Most people think that a heavier car has a higher insurance premium. But electric cars, which are often heavier than petrol or diesel cars, are actually cheaper to insure. What is the reason?

Factors determining the premium

Besides the weight of the car, there are other factors that determine the amount of the insurance premium:

• Your age
• Residence: In cities with a high risk of theft or damage, the premium is usually higher.
• Value of the car: More expensive cars are more expensive to insure because the claims burden is higher in case of a total loss.
• No-claims bonus: drivers with claim-free years receive a discount on the premium.  
• Mileage per year: The more miles you drive per year, the higher the risk of an accident.
• Type of insurance

Electric vehicles: eco-discounts of up to 30%

Electric and hybrid cars are cleaner than combustion engine cars. To encourage the purchase of electric cars, many insurers offer eco-discounts of up to 30% on the insurance premium. This significantly reduces the premium you pay for an electric vehicle compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Electric, hybrid and diesel comparison

We compared the premium for full comprehensive insurance of a BMW X3 in three variants. The parameters (residence, age, bonus-malus rate, mileage) were identical, only the fuel type was different. 

• iX3 Electric: € 830 a year
• X3 hybride: € 1025 a year
• X3 diesel: € 1025 a year

Tips for choosing electric car insurance:

• Compare quotes from different insurers: Use website such as Independer.be  to compare quotes and find the best deal for you.
• Pay attention to the terms and conditions of the eco-discount: Not all insurers offer the same eco-discount. Read the insurance terms and conditions carefully to see if you are eligible for the discount.
  
• Choose the insurance cover that suits your needs: do you have an expensive electric car? Then all-risk insurance might be the best choice. Are you looking for cheap insurance? Then a BA-verzekering might suffice
• Don't forget to compare the deductible: the deductible is the amount you have to pay yourself in case of damage. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
  

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*bron: Independer.be