Do electric cars cost more to insure?

Electric cars cost more to insure on average because they often have higher purchase prices, advanced technology and more expensive repairs. The average cost of electric car insurance is $3,708 a year, which is well above the national average for all cars.

An electric car's higher price tag and more complex equipment mean it may cost more to repair or replace than a gas-powered auto if it's in an accident. That can mean higher rates for policyholders who carry comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much does it cost to insure an electric car?

The average cost to insure an electric vehicle is $3,708, based on full coverage rates from national carriers, but premiums vary by make and model. The Audi e-Tron GT is the most expensive EV to insure in this comparison at $6,413 annually. The Fiat 500e is the cheapest at $2,447 a year.

But rates vary depending on many factors, including the vehicle’s make and model.

The most expensive electric car to insure is the Audi e-Tron GT, with an average annual premium of $6,413. The BMW i7 is right behind it, however, averaging $6,095. The third most expensive electric vehicle to insure is the Mercedes-AMG EQS at an average of $5,866 a year.

Model name Monthly premium 6-month premium Annual premium
Audi e-tron GT$534$3,207$6,413
BMW i7$508$3,046$6,092
Mercedes-AMG EQS$489$2,933$5,866
Porsche Taycan$480$2,881$5,761
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo$479$2,875$5,749
Lucid Air$475$2,850$5,701
Tesla Model X$455$2,731$5,462
Mercedes-AMG EQE$445$2,668$5,335
Tesla Model S$440$2,642$5,285
Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV$434$2,603$5,206
Mercedes-Benz EQS$411$2,463$4,926
GMC Hummer EV SUV$404$2,425$4,849
Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV$395$2,368$4,735
GMC Hummer EV Pickup$382$2,293$4,585
Rivian R1S$382$2,292$4,584
BMW iX$375$2,249$4,498
BMW i5$372$2,230$4,461
Tesla Cybertruck$368$2,207$4,415
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV$364$2,183$4,365
Volvo EX90$357$2,145$4,289
Genesis Electrified G80$348$2,087$4,173
Audi SQ6 e-tron$347$2,084$4,168
Polestar 3$346$2,077$4,153
Dodge Charger Daytona EV$337$2,022$4,044
BMW i4$334$2,003$4,006
Rivian R1T$333$2,001$4,002
Tesla Model 3$323$1,935$3,871
Tesla Model Y$320$1,918$3,836
Audi Q6 e-tron$317$1,905$3,809

On the other side, the cheapest electric car to insure is the Fiat 500e at an average cost of $2,447 a year. It's followed by the Hyundai Kona Electric at $2,544 a year and the Kia Niro EV at $2,654 a year.

Model name Monthly premium 6-month premium Annual premium
Fiat 500e$204$1,224$2,447
Hyundai Kona Electric$212$1,272$2,544
Kia Niro EV$221$1,327$2,654
Nissan Leaf$228$1,368$2,735
Toyota bZ4X$231$1,384$2,768
Chevrolet Equinox EV$231$1,386$2,772
Subaru Solterra$235$1,409$2,818
Mini Countryman Electric$235$1,412$2,824
Ford Mustang Mach-E$250$1,501$3,001
Nissan Ariya$253$1,520$3,040
Ford F-150 Lightning$255$1,532$3,064
Kia EV6$257$1,539$3,078
Honda Prologue$259$1,551$3,103
Lexus RZ$259$1,553$3,106
Volvo EX30$260$1,560$3,120
Mercedes-Benz EQB$270$1,622$3,245
Chevrolet Blazer EV$272$1,631$3,261
Audi Q4 e-tron$274$1,646$3,292
VinFast VF8$275$1,651$3,303
Cadillac Lyriq$276$1,655$3,309
Kia EV9$278$1,666$3,331
Cadillac Optiq$281$1,688$3,376
Genesis GV60$282$1,694$3,387
Hyundai Ioniq 5$283$1,698$3,397
Hyundai Ioniq 6$288$1,727$3,455
Genesis Electrified GV70$293$1,760$3,520
Chevrolet Silverado EV$294$1,763$3,526
Volkswagen ID.Buzz$299$1,791$3,582
GMC Sierra EV$301$1,807$3,615

Electric car insurance companies

Most car insurance companies cover electric vehicles, and aside from Tesla insurance, there aren't any electric car insurance companies focused solely on electric cars.

