Car insurance for electric vehicles is now often more expensive than for comparable gasoline or diesel cars. This is shown by a recent analysis from the comparison portal Verivox. According to the analysis, premiums for electric cars are “up to 44 percent higher under otherwise identical conditions” than those for the corresponding combustion engine model. Verivox states that this effect affects around half of all insurers. Comprehensive insurance policies are particularly affected. (fokus: 28.01.26)
Many insurance companies now classify electric cars at higher rates
According to Verivox, the price premium for electric cars is not limited to individual premium models. The decisive factors are the specific tariffs and the insurers’ calculations. The analysis shows that many providers now classify the electric version of a model more frequently than its combustion engine counterpart. At the same time, policies still exist where electric cars are priced the same or even cheaper, but Verivox sees a clear trend toward higher premiums.
Verivox cites the BMW X3 as an example, comparing its electric and combustion engine versions. “Of the tariffs that the driver can choose for both models, almost half (around 49 percent) are more expensive for the electric model,” they state. According to Verivox, insurance is cheaper for the electric vehicle in around 32 percent of the tariffs, while prices are the same in 19 percent.
Skoda comparison confirms the effect in the volume segment
Another example involves Skoda. Verivox compares the Skoda Enyaq with the gasoline-powered Skoda Karoq. In this comparison, the analysis shows that 40 percent of the tariffs for the electric model are more expensive. The surcharge reaches up to 18 percent. This analysis demonstrates that higher premiums also occur for widely available model series and not just in niche markets.
Long-term data changes premium calculations, comprehensive insurance particularly affected
Verivox explains the increase with the now larger database on the claims experience of electric vehicles. “Long-term data now shows that while electric cars cause less damage, when they do, it is often more expensive. This is particularly noticeable in comprehensive insurance,” says Aljoscha Ziller, Managing Director of Verivox Insurance Comparison GmbH. The key point in this explanation lies in the cost of the damage: Even with a lower frequency of claims, high repair bills can drive up the premium.
In this context, Verivox also points to the battery as a particularly costly component. Many policies do not automatically include specific battery protection, but rather offer it as an additional benefit. The analysis considers this point relevant because replacing a defective battery after an accident or malfunction can be very expensive.
Manufacturer’s Warranty Remains a Separate Factor
Verivox also distinguishes between insurance coverage and the manufacturer’s warranty. The battery’s actual performance, meaning its usable capacity and range, is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty typically lasts eight years but is subject to a maximum mileage limit. If the battery’s capacity falls below a defined threshold during this period, the manufacturer must replace the battery. This rule pertains to the warranty terms and does not replace the cost logic of the car insurance, which is based on claims costs and settlement practices.