How much does insurance for an electric car cost?

Published guide values for Germany, 2026.

The same factors apply as for any car: your no-claims class, the type class (Typklasse) of the model, the regional class, annual mileage and who drives. The type class reflects how often and how expensively a model is involved in claims, and that is where the battery shows.

Some insurers give a discount for electric cars, others do not, and higher comprehensive premiums for expensive models often cancel it out. Compare the total premium, not the discount.

According to the German insurance association, electric cars report fewer comprehensive claims, but each claim costs more. The reasons are the battery, which is often replaced as a precaution after a crash, long repair times and workshops that need high-voltage training.

The gap has narrowed as workshops, towing firms and assessors gain experience. A new battery remains the largest single cost, from about EUR 8,000 to over EUR 30,000 depending on the model.

Look for battery cover that includes accidents, fire, short circuits, power surges and animal bites to high-voltage cables, including damage that follows from them. Short circuits and animal bites are often in partial cover, but not always with the same limits.

Also useful: new-price compensation that includes the battery, cover for charging cables you carry and roadside assistance that tows you to the next charger if the battery runs flat. A wallbox at home is usually a matter for your buildings or household contents insurance.

Your no-claims history from abroad does not transfer automatically, and without it an electric car can start expensive, just like any other car. Ask your previous insurer for a no-claims letter and ask each insurer whether they will count it.

The vehicle tax exemption applies to fully electric cars only, not plug-in hybrids. If you import a car, the exemption still depends on the date of first registration.

For an older used electric car with a low value, partial cover can be enough, as long as it covers fire, short circuits and animal bites to the battery. It will not pay for battery damage in an accident you cause.

For a new, leased or financed electric car, comprehensive cover is hard to do without, because battery damage alone can come close to the car's value. Normal battery ageing is never insured; only the manufacturer's warranty applies.