Major car insurance companies that write electric car policies include Travelers, Allstate, and GEICO. Our data shows that, among national carriers, Travelers has the cheapest rates for EVs on average, with rates of $2,306 nationwide. USAA follows at $2,922 a year.

Because so many factors affect car insurance rates, it's important to shop around and compare rates for your needs. Take a look at average rates from the top national carriers below.

CompanyMonthly premium6-month premiumAnnual premium
Allstate$381$2,285$4,570
Farmers$425$2,550$5,100
GEICO$262$1,573$3,146
Nationwide$271$1,625$3,250
Progressive$290$1,738$3,475
State Farm$263$1,577$3,155
Travelers$192$1,153$2,306
USAA$244$1,461$2,922
National average$309$1,854$3,708

Does Tesla offer electric car insurance?

Tesla offers its own insurance program for its vehicles. It doesn't insure any other type of EV. Tesla insurance is expensive, and the Tesla program promises lower rates due to its usage-based program. That program uses a "Safety Score" based on monitoring your driving habits as part of the rate calculation.

Tesla's insurance program is underwritten by State National Insurance. Currently, it's available in the following states:

  • Arizona
  • California*
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • Nevada
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia

*In California, the Tesla Insurance program doesn't use the Safety Score due to state laws.

Electric vehicles insurance vs. conventional vehicle insurance

Electric vehicles need the same auto insurance coverage as gas-powered cars, including liability, comprehensive and collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible.. You can also buy the same optional coverages, like roadside assistance and rental reimbursement. The main difference is in the cost to insure. EV insurance can cost more because repairs, replacement parts and battery-related damage can be expensive, although some EV models have competitive rates.

Why are electric cars expensive to insure?

Electric cars can cost more to insure because they often have higher purchase prices, specialized parts and complex technology. Repairs can require trained technicians and costly replacement equipment.

Electric cars are more expensive to insure, according to San Diego- based Allstate agent Paul Scalone, because:

  • They have a higher purchase price
  • They use new technology that's costly to repair or replace.
  • EVs are newer to the market and tend to be more challenging -- and thus more expensive – for mechanics to work on

In other words, you have to hire specialized mechanics to fix an electric car, which means you're going to pay more in repairs, which also factors into the insurance premiums.

How to save on electric car insurance

The best way to save on insurance for an EV, or any vehicle for that matter, is to shop around on Insurance.com or another insurance comparison site. You can also lower your costs by choosing the highest deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim. you can afford, bundling policies and asking about low-mileage, anti-theft and safe-driving discounts.

In addition to comparison shopping, Insurance.com offers the following savings tips.

  • Raise your deductible, which can decrease your premium costs significantly.
  • If you purchase two or more types of insurance from the same carrier, such as home and auto, bundling your insurance policies can yield substantial savings.
  • Capitalize on low-mileage discounts: Some carriers provide discounts to drivers and carpoolers who travel less than expected miles annually.
  • Equip your vehicle with anti-theft devices.
  • Maintain a good credit history.
  • Earn a loyalty discount by being a longtime customer.
  • Keep a clean driving record (no accidents or moving violations in the past three years).

Do insurers offer electric vehicle insurance discounts?

Some insurance companies offer discounts for driving electric vehicles, but not many. Some companies that offer an electric or hybrid vehicle include:

  • Lemonade
  • Travelers
  • Farmers

Because discounts vary by state, it's important to ask what's available in your area.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned insurance rates for electric vehicles from Quadrant Information Services based on a full coverage policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 and $500 deductibles. Rates were fielded for 1,661 makes and models of electric vehicles and based on a 40-year-old male driver with a clean record and good credit.

FAQ: Electric car insurance

Does insurance cover EV battery replacement?

Auto insurance covers an EV battery when it is damaged in a covered loss, such as a collision. It does not cover normal wear, battery degradation or mechanical problems. Your comprehensive or collision coverage, deductible and policy exclusionsItems that are specifically denied coverage under the terms of an insurance policy. For example, most auto insurance policies exclude coverage for normal wear and tear, drag racing and intentional acts. determine whether the insurer pays for a replacement.

Roadside assistance is available on EV car insurance policies just like any other policy. It will cover things like flat tires, lockouts and towing if needed.

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