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SDI Productions/Getty Images November 10, 2022 Lizzie Nealon is an insurance contributor for Bankrate and enjoys making home, auto and life insurance digestible for readers so they can prepare for the future. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. She helps manage the creation of insurance content that meets the highest quality standards for accuracy and clarity to help Bankrate readers navigate complex information about home, auto and life insurance. She also focuses on ensuring that Bankrate’s insurance content represents and adheres to the Bankrate brand. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options. We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions. We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible. All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate logo Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. After years of hard work and sacrifice, returning veterans often encounter a new set of challenges — especially when it comes to their health care. Everyone’s situation is different, but veterans are susceptible to both minor and severe physical injuries while on active duty. In fact, . Depending on their injuries, returning veterans may need access to prevention, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, education and mental health once they return home. Disabled American veterans may be able to better manage their health care independently through making certain modifications to their vehicles and homes. These resources for veterans can help you decide which improvements can make the biggest difference, and clarify the financial commitments that come along with those modifications, from the average cost to make these changes to the car and home insurance implications that come along with them. Car modifications
Obtaining a driver’s license and owning a car creates a sense of true independence. Whether it is a quick stop by the convenience store or a road trip across the country, driving provides the freedom to go where you want to go and do what you want to do without assistance. Day-to-day activities often also require the ability to drive, including going to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions and accessing other health services. When a veteran loses the ability to drive, it can feel debilitating and may limit the scope of health services they can access, since they would have to rely on another driver and work around their schedule. Unfortunately, some physical service-related injuries can make operating a vehicle difficult and impractical. But it doesn’t always have to be. Thankfully, several modifications can be made to a veteran’s vehicle to potentially allow them to continue driving, including: High or extra-wide doors Adjustable foot pedals Large interior door handles Oversized knobs with visible labels Support handles to assist with entry and exit Large print for dashboard gauges Seat adjusters that can move the seat in all directions (particularly raising it to help with the driver’s line of sight) Dashboard-mounted ignition rather than steering column-mounted ignition Light-based siren detector for a driver with difficulty hearing Transfer seats to help get in and out of the driver’s seat Handle controls (to replace traditional gas pedals/brakes) In some cases, physical and mental injuries can prevent a person from driving for a significant amount of time, especially during a lengthy recovery period. After so much lost time behind the wheel, especially if a vehicle modification is required, a veteran may have a hard time learning to get back on the road again. However, there are dozens of resources available for anyone suffering from a disability who needs to learn how to adapt their driving to accommodate for their unique specifications. Veterans who want to learn more about getting back on the road may want to start with these sources: Home modifications
Like vehicle modifications, home modifications can make life much easier for veterans while allowing them to keep a sense of independence and freedom. However, perhaps the biggest benefit of home modifications is that they can help keep an injured veteran safe by creating an adaptive environment. can prevent falls and injuries, reduce health problems, delay disabilities and even allow veterans to practice routine self-care without assistance. In case of serious injury, some home modifications may also eliminate the need for an around-the-clock caregiver. Although home modifications for injured or disabled veterans are essential, they are just home repairs, which means some modification projects can quickly become expensive. Later in this article, we discuss how some veterans could qualify for grants to help pay for these home changes. Also, the cost of a remodel compared to a full or part-time caregiver may be cheaper in the long run. The Fair Housing Act will also prohibit discrimination based on disabilities in all sorts of housing transactions, which should help veterans feel like they are eligible for housing no matter what injuries they suffered during their service. Home modifications will not only vary based on a disabled veteran’s unique needs, but will also depend on the size, layout and location of the home. that could be helpful for injured veterans include: Ramps and elevators to accommodate wheelchairs Adding chair lifts to stairwells Widening doorways Lowering countertop height Implementing accessible bathroom features Installing non-slip flooring materials Adding doorknob and light switch grips Placing transfer benches and push bars throughout the home Modifying shelving units, plumbing fixtures, wall sockets, etc. Financial information
Modifying your home or car for an injury or disability can be very expensive, but there are many resources, particularly for disabled veterans, that could help make these necessary modifications attainable. Cost of car modifications
