The Equality Act 2010, which came into force on October 1, will not prevent transport companies from asking drivers about their health – a factor which may affect their ability to obtain cheap van insurance.
Employers are no longer allowed to ask potential recruits about their health if it is unrelated to how someone could do their job but if a standard of fitness is required, for instance for an HGV or van driver who has to be strong enough to handle goods, then relevant questions may still be asked.
Under the Road Traffic Act, both private and commercial drivers are obliged to notify the DVLA if they are suffering from a medical condition or have had an accident which affects their driving ability. This is also likely to be specified in a lorry or van policy issued to cover commercial activities.
If a driver fails to declare a health problem and is in a road traffic accident, he will probably be uninsured, as well as unlicensed, which will make it extremely difficult for him to obtain cheap van insurance thereafter.