Tesla insurance or Rivian insurance: Which is more expensive?

Tesla insurance averages $4,149 per year, and Rivian insurance averages $3,376 per year. However, rates vary significantly by insurer and driver.

Insurers consider various factors when calculating rates, including driver characteristics such as age, driving record, mileage, and location. Vehicle factors also play a significant role in premiums, including the vehicle's MSRP, safety features, and the cost of technology in the vehicle.

It’s worth noting that Rivian has a higher starting price than Tesla but fewer models to include in the average cost. Furthermore, Tesla has been producing vehicles longer, and insurers have more data on claims, which may impact the difference in rates.

Because rates can vary widely, comparing quotes from multiple insurers to find the best premiums is essential. Below, we’ve compared the average cost of insuring a Tesla with the average cost of a Rivian. 

Tesla insurance vs. Rivian insurance cost
Tesla averageRivian average
Average annual premium$4,149$3,376
Average monthly premium$346$281

Rivian vs. Tesla insurance cost by model and company

Several factors, including your driving record and age, influence car insurance rates, and each insurer applies these factors differently to determine rates. You may see significantly different rates from various insurers, so comparing numerous quotes is essential to finding the best rates for either a Rivian or a Tesla.

Select your Rivian or Tesla model below to compare annual and monthly premiums from top insurance providers.

CompanyAnnual premiumMonthly premium
Array$4,686$391
Array$4,706$392
Array$3,445$287
Array$2,262$189
Array$4,947$412
Array$2,694$224

Rivian vs. Tesla insurance cost by state

Each state determines insurance laws and requirements, which can significantly impact rates. For example, states with no-fault insuranceAn auto insurance system where medical expenses are covered by your insurer regardless of fault. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (MedPay) are no-fault insurance coverages. laws tend to see higher rates due to the increased risk of paying medical claims. 

The table below displays each state's average annual car insurance rates for various Tesla and Rivian models.

Cheapest car insurance rates by state and company

Select state
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

Rivian insurance program vs. Tesla insurance program: Availability

Rivian Insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since the company’s underwriters are national carriers, Rivian can offer coverage nationwide.

On the other hand, Tesla Insurance is only available in 12 states:

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

While drivers in other states can insure their Tesla with another carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims., only drivers in 12 states can obtain coverage through the Tesla Insurance program.

Rivian vs. Tesla insurance: Coverage options

The Rivian and Tesla insurance programs offer the same basic coverage options as any other policy. However, each offers a few extras and takes different repair and warranty coverage approaches.

Electric vehicle owners, like other drivers, need to worry about accidents and natural disasters. They are also concerned with battery failure and software-related issues. Rivian and Tesla owners must find insurance coverage that provides peace of mind for these additional concerns.

“EVs don't require different legal coverage, but for instance, it's important at the moment to get OEM parts. So if you're buying a traditional insurance policy, often that is a piece of coverage that you could ask for, which is important to EV owners in particular,” says Michael Nadel, insurance expert and partner with Simon-Kucher, a global consultancy firm. 

“One of the benefits that you get through either [Tesla or Rivian] could be access to specific repairing networks because Teslas and Rivians can only be repaired at a limited number of facilities, as opposed to traditional vehicles today. “

The table below compares Rivian with Tesla in terms of their insurance programs, battery coverage, and rating systems.

Rivian vs. Tesla insurance coverage
Program featureRivian InsuranceTesla Insurance
CoverageStandard, plus charger, technology, and accessories coverageStandard, plus rental and gap coverage
Telematic structureUses telematics to offer a discount for using self-driving featuresBases insurance rates on telematics
ServicesRivian repair shops may require drivers to pay out of pocket and later be reimbursed if they have a different insurance company.Tesla repair shops work with all insurers for a seamless experience.
BatteryCovered under warranty for 8 years and up to 150,000 miles, depending on the modelCovered under warranty for 8 years, 70% retention, and up to 150,000 miles, depending on the model

Methodology

Insurance.com works with Quadrant Information Services to field car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates were fielded for all Tesla and Rivian models based on 2022 and 2023 model years.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

  • Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
  • Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
  • Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
  • 40-year-old driver
  • Good credit
  • A clean driving record
  • 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

FAQ: Rivian vs. Tesla insurance

Why do insurance costs vary so much for Rivian and Tesla owners?

Insurance rates vary significantly due to personal factors, such as age, driving record, and location. Additionally, Rivian and Tesla models impact rates due to their purchase price, the cost of replacing technology, and specialized labor requirements for repairs.

How does Tesla or Rivian insurance differ from traditional auto insurance?

Any auto insurer can offer traditional coverage for Tesla or Rivian vehicles. However, many insurers don’t provide additional coverage that electric cars may need, such as insuring chargers.

Tesla and Rivian's Insurance programs offer both traditional and specialized electric vehicle coverage, including chargers, technology, and accessories. Additionally, the Tesla Insurance program is usage-based, so your driving habits determine rates.