This is what you should know about insuring an electric car

There is undoubtedly a growing interest in electric cars. But with greater interest comes a lot of questions, specifically about insurance. What is the difference when you insure an electric car versus a fossil-fueled car? We had a chat with an insurance expert at Trygg-Hansa.

Mandatory insurance for all cars

Before we go any further, let's go back to basics. Whatever type of car you have, it's incredibly important to insure your car. A so-called motor liability insurance is something you must have – it covers bodily injury to both you and other people injured in an accident, as well as covering damage to other people's property.

The difference in insurance for electric cars and fossil-fuel cars

Contrary to what most people might think, there is actually no major difference between insuring an electric car and a fossil-fueled car, says Mattias Pössl at Trygg-Hansa. The difference is that an electric car has slightly different components, but that is something that is calculated and included in the mechanical damage protection in your insurance.

Mattias notes that an electric car is like a regular car when it comes to insurance. “You crash in the same way, if someone decides to break into your car, it’s the same type of insurance and the same type of protection you need as for a fossil-fueled car.”

The battery, then?

Perhaps the most common concern for many when it comes to electric cars is the battery. And that's also something Trygg-Hansa notices when they talk to customers about insuring electric cars. But there is no need for special additional insurance for the battery itself, as it falls under the part about machinery and electronics in a regular semi-insurance.