this post was submitted on 15 Apr 2025
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Tesla insurance premiums are incresing at twice the market rate amid vandalism (electrek.co)
submitted 1 week ago by Sunshine@lemmy.ca to c/electricvehicles@slrpnk.net
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[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 26 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

I’m betting that this almost entirely a result asshole Telsa drivers getting into more accidents, not vandalism.

  • We already know that the brand is a leader in can accidents.
  • The time range is Feb 24 to Feb 25
  • Rate calculations are heavily driven by the previous year’s cost’s (Feb 23 to 24).

Telsa has armed a bunch of suburbanites with heavy ass cars that come with acceleration speeds that are rival a corvette. That alone should drive up accidents.

There is a reason fast engines have always come with higher insurance. People get in more accidents and worst accidents.

[–] alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 week ago (2 children)

A commenter on the site made the same comment, but I find it difficult to believe that insurance companies won't adapt more quickly to marked increases in vandalism.

If they don't immediately raise rates, then they will make less profit.

If their competitors do raise rates, then the Tesla owners will flock to the ones that didn't raise rates and those companies will end up with reduced profits due to having more Tesla's and thus more claims to cover.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Vandalism makes the news, especially around here. As a proportion of the total number of Teslas, vandalism is minuscule.

Even their text goes against the headline:

Therefore, it’s likely that the increased instances of vandalism against Tesla vehicles had an impact on these results, but it’s likely that higher repair costs are having a bigger impact.

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Agreed, but give that people didn’t start aggressively lashing out against Musk until after inauguration and after DOGE started doing shit, I imagine the earliest proactive rate adjustments would be rolling in during March at the earliest.

Vandalism will 100% raise rates, but the date cutoff strikes me to me too early for that to show in the data.

[–] millie@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

I would imagine it's a combination of factors. Driver stupidity is probably one of them, but there's no reason for insurance companies not to take increased vandalism into account.

But also, can you imagine the sheer psychological discomfort that must come with driving a Tesla at this point? Seeing videos of Teslas on fire, hearing people shout "swastidumpster" and "fucking nazi" at you when you drive down the street. Look at how defensive some of these people are in videos and on social media where you literally see them openly threatening people. Their stress levels behind the wheel must be through the roof. That has got to affect their driving.

[–] ebc@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Tesla owner here. Yeah, it sucks.

I live in a rural area without any form of public transit within ~50km, I frequently travel long-ish distances, so I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint by switching to an electric car. After comparing the different options, I went with the one that had the best price / range / charging options / availability for my needs and that happened to be the Model 3 Long-Range.

Fuck me, right?

At this point, I just hope vandals will see my "deport Elon to Mars" sticker before setting mine on fire.

[–] podperson@lemm.ee 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I don't work for Ford, but have been pretty satisfied so far with my Mach E. I just traded in my 2015 Model S 85D for that. Understandable that you might not be in a position to do the same, but all-in, it was cheaper than the model 3, has 300 mile range, and can charge just about everywhere (their "Blue Oval Network" includes chargepoint, electrify america, and even Tesla superchargers if you get an adapter - can also do everything from Ford's app). Also, a friend and I tested out the "Unbridled" mode on it the other day (basically the spicier acceleration and tighter steering mode), and it was just as fast as the model S was (both are AWD). We also saw a pretty large reduction in our monthly insurance fees after switching, which was a bonus.

[–] ebc@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah, mine is a 2024, got it late last summer (Elon's antics were relatively limited to Twitter at that point...) so it's way too early to change. My M3 has ~50 more miles of range than your Mach-E and I did need all of it a couple times last winter when it was -20°C. Good to know about the insurance; but I think my next car will probably be a Kia or Hyundai, I really like their offerings in that space. Main reason I didn't buy one this time was the delivery delays; it was 6+ months here in Qc.

[–] podperson@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago

Yep - Kia was looking good on most counts except that they came out about 10k more than the Mach E. If that was in my budget, that would have expanded my options quite a bit (several other contenders at that price point).

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Agreed. Vandalism will 100% increase rates. I’m just saying that since the vandalism didn’t really start gaining popularity until Feb, we’re not going to see it in this until March at the earliest.

If I was motivated, I segment out Feb and see if the data changed radically.

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 1 week ago

Wrecks* 🤓

[–] Anomalocaris@lemm.ee 5 points 1 week ago

anyone has seen me tiny violin?

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Is Tesla still selling car insurance for their vehicles?

[–] softcat@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago

Good start

[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

lol

[–] SeeMarkFly@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 week ago

Just don't cover vandalism, then say the assembly line was vandalism. Problem solved!