How much more does it cost to insure an EV than a gas car?

On a like-for-like comparison of recent models, about 18% more on average in 2026. Broad market averages run higher (40–50%) because they compare pricier EVs against cheaper gas cars, but that's not an apples-to-apples figure.

Why are EVs more expensive to insure?

Mainly repair and replacement cost — expensive battery packs and driver-assist hardware, fewer certified repair shops (longer repair times), and higher vehicle values. It's not because EVs crash more often.

Are any EVs as cheap to insure as gas cars?

Yes. Mainstream EV crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox EV can insure within a few hundred dollars a year of a comparable gas model, helped by strong safety ratings. The biggest premiums are on luxury and performance EVs.

Does the higher premium cancel out EV savings?

Usually not. The extra insurance cost is typically smaller than the fuel and maintenance savings, especially for higher-mileage drivers — but you should add all three together rather than judging on insurance alone.

EV Insurance vs Gas: How Much More Does It Really Cost? (2026)

EVs do cost more to insure than comparable gas cars — but the gap is smaller than the scary headlines suggest, and it's narrowing every year. On a genuine like-for-like comparison of recent models, the difference in 2026 averages around 18%. Here's what's true, what's exaggerated, and how to shrink the premium.

The real number depends on how you measure it

You'll see wildly different figures quoted, and they're all "right" — they just measure different things:

~18% higher when you compare newer EVs to newer gas cars of similar age and class. This is the fairest apples-to-apples figure.
~40–50% higher in broad market averages that lump a Tesla Model X against a Honda Civic. The mix is skewed because EVs still tilt toward pricier, heavier vehicles.

In dollar terms, broad 2026 averages put EV full-coverage near $3,500–$4,000 a year versus roughly $2,300–$2,700 for gas — but a mainstream EV crossover sits far below that, often within a few hundred dollars of its gas equivalent.

Why EVs cost more to insure

It's not that they crash more. It's that they're more expensive to repair and replace:

Battery and ADAS hardware. A damaged battery pack or a sensor-laden bumper is costly, and a battery hit can total a car that looks lightly damaged.
Specialized labor. Fewer certified EV shops means longer repair times, more rental days, and higher claim costs.
Higher vehicle value. EVs carry higher average purchase prices, so replacement values — which insurers price against — are higher.

Where the gap nearly disappears

The averages hide the good news. On specific mainstream models the premium can be small or even flip:

Mainstream crossovers. A Chevrolet Equinox EV often insures within a couple hundred dollars a year of a comparable gas crossover.
Strong safety scores. Many EVs carry top crash ratings and standard active-safety features, which insurers reward.
Lower mileage. EV owners often drive fewer annual miles, reducing exposure.

The premium is largest on luxury and performance EVs — exactly the vehicles where repair and replacement costs are highest.

Don't look at insurance in isolation

Insurance is the line item that stings monthly, so it gets outsized attention — but it's one piece of total ownership cost. The same EV that costs a few hundred dollars more a year to insure can save far more than that in fuel, plus several thousand dollars over its life in maintenance (no oil changes, fewer brake jobs). A higher insurance bill can be more than cancelled out by lower running costs, especially for a high-mileage driver. The only way to know your real position is to add it all up together.

How to shrink the premium

Shop it — seriously. EV pricing varies more between insurers than gas pricing does, because carriers are still calibrating. Quotes 12–18 months old are often stale; re-shop annually.
Compare the specific model before you buy. Two EVs at the same price can have very different premiums. Get a quote on your shortlist, not just the segment.
The usual levers still dominate. Your driving record, deductible, and (in most states) credit still matter more than the fact that the car is electric.

Bottom line

Expect to pay somewhat more to insure an EV — realistically around 18% more on a like-for-like newer model, more on luxury EVs, less or nearly nothing on mainstream crossovers. It's a real cost, but it's shrinking, it varies a lot by model and insurer, and it's usually outweighed by fuel and maintenance savings. Get a model-specific quote and fold it into the full picture rather than judging the switch on the premium alone.

Compare EV insurance quotes →

FAQ

How much more does it cost to insure an EV than a gas car?: On a like-for-like comparison of recent models, about 18% more on average in 2026. Broad market averages run higher (40–50%) because they compare pricier EVs against cheaper gas cars, but that's not an apples-to-apples figure.
Why are EVs more expensive to insure?: Mainly repair and replacement cost — expensive battery packs and driver-assist hardware, fewer certified repair shops (longer repair times), and higher vehicle values. It's not because EVs crash more often.
Are any EVs as cheap to insure as gas cars?: Yes. Mainstream EV crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox EV can insure within a few hundred dollars a year of a comparable gas model, helped by strong safety ratings. The biggest premiums are on luxury and performance EVs.
Does the higher premium cancel out EV savings?: Usually not. The extra insurance cost is typically smaller than the fuel and maintenance savings, especially for higher-mileage drivers — but you should add all three together rather than judging on insurance alone.