driving and car insurance

User

Posted 21 Mar 2024 at 16:09

Hi,

I know the obvious answer is to check with my car insurance but cant get through to them...

Does anyone know if there is a minimum time after the RALP operation when you can legally drive?

I am trying to plan when i may be able to go back to work in the next few weeks which involves driving as in sales.

I will continue trying to get hold of the insurance company as well ( doesnt it drive you mad that you cant speak to anyone these days Aaarrghhh !)

Thanks in advance,

Warren

User

Posted 21 Mar 2024 at 20:18

Hi Warren, did the hospital give you a leaflet about the RP? If so, that often includes info on when you can start driving again. Alternatively, you can google the patient leaflet for your hospital. If the hospital says 2 weeks then your insurer will cover you after 2 weeks. If your hospital says 6 weeks, your insurer will cover you after 6 weeks. If your hospital doesn't publish a timescale, the insurer will usually go with the industry standard which, for abdominal surgery, is that you can drive when you feel that you would be able to complete an emergency stop safely.

My husband was unlucky - his was a company car and the company insurer insisted on a letter from the surgeon which the surgeon refused to provide so, in the end, they wouldn't cover him until 12 weeks post-op

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 22 Mar 2024 at 11:35

thanks Lynn,

i will check through discharge letter etc but dont recall seeing anything.

User

Posted 22 Mar 2024 at 12:44

Worth googling what your hospital has online - this is on the Cambridge Hospitals website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/robotic-radical-prostatectomy-frequently-asked-questions/

"We normally advise that patients can drive about two weeks following robotic surgery, providing you feel confident about controlling the car; this is particularly important in an emergency stop situation when full force on the pedals will naturally use your abdominal muscles very abruptly."

Insurance companies are slippery beggars who would expect you to follow any guidance given by your surgeon or hospital, even if you hadn't been made aware of it!

Edited by member 22 Mar 2024 at 12:46 | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 09:44

thanks Lynn,

still trying to find out from nhs trust but will continue and maybe ring Dr if not to seeif he gives the go ahead.

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 11:43

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Insurance companies are slippery beggars...

I worked for an IT company who wrote software for the Lloyd's insurance market. They spent a lot of money on flashy looking software for the underwriters. I asked "what about the software for managing the claims?" ... The meeting fell silent, some tumbleweed blew by. The meeting then resumed as if the "claims" comment had never happened. After the meeting my boss explained, insurance companies don't make money from paying claims, no one is interested in that side of the business.

Dave

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 11:54

That sounds about right Dave :(

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 14:19

Hi Wazzer,

I'm sure you know all this but, here goes.

Presumably you've told your insurer that you've had an operation. I'd think that essential as a minimum.

Nobody will accept a defence of being unable to contact them if you have an accident and they say you're not covered. So I'd definitely put a call through until they replied or get a new insurance.

I was retired when I had my op and had no need to drive so my wife did the driving until I felt right. The wound in the centre of my stomach area was the one that told me when I wasn't ready. An emergency stop would have given a strong signal if I wasn't ready. It took quite a while to heal.

All the best, Peter

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 14:35

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your advice and yes i agree its that wound and behind it that seems the sorest. when ive looked into it with my insurer this is the comment.

"Yes, there is no change to your car insurance cover. Just check with your doctor that it's safe for you to drive. If so, there's no change to your car insurance cover and you don't need let us know".

The problem i have found today after eventually getting through to the Dr's receptionist is for me to get his approval, i need to see my Dr or speak to him over the phone and make an apt to do so, the EARLIEST they can arrange this is 18th May according to the receptionist! i explained that it would be literally a 60 second call / chat but she was having nothing of it. she actually said you really need to speak to your urology team as that is probably what the Dr would recommend ...

I was hoping to drive next Tuesday to be able get to work but as you correctly point out i need to be covered on my insurance. I have put a call into to my cancer nurse at the urology team ( she has be very helpful in the past) so will see how i get on there...

