Tesla insurance in California for 2025

How much is Tesla insurance in California?

Car insurance for a Tesla in California averages about $5,257 per year or $438 a month. As the table below shows, the Tesla model you purchase determines what you pay for insurance.

Tesla Model X is the most expensive to insure in California, and Tesla Model 3 is the least costly.

How much is insurance on a Tesla Model 3?

The average cost of insurance for a Tesla Model 3 in California is $1,298 for 100/300/100 liability-only coverage and $4,241 for full coverage.

If you finance your vehicle, your lender will require more than liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people.. You'll also be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage and possibly gap insurance as well. Compare costs by company and coverage level below.

How much is insurance for a Tesla Model Y?

The average cost of insurance for a Tesla Model Y in California is $1,434 for 100/300/100 liability-only coverage and $4,616 for full coverage.

Your cost will depend on the insurance company, your driving record and even your credit score, so be sure to get quotes from multiple carriers for the best deal.

See average costs by company below.

How much is insurance on a Tesla Model X?

The average cost of insurance for a Tesla Model X in California is $1,329 for 100/300/100 liability-only coverage and $7,043 for full coverage.

Your cost for insurance on a Tesla Model X will depend on the company you choose, along with your driving record and (depending on the state) your credit score, so be sure to get quotes from multiple carriers for the best deal. See the table below for average costs from various carriers.

How much is insurance on a Tesla Model S?

The average cost of insurance for a Tesla Model S in California is $1,271 for 100/300/100 liability-only coverage and $5,728 for full coverage.

See the table below for the average cost of car insurance from multiple carriers on a Tesla Model S. These are average costs; your price will depend on the insurance company, along with your driving record and even credit score, so be sure to get quotes from multiple carriers for the best deal.

Why is Tesla insurance so high in California?

Many factors affect the cost of Tesla insurance in California. Electric cars – specifically Teslas – are expensive to insure due to their high purchase price and costly parts and repairs, but state factors also impact rates.

“Insurance is regulated at the state level,” says Jill M. Bisco, assistant professor of risk management and insurance at Illinois State University. “In other words, each state has its own rules and regulations regarding insurance. For instance, states have laws about minimum liability coverage, how claims must be settled, how and when insurers can change the rates charged for insurance, and so many other factors that can impact the cost of insurance.”

In addition, she says, the prevalence of litigation in a state can affect rates; larger jury awards and more frequent lawsuits drive up costs. And the weather matters, too.

“Risk factors, such as the likelihood of natural disasters, can impact costs. Coastal areas may have higher rates for other-than-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., which is the coverage that applies to wind, hail and water damage. Population density can also impact rates. Higher population often indicates more vehicles on the road, which can lead to an increased likelihood of accidents,” Bisco says.

Tesla insurance vs. average car insurance cost in California

The average car insurance rate in California is $2,416 , while the average cost of insurance for a Tesla is $5,257.

Take a look at Tesla rates vs average rates from several top companies in the table below.

How to save on Tesla insurance in California

You can save on your Tesla car insurance in California the same way you would with other vehicles using these methods:

• Bundle your home and auto together. Bundling car and home insurance is often one of the biggest discounts an insurance company offers.
• Increase your deductible. A higher car insurance deductible means you'll have to pay more in the event of an accident before your insurance kicks in, but you can save a significant amount on your premiums.
• Maintain a safe driving record. Speeding tickets, DUIs and other moving violations increase your insurance rates significantly. One speeding ticket can cost you $200 to $400 more per year, depending on your carrier and the state where you live.
• Shop around. One insurance carrier might have very different rates than another due to how they weigh certain risk factors. You can also look into the Tesla Insurance program offered by the manufacturer.

Factors affecting Tesla insurance rates

A number of factors affect the cost of Tesla insurance, including:

1. Expensive repairs. “There are quite a few unique factors that impact the cost of insurance for Tesla vehicles,” Bisco says. “First, they are unique vehicles with proprietary software/technology and parts. Fixing these vehicles after an incident requires specific skills that many repair shops simply cannot handle. For this reason, most repairs for Tesla vehicles are completed at a Tesla repair shop. Depending on the location and availability of these shops, the time to repair vehicles could be much longer than for other vehicles (impacting the time needed for rental vehicles). In addition, it’s possible that the damaged vehicle would need to be transported to the shop adding to the costs of repair.”
2. Costly parts. “The cost of parts can also be costly for Tesla vehicles,” Bisco says. “As these vehicles generally require OEM (original equipment manufactured) parts, it is more costly to repair compared to vehicles that may be able to use after-market parts for the repairs. OEM parts are generally much more costly than other parts that could be used to repair a vehicle.”
3. Expensive batteries and electronics. “The unique battery system and electronics found on Teslas also can add to the cost to repair these vehicles,” she says. “With incidents of fires related to the battery technology in the news, these types of events can also impact the cost of insurance. The greater the likelihood of and knowledge about such events, the greater the cost of insurance.”
4. Potential liability risks. “In addition to the physical damage aspects, there are liability concerns related to the self-driving aspects of Teslas (and other similarly equipped vehicles). Self-driving technology is still being tested on the roads and parking lots across the U.S. and beyond. With new technology comes additional risks. Insurers consider all of this when determining what to charge and honestly, whether or not to insure at all, vehicles such as Tesla,” Bisco says.

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