If you’re a California resident who owns a Tesla, you may consider purchasing Tesla Insurance to protect your vehicle. Below, you can learn everything you need to know about Tesla Insurance in California, including what the average cost is and how the sign-up process works.
How Much Is Tesla Insurance in California?
The average insurance rates for Teslas in California can vary drastically depending on the vehicle’s condition, current value, model, and year. Customers may pay varying rates depending on factors like their credit history and driving record. As a California resident, you can expect the average Tesla Insurance rate to be around $2,747 per year for Tesla’s base model, which is a Model 3. For more premium models, like the Model S, you can expect insurance rates to increase to as high as $3,872 per year or more.
How Can I Sign Up for Tesla Insurance in California?
The process for signing up for Tesla Insurance may vary slightly depending on your status as a Tesla owner. Current Tesla vehicle owners can easily sign up for an insurance policy within the Tesla app on their mobile devices. You can tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the app.
You can then click on the button that says “Get Tesla Insurance” from the list of options that appears. At this point, you can enter details like your home address, date of birth, and driver’s license information. If applicable, you can add additional drivers or vehicles to your policy.
If you plan on becoming a Tesla owner but haven’t yet finalized your purchase, you can still sign up for Tesla Insurance. Begin by opening the Tesla app on your mobile device. Use your assigned vehicle identification number, or VIN, to sign up for auto insurance after you click on the “Get Tesla Insurance” button within the app.
Note that you can add non-Tesla vehicles to your Tesla Insurance policy. This is true whether you own at least one Tesla or not. You may have to contact Tesla’s insurance support team to finalize this part of the process. Once you purchase Tesla Insurance for any vehicle you have, you can access your insurance card via a confirmation email that the company will send you. You may also locate your insurance card within the Tesla app when you click on your profile picture.
Does Tesla Insurance Track Real-Time Driving Behavior for California Residents?
While Tesla Insurance is currently available in eight states, California is the only one of these states where Tesla Insurance can’t use your real-time driving behavior to lower your premiums. It’s only available for educational purposes. This is because insurance regulators in California haven’t approved the use of this technology for Tesla’s insurance product.
You can gain insights into your driving habits by referring to your real-time behavior. Tesla collects this data using technology that’s already in your vehicle. You can view your Safety Score, which changes based on factors like your following distance and braking tendencies. Note that this doesn’t affect your premiums as it does in other states.
Why Get Tesla Insurance Instead of Choosing a Different Provider in California?
Tesla owners in California feel confident choosing Tesla as their insurance provider because the company understands its own vehicles. The brand is familiar with all its vehicles’ safety features and technology, and it knows the associated repair costs. Customers receive more inclusive rates when they choose Tesla insurance. They don’t have to deal with traditional insurance providers’ extra charges for unforeseen scenarios. When you choose Tesla Insurance, you can access easy-to-make monthly payments and receive ample protection for your valuable vehicle.
How Do I Know Which Tesla Insurance Plan Is Right for Me?
When you begin to shop for Tesla Insurance, you may consider which plan is right for you. You may reflect on your unique situation and how much risk you want to assume. Here are the different policy types you can choose from:
- Liability insurance: Liability insurance is what offers you coverage against any injury or damage you inflict on another person or their property in a car accident. Deciding how much liability insurance to purchase is a personal decision, but at the very least, you must purchase the minimum requirements for California. This is $15,000 for injury/death to one person, $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $5,000 for damage to property. You might consider adding extra coverage to cover any lawsuits that may occur due to an accident.
- Personal injury protection: Personal injury protection covers the medical bills of you and your passengers. You’ll receive coverage regardless of whether you or the other party caused the accident. This is important, as California is an at-fault state.
- Collision insurance: Collision insurance provides coverage in the event that your Tesla sustains damage as a result of a collision. This is different from liability insurance, as it covers your own vehicle’s damage.
- Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for damage that doesn’t result from driving. Exactly what it overs depends on your plan, but comprehensive insurance usually covers losses from theft or damage from fallen trees or hail.
You may make changes to your policy easily within the Tesla app. You can choose to add or remove certain types of coverage as your needs change. You may also add vehicles or drivers or cancel your Tesla Insurance altogether if you decide to sell your vehicle.
Why Are Teslas More Expensive To Insure Than Other Vehicles?
Teslas may be more expensive to insure than other vehicles for several reasons. All vehicles in Tesla’s lineup are fully electric. This means that they have more complex equipment that can be expensive to replace or repair if they sustain damage. Tesla vehicles also require the use of original Tesla parts and highly skilled and trained technicians to make the necessary repairs, both of which justify the higher insurance rates.
Tesla is also beginning to make vehicles with larger aluminum panels instead of several smaller ones. This design choice makes the car more solid and adds to structural integrity. However, it means that even if a small portion of the vehicle sustains damage, there’ll be a need for a large-scale repair.
With this information in mind, you may consider purchasing Tesla Insurance as a California resident. While other providers are available, investing in the insurance that Tesla offers can offer you ample benefits as a Tesla owner.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
