The Best Electric Car Insurance 2024 | Electric Car Guide (2024)

Welcome to our review of the best electric car insurance providers in the UK. As EVs are becoming increasingly common on the UK’s roads, understanding electric car insurance and how it compares to traditional car insurance, is important for EV owners.

That’s where our guide to EV insurance comes in. We’ll explain the distinctive features of EV insurance, offer insights on the elements of EV insurance that are important to EV owners and we will showcase the best EV insurance coverage on offer in the UK.

What is Electric Car Insurance?

Battery Cover
The most important part of an electric car is the battery, a vital and usually very expensive component. Unlike traditional vehicles where the engine is the primary concern, EVs revolve around their batteries. So a comprehensive electric car insurance policy should provide cover for potential damages or other issues with the battery.

Charging Cable Cover
EVs rely on charging cables. These cables, due to their frequent use and exposure, are susceptible to wear, damage, or even theft. Electric car insurance policies typically provide cover for charging cables.

Cover for Injury and Damage Caused by Charging Cables
An added concern with EVs is the potential hazards their charging cables might pose, especially if they are positioned in public areas. There’s a risk of someone tripping over them or the cables causing an accident. Electric car insurance can include cover for this. Should a third party sustain injuries or damages due to your charging cable, policies might cover the liabilities.

The Best Electric Car Insurance Providers 2024

With these criteria in mind, the insurance companies that made it onto our shortlist of the best electric car insurance providers are The AA, AXA, Admiral, Aviva, LV, Esure, and Direct Line. They have all met the insurance needs of EV owners identified in our research.

AA electric car insurance

• Best For: Best Overall EV cover
• Battery Cover: AA EV insurance covers the most important part of your electric car, the battery. AA safeguards your EV batttery against accidental damage, fire, and theft.
• Charging Equipment: AA provides comprehensive coverage for your charging cables, charger, and charging adaptors. These are protected from accidental damage, fire, and theft whether they’re in the car, at a garage, or at your home.
• Out of Charge Recovery: If you’re an AA breakdown cover member and your vehicle’s battery runs out, they’ll ensure a patrol takes your vehicle to the nearest charging point.
• Liability for Charging Cable: In case someone trips over your charging cable outside your property, AA liability cover ensures you’re protected from potential claims.
• 24/7 Support: Claims can be made at any time, thanks to the AAs 24/7 UK contact centre.
• Cover for Personal Items: Personal belongings in the car, up to £250 (or £500 for members), are also protected, covering items such as handbags, phones, or wallets.
• Trust Pilot: 4.3 (January 2024)

What we like about The AA electric car insurance

The AA’s electric car insurance provides comprehensive coverage for both owned and leased batteries against accidental damage, fire, and theft – this offers peace of mind for what is arguably the most critical component of an EV.

The AA also offer protection for charging equipment. From cables and chargers to adaptors, they ensure these essentials are covered not just when they’re inside the vehicle, but also when in use at a garage or at home.

Another aspect that stands out is their liability coverage for charging cables. The risk of someone tripping over a charging cable outside a property is real, especially if a granny charger is trailed across the pavement with an EV charger extension lead. The AA provides cover for this potential liability.

The AA’s out-of-charge recovery service gives reassurance in the event of your battery running out. With its national breakdown recovery network, the AA will promptly transport your vehicle to the nearest charging point is incredibly reassuring. The AA claims to have the most trained mechanics in the UK.

See Also

8 Best Car Insurance for Electric Cars

The AA’s 5 Star Rating from Defaqto demonstrates a high-rated, quality product. They have a round-the-clock claims line and seem to do their best to keep drivers on the move after accidents with courtesy car provisions.

AXA electric car insurance

• Best For: Comprehensive Battery Protection
• Battery Cover: AXA provides a specialised battery cover to protect your EV battery.
• Charging Equipment: AXA offers protection against theft and accidental damage to charging cables.
• Out of Charge Recovery: With AXA, you’re never stranded. If your electric vehicle runs out of charge, AXA’s optional breakdown cover promises to transport your car to the nearest convenient charging station.
• Reassuring claims data: A whopping 99.8% of car insurance claims are paid out.
• Liability for Charging Cable: AXA provide cover for third-party incidents. AXA protects you against injuries and damages caused by someone tripping over your charging cable.
• Trust Pilot: 4.3 (January 2024)

What we like about AXA electric car insurance

AXA Electric Car Insurance has an impressive track record of a 99.8% claim payout rate, which offers an assurance that when the unexpected occurs, AXA is there to support its EV policyholders.

