Electric Car Insurance

Do esure insure electric cars?

You’ve chosen to accelerate towards zero emission motoring and we are here to help support this new adventure. If you already own, or are considering an electric vehicle, you’ll be pleased to know that esure already cover a number of models.

If you’d like to see if we cover the car you have in mind, get a quote.

Is there any extra cover?

Within our insurance we have included cover to make the transition to electric cars as simple as possible.

Battery Cover

If your battery is owned or leased, we handle every part of your claim in the same way, to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Location of the battery pack varies between vehicles however our policy will cover any accidental damage caused to the battery.

Power Cable Cover

Our policy provides coverage for your electric charge cables whilst used in connection with charging your vehicle. This gives you piece of mind that this is insured along with any other vehicle accessories.

Range Anxiety?

Running out of charge is a fear associated with ownership of an electric car, however through our partners at RAC we can provide assistance. If you run out of charge, the RAC will take you and your vehicle to the closet charge point as part of the optional breakdown cover we offer to enhance your cover.

Car Hire Cover

Our cars are part of our everyday lives and we can’t imagine being without them, especially if they are helping to improve the environment. If your car is stolen and not recovered or we agree with you that it is a total loss, you will get a similar type and sized hire car by the end of the next working day for up to 21 days whilst we sort out your claim. This includes electric and hybrid cars subject to availability.

Where can you charge an electric vehicle?

Most people believe that electric cars can only be charged at home or at work, which was correct when these vehicles were first introduced. Times are changing with more than 20,000 public charge points spread over 7,000 locations. Charge stations are becoming a more frequent sight from supermarkets to motorway services, combined with the use of services such as the Zap Map app, you can locate your nearest available charge point. Public chargers can vary in speed from 3kW to rapid 50kW DC chargers using a variety of connectors depending on the charging power and vehicle manufacturer.

Typically electric vehicle owners will rarely charge from 0%-100%, instead you will more likely be topping up from 60-70% up to full charge. Example charge times are*:

0%-100% at home with a 7kW charger - around 10 hours

0%-80% with a rapid 50kW public charger - around 90 minutes

0%-80% with a rapid 100kW public charger - expected within 45 minutes when available

Charging technology is developing every day with some new companies planning a 350 kW charging capability allowing full charges within 20 minutes from 0% to full charge.**

*source - https://www.kia.com/uk/kia-eco-cars/how-to-charge-an-electric-car/

**source - https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1131340/electric-car-charging-station-IONITY-UK-rapid-charge-times-8-minutes

Are electric cars cheaper to insure?

While electric cars can have lower running costs, they are not necessarily cheaper to insure than cars that run on petrol.

Electric cars have become more popular in recent years, but insuring them was difficult when they first became available. Insurers had difficulty assessing the risk of insuring these new vehicles, and often placed them in high-numbered insurance groups or refused to insure them outright. This was because replacement parts were costly and difficult to source. With growing numbers of vehicles on the road and increased awareness insurers are gaining comfort with the new technologies associated with electric cars.

As electric cars become more popular, a greater variety of models are becoming available.

Who makes electric cars?

Just a few years ago, electric cars were something of a niche product, made by only a few manufacturers. Today, there is an array of options, from the luxe Jaguar i-Pace to the accessible Renault Zoe.

If you’d like to see your options, we’ve created a list of the most common electric vehicles available.

• Nissan Leaf
• Renault Zoe
• BMW i3
• Kia Soul
• VW E-Golf

Should I buy an electric car?

We’ll leave that decision up to you but, as well as the knowledge that you’re doing the right thing for the planet, there are a number of other benefits to going electric.

1. Electric cars are exempt from the car tax

   That’s right, if you drive an electric car you will still have to apply for a vehicle tax, but you will be exempt from making any payments. The only caveat to this is if the car costs more than £40,000, in which case you’ll be expected to pay an extra £320 tax for the first five years of ownership if it has been registered after 31st March 2017.

2. Electric cars can have lower running costs

   While initial costs can be pricey, the actual cost of running an electric vehicle is relatively low. You’re not paying for petrol or incurring emissions fees, and it generally costs under £10 in electric bills to charge your car’s battery completely. Additionally, you’re no longer tied to charging at home – there are now charging points at a number of service stations, charging just 30p per kWh.*

3. Electric cars are eligible for government grants

   If you’re ready to go electric but need something extra to sweeten the deal, you’ll be pleased to learn that the government offers grants for purchasing some new electric vehicles. The grant covers 35% of the price of a new electric vehicle, up to £3,500. If you’re interested, you don’t need to apply for the grant or fill out any paperwork – the dealer will already have included it in the price of the car. In addition grants are available to contribute towards the installation of a home charge point, currently up to £500.

   Some of the cars currently eligible for the grant are:

   Audi e-tron**	Kia e-Niro	Smart EQ fortwo
   BMW i3 and i3s	Kia Soul EV	Smart EQ forfour
   BYD e6	Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive	Tesla Model S**
   Citroen CZEro	Nissan e-NV200 (5-seater and 7-seater)	Tesla Model X**
   Hyundai IONIQ Electric	Nissan LEAF	Toyota Mirai
   Hyundai KONA Electric	Peugeot iON	Volkswagen e-up!
   Jaguar i-Pace	Renault ZOE	Volkswagen e-Golf

*source - https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-vehicle-charging-%E2%80%93-what-does-it-really-cost/n16833

**We may not insure these vehicles. Our usual acceptance criteria applies.

What is the difference between hybrid and electric cars?

Often confused with electric cars, hybrid cars are vehicles that run partly on electric power and partly on petrol. Often, the petrol engine is able to charge the batteries, and in some cases, this is its primary function, i.e. the car runs minimally on petrol, depending on how you drive, etc.

While this may seem similar to an electric car, the primary difference is that electric cars run solely on electric power, and hybrids have a secondary power source to either power the battery or the car as needed. Electric vehicles must be plugged in and charged, which can limit their ranges, while a hybrid car can run on petrol when the battery has run out of power. While it can be helpful to have a charging station for a hybrid car (and some of them do qualify for a government grant through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme), it is not always necessary.

Additionally, it is worth noting that hybrid cars no longer qualify for vehicle purchase grants.

Other optional extras you can get with your car insurance

Getting these great Optional Extras for your car insurance can help enhance your cover.