Electric Car Insurance: Does it Still Cost More in 2024?

Electric vehicle car insurance can cost more, but it’s still possible to save on premiums while helping the environment.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken
  • Ganadora del Premio Plutus

  • Más de 12 años escribiendo sobre seguros y finanzas personales

Emily es ampliamente reconocida como una experta en finanzas personales y autora de varios libros sobre finanzas personales. Es una invitada habitual en medios de comunicación nacionales y regionales.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • Más de 3 años produciendo contenidos sobre seguros y finanzas personales

  • Principal artífice de la puntuación de calidad de Insurify

Los profundos conocimientos de Courtney sobre finanzas personales van más allá de los seguros y abarcan las tarjetas de crédito, los préstamos al consumidor y la banca. Le encanta crear contenidos prácticos.

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Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated December 19, 2024

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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance for electric vehicles (EVs) generally costs more than insurance for gas-powered vehicles for two very important reasons. EVs tend to be more expensive than their fossil-fuel-burning counterparts, and on average they still cost more to repair.


The average new EV sold for $61,448 in December 2022, while the average new car across all categories sold for $49,507, according to Kelley Blue Book.[1] And while EVs may need less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, when they do need significant repairs those are generally more expensive.

Quick Facts
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles may require more expensive insurance coverage than traditional vehicles due to their relative value.

  • Drivers of eco-friendly cars may be eligible for discounts from their car insurance companies, and even tax breaks.

  • More expensive insurance coverage may be evened out by money saved on fuel over time.

Are car insurance rates higher for EV cars?

Drivers can generally expect to pay higher premiums for electric cars compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. 

“The cost of your insurance is based on the value of your car, your location, and your individual factors,” explains Heather Zoller, a Maryland-based Certified Insurance Counselor.

That said, Zoller hasn’t necessarily seen a drastic difference in premiums between EVs and ICE cars among her clients. This may be due to car buyers shopping solely for either an EV or an ICE, rather than comparing the costs of owning the EV versus the ICE of a particular make and model.

For example, a car buyer might not choose between the EV Ford Mustang Mach-E (starting MSRP of $46,895) and the gas model Ford Mustang (starting MSRP of $27,770), but instead between the Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Model 3 (starting MSRP of $43,990). Such car buyers may compare the cost of insuring the two EVs, rather than comparing the cost of insuring an electric versus gas vehicle.

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Electric and Hybrid Vehicles with the Safest Drivers

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EV vs. gas model car insurance rates

Understanding the full cost of owning an EV compared to its gas-powered counterpart requires comparing the difference in car insurance rates. Here are the car insurance rates for EVs versus their gas model counterparts (where available), based on Insurify data.

Make/Model
EV Insurance Rate 
Gas Model Insurance Rate
Ford Mustang$309$288
KIA Soul$223$232
Tesla Model 3$423N/A
Tesla Model S$388N/A
Tesla Model X$421N/A
Tesla Model Y$395N/A
Toyota RAV4$198$227
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Why does it cost more to insure an electric vehicle?

Several factors influence the higher cost of premiums for electric car insurance:

  • EVs are more expensive than comparable ICE cars.

  • EVs repairs may require specialized knowledge or equipment.

  • EV battery damage may require special safety protocols.

  • EV batteries are expensive to replace, costing up to $15,000 — and that doesn’t necessarily include labor.[2] For comparison, a replacement battery for a gas vehicle generally costs between $45 and $250.

Here are the starting MSRPs for EVs compared to their gas-powered counterparts, where available, according to Kelley Blue Book. These price differences help explain the potentially higher cost of electric car insurance.

Make/Model
EV Starting MSRP
Gas Model Starting MSRP
BMW i4$51,400N/A
Chevrolet Bolt EV $25,600N/A
Ford Mustang$46,895$27,770
Nissan Leaf$27,800N/A
Tesla Model 3$43,990N/A
Tesla Model X$109,990N/A
Toyota RAV4$41,590$27,575

How much is car insurance for electric vehicles or hybrids per month?

Insurify’s research found that the average monthly cost for car insurance for a gas engine car is $248, while the cost for an EV is $357. That’s a 44% difference in premium costs. But why do EVs cost so much more to insure?

