Younger generations of consumers – Millennials and Gen Z – are more willing to prioritize alternative energy development and phase out fossil fuels than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, according to the Pew Research Center.

In fact, 56% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials favor phasing out gas-powered vehicles, compared with 45% of Gen X and 38% of Boomers, according to Pew. Furthermore, 57% of Millennials and 56% favor phasing out gas-powered cars by 2035. With fewer gasoline vehicles on the road, there likely will be a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.

Keep reading to learn about electric car insurance.

author-img
Written by:
Erik Martin
Contributing Researcher
Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area-based freelance writer whose articles have been published by AARP The Magazine, The Motley Fool, The Costco Connection, USAA, US Chamber of Commerce, Bankrate, The Chicago Tribune, and other publications. He often writes on topics related to insurance, real estate, personal finance, business, technology, health care, and entertainment. Erik also hosts a podcast and publishes several blogs, including Martinspiration.com and Cineversegroup.com.
author
Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
reviewer icon
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

How much does electric car insurance cost?

Average annual auto insurance premiums for electric cars and hybrid vehicles range from around $1,500 per year for a Mini Cooper SE to more than $4,000 for an Audi RS E-Tron GT. CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to find the average annual rates for EVs and hybrids.

Average Annual Auto Insurance Premiums for Electric Cars and Hybrid Vehicles
Make Model Avg Rates
AudiE-Tron Quattro Premium$1,989
AudiE-Tron GT Premium Plus$2,028
AudiE-Tron GT Prestige$2,028
AudiE-Tron Quattro Chronos$2,036
AudiE-Tron Quattro Premium Plus$2,060
AudiRS E-Tron GT$4,150
ChevroletBolt EV LT$1,777
ChevroletBolt EV Premier$1,793
FordF-150 Lightning Lariat$1,792
FordF-150 Lightning Platinum$1,792
FordF-150 Lightning Pro$1,792
FordMustang Mach-E Select$1,890
FordMustang Mach-E Premium$1,970
FordMustang Mach-E California Route 1$1,992
HyundaiKona SEL$1,498
HyundaiKona Limited$1,534
HyundaiNexo Blue$1,858
HyundaiIoniq Limited$1,882
HyundaiNexo Limited$1,949
JaguarI-Pace HSE$2,340
KiaNiro EV EX$1,577
KiaNiro EV EX Premium$1,687
MazdaMX-30$1,936
MazdaMX-30 Premium Plus$2,010
MiniCooper SE$1,479
NissanLeaf S$1,756
NissanLeaf S Plus$1,809
NissanLeaf SV$1,809
NissanLeaf SV Plus$1,887
NissanLeaf SL Plus$1,932
PorscheTaycan 4 Cross Turismo$2,920
PorscheTaycan GTS Sport Turismo$2,920
PorscheTaycan$3,319
PorscheTaycan 4S$3,319
PorscheTaycan Turbo$3,336
PorscheTaycan Turbo S$4,028
TeslaModel 3 Standard Plus$2,224
TeslaModel Y Long Range$2,369
TeslaModel Y Performance$2,488
TeslaModel 3 Long Range$2,538
TeslaModel 3 Performance$2,748
TeslaModel X Long Range$3,182
TeslaModel X Plaid$3,386
TeslaModel S Long Range$3,503
TeslaModel S Plaid$4,115
ToyotaMirai XLE$2,175
VolvoXC40 Pure Electric Plus$2,771
VolvoXC40 Pure Electric Ultimate$2,798

David Griffin Jr., senior vice president for The Dowd Agencies in Holyoke, Massachusetts, says you will typically pay more to insure an electric or hybrid vehicle than a conventional car.

“This is primarily because these cars are more expensive and also have higher repair costs,” Griffin says. “Because certain components are so expensive to replace – like the battery packs – even a simple accident can cost a lot of money.”

Who provides electric car insurance?

Large nationwide auto insurance carriers like Allstate, AmTrust, Geico, Farmers, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm and USAA provide EV car insurance. USAA is only available to military personnel and their families, but as a full-service financial company, it’s a good option for those who qualify.

Which companies offer electric car insurance discounts?

Some insurers charge less and provide discounts for insuring a hybrid or electric vehicle. For best results, it pays to shop around and get price quotes from several carriers when you need to insure an EV.

“Geico, for example, offers discounts of up to 25% for drivers who choose a hybrid or EV as their vehicle. This company and other carriers also offer various other discounts, such as for good drivers, safe vehicles and students, regardless of whether you drive an electric, hybrid or gasoline-fueled car,” says Andre Disselkamp, co-founder of Finsurancy, an insurance broker.

Michael Kim, the co-founder of Evcharger Reviews, says USAA and State Farm charge the least for insuring hybrid and electric vehicles.

Which insurers offer the best rates on electric cars?

Major auto insurance carriers like Geico, Progressive and State Farm all offer insurance for electric vehicles. The insurance companies with the best average annual rates are:

Car Insurance Carriers with Best Insurance Rates
CompanyAverage Annual Rates
State Farm$1,624
Geico$2,041
Progressive$2,085
Nationwide$2,160
Farmers$2,551
Allstate$3,543
AmTrust$3,650

Is auto insurance for Teslas different than other electric cars?

The cost to insure Tesla vehicles is higher than for other EVs or hybrids. This is primarily because Teslas are built with more expensive and sophisticated equipment and charge higher purchase prices, which result in higher insurance premiums.

In fact, both the cost of the parts and the labor to fix an EV or hybrid is higher, says Fred Balkin, a personal injury attorney with Stein Sperling in Rockville, Maryland.

