Your EV charger has been damaged by a storm, vandalism, or electrical surge. You need to know if your insurance covers it and how to claim successfully.
This guide walks you through the complete UK EV charger insurance claims process—from checking coverage to maximising your payout.
Is Your EV Charger Covered by Home Insurance?
Standard Buildings Insurance
Typically Covers:
- ✅ Accidental damage from impact (car reversing into charger)
- ✅ Storm damage (wind, lightning, flood)
- ✅ Fire damage
- ✅ Vandalism and malicious damage
- ✅ Theft (charger stolen from wall)
- ✅ Electrical surge damage (usually)
Usually NOT Covered:
- ❌ Wear and tear / gradual deterioration
- ❌ Manufacturing defects (warranty issue)
- ❌ Damage from improper installation
- ❌ Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- ❌ Damage from your own negligence
Key Point: Most EV chargers ARE covered under buildings insurance as permanent fixtures. However, you MUST notify your insurer about the installation.
Contents Insurance
May Cover:
- Portable/mobile chargers (granny cables)
- Untethered charging cables
- Damage to charger accessories
Typically NOT Contents:
- Permanently installed wall-mounted chargers (buildings claim)
- Cabling and infrastructure
Motor Insurance Crossover
Your Car Insurance May Cover:
- Damage to your vehicle from charger malfunction
- Third-party injury from your charger
- Damage caused while charging at home
It Does NOT Cover:
- The charger itself (home insurance matter)
- Property damage to your home
Notifying Your Insurer About Your EV Charger
Why You MUST Notify
Failure to notify can void your claim:
- Material change - Installation is a property modification
- Risk assessment - Insurers need accurate property information
- Electrical work - Changes to your home's electrics
- Value increase - Adds £800-£1,500 to property value
What Insurers Want to Know
Typical Questions:
- Charger make and model
- Date of installation
- Who installed it (OZEV-approved/NICEIC?)
- Power rating (7kW, 22kW, etc.)
- Location (external wall, garage, etc.)
- Total installed value
How to Notify
Options:
- Online account - Update property details
- Phone - Call policy number on documents
- App - Some insurers have update features
- Annual renewal - Declare at renewal time
What to Have Ready:
- Installation certificate (EICR)
- Receipt/invoice showing cost
- Charger specifications
- Photos of installation
Impact on Premiums
Good News: Most UK insurers do NOT increase premiums for EV charger installation.
Survey of Major UK Insurers (2025):
| Insurer | Premium Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | None | Must notify |
| Direct Line | None | Must notify |
| Admiral | None | Standard cover |
| LV= | None | Must notify |
| Churchill | None | Standard cover |
| NFU Mutual | None | Rural specialists |
| More Than | None | Must notify |
Rare Exceptions:
- Very high-power installations (22kW+)
- Commercial charging setups
- Listed buildings may vary
Making a Claim: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Document the Damage
Immediately After Damage:
- Take photos/video - All angles, close-ups of damage
- Note the date and time - Exact moment if known
- Record cause - Storm, vandalism, accident, etc.
- Get witness statements - If applicable
- Report to police - If theft or vandalism (get crime reference)
Keep As Evidence:
- Weather reports for storm claims
- CCTV footage if available
- Photos of surrounding damage
- Professional inspection reports
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage
Your Duty: Insurers require you to prevent additional damage.
Safe Actions:
- Turn off power at consumer unit
- Cover exposed wiring (temporary)
- Secure any loose components
- Don't use damaged charger
Don't:
- Attempt repairs yourself
- Dispose of damaged parts
- Have permanent repairs done before claim approved
Step 3: Contact Your Insurer
Information Needed:
- Policy number
- Date and cause of damage
- Estimated value of damage
- Photos and evidence
- Police reference (if applicable)
Typical Timeframes:
- Report within 30 days (sooner is better)
- Some policies require immediate notification for theft
- Keep records of all communications
Step 4: Assessment Process
What Happens:
- Initial review - Insurer checks coverage applies
- Assessment - May send loss adjuster for larger claims
- Quote requirement - You'll need repair/replacement quotes
- Approval - Insurer approves claim amount
- Payment/repair - Funds released or repairs arranged
For EV Charger Claims:
- Claims under £1,000 usually fast-tracked
- Larger claims may need adjuster visit
- Electrical inspection may be required
Step 5: Getting Repairs Done
Options:
- Insurer's approved contractor - Often fastest
- Your chosen installer - May need pre-approval
- Original installer - Best for warranty continuity
Requirements:
- NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician
- BS 7671 compliant installation
- New electrical certificate issued
- OZEV notification if applicable
Common Claim Scenarios
Scenario 1: Storm Damage (Lightning Strike)
What Happened: Lightning struck nearby, causing power surge that destroyed charger's electronics.