As of 2015, “electric vehicles were associated with fewer collision and property damage liability claims, but increased severity [of those claims],” according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.[3] In other words, while electric vehicle owners made fewer claims (and were presumably in fewer accidents), the claims they made were for more severe damage, which costs more to fix. 

Since 2015, the difference in severity between EV and ICE insurance claims has diminished, according to the 2020 Highway Loss Data Institute bulletin — but insurance premium differences are still evident.

“It can take the insurance industry a few years to analyze losses with new technology,” Zoller says. “The industry is keeping an eye on fires in EVs right now, for example.”

That means the cost of electric car insurance may change. If the trends outlined by the HLDI bulletin continue, those costs may go down.

What is a Hybrid Car?

What is a Hybrid Car?

Electric vs. gas car insurance costs by year

The average cost of car insurance for gas and electric cars increased over the past two years, but gas model cars are still slightly less expensive to insure. In 2023, the average cost of car insurance for an EV is 26% higher than for gas-powered vehicles. But the good news is, the cost gap appears to be closing. In 2021, that cost difference was 37%.

Year
Average Monthly Quote: EV
Average Monthly Quote: Gas
2023$416$320
2022$332$249
2021$336$231
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Electric vs. gas car insurance

Your premium costs have little to do with your vehicle’s fuel source — but everything to do with the cost to purchase and repair your car. The more a car costs, the higher your premiums will be, since your insurance is protecting a more expensive asset.[4]

Additionally, newer technology is costlier to repair. There are fewer professionals with the knowledge and equipment to repair new tech, meaning those mechanics can charge a premium for their labor. It may also be more difficult or expensive to get necessary parts for new technology. For example, EV batteries have some difficult-to-source components that make them very expensive to replace.

Electric vehicles are also often on the forefront of other innovative automobile technologies, which can affect their insurance costs. For instance, all Tesla models built after a certain date have the capability for Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, and Full Self-Driving (FSD). These systems are intended to reduce the driver’s workload behind the wheel, but self-driving processes are riskier to insure, which may be reflected in a Tesla driver’s insurance premium.

How to save when insuring an electric vehicle

Though EV drivers can spend 44% more on insurance premiums than gas vehicle owners, you have several ways to save money on your electric car insurance. Some of these strategies include:

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    Shop around for rates

    Comparing multiple auto insurance quotes is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the best insurance for your budget. An online quote-comparison tool like Insurify makes it simple, easy, and quick to check the rates of several insurers at once so you can feel confident you’re getting the best insurance coverage for you at the lowest price.

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    Improve your credit score

    Increasing your credit score will not only help your finances, but also potentially reduce your auto insurance premium. You can improve your score by paying your bills on time and paying down any outstanding debt.

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    Increase your deductible

    The deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in for a claim. Requesting a higher deductible will reduce your premiums. However, make sure you can easily afford the higher deductible if you do need to make a claim.

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    Become a better driver

    Drivers who have had no moving violations or insurance claims for three years or more usually pay less for insurance than those who have more recent violations or claims.

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    Ask about discounts

    Many insurers offer a number of discounts to their customers, including loyalty programs, bundling discounts, anti-theft device discounts, and more.[5]

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    Take advantage of tax breaks

    The IRS offers a tax rebate of up to $7,500 to EV buyers who meet other eligibility requirements. While this tax break doesn’t directly reduce your insurance premiums, the rebate can help offset the higher cost of insurance. In addition to the federal tax credit, some states and municipalities also offer tax breaks for EV owners.

What are the cheapest car insurance companies for EV owners?

Many companies offer electric vehicle insurance coverage. Comparing rates and coverage levels between insurers will help you find the right auto insurance for your needs. Nationwide provides the lowest average monthly quote for electric vehicles, while the highest quote, from The General, is 92% higher. Keep in mind that many other factors can affect car insurance rates, including driver profile.

Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Nationwide$188
Travelers$203
Clearcover$221
Progressive$261
Liberty Mutual$380
Bristol West$422
The General$513
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

What are the cheapest states for insuring electric vehicles?

