In recent years, electric vehicles have become a natural choice for more and more French motorists. Economical and ecological, these cars have obvious advantages on several levels. But what about electric car insurance? Is this the same as for a thermal vehicle? What are the formulas and guarantees offered? Which insurance company to contact?
This guide provides you with the answers to these questions, as well as important information to make the right choices when it comes to electric car insurance.
Summary
Is it compulsory to take out insurance for an electric car?
Despite their strengths and specific features, electric cars do not benefit from special treatment in terms of insurance. Like all other motorized land vehicles, their driving on the road is subject to the subscription of car insurance, as indicated in article L211-1 of the Insurance Code.
This legal obligation is intended to cover other users in the event of an accident or claim.
In the event of an inspection, the owner of an uninsured ecological vehicle exposes himself to a fineor even a imprisonment. Upon purchase, it is therefore recommended to request one or more insurance quotes for your electric car in order to make the right choice and take out insurance as soon as possible.
What are the formulas offered in terms of insurance for electric vehicles?
When taking out insurance for an electric car, the choice is offered between several formulas, each offering different levels of guarantees. As is the case for thermal vehicles, in addition to the compulsory legal cover, insurers offer other formulas allowing you to benefit from more extensive coverage.
Better Insuredwhich is a company specializing in insurance brokerage, offers you, for example, the choice between four main formulas:
Third party electric car insurance
This formula includes only the civil liability guarantee. It covers damage and damage caused to third parties in the event of an accident for which you are responsible. The insurer then pays compensation for said damage, whether bodily or material. On the other hand, the damage suffered by your electric car, as well as your possible health costs are not covered by this formula.
Third-party insurance plus
At Mieux Assuré, this formula includes, in addition to the third-party formula, two additional guarantees: one covering the broken glass and protection against natural disasters.
Comprehensive third-party insurance
This formula includes, in addition to the previous one, coverage in the event of theft, attempted theft, vandalism or fire.
Comprehensive insurance for electric vehicles
As is the case for other vehicles, this formula covers all damages in the event of a claim, including those suffered by your electric car. This is the highest level of protection that can be purchased.
Specific warranties for an electric car
Given the relatively high purchase price of an electric vehicle and the cost of its components, taking out simple third-party car insurance is clearly insufficient. In the event of a responsible accident, the financial loss can indeed be very high, especially if it is a recent vehicle.
In addition, the driving and maintenance of this type of vehicle have a number of specificities that it is important to take into account. As part of the subscription to electric car insurance, various specific guarantees are therefore offered by insurers to cover these particular risks.
These include, among others:
- insurance battery : given the high cost of this component, this cover is highly recommended for electric car insurance;
- Cover for damages related to the recharge of your car;
- A electric assistance 0 km : in case of battery failureyou benefit from support from your home;
- Towing assistance up to a charging point : in the event of a problem with the autonomy of your vehicle, you will be taken care of;
- Coverage, partial or total, of repairs in partner garages of the insurer.
Note that this list is not exhaustive and may vary from one insurance company to another.
So what insurance for electric car to take out?
It depends above all on your specific needs and your driving profile. As we mentioned above, taking out simple third-party car insurance for your electric car is not recommended.
However, comprehensive insurance can be very expensive for this type of vehicle. In addition, this formula may include guarantees that ultimately prove to be of little use.
The ideal is therefore to subscribe to a tailor-made offer. This may include, in addition to the compulsory civil liability guaranteethe essential warranties covering common hazards: vandalism, theft, fire, glass breakage, etc.. To this may be added one or more of the guarantees specific to electric cars mentioned above.
Finally, for a truly personalized electric car insurance offer, also remember to take into account the model of your vehicleas well as your driving habits (number of kilometers traveled, frequency of use, usual use, etc.)
Request and compare electric car insurance quotes
In order to find the most advantageous offer for the insurance of your electric vehicle, it is important to compare quotes from several insurers. In this context, the ideal is to call on a broker specialized in the matter.
Thanks to the latter and its network of partner insurers, you can obtain the best rates for your electric car insurance premium, with a contract that is truly adapted to your needs.
Read also: Electric cars: what are the most anticipated of 2022?
