fit to drive.
Anyone been through similar or can offer any sound advice?
When I fractured my pelvis, I needed a doctor's certificate before I could drive again. Doctor did some tests like how hard I could press a "brake pedal" , moving my foot from gas to brake and so on then signed me off as fit to drive.
Collarbone - I've only had a very minor break so it was basically as soon as I was comfy holding the wheel and the seatbelt not threatening to decapitate me.
Oceanskipper - I know you’re right - just don’t want them to tell me I can’t yet!
Car/van both manual and it’s the left collarbone so seat belt over the right
I broke mine end May. Only a single break tho and they didn't want to plate. Three weeks later I was back at fracture clinic, showed good range of movement and had very little pain. Consultant said dump the sling and if you feel comfortable you can drive. Auto so no issue changing gear (also left clavicle so non dominant arm). Driving was fine, but I only did short distances for the next two weeks - after that I just got one with it.
Not driven that much since but mostly because no need (thanks Covid!). Never occurred to me to check with insurance!
Seat belt worse for me in Passenger seat but really not an issue. I think I got lucky!
I broke my pelvis (mis-diagnosed) and was back driving after two weeks as I'd just bought a new car which was an automatic, and didn't need to use my knackered left leg ! Its ability to stop and control the car that's the important bit. MrsF couldn't drive for weeks after chipping a bone in her right foot recently.
Oceanskipper - I know you’re right - just don’t want them to tell me I can’t yet!
Car/van both manual and it’s the left collarbone so seat belt over the right
It's not for the insurance company to decide whether you can drive or not, that's for your doctor/physio you are simply making them aware of the situation
I wouldn't waste my time trawling through the terms and conditions, I'd ring then and inform them of the current situation.
Both car and van insurers both happy so I’m going on my first outing in 8 weeks tomorrow!
When I snapped my foot off I was in and out of casts for about 5 years and need to drive. I swapped my manuals for automatics so it was easier. I went to my Dr and got him to agree that there was no difference between using my left or right foot to drive and he was happy for me to drive. You get a letter from someone medical saying the same.
I rang the insurance company and told them that I had damaged my ankle* but the medical profession had said it was fine for me to drive. I explained that I was only informing them as I thought it was the right thing to do. I sent them the letter from the DR and it was fine. I was even covered for the manual cars which was nice for the gaps where I wasn't in a cast.
I think the trick is to tell the Dr you are fine and just want their confirmation. Tell the insurance company you are fine and are just informing them in case it is relevant. It is easier for them to agree than do the full analysis to determine, and then justify, any other decision.
*Same with a broken arm/shoulder
After I broke my collarbone, I kept on driving and never even thought about asking my insurance company about it, because I hadn’t even realised I’d broken it, even after a visit to my doctor*, who told me I’d done something, but just carry on. It was a decade or more before I actually realised what I’d done, due to the lump on my collarbone!
*Who has never properly diagnosed any significant issues I’ve asked him about - I ask for another doctor these days.