Admiral electric car insurance

• Best For: Personal Item Protection
• Battery Cover: Admiral’s policy covers EV batteries against accidental damage, fire, and theft.
• Charging Equipment: Admiral’s EV policy protects charging cables, they’re covered against accidental damage, fire, and theft.
• Out of Charge recovery: If your electric car runs out of battery while you’re out and about, Admiral provides an EV recovery service (hybrid vehicles aren’t included).
• Personal Injury Protection: With Admiral’s EV insurance, both you and your partner receive a comprehensive £5,000 personal injury cover
• Protection for Personal Belongings: If your personal effects in your electric car get damaged or stolen, Admiral steps in. They offer compensation up to £200 to assist in replacing these items.
• Round-the-Clock Assistance: Admiral provides a 24-hour emergency helpline for unexpected incidents on the road. This service is available to comprehensive and third-party, fire & theft policyholders.
• Trust Pilot: 4.4 (January 2024)

What we like about Admiral electric car insurance

Emergencies are unpredictable, and Admiral’s 24-hour emergency helpline, accessible to comprehensive and third-party, fire & theft policyholders, provides round-the-clock support.

Admiral provides a ‘Bonus Match’ feature, which typically matches the No Claims Bonus when a second vehicle is insured with them.

Additionally, for households with more than one vehicle, Admiral’s MultiCar discount can be a cost-saving advantage. Admiral offers up to 90 days of European coverage which eliminates the hassle of seeking additional insurance for cross-border travel.

Aviva electric car insurance

• Best For: Out of Charge recovery
• Battery Cover: Aviva provides coverage against damage or theft of the EV battery.
• Charging Equipment: Aviva’s policy extends to the charging cables, whether they’re stored in your EV or in use, as well as home EV chargers installed in your garage.
• Out of Charge Recovery: Aviva offers an ‘Out of Charge’ service. If your electric car runs out of power, a RAC mechanic will either provide a direct charge to help you reach a nearby station or transport you, your electric car, and any passengers to the closest charging point or even back home.
• Uninsured driver cover: Uninsured driver cover comes into play if you find yourself in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance, provided the fault doesn’t lie with you.
• Vehicle recovery: In situations where your electric car needs recovery, Aviva ensures roadside repairs to make your vehicle roadworthy again. They also provide coverage up to £150 for alternate accommodation or public transport if necessary.
• Driving other cars: For those occasions when you might need to drive another person’s car, Aviva offers cover provided you’re 25 or older. Young EV drivers will have to secure separate insurance cover if they wish to drive another person’s car.
• Trust Pilot: 3.9 (January 2024)

What we like about Aviva electric car insurance

Aviva has a range of features tailored specifically to EV insurance. A highlight is their ‘Out of charge recovery’ service. In the event your electric car runs out of charge, an RAC mechanic is dispatched to either provide an immediate charge to reach a nearby charging point or transport you, your passengers and your vehicle to the closest charging station or your home.

Aviva also offers bicycle insurance for electric bikes or scooters through their partner, Cycleplan.

LV electric car insurance

• Best For: Lifetime guarantee on repairs
• Battery Cover: LV electric car insurance policy offers dedicated protection for the battery against potential risks like accidental damage, fire, and theft.
• Charging Equipment: Electric cars are as reliant on their charging cables as they are on their batteries. LV provides comprehensive coverage for essential charging components such as cables, home charging stations, and charging adaptors. Whether it’s accidental damage or unfortunate events like fire and theft, LV= ensures your charging equipment is protected.
• Out of Charge Recovery: If you find yourself stranded due to an exhausted battery, LV’s partnership with AFF guarantees recovery to the nearest charge point in the UK. The service is designed to get drivers back on the road swiftly, with no excess charges and without affecting the No Claims Discount.
• Accidental Damage Cover: Any dents or scratches on your EV will be taken care of, restoring your electric vehicle.
• Vandalism Promise: Vandalism can be distressing, but with LV=, any resultant claims will not impact your NCD, although an excess payment will be necessary.
• Uninsured Driver Promise: In the event of an accident with an uninsured driver where you’re not at fault, LV ensures your NCD remains intact and you won’t have to pay any excess.
• Trust Pilot: 4.5 (January 2024)

What we like about LV electric car insurance

LV has designed its EV insurance product with features tailored to service the needs of the electric car owner.

