These cars, like the name suggests, are fully electric and powered entirely by their battery. So, they don’t use fossil fuels.
With no need for gears or any kind of engine, fully electric cars are known for their clean, smooth ride and instant acceleration.
Hybrid is a fancy word for crossing one thing with another, in other words a mix of things or a fusion. With a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) it means the car has both an electric battery and a petrol or diesel engine.
In terms of the difference between hybrid and electric cars, the main thing is that hybrids are ‘self- charging’ meaning the engine charges the battery as it goes. So, they still rely on fuel for their electric power and you can’t plug them in.
While a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) still has an electric battery as well as a petrol or diesel engine, there’s one key difference that sets it apart from other hybrids. You plug it in!
PHEVs can still recharge themselves when you’re driving but you also get to top up the battery overnight, for example, by plugging in. How the car’s powered depends on the model, but they typically use up their electric power then switch to the engine when the battery runs low.
Cover for your electric car battery
Electric vehicle batteries are covered for accidental damage, fire and theft.
Electric charger liability cover
Cover for accidents involving your car's electric charging cables when attached to the car.
EV cables
Cover for your vehicle's electric charging cables while they're in or on your car.
EV recovery
We'll recover you to the nearest charge point if you run out of charge.
Allianz
Car insurance that offers more cover
With Allianz Car Insurance, you’re covered if you cause an accident involving your electric vehicle that injures someone. So, if your charging cable's in use and attached to your car and it causes an accident... we’ve got your back. But you have a duty of care to make sure you do everything you can to prevent accidents when charging your electric car.
So, it’s your responsibility to take reasonable care not to create hazards. For example, you mustn’t leave cables loose or coiled up where they might trip someone, or left trailing over a public footpath. If it can’t be avoided, minimise potential hazards by taking necessary precautions, such as warning signs and cable covers.
Most EV drivers use a home charging point to charge their electric vehicle overnight. Charging costs depend on local electricity rates and the type of charge point.
According to information published in 2024 on GOV.UK, charging an electric vehicle at home can cost around 8p per mile. They also say using public chargers costs more, on average, and is roughly the same as fuelling an equivalent petrol car.
With our electric car insurance, your EV’s battery is covered against accidental damage, fire and theft. Your electric charging cables are also covered while they're in or on your car.
EV cables cover only available with Allianz cover level.
Some electric car makers (like Nissan and Renault) let you lease the battery separately when you buy an EV. It means the upfront cost of buying the electric car is reduced but you’ll have to pay a monthly lease.
If you own the battery, your car's market value is calculated by adding up what your car and your battery is worth together. Just let your insurer know if you're leasing the battery, so payouts go to the right place following a claim.
