Insuring an Electric Car: What to Consider

EV insurance: what is different for electric cars?

Electric car drivers generally need the same basic insurance protection as drivers of combustion-engine cars. Nevertheless, it is worth looking closely at the policy terms. The battery, charging cable and other technical components bring specific risks that not every policy covers equally comprehensively. Suitable EV insurance therefore protects not just the vehicle, but also takes the particular features of electric mobility into account.

Which insurance is mandatory for electric cars?

As with any registered passenger car, third-party motor insurance is legally required for an EV. It covers valid claims if you injure others or damage someone else's property with your vehicle. Third-party insurance does not, however, cover damage to your own car.

Partial or comprehensive insurance is optional. Partial coverage typically applies to theft, broken glass, fire, storms and certain types of animal damage, among other things. Comprehensive coverage extends this protection to accidents you cause yourself and vandalism. People insuring a new or valuable electric car therefore often choose a comprehensive policy.

What should you consider when insuring the battery?

The high-voltage battery is one of the most valuable components of an electric car. While the battery is generally included as part of the vehicle in comprehensive insurance, the precise scope of cover can vary considerably. Check whether the electric-car policy also covers user errors, overvoltage, short circuits and consequential damage following an animal bite.

Also important are the agreed compensation limit and any deductions due to the battery's age or condition. Good policies additionally cover the necessary costs of diagnosing, storing or properly disposing of a damaged battery.

Cover your charging cable, wallbox and roadside assistance

Comprehensive EV insurance should cover more than the vehicle itself. Check whether portable chargers and the charging cable belonging to the car are protected against theft, animal bites and damage during charging. Depending on the policy, a permanently installed wallbox may be covered by home buildings insurance, separate electronics insurance or an optional add-on.

Roadside assistance also deserves attention. An electric car cannot be towed in the same way as a combustion-engine car in every situation. Your breakdown cover should therefore include proper transport to the nearest suitable workshop or charging station.

Is insurance for an EV more expensive than for a petrol car?

There is no blanket answer to whether insurance for an electric car costs more than a policy for a petrol car. Insurance costs depend, among other things, on the vehicle model, its insurance rating, the regional rating, your annual mileage and your no-claims rating. Expensive repairs to individual components can also increase the premium.

Even so, insuring an electric car does not automatically have to be more expensive. Recent claims statistics show that electric cars and comparable combustion-engine models are increasingly similar in both the frequency and cost of claims. The specific vehicle model, rather than its powertrain alone, is therefore the main factor determining the premium.

Find the right EV insurance through comparison and calculators

An online calculator gives you an initial idea of potential costs. For a meaningful comparison, however, do not look solely at the annual premium. Pay particular attention to battery cover, cover for consequential damage, benefits for charging cables and accessories, and the level of new-for-old or purchase-price compensation.

The best insurance for an electric car is therefore not necessarily the cheapest policy, but the one that suits your vehicle, your charging habits and your need for security.

Alongside reliable insurance cover, a well-developed public charging network also makes everyday EV driving more relaxed. JOLT enables ultra-fast charging at central locations and helps you fit short charging breaks flexibly into your daily journeys.