Electric car insurance – a go-to guide

You've invested in an electric car and now you want to find insurance to suit - use our guide to find out which insurance companies will cover you and what you can expect from a policy.

Who offers cover for electric cars?

Most general car insurers offer insurance for electric vehicles, including Bingle, Budget Direct, Youii and Virgin - among others. Request quotes for electric car insurance, from our list of major providers below.

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Name	Product	Roadside Assistance	Accidental Damage	Storm	Choice of Repairer	Agreed or Market Value
Budget Direct Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Awarded the 2019 Finder Award for the Best Value Car Insurance, this policy offers solid coverage at a low cost. Budget Direct’s claims service has received a 4.2/5 based on nearly 5,000 customer reviews. Who it might be good for: People who want a comprehensive policy without breaking the bank.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bingle Comprehensive						Market	Finder's summary:Bingle consistently comes up as one of the cheaper insurers out there. It only covers the basics, so you don't get to choose your own repairer, you're not covered for personal items in the car and unless you add it as an option, you won't get a hire car if your car is stolen. But this keeps its premiums low. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a low-cost option that covers them for the basics.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Comprehensive		Optional				Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Coles have two-tiers of comprehensive car insurance to choose from. You'll earn double flybuys points at Coles supermarkets and you can get $10 off your Coles grocery bill every time you redeem 2,000 Flybuys points. If you're over 30, you can get roadside assistance free for a year. Who it might be good for: Coles customers and Flybuys collectors.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Finalists for the 2019 Finder Awards for Best Value Car Insurance, Virgin Comprehensive provides a good level of cover for a decent price. Get 15% off on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new eligible comprehensive car insurance online. T&Cs Apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Poncho Comprehensive						Agreed	Finder's summary: Poncho works like a monthly subscription – you pay monthly and can cancel and leave at any time. You can also list multiple cars and drivers under one policy, making it ideal for families and groups living together under one household. Who it might be good for: People who want their car insurance month to month.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance is one of the few providers to include roadside assistance in its policy. You'll also get access to YouiRewards which gives you discounts on furniture, parking and more. Youi also has a live chat feature on its site to talk through any questions. Who it might be good for: People over 25 who want comprehensive cover with a focus on customer service	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: You'll be able to pick and choose how comprehensive you want your cover to be with optional extras like roadside assistance, choice of your own repairer and the option of agreed or market value. Plus earn Qantas Points for joining and paying your premium. Sign up by 28 February 2021, you can earn up to 40,000 Qantas Points (points awarded will be based on your premium). T&Cs and eligibility apply. Who it might be good for: People who love collecting frequent flyer points.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Stella Comprehensive		Optional				Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Stella’s a female-focused insurer. It'll cover you if your car is damaged as a result of domestic violence. It offers higher cover for baby gear than most, with up to $2,000 cover for prams, strollers and child seats. You get a free Bauer magazine subscription when you sign up and a portion of your premiums go to supporting female-led businesses. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a female-centred car insurance policy (it will cover men too).	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Is it cheaper to insure electric cars?

No. In fact, electric car insurance is usually more expensive than cover for a petrol or diesel car - but there are a few reasons for the higher price point.

• They cost more - Electric cars don't come cheap. If you're insuring an electric vehicle, it's almost certainly high value, so your insurance premium will reflect that.
• Parts are expensive - Electric vehicles are still relatively new to the Australian market, so there are limited suppliers and manufacturers, which means sourcing spare parts can be tricky.
• There's a skills gap - Right now, there are very few skilled technicians who specialise in repairing electric vehicles, so they can charge a premium for their service.

While electric car owners can expect to pay more for their premiums right now, it might not always be the case. As more vehicles enter the market, the number of service providers will increase and arranging repairs will be easier - bringing the cost of insurance down.

Popular electric cars and their insurance costs

The table below shows the on-road costs for three popular electric vehicles over five years, covering an estimated 15,000 kms per year.

On-road costs include rego, insurance, licence and RACQ membership. Figures provided by RACQ.

Can I get a discount on electric car insurance?

Although you might have to accept higher premiums for the meantime, there are still ways to save money on your insurance. Some insurers - like WA's RAC - will give discounts for cars which have low fuel emissions. Under the RAC scheme, cars under a year old could see a premium reduction of up to 25%.

You can also save money on your car rego if you buy an electric vehicle, while your duty costs could also be lower.

Do I need specialised insurance for electric cars?

Not necessarily. Most car insurers will offer insurance for electric cars - however, it might be trickier to find cover if you've got a rare or extremely high-value electric vehicle.

For example, some insurance companies won't cover Tesla vehicles, while others will enforce strict age limits on policyholders. This is because there are limited dealerships - just six in Australia - so coordinating repairs can be a lengthy and expensive process.

If you can't find a general insurer that is happy to cover your electric car, you can try the Insurance Council of Australia's Find an Insurer service.

Is it better to get my own choice of repairer?

Some car insurers will give you the option to use your own choice of repairer if you have to make a claim. This usually comes at an additional cost but there are benefits associated with using your own repairer - including quicker turnaround times, a more convenient location, and the ability to choose a specialist service provider.

For electric car owners, particularly those who have prestige or high-value vehicles, it's often a priority to have a specialist mechanic or technician handling the repairs process. As such, it may be worth considering an insurance company which will let you choose your own repairer.

Can I get third party insurance for my electric car?

Yes. Most car insurers will provide third party, third party fire and theft, and comprehensive insurance policies for electric cars.

However, while third party insurance might be cheaper than comprehensive cover, it won't pay out if your car is accidentally damaged. Plus, electric cars aren't exactly cheap - so it might be worth considering more comprehensive insurance.

Picture: GettyImages