Auto Car According to the National Highway Safety Association (NHTSA), a new vehicle that comes already modified for disabled drivers can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $80,000, depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle. Exactly how expensive are some of the car modifications we discussed? According to the , a new vehicle with disability modifications can cost between $20,000 and $80,000, depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle. Most of this cost is associated with ensuring the modifications are safe for both the driver and other motorists on the road. used explicitly by individuals with disabilities. If you only need minor modifications, you may want to check to see if any local resources near you could modify your existing vehicle. Still, it may be more expensive to do that than to buy a vehicle that already has the features you need in place. After you purchase a modified vehicle, it’s important to have adequate car insurance to protect your finances. While the cost of carrying auto insurance varies by state and your personal factors, the is $1,771 per year. Keep in mind that some modifications made to your vehicle may increase your cost of car insurance because the added parts may be more expensive to replace. Although budget is probably a major consideration, you may want to consider insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Minimum coverage, which averages only $545 per year, only covers damages to others or their property if you cause an accident, but would not cover damage to your own vehicle. As a veteran, you would be eligible to from , consistently named one of the on the market and one of the in the U.S. Car modification grants
You may think a modified vehicle isn’t within your budget, but several resources are available to assist veterans with the costs, including: : The VA can provide a list of the and what discounts you might qualify for when obtaining an insurance quote. Veterans can also ask about obtaining an application for adaptive equipment for their vehicle. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ automobile grant currently provides a maximum of $21,488.29, which could put a significant dent into vehicle modification costs. : The Social Security Administration’s PASS program teaches veterans to save the money they need to buy the equipment required to return to work. : Although more of an indirect cost-saving technique than a grant, added assistive devices or technology could qualify for a tax deduction the next time you file taxes. As with all deductions, veterans should be prepared to provide proof of receipts and may even need a doctor’s note verifying the need for the equipment. : Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda and several others offer reimbursements for up to $1,000 toward the cost of modifications for drivers with disabilities to help alleviate the burden. The wide variety of participating car manufacturers helps keep veterans from being limited to a specific car brand. Cost of home modifications
Insurance Home Alt On average, a veteran may pay between $813 and $8,092 to modify their home to accommodate a disability, according to Homeadvisor. Home modifications can vary significantly in price depending on what you need. On average, a veteran may pay between $813 and $8,092 to modify their home to accommodate a disability, according to Homeadvisor. Simple modifications can cost as little as $130, while changes that require altering the home’s structure could reach around $19,000. One of the most typical home modifications for injured or disabled veterans is installing a disability ramp on the exterior of their home, which costs $2,042, on average. Adding an elevator runs $4,092, on average. Since the costs vary greatly, it is best to speak with an ADA contractor or . You may want to ensure your modified home has proper to protect your finances in the event of a covered loss. Your cost of home insurance will vary, but the is $1,383 annually for $250,000 in dwelling coverage. Disability housing grants
Like with vehicle modifications, certain grants can help alleviate costs associated with enhancing your home to accommodate your needs. The following : SAH grant: The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant was designed to assist disabled veterans in achieving a barrier-free living environment. Both service members and veterans may be eligible for the grant if their injuries or disabilities are service-related. The grant specifically provides funding for constructing or modifying a house to meet the individual’s specific adaptive needs. In 2020, the maximum grant amount available was $90,364, of which even a partial amount could help a disabled veteran achieve more freedom within their own home without a substantial financial burden. SAH grants may be utilized in the following situations, and veterans may qualify for up to three: Construction of a new adaptive home on land yet to be acquired. Construction of a new home on owned land that is specifically designed to meet a veteran’s individual adaptive needs. Remodeling an existing home to meet a veteran’s individual adaptive needs. Application of the grant money to an existing unpaid principal balance of a mortgage of an adaptive home that was already obtained without any assistance of a grant. HISA grant: The Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants are available to help veterans with home modifications and/or structural enhancements that would meet an individual’s specific adaptive needs. Veterans are eligible for this grant if they have a service-related condition rated 50% or more service-connected. Although not as large as the SAH grant, the lifetime benefit provided to injured service members via the HISA grant is up to $6,800, which could still greatly assist a veteran with paying for home modifications. Even veterans without a service-related condition may qualify for up to a $2,000 benefit, depending on their circumstances, to assist with the cost of home repairs designed for barrier-free living. Other resources for veterans
(offered seasonally) The bottom line
Veterans with disabilities deal with a unique set of challenges when they return home. Adjusting to a disability and the financial strain that may come with it isn’t easy. But home and vehicle modifications can help veterans stay as independent as possible and get the most out of daily life. While these modifications can be expensive, resources exist to help veterans with the financing. Pursuing car and home modification grants from government agencies and nonprofits can help veterans get the best equipment possible to address their healthcare needs. SHARE: Lizzie Nealon is an insurance contributor for Bankrate and enjoys making home, auto and life insurance digestible for readers so they can prepare for the future. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. She helps manage the creation of insurance content that meets the highest quality standards for accuracy and clarity to help Bankrate readers navigate complex information about home, auto and life insurance. She also focuses on ensuring that Bankrate’s insurance content represents and adheres to the Bankrate brand. Related Articles