The cost to insure an electric vehicle can vary from state to state. This is partially related to the fact that location affects all auto insurance rates. Insurance rates vary based on where you drive and park the car most often, since that can affect your likelihood of getting into an accident and making a claim.[4]

EV insurance can also vary depending on how common electric cars are in your state. In states with low EV purchase rates, there’s less infrastructure in place to repair electric cars, meaning insurance will be more expensive. The good news is that EVs are becoming a much more common sight on America’s roads.

“There’s been an uptick in EVs in the last few years,” Zoller says. “The average family or average older couple has more EV options to choose from.”

Based on Insurify data, Tennessee is the cheapest state in which to insure an electric vehicle. The following states have the lowest average insurance rates for electric vehicles:

State
Average Monthly Quote
Arizona$270
Illinois$212
Ohio$240
Pennsylvania$267
Tennessee$204
Texas$293
Virginia$244
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

What are the benefits of driving electric vehicles?

Drivers are making the switch to EVs for a number of reasons. Some of the key benefits of these cars include:

  • Fuel savings: Driving an EV means no more stops at the gas station. (And driving a hybrid means gassing up a lot less often.)

  • Energy efficiency: EVs are generally more efficient than their gas-powered counterparts.[6]

  • Environmental impact: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which reduces a driver’s carbon footprint.[7]

  • Reduced maintenance: EV motors require less regular maintenance than gas engines. This saves EV drivers both money and time.[6]

  • Tax incentives: You may qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax rebates, as well as potential state and local government tax incentives, when you buy an eligible EV and meet the other eligibility requirements.

Understanding the Basics of Unleaded Fuel

Understanding the Basics of Unleaded Fuel

Recent quotes for other Insurify users

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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Do insurance companies offer discounts for electric cars?

Some insurance companies offer discounts to EV drivers. These discounts might be called a “green car discount” or an “alternative fuel discount” and could take a small percentage off the cost of your premiums. Here are some insurers that offer EV discounts:

  • Arbella: EV drivers in New England may be eligible for an energy-saving vehicles discount of up to 10% off their premium with Arbella.

  • Farmers: Both hybrid and EV drivers can save 5% on all major coverages with Farmers’ alternative fuel discount.

  • Mercury Insurance: Drivers in 10 of the 11 states Mercury Insurance serves may be eligible for an EV discount.

  • Travelers Insurance: Hybrid and EV drivers may be eligible for a discount through Travelers.

See Also: How Long Does a Tesla Battery Last?

Electric car insurance FAQs

For now, electric vehicles continue to be a bit more expensive to insure than gas-powered cars. But the difference is gradually becoming smaller. If you’re considering buying an EV and want to learn more about insurance and EVs, here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

  • Is an electric car more expensive to insure?

    Generally, yes, an electric car is more expensive to insure. But your car insurance rates will vary based on the vehicle make and model, your driving history, and more. Always compare rates to ensure you’re getting the right coverage at the best price for you.

  • Why do electric cars cost more to insure?

    Electric cars may cost more to insure because their parts may be harder to source and require specialized knowledge to repair. Additionally, electric cars are more expensive in general, so it’ll cost more for an insurance company to pay out a total loss.

  • How can you find the cheapest car insurance for electric vehicles?

    Shopping around for electric car insurance is one of the best ways to find the cheapest rates for your electric car. Using a quote-comparison tool like Insurify lets you compare quotes from multiple insurers so you can find the best one for you.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Kelley Blue Book. "Average New Car Price Tops $49,500."
  2. GreenCars. "Overview of EV Batteries."
  3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Insurance losses of electric vehicles and their conventional counterparts while adjusting for mileage."
  4. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  5. III. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
  6. Natural Resources Defense Council. "Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV?."
  7. U.S. Department of Energy. "Emissions from Electric Vehicles."
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Emily has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • Más de 3 años produciendo contenidos sobre seguros y finanzas personales

  • Principal artífice de la puntuación de calidad de Insurify

Los profundos conocimientos de Courtney sobre finanzas personales van más allá de los seguros y abarcan las tarjetas de crédito, los préstamos al consumidor y la banca. Le encanta crear contenidos prácticos.

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Evelyn Pimplaskar
Reviewed byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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