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 14:51

Wazzer, your GP's say-so is neither here nor there. If the specialist nurse can't help you, call the surgeon's secretary / PA.

Or could you just get a taxi / use public transport or ask a colleague to pick you up? That wouldn't have been possible for J as his daily commute was around 1.5 hours each way and no rail station near where he worked. Hence him being off work for 12 weeks :-(

Edited by member 25 Mar 2024 at 14:53 | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 14:57

Thanks Lynn.

Lets see how i get on with the urology nurse...

User

Posted 25 Mar 2024 at 18:30

Yes it's a strange one. I go to the hospital for eye checks and with every appointment I get a letter saying don't drive to the hospital as you may need to have your eyes dilated. Although I know now they won't do it so take no notice.

In some ways that they don't tell you not to drive could be taken as a sign. I'm not sure what instruction I got from Urology, I think I asked the doctor at my first appointment.

Good luck with the nurse.

User

Posted 26 Mar 2024 at 09:50

Thanks...

The urology specialist nurse who was really nice said I need to get the nod from my Dr as it will then be recorded in case of an accident. she said it was ridiculous that the Dr couldnt just make a quick call and i should pursue it again today which i intend to do. its getting past the receptionist that will be my issue..

User

Posted 26 Mar 2024 at 10:52

Wazzer, very frustrating for you, I would think "if necessary" it would be your surgeon who needs to tell you not to drive,or clear you to drive.

Ten years ago I checked on the DVLA website to see there take on the situation, I couldn't see any reason not to resume driving about five weeks after surgery. Lyn did point out the issue of talking to my insurance company and I do sometimes comment that you have a contract with you insurance company. Following many minor ops I have spoken to my insurance company and usually was asked, "have you been told not to drive".

Google"prostate cancer and DVLA"

I think sometimes medication after surgery can be more of an issue.

My last discharge letter a couple of years ago said, consult your insurance company, it also warned of the potential problems of long road journeys as well as long air journeys after surgery.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 26 Mar 2024 at 11:33 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 26 Mar 2024 at 12:10

Apparently in 2016 Direct Line estimated that 3.4 million UK drivers were driving with out informing DVLA of notifiable medical conditions. https://www.directline.com/media/archive-2016/millions-of-motorists-fail-to-disclose-medical-conditions

Frightening isn't it?

As for your prostatectomy, my advice would be follow medical advice. If you were not told to avoid driving, drive when you feel safe to drive. By all means ring your insurance company and see if they have a specific clause to you not being covered after a prostatectomy. I doubt it. Even if they say you're not covered for x amount of days/weeks, ask if you'll be reimbursed accordingly, and see if they change their mind. We've repeatedly seen on here, how people have recovered very differently from the op. It seems ridiculous that one recommendation would fit all. Even on the list of the 118 notifiable disorders, most include the caveat of reporting, only if it impedes your driving.

Edited by member 26 Mar 2024 at 12:20 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 26 Mar 2024 at 12:41

Thanks Chris and Adrian for your comments.

My insurance states if you have had an operation or surgery " check with your Dr that its safe to drive" if so, you dont need to notify us ( the insurance company ).

I have just got back from the doctors ( walked probably 3 miles at least round trip) and the receptionist first tried saying again i need to speak to the urology team ( which i did yesterday and they said i need it to come from the dr) .. anyway after explaining and asking nicely she initially said you need to see the Dr and 1st apt is middle of April. i said that i cant wait that long ideally as i have my own business and need to get back to it. i have no intention of driving until i feel like im ready to and its not long journeys. end result she has asked the on call dr to call me.

lets wait and see but i dont think it will be mt last walk to the Dr's to try and sort. at least its good exercise..

i realise in the scheme of things on this forum this is minor issue, just wanted a steer from others who may have been in a similar situation.

Thanks again for all the comments.. :)

Notification

Join the online community now.