Insuring a hybrid car
A hybrid runs on two drivetrains and therefore has twice as much that can break. For the insurance it comes down to the battery, the high-voltage system and charging.
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In brief
Hybrid covers three different things. A mild hybrid uses a starter-generator that supports the petrol engine and cannot drive on electricity alone. A full hybrid drives short distances on electricity and charges itself while braking. A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery pack and a charging socket. Insurers make that distinction, because the battery pack and the charging facility determine the difference in claims burden. So declare the right type on the application.
The battery pack is regarded as part of the vehicle and is insured under the own-damage cover for a covered event: collision, fire, theft. What is not covered is loss of capacity through normal use. A battery that gives less range after some years is wear, and wear falls outside the cover on every car policy. The manufacturer's warranty exists for that. If you rent or lease the battery separately, declare it, because who owns it determines who a payment goes to.
Repairs after a collision may not be carried out by every workshop on these cars. The high-voltage system first has to be isolated by a certified technician. That makes repairs more expensive and explains part of the own-damage premium. A comparison with fully electric driving is set out at insuring an electric car; the wider explanation of the types of cover can be found on the hub page car insurance.
This page deals with one situation. The full overview is on Compare car insurance.
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What to look out for
Four points that are different on a hybrid from an ordinary petrol car.
The battery: covered for damage, not for wear
Fire, a collision or theft of the battery pack falls under own-damage cover. Degradation, loss of capacity and a fault with no external cause fall under it as an inherent defect and are excluded. Replacing a battery pack is one of the most expensive items on such a car. So check how far the manufacturer's warranty runs before you rely on the policy.
Charging cable, charge point and where that damage lands
A charging cable kept in the car falls under the accessories limit of the own-damage cover and usually only if the car was locked or the cable was locked in place. A charge point fixed to the wall belongs to the buildings insurance, a movable one to the home contents insurance. Three policies, three booklets of conditions.
Weight, power and the rating group
Because of the battery and the second drivetrain, a hybrid weighs more than the same model on petrol. Insurers classify vehicles by weight, power and list price. That higher mass means more damage to the other party in a collision and works through into the third-party liability premium, not only into the own-damage premium.
Business use of a plug-in
If you drive the company car or use it for your business, it does not belong on a private policy. Declare the use, because an undeclared purpose touches the duty of disclosure in Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code. See business car insurance for the right form.
What does your premium depend on?
- Type of hybrid: mild, full or plug-in, with the battery pack that goes with it
- List price: including the extra cost of the drivetrain
- Weight and engine power: determine the rating group and the injury risk
- Repair costs for the model: high-voltage work requires a certified firm
- Charging situation: home charger, public charge point or self-charging only
- Annual mileage and type of cover: own-damage cover is worthwhile as long as the market value justifies it
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is where your saving is.
What is covered
| Situation | Third-party, fire and theft | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| You beach the car on a high kerb and damage the floor pan under the battery pack | No | Yes |
| A stone chip puts a star in the windscreen | Yes | Yes |
| The catalytic converter is cut out from under the parked car | Provided that | Yes |
| You drive through a flooded tunnel and water gets into the electronics | No | Provided that |
| Someone runs a scratch along the side in a car park | No | Yes |
| The petrol engine seizes through deferred maintenance | No | No |
Third-party, fire and theft only covers external causes; damage you are involved in yourself falls solely under comprehensive.
Frequently asked questions
This is what people ask us most.
Is my battery pack covered?
For a covered event it is, because the battery counts as part of the vehicle. In a collision, fire or theft the battery is therefore included in the assessment of the loss. If the battery gradually loses capacity, that is wear and there is no cover. Separate arrangements apply to a rented or leased battery pack; have them recorded on the policy schedule.
What is not covered while charging?
Excluded are damage from using unapproved charging equipment, damage from connecting it incorrectly and wear or ageing of the cable. Electricity costs and a fault in the charge point itself also fall outside the car policy. Fire arising while charging that spreads to your home falls under the buildings or home contents insurance, not under the car insurance.
Do I pay a higher premium than for a petrol version?
Usually you do for own-damage cover, because the list price is higher and repairs are more expensive due to the high-voltage system. Against that, hybrids often fall into more favourable claims statistics. The net difference depends on the model, weight and insurer; that is precisely why a comparison based on one product says little.
What else is excluded as standard?
Mechanical defects and inherent defects with no external cause, software updates and the cost of recalls, and damage during hire, driving lessons or carriage for payment. Driving without a valid licence or under the influence is excluded, as are intent and wilful recklessness under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code. See also insuring hybrid vehicles.
Every situation is different. For these situations we have a separate page.
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