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Gap Insurance for Electric Cars

 

Is there a difference between gap insurance for petrol and diesel cars and electric cars?

The simple answer from our perspective is no.

 

Because of the sheer volume of gap policies we can provide, we can, at present, absorb the additional risk.

As such, we do not differentiate between the cost of policies even though, in theory, electric cars are more easily written off. 

This is not because of any safety flaw in the car's production; it is because even minor damage can mean it is not economically viable to repair. 

Even though electric cars have fewer moving parts and, therefore, fewer components that can wear out. Electric batteries, regenerative abilities and motors surrounding them normally cost more to replace or repair than their petrol or diesel counterparts.

Book My Garage states that it will cost. * Prices taken 08/01/2024.

  • £8,125.80 to buy a battery for Audi Q4 Etron
  • £9430.80 to buy a battery for a Mercedes-Benz ESQ 
  • £7,134 to buy a battery for a Tesla Model Y 
  • £7,830 to buy a battery for a Vauxhall Movano Electric 
  • £7,134 to buy a battery for a Volkswagen ID5
  • £5,637.60 to buy a battery for a Kia e-Niro 
  • £5,063.40 to buy a battery for a Hyundai Ioniq 5
  • £5,307 to buy a battery for a MG5 EV

 

The most expensive we could find was a Mercedes-Benz EQS at an eye-watering £10,440.

The cheapest was the BMW Mini electric, £2,836.20.

The price shown does not include the removal and environmental disposal of your old battery or the fitting of the new replacement.

 
There is also a lot of concern over electric car batteries, which have sustained even minor damage.

We stress we think that you can never be too cautious concerning the potential risks an unsafe electric car battery may pose. However, the amount of cars being written off could be vastly reduced if there was more education regarding their appraisal of them. 

 

The RAC said that at the end of September 2022, there were 41.3 million cars on the UK roads. An independent study suggested there were 975,000 electric vehicles and 570,000 plug-in hybrids on UK roads. 

We will all have to work towards increasing the figure as part of the UK's commitment to net zero.

 

So, the automotive community will have to work towards finding ways to repair electric cars more efficiently to ensure that rates of gap and motor insurance policies can remain competitive.