car insurance after surgery

[carmalee]

Does any one know if I'm required to inform my car insurance provider that I'm having surgery and then let them decide when I'm fit to resume driving or can I take the advice given out with my op and 'resume driving when comfortable' - usually about two weeks in this case.I live out in the sticks a bit so want to be back driving asap. Just a bit worried insurance people may say something like six to eight weeks just to be on the safe side!
Have also posted this in insurance but think this may be a better option. Thanks

[boxtops]

When I had my hysterectomy (a long while back) I was advised not to drive for twelve weeks, so I didn't - but I didn't tell my insurance company. IMO if anything happened and your recovery was hampered by an accident, the insurance company might well suggest that you were driving against medical advice.

[ubasses]

when I had major op the consultant told me that as long as I waited for him to give me the go ahead to drive that would be enough for my insurance

[Zeuhl]

After leg surgery i asked consultant at a post op session and he said it would be ok (i drive an automatic).

I then informed my insurance coy by phone and they said as long as doc said ok then fine.

I think it's best to cover yourself.

[carmalee]

I can see that if I drive before the recommendation of the medics my insurance most likely wouldn't be valid - what I'm unsure about is whether or not I have to inform my insurance co. then let them decide - don't want to do that unless it's absolutely necessary as they may extend the time the medics give me - thanks for the input - appreciate it

[carmalee]

thanks also ubasses and Zeuhl - think what I'll do is listen to the medics, they seem to hold the key then inform the insurance once I'm given the go ahead - thank you very, very much

[Toureman]

The person you ring at the Ins company will have no medical training how can they decide when you are fit to drive?

[carmalee]

good point but I wondered if they had a crib sheet which just quoted a ridiculous recovery period.

[Toureman]

I cut my thigh with an angle driver which needed 7 stitches and could not drive,

I never contacted my insurance, why should I?

I started driving when I was fit enough about a week later.

[carmalee]

I think the rationale is that if you have an accident shortly after haundergoing surgery and it could be attributed to you not being in complete controlof the vehicle, your insurance co. will not be happy bunnies. For example - I'm having a shoulder op so if I drive my vehicle too soon and have an accident I may be held responsible.

[ojread2]

You cannot drive for 24 hours after a general anesthetic and the hopsital should advise you of that

[carmalee]

yes they did ojread2 - I was more interested in the length of time I wouldn't be able to drive but have the answer now - thanks for the input though.

[SkellieMonster]

Another oddity is, if you have ONE cataract done now, and the other done in 3 weeks time, you can drive immediately. If you have BOTH done at the same time, you can only drive again after the doc has given you the all clear!

[SpikeyBush]

After having my spine fixed I was told not to drive for 2 weeks, and then not to drive for more than an hour at a time for the next 12 weeks. I followed that advice but I don't think 12 weeks was long enough, especially driving in heavy traffic. I was in bits when I went back to work after 14 weeks. Until I bought an automatic.