As more drivers switch to electric, a common question is whether electric car insurance costs more, and why. The short answer is that it still tends to be a little dearer than petrol cover, though the gap is closing. This guide explains what is different about insuring an electric car and how to keep the cost down.
Is electric car insurance more expensive?
Electric cars still generally cost a bit more to insure than equivalent petrol or diesel models, but the difference has been shrinking. At the peak in 2024 the gap was around 25 per cent, and by 2026 it had narrowed to roughly 10 to 15 per cent on average, as repair networks expand and insurers gain more claims experience. For some models the price is now similar to or even below a comparable petrol car.
Why it can cost more
The main reason is the battery. An electric car's battery is a large part of its value, and repairing or replacing it can be very expensive, sometimes running to thousands of pounds, because even minor damage can mean replacing the whole pack. Electric cars also tend to cost more to buy, so the insured value is higher, and there are fewer technicians trained to repair them, which adds to costs.
The battery is the key factor
Because the battery drives so much of the cost, it is worth checking how your policy treats it. Make sure the battery is covered against damage, and if you lease the battery separately, as some arrangements allow, check how that interacts with your insurance. As repair methods improve and more is understood about battery damage, this part of the cost is expected to ease further over time.
Charging equipment and cables
Electric cars come with extra equipment that standard policies may not automatically cover. Check whether your home charging point, charging cables and adaptors are covered, both against damage and theft, and against accidental injury to others if someone trips over a cable. Some insurers include this as standard on electric car policies, while others treat it as an add-on, so read the detail.
Breakdown cover for electric cars
If you add breakdown cover, make sure it is suitable for an electric car. A flat battery in an electric car cannot simply be jump-started in the usual way, and running out of charge needs different handling from running out of fuel. Look for breakdown cover that understands electric vehicles, including the ability to recover the car to a charging point if needed.
How to keep the cost down
The usual savings apply, as set out in our guide to lowering your car insurance: shop around, set a sensible excess, build your no claims discount and pay annually. On top of that, it is worth getting quotes from insurers that specialise in electric cars, since they often price the risk more keenly than those less familiar with the technology. Comparing widely matters even more with an electric car.
Electric cars and insurance groups
Electric cars can sit in higher insurance groups than their size suggests, because of those repair and battery costs, as explained in our guide to car insurance groups. Before buying, check the group of the specific model, since a smaller, cheaper electric car will usually be far less to insure than a large, powerful, high-value one. The model you choose still matters a great deal.
Is the gap closing?
Yes. The price difference between electric and petrol cover has narrowed steadily since 2024 and is expected to keep easing as more people drive electric, more technicians qualify to repair them, and insurers build up better data. So while electric cover often still costs a little more today, the trend is encouraging, and shopping around can already find competitive prices for many electric models.
Specialist electric car insurers
Because electric cars are still relatively new to many insurers, it is well worth getting quotes from those that specialise in them. A specialist is more likely to understand the technology, value the car fairly and price the risk accurately, rather than simply adding a cautious loading. Mainstream insurers are catching up quickly, but comparing specialist and mainstream quotes side by side can reveal a meaningful difference for an electric car.
Insuring your charging installation
If you have a home charging point installed, check whether it is covered under your home insurance, your car insurance, or neither. A wall-mounted charger is a fixture that can be damaged or, occasionally, targeted by thieves, and the cable presents a small trip risk to others. Knowing which policy covers the charger, and arranging cover if there is a gap, avoids an unwelcome surprise if something goes wrong with it.
What the future holds for prices
The direction of travel is encouraging. As electric cars become mainstream, more technicians qualify to repair them, repair methods for batteries improve, and insurers gather richer claims data, the premium gap with petrol cars is expected to keep narrowing. For drivers, that means electric cover should become steadily more competitive, and shopping around each year ensures you benefit from the improvement rather than paying yesterday's prices.
Battery leasing and insurance
On a small number of older or specialist electric cars, the battery is leased separately rather than owned outright. If that applies to your car, check how the lease interacts with your insurance, particularly who is responsible for the battery in the event of damage or a total loss. For most modern electric cars the battery is simply part of the car, but it is worth confirming so there is no gap in cover.
Do not assume electric means cheap
Electric cars are cheaper to run in many ways, but insurance is not automatically one of them. Treat the premium as its own line in your sums, get quotes for the specific model before you commit, and compare specialist and mainstream insurers. That way you buy an electric car with your eyes open to the full cost, rather than being surprised by a higher than expected premium after the purchase.
The sensible summary is to treat electric car insurance like any other major cost: get specific quotes, check the battery, charging and breakdown cover, and compare widely, including specialist insurers. Do that and you can enjoy the running-cost savings of going electric without overpaying to insure it.
In short
Electric car insurance still tends to cost a little more than petrol cover, though the gap has narrowed from around 25 per cent in 2024 to roughly 10 to 15 per cent by 2026. The main reason is the cost of repairing or replacing the battery, along with higher values and fewer trained technicians. Check battery, charging and breakdown cover, and shop around, including specialist insurers.
Where to get help and next steps
Read car insurance groups before choosing a model, and how to lower your car insurance for savings that apply to any car. For the wider market picture, see why car insurance is so expensive.