Buying an electric car is great for the environment, and they can soften the blow to your wallet over time. Electric cars save you money on gas, obviously, which reduces carbon emissions. Because they have fewer moving parts, maintenance costs are half of what they are for conventional cars. (Here’s a whole lot more on how electric cars actually work.)
But if you previously owned a conventional car, the first time you get an auto insurance quote for your Tesla Model X or Nissan Leaf… you could be in for a shock. Car insurance simply costs more for an electric vehicle.
Here’s why, as well as some tips on how to save some money on your auto insurance rates.
The best auto insurance for electric vehicle owners
Lemonade Car’s goal is to be the best car insurance for electric vehicles. Here’s how we give EV drivers more, for less:
- Lemonade offers the most discounts and savings for electric cars
- Low mileage savings
- Discounts for bundling with another Lemonade product
- Extra discount for electric vehicles
- Our electric car insurance is also packed with extra insurance coverages. From your home charging station to your portable charger—it’s probably covered.
- Roadside assistance includes tows to charging stations.
It’s important to us to deliver special savings and coverages for environmentally-minded drivers, and reward you for the good choices you’re making to protect our planet. But what about everything else your car is covered for?
A Lemonade Car policy is very customizable. Here’s a TL;DR of what we can help with if you purchase the relevant coverages.
Still have coverage questions? We go into a lot more detail here.
Car insurance rates for electric vehicles
What do insurers look at when preparing a car insurance quote?
- Driving record
- Average annual mileage
- Garaging address (aka, where you keep your wheels)
- The make, model, and condition of your car
- Safety features and repair costs
All of these factors influence how much your car insurance costs.
But, for electric car owners, if nothing has changed in your driving history just switching to an electric car could send your rates higher. The insurance costs for a hybrid or electric vehicle can be 7% to 11% higher than standard car insurance.
Why does insurance for electric cars cost more?
Electric cars and electric versions of conventional cars cost more than conventional cars. If you were in an accident, your insurer would have to pay out more if an adjuster declared the EV totaled.
The repair costs for electric vehicles are also higher. Repairs on electric vehicles might cost less due to fewer moving parts, and you save on maintenance with no oil changes, but if the battery pack needs replacing, the average cost is $5,500. Labor costs for electric vehicle repairs also can be higher than with a conventional car.
Higher replacement costs and potentially higher repair costs lead to more expensive car insurance policies. Since an insurer would have to pay out more if you filed a claim, they’ll offset this risk by charging higher insurance premiums.
But you’re not completely stuck paying ridiculous auto insurance rates. Here’s how to bring your monthly premium down for your electric car…
Lowering auto insurance premiums for electric cars
Here are a few ways you can nudge your car insurance prices down a bit.
- Policyholders have some control over the rates on their electric car insurance. When you get car insurance quotes, you select your deductibles and limits, which can lower your insurance premiums.
- As we mentioned, Lemonade car insurance offers a big discount for electric cars and gives you more chances to save if you keep your mileage low.
- When you build your car policy you can also choose a higher deductible and set lower limits to lower your car insurance rate. A deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket towards an accident’s costs before your insurance provider has to pay anything. If you pick a higher deductible, the insurance company has less risk and lowers your rates as a result.
- Insurance coverage limits are the maximum amounts an insurer pays out in an accident after you’ve paid your deductible. If you select a lower limit, you cap the insurer’s risk, so a lower limit can lower your car insurance rates too.
- Bundle up! Combining a car insurance policy with homeowners or renters insurance can also save you money. At Lemonade, drivers of electric vehicles receive special car insurance discounts on top of discounts for combining their policy with other products, like home, renters, pet, or term life insurance.
- Our app calculates your mileage and prices your car insurance rates based on how you drive, and since driving less means fewer carbon emissions, we’ll charge you less.
Extra insurance coverages for electric vehicle drivers
When you’re shopping for electric car insurance you need certain coverages not found in a standard auto insurance policy. While most car insurance companies now offer electric car insurance, not everyone includes the perks that Lemonade does. If you’re comparing quotes with other insurers, you’ll want to ask them for more details.
Most of Lemonade’s extra EV-specific coverages are necessary because of your electric motor. They include:
- Coverage for your home charging station
- Coverage for your portable charger for the car
- Covers tows to charging stations if you run out of charge on the road
Tows to charging stations are part of the free roadside assistance offered to those who drive with the Lemonade app.
Getting your electric car insurance quote
You can apply online and get a car insurance quote within minutes. But when you’re entering information, don’t just look for the cheapest insurance premiums. You want the right combination of coverage, deductibles, and limits to protect your new car as much as you want to protect the environment. Shop around, and take the time to compare both insurance companies and auto insurance quotes.
At Lemonade, insuring electric and hybrid vehicles is more than good business—it aligns with our values.
We reward drivers for the environment-friendly driving choices they’re already making. That includes sweet discounts and extra coverages. If you just bought a new car, or it’s time to change insurance companies, just click the button below to get rolling.