A standout feature is the recovery service to the nearest charge point in the UK if your car runs out of charge. In collaboration with AFF, LV= ensures that drivers are quickly back on the road without any additional excess and with no impact on their No Claims Discount (NCD).

Protection extends to essential equipment, with coverage for charging cables, wall boxes, and adaptors against accidental damage, fire, and theft. Additionally, the policy recognises the importance of the electric car battery, offering protection for this rather expensive component of the electric car.

Another nice feature for EV owners is LV electric charger liability cover, LV= provides cover if an accident occurs due to the charging cable.

For long-term peace of mind, LV= offers a lifetime guarantee on repairs, as long as you use their recommended repairer service. And if your EV is undrivable, those who opt for hire car cover can get an electric or hybrid hire car during the downtime.

Esure electric car insurance

• Best For: In-car entertainment cover
• Battery Cover: Esure provides a comprehensive battery cover, ensuring that if your battery gets accidentally damaged, they have you covered.
• Charging Equipment: Esure provides cable cover, so EV drivers can charge their cars with peace of mind, knowing that their charging accessories are insured.
• Out of Charge Recovery: Esure partners with the RAC to provide an optional breakdown cover. If drivers opt for this cover and find themselves out of charge, the RAC will be ready to transport them and their vehicle to the nearest charging point (or charge roadside using the RAC Charging Boost feature).
• In-car Entertainment Cover: A neat option from Esure, helps protect the high-tech EV gadgets we love and use daily.
• Hire Car Cover: Offering a similar-sized courtesy car, electric and hybrid options, ensuring you are still on the road while your claim is processed.
• Key Cover: With the RAC stepping in again, this time assisting with lost, stolen, or damaged keys.
• Trust Pilot: 3.1 (January 2024)

What we like about Esure electric car insurance

Esure has a trusted partnership with the RAC, a renowned name in the recovery industry. This partnership guarantees that in the event an electric car runs out of charge, drivers will be helped quickly, reducing the stress of the dreaded range anxiety!

Esure provides thorough coverage for crucial electric vehicle components. The Battery Cover means that users are protected against accidental damage to the EV’s most expensive part! Additionally, the Power Cable Cover safeguards against damages or theft to charging cables.

Direct Line electric car insurance

• Best for: Exclusive partnerships and discounts
• Battery Cover: Direct Line provides protection for one of the most critical components of an electric vehicle: the battery.
• Charging Equipment: Direct Line offers comprehensive coverage for charging equipment. This includes protection for charging cables and home chargers against accidental damage, fire, and theft.
• Direct Line and Zoom EV: Direct Line customers are treated to an exclusive Zoom EV bundle. From discounts on home charging solutions, to cheaper public charging. The bundle also provides discounted parking rates.
• Innovative Community Charging: Direct Line supports Charger Sharing to help EV owners without a home charger. This community-led initiative matches them with nearby neighbours who have chargers, all done via an app.
• Added Value with GreenFlag: Direct Line partners with GreenFlag to offer customers a discount in the Green Flag store.
• Trust Pilot: 3.7 (January 2024)

What we like about Direct Line electric car insurance

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive of all the electric car insurance providers available in the market. There are many other companies that offer EV insurance, and we encourage EV owners to thoroughly research all options. Always consider factors such as cost, level of coverage and customer reviews.

What are the benefits of getting a specific EV insurance policy?

A dedicated EV insurance policy is a must for EV drivers because it covers the essential parts that are integral to the safety of your vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure an electric car?

Historically, electric cars and vans often cost more to insure compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts. This higher cost is down to the more expensive and less available spare parts, coupled with a frequent need for specialist repairs. However, the landscape of electric car insurance has seen a bit of a shift recently, with several factors contributing to costs coming down for EV drivers.

The rising number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads has meant that there’s a broader understanding of their maintenance needs, increased availability of parts, and a wider network of specialists capable of handling servicing and EV MOTs.

The UK government’s impending 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars has spurred rapid growth in the EV market, which has also impacted insurance rates. As EVs become mainstream, insurance premiums have started to reduce.

To put this into numbers: MoneySupermarket data suggested that in 2021, the average annual insurance premium for electric cars stood at £1,238. By 2022, this figure witnessed a reduction, with premiums averaging £1,097 a year, marking a decrease of £141 in just a year.