“Tesla, for example, can only be repaired in designated body shops certified by Tesla. And many electric vehicle owners are surprised when they are told by their collision repair shop that their auto collision insurer will only cover the repairs up to a certain point and that any further charges must be paid out of pocket by the owner,” Balkin says. “In many cases, the owner may have to contribute up to 40% of the total repair bill for an electric vehicle.”

Why do electric vehicles cost more to insure?

According to Consumer Reports, EVs cost more to insure than gas-powered cars because insurance companies don’t have the historical data to review for EVs as they do for gasoline vehicles.

And hybrid and electric car insurance costs can be higher because of the increased risk of theft and vandalism. But, there’s good news.

“As more repair shops and a larger volume of parts become available and more affordable, insurance is gradually becoming less expensive for hybrids and EVs,” says Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications for the Insurance Information Institute.

How do you save on electric car insurance?

Some insurers offer specific discounts for owning an electric or hybrid vehicle. But you may also shave dollars off your premium by qualifying for other discounts and pursuing particular strategies, including:

  • Raise your deductible, which can decrease your premium costs significantly.
  • If you purchase two or more types of insurance from the same carrier, like home and auto, bundling your insurance policies can yield substantial savings.
  • Capitalize on low-mileage discounts: Some carriers provide discounts to drivers and carpoolers who travel less than expected miles annually.
  • Equip your vehicle with anti-theft devices.
  • Maintain a good credit history.
  • Earn a loyalty discount by being a longtime customer.
  • Keep a clean driving record (no accidents or moving violations in the past three years).

Read more: What do you need to know about insuring an electric car?

Can electric vehicles help you save in other ways?

Yes. EVs have lower maintenance costs as they don’t need the services that gas-powered vehicles do, such as tune-ups and oil changes. Teslas, for example, could need a new battery, tires and tire rotation, air filters and A/C service, and brakes, but that’s the extent.

In the spring of 2023, CarInsurance.com conducted a nationwide drivers survey, asking them about their thoughts on electric vehicles, car insurance companies, inflation, state DMVs and DOTs. The study found that 44% of drivers said electric vehicles are more expensive to maintain than gas-powered vehicles. Only 16% of drivers said EVs are cheaper to maintain, and 40% said the costs are comparable.

Tax credits of $7,500 are available for new EVs if the vehicle has four wheels, doesn’t weigh more than 14,000 pounds and has a battery that provides at least 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power charged from an external source.

Learn more about the hidden costs of owning an electric car

FAQs: Electric car insurance

Is insurance for hybrids or electric cars more expensive than gas-powered cars?

Yes. Research shows that it can be costlier today to insure an electric or hybrid vehicle than a gasoline-powered automobile, depending on the make, model and year. Additionally, hybrids and EVs can have more expensive parts, and not all auto shops have experience with these kinds of vehicles.

Which electric vehicles are the cheapest and most expensive to insure?

The most expensive EVs to insure are the Audi RS E-Tron GT at an average annual rate of $4,150, the Tesla Model S Plaid at a rate of $4,115, Porsche Taycan Turbo S at a rate of $4,028 per year, Tesla Model S Long Range at a rate of $3,503 and the Tesla Model X Plaid at a rate of $3,386 per year.

The cheapest EVs to insure are the Mini Cooper SE with an annual average rate of $1,479; the Hyundai Kona SEL at a rate of $1,498; Kia Niro EV EX at $1,577; Nissan Leaf S at $1,756; and Chevrolet Bolt EV LT at $1,777 per year.

Are electric cars cheaper to insure?

EVs typically are more expensive to insure because they cost more to purchase and pose a greater financial risk to the insurer. More risk means higher insurance rates.

Methodology & Resources

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2022 to field rates for a 40-year-old male driver of 2022 new vehicles with good credit, full coverage (100/300/50) and a $500 deductible. CarInsurance.com commissioned survey company Slice to survey drivers nationwide in 2023 about their driving habits, favorite driving songs, the best roads and DMVs, inflation and attitudes about car insurance. The survey was conducted March 24 – April 4, 2023. There were 2,300 respondents.

Sources

Consumer Reports. “Electric Vehicles May Cost More to Insure Than Gasoline-Powered Cars.” Accessed May 2022.

Insure.com. “Ranking the most expensive and cheapest cars to insure for 2022.” Accessed May 2022.

Pew Research Center. “Younger generations more willing than older to give up fossil fuels, phase out gas-powered cars.” Accessed May 2022.

Pew Research Center. “Gen Z, Millennials Stand Out for Climate Change Activism, Social Media Engagement With Issue.” Accessed May 2022.

Progessive.com. “Is insurance more expensive for electric vehicles?” Accessed May 2022.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

Ask the Insurance Expert

Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

Ask the Insurance Expert

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Please Enter Valid Question. Min 50 to max 250 characters are allowed. Only (& ? , .) charcters are allowed.
Please Enter Valid Email.
Error: Security check failed
Thank You, Your message has been received. Our team of auto insurance experts typically answers questions within five working days. Note that due to the volume of questions we receive, not all may be answered. Due to technical error, please try again later.
Compare top carriers in your area Get quotes near you!
Please enter valid zip
author image
Contributing Researcher

Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area-based freelance writer whose articles have been published by AARP The Magazine, The Motley Fool, The Costco Connection, USAA, US Chamber of Commerce, Bankrate, The Chicago Tribune, and other publications. He often writes on topics related to insurance, real estate, personal finance, business, technology, health care, and entertainment. Erik also hosts a podcast and publishes several blogs, including Martinspiration.com and Cineversegroup.com.