Mothers who have given birth by Caesarean section are often told they will be unable to drive for several weeks, even if they feel well enough to – but the reality is much more complicated.
Like all operations, C-sections do require recovery time while the body heals.
But unlike other operations, a myth has grown up around C-sections and car insurance, namely that mothers are not insured to drive for six weeks afterwards. This is not quite true.
Insured? Many new mothers believe they will be uninsured if they drive following a C-section – but that isn’t necessarily true
No major car insurer has any set rules on insuring women that have had C-sections.
Instead, they rely heavily on Government and medical guidelines about when it is safe to get back behind the wheel.
Here is everything you need to know about driving and insurance after a C-section.
Driving and C-sections: What is the advice?
The major car insurers we spoke to all told us they do not have a six-week waiting period during which C-section mothers cannot drive.
This is Money spoke to the largest 10 car insurance groups, who issue most of the UK’s car insurance policies, including Aviva, Direct Line, Esure, RSA and Hastings Direct.
Ultimately, all insurers say it is safe to drive again after a C-section once the mother and their doctor agree. That could take any time at all, from a few weeks to several months.
A spokesperson for Aviva said: ‘As long as the doctor has given the all-clear and the person feels okay to drive, then it’s absolutely fine.
‘They don’t need to provide proof and we don’t need to note anything on their policy, including Caesarean sections.
‘A customer would only need to notify us of a medical condition if they have notified the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about it.’
However, it is better to stay safe and not rush back to driving too quickly.
Partly this is for safety reasons, because a Caesarean section is a serious operation and it takes time to recover properly.
But also, if you do drive in an unfit state after any surgery, then your car insurer can refuse to pay out for any claims.
The largest car insurance firm, Admiral, said it relied on mothers returning to driving when their doctor advised it was safe to do so.
Get medical advice: Insurer Aviva says that if a new mother feels comfortable driving, and her doctor has said it is OK, then she can go ahead
An Admiral spokesperson said: ‘This applies to any major medical treatment. For example, if someone had an operation which impacted their ability to drive, we would expect them to follow their medical expert’s advice on when it’s safe to do so.
‘This is primarily to reduce the risk of further injury. They may also be taking strong painkillers, or have limited mobility, which could impact their ability to drive safely and put other road users at risk.’
Other insurers, such as Hastings Direct, rely on guidance from the DVLA around when mothers can return to driving.
What does the DVLA say?
The DVLA says drivers should speak to their doctor about when it is safe to get back behind the wheel.
The driving agency also said motorists do not need to inform it of any surgery unless it will affect their driving and last for more than three months.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects how you drive. You may also be prosecuted if you then have an accident.
Motorists do need to be able to safely drive a car before getting back on the roads after surgery, and must have valid insurance.
A Hastings Direct spokesperson said: ‘We do not have specific restrictions related to driving after having a caesarean section or other operations, however we would always advise customers to follow the DVLA’s guidance on medical conditions and driving to ensure the customer is within the terms of their licence.’
Does driving after a C-section mean driving uninsured?
Yes, but only if you are unfit to drive at the point you get back behind the wheel and then have an accident.
The Admiral spokesperson said: ‘While it wouldn’t automatically invalidate their insurance if someone drove against medical advice, if they did so and were involved in an incident in which their condition directly caused or contributed to it, then we could refuse cover.
‘However, this would be rare, and we would assess on a case-by-case basis and consider any extenuating circumstances.’
Can I get a car insurance refund if I’m not able to drive?
If you are recovering from surgery and cannot drive, it seems reasonable to wonder if you can get a refund for all or some of your car insurance costs for that period.
After all, your car will just be sitting there, meaning no risk of crashing it.
But insurers do not see it that way, and no insurer offers money back for drivers that are recuperating.
A Hastings Direct spokesperson pointed out that, even if a car is not being driven, the insurance policy still needs to cover the owner for the risk of theft or fire damage.
