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Electric car insurance

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What’s covered with electric car insurance?

Everything you expect from your standard car insurance cover is included in an electric car policy. But you may get additional features too.

Exactly what these features are can differ from provider to provider, but we’ve listed a few common ones below. To see what you're covered for, give your policy documents a check.

Standard car insurance typically covers:

  • Theft: Generally included on most policies other than third-party only, you'll be protected from the costs of replacing a stolen car.
  • Fire: Like theft, fire is typically covered with every policy other than third-party only. You're financially protected if your car is damaged by fire or explosion.
  • Damage: Third-party cover doesn't usually cover damage to your own car. A comprehensive policy can protect your car and a third-party vehicle.
  • Legal expenses: This helps cover the cost of any legal bills you're liable for if you need to go to court following an accident. It's sometimes included as standard, but may be offered as an optional add-on if not.

Electric car insurance typically covers:

  • Cover for your charging equipment: This can include cables, wall boxes and adaptors if they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or affected by fire.
  • Cover for your battery: In the event of accidental damage, fire and theft - even if you’re leasing it separately to your car.
  • Public liability cover: There to cover you if someone trips over your charging cable and sustains an injury. This is provided you have taken care to avoid the accident.
  • Electric car breakdown cover: Specialist breakdown cover tailored for electric cars. If you run out of charge, some policies can help you get recharged without paying excess, and you'll keep your no-claims bonus (NCB).

How much is electric car insurance?

When comparing the cost to insure a brand new electric car against the cost of insuring a brand new petrol/diesel car, insurance for an EV comes in around 16% more expensive***.

Vehicle type Average cost***
Tesla Model Y
£1,384
Audi Q4 e-tron
£754
Polestar 2
£820

***Confused.com data Q2 2024.

Electric car insurance costs £873*** on average. But there are a variety of factors that determine what you pay for your policy, so exactly what you pay may differ.

You may find that you pay more than this. And there are a few reasons why:

Most electric cars have only been available on the market for a few years. This makes them more expensive to buy, and can also make them expensive to insure.

EVs have more specialist parts compared to hybrid or petrol/diesel cars. They may also require specialist servicing - leading to an increase in the cost of your electric car insurance policy.

But you might find you pay less. There are reasons for this too:

  • Despite the specialist nature of EVs, they actually have fewer parts in general. So in some cases, they can be cheaper to insure than petrol or diesel cars of the same value.
  • Electric cars often have some of the best safety features available on the market, posing less of a risk in the eyes of insurers. This is seen as a good thing when it comes to the cost of your insurance.

Get a quote now to see exactly what you'll pay for your cover.

Do I need specialist electric car insurance?

Not necessarily. Most insurers now offer electric car insurance, so you should be able to find quotes for your EV as easily as you would for a hybrid or petrol/diesel car. But there can be benefits to choosing a specialist EV policy.

Things like cover for your battery, charging cables and any other EV-specific kit might not be included on a standard policy. On a specialist policy, they’re more likely to be.

If these are important to you, then a specialist electric car insurance policy may be worth considering. If not, then a standard car policy may be the one for you. You could even opt for a green car insurance policy if you want to be as environmentally friendly a motorist as possible. 

Just make sure to check exactly what you're covered for before taking out your policy.

My battery is leased. Will my policy cover it?

If your battery is leased, it’ll normally be covered for wear and tear under a warranty. So if it breaks or deteriorates, you’ll be given a new one. 

But this isn’t always the case if your battery is damaged in a crash.

This is where battery insurance can come in useful, providing you with a replacement in situations where your warranty may not.

Many electric car insurance providers include battery cover as standard. But non-specialist policies may not, so it’s something to check before finalising your cover. 

How can I get a cheaper quote?

Assess your mileage

Overestimating your mileage can lead to you paying more than you need to. Accurately estimating your mileage can help you save.

Shop around to compare quotes

Comparing quotes from a range of insurance providers can offer you a wider selection of policies to choose from. This can help you find a policy to suit your needs and budget.

Install extra security measures

Fitting devices such as cameras, alarms or immobilisers could help reduce the cost of your insurance.

Increase your voluntary excess

Increasing your voluntary excess can lead to lower insurance costs. But you must make sure this is affordable as you'll need to pay it if you make a claim.

Pay annually

You can spread the cost when paying monthly, but insurers charge interest if you choose this option. It's typically cheaper to pay for your insurance annually, if you can afford to do so.

Black box or telematics insurance

This uses an app or box that’s installed in your car to monitor your driving. If you drive safely, it can make your car insurance more affordable.

What insurance group is my electric car in?

Just like a diesel or petrol car, the car insurance group your car falls into will depend on the make and model.

Because many electric cars have specialist parts and are expensive to repair, you can expect to find electric cars among the higher insurance groups.

Generally, the higher the group, the more your car insurance will cost. You can find out what group your electric car is in by visiting the Thatcham group checker.

To give you an idea, we’ve summarised the groups for 5 of the top selling electric cars in the UK. The groups shown cover all specifications and years of each model:

Make and Model Group
BMW I3
21 - 29
Nissan Leaf
21 - 28
Renault ZOE
14 - 25
Tesla Model S
50
Volkswagen E-Golf
19 - 26

Car insurance group checker

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What optional extras could I add on to my policy?

Recovery to a charge point

If you run out of charge, roadside service can tow you to a nearby charge point in the UK. Some providers may include this as standard.

Breakdown cover

This includes roadside assistance, so if you have a flat tyre for example, a mechanic is sent to fix the problem. If they can't, your car is towed to a garage so you're not left stranded.

Courtesy car cover

If your vehicle needs to go in for repairs, you'll be provided with another electric car to use in the meantime.

Windscreen cover

Can pay for repairs if your windscreen is chipped or cracked, or a replacement if the existing windscreen can't be fixed.

What our electric car insurance expert says

"Not all providers specialise in electric car insurance, but you can still get cover for your electric car. Make sure your policy includes cover for charging cables and your battery. Even if you lease your battery from a separate company, it's best to have it covered as part of your policy."

Louise Thomas, Motor Insurance Expert at Confused.com
Motor Insurance Expert Confused.com logo

Types of car insurance

Need more help?

Can I transfer my existing policy from a petrol/diesel car to an electric one?

Yes, you can transfer your existing car insurance policy to an electric car. This is provided your insurer can cover the make and model of the vehicle you are transferring your policy to.

You must contact your provider to transfer your policy, doing this is likely to change the cost of your insurance. It's worth checking your policy covers everything you need it to.

If it doesn't, you can consider cancelling - but you may incur a cancellation fee. You'll then be able to compare quotes to find a policy that suits your needs.

How much is road tax on electric cars?

Electric vehicles that run solely by a battery that is charged from an external source, are exempt from road tax.

Confusingly though, you still have to tax your car, even if it's zero-rated and there's no tax to pay.

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Page last reviewed: 26 June 2024

Reviewed by: Louise Thomas