Are electric cars expensive to insure? Well, even though electric car insurance rates have seen a decrease, they’re still more expensive than those of petrol and diesel vehicles. However, this gap is closing, and as EVs continue to dominate the automotive market, it’s expected that insurance premiums will further align or even potentially become more favourable for electric vehicle owners as time goes on.

What factors affect EV Insurance premiums?

Just as with traditional petrol cars, the insurance premiums for electric cars are influenced by a variety of factors. Some of these factors are common to all vehicles, while others are specific to EVs:

• Value of the Vehicle
  Typically, EVs have had higher upfront costs compared to conventional vehicles, though this is changing. The higher the vehicle’s value, the higher the potential insurance premium, as insurers might have to pay out more in the event of a total loss.
• Cost of Repairs
  In the past, the specialised nature of EVs meant that repairs could be more expensive, particularly if they involved high-tech components or the electric battery. However, as more mechanics become trained in EV repairs and parts become more available, this cost should go down.
• Battery Coverage
  The battery is one of the most expensive components of an EV. Insuring it can influence premiums.
• Driving Range
  EVs with a longer driving range might be seen as less risky, especially when it comes to potential accidents or issues related to running out of charge on the road.
• Safety Features and Technology
  Many EVs come equipped with advanced safety technologies, which can influence insurance premiums. Vehicles with features that reduce the likelihood of an accident or protect occupants if one occurs might benefit from lower premiums.
• Location
  Just like with other cars, where you live and where the car is parked can influence premiums. Urban areas with higher traffic and crime rates might see higher premiums than rural areas.
• Driver Profile
  The age, driving history, and experience of the driver play a role. An EV driver with a history of accidents or traffic violations will likely face higher premiums than a driver with a clean record.
• Annual Mileage
  The more you drive, the higher the risk of an accident. If you drive your EV more than the average person, you might see higher premiums.

How can I get cheap EV insurance?

The best way to get cheap electric car insurance is with careful planning and awareness of the factors that affect the cost of a policy.

Research and Multiple Quotes
You have to cast a wide net when looking for electric car insurance. Prices can vary considerably between providers. By getting quotes from several insurance companies, you’re better positioned to find a cheaper rate.

Bundling and Excess Choices
You might be able to bundle your car insurance with other policies you might hold, such as home insurance. On the excess insurance front (the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before the insurance covers the rest), a higher excess can lead to lower premiums. But remember to set an excess amount that’s affordable in the event of a claim.

Safety Measures
Modern EVs often come with advanced safety features, and some even have specific anti-theft mechanisms. Such enhancements can reduce the perceived risk for insurers and thus may qualify you for discounts.

Mileage and Driving Habits
For those who don’t clock up many miles on their EV, a low-mileage discount could be beneficial. Some insurers in the UK also provide telematics or “black box” policies. With these, your driving habits are monitored, usually via a device in the car or an app. Demonstrating good driving habits can lead to further reductions in premiums.

Look out for EVs in lower insurance groups
EVs are categorised into 50 insurance groups, these insurance groups have a direct impact on the price you pay for your electric car insurance. If you want to get cheaper insurance then you need to buy an electric car that falls into one of the lower insurance groups. Many of the high-end EVs, such as the Tesla models or the Porche Tayacan, fall into the highest insurance group 50 category – meaning that Porche Tayacan insurance and Tesla insurance are some of the most expensive out there.

The final word on the best EV insurance

Choosing the best insurance for your electric car is crucial. It’s not just about finding a policy that covers the basics but ensuring it is tailored to the unique needs of EVs.

To determine the best EV insurance providers, we collaborated with the Electric Car Guides EV Focus Group, to garner insights from EV insurance customers. Their firsthand experiences identified the most important components of EV insurance:

1. Battery Cover: The battery is one of the most vital parts of an EV.
2. Charging Equipment Cover: As EVs require specific charging equipment, this needs to be covered.
3. Running Out of Charge Recovery: The best EV insurance policy should provide support if you run out of charge.
4. Liability for Charging Equipment: To cover the risk of someone tripping or other incidents.
5. Replacement Courtesy Cars must be electric: Too many providers offer ICE car replacements.

We reviewed the dedicated EV insurance providers in the UK, the best providers are The AA, AXA, Admiral, Aviva, LV, Esure, and Direct Line. The AA emerged as a standout, not only covering all the basic EV requirements but also offering its own breakdown recovery service as an extra safeguard for EV owners.

However, the best insurance for one person might not be the best for another. EV owners should compare these aspects and consider factors like cost, customer service, and additional perks when making their decisions.