Covered? Yes - storm damage is standard buildings coverage.
Claim Process:
- Document damage with photos
- Note date of storm (corroborate with weather data)
- Get electrician's report on surge damage
- Obtain replacement quote from installer
- Submit claim with evidence
Typical Payout: Full replacement cost minus excess (£50-£250 typical excess)
Real Example: "Storm Eunice damaged our Wallbox. Claimed £1,150 (charger + installation labour). Aviva paid within 3 weeks. No premium increase at renewal." - HomeEV Forum, March 2025
Scenario 2: Vehicle Impact
What Happened: Partner reversed into charger, breaking it off the wall.
Covered? Yes - accidental damage (if covered on policy).
Claim Process:
- Photograph damage to charger AND car
- Document the incident in writing
- Report to home insurance (buildings)
- May also affect car insurance (for car damage)
- Get repair/replacement quotes
Important: This is NOT a car insurance claim for the charger—it's buildings insurance.
Typical Payout: Replacement cost minus excess.
Scenario 3: Theft
What Happened: Charger stolen overnight (increasingly common with copper prices high).
Covered? Yes - theft is standard coverage.
Claim Process:
- Report to police immediately (get crime reference)
- Photograph where charger was mounted
- Provide original purchase receipt
- Submit claim with police reference
- May need to prove ownership
Prevention Tip: Security screws and lockable chargers deter theft.
Typical Payout: Replacement value based on original purchase price.
Scenario 4: Electrical Fire
What Happened: Charger caught fire, damaging charger and surrounding wall.
Covered? Usually yes - fire is standard coverage.
BUT:
- If caused by faulty installation, claim may be denied
- If charger wasn't properly certified, issues may arise
- If you didn't notify insurer of installation, complications likely
Claim Process:
- Ensure fire service has attended (get incident number)
- Do NOT disturb the scene initially
- Request fire investigation report if available
- Contact insurer immediately
- May need independent electrical inspection
Important: Keep your installation certificate safe—it proves proper installation.
Scenario 5: Vandalism
What Happened: Charger deliberately damaged by unknown person.
Covered? Yes - malicious damage is standard coverage.
Claim Process:
- Report to police (crime reference essential)
- Check CCTV/doorbell camera footage
- Photograph all damage
- Contact insurer with police reference
- Provide repair/replacement quotes
Note: Repeated vandalism may affect future premiums.
Claim Amounts and Excess
What's Covered in a Claim
Standard Coverage:
- Charger unit replacement (like-for-like)
- Labour costs for removal and reinstallation
- Electrical work to reconnect
- Making good to wall/mounting surface
May Also Cover:
- Temporary charging solutions (granny cable)
- Upgraded charger if exact replacement unavailable
- Associated damage (wall, cabling, etc.)
Policy Excess
Typical Excess Amounts:
- Voluntary excess: £0-£500 (you choose)
- Compulsory excess: £50-£250 (set by insurer)
- Total excess: Sum of both
Example: Charger replacement: £1,200 Voluntary excess: £100 Compulsory excess: £100 Payout: £1,000
Claim Consideration: If damage costs less than your excess, don't claim—it's not worth it and may affect no-claims bonus.
New-for-Old vs Indemnity
New-for-Old (Best):
- Pays full replacement cost
- Brand new charger of same spec
- No deduction for age
- Most modern policies offer this
Indemnity (Worse):
- Pays current value (depreciated)
- Older charger = lower payout
- May not cover full replacement
- Check your policy wording
Avoiding Claim Rejection
Top Reasons Claims Get Rejected
1. Failure to Notify Insurer (Most Common)
- You must declare the charger installation
- "Material fact" non-disclosure voids cover
- Fix: Notify insurer NOW if you haven't
2. Poor Installation
- Non-qualified installer
- No electrical certificate
- Didn't meet BS 7671 standards
- Fix: Always use NICEIC/NAPIT registered installers
3. Maintenance Neglect
- Damage from known defects
- Failed to address obvious issues
- Fire from ignored warning signs
- Fix: Regular inspection and maintenance
4. Policy Exclusions
- Wear and tear claimed as accidental damage
- Gradual deterioration
- Manufacturer defects (warranty issue)
- Fix: Understand what IS covered
5. Insufficient Evidence
- No photos of damage
- Missing police reference for theft
- Can't prove ownership
- Fix: Document everything immediately
Documentation to Keep
Essential Documents (Keep Forever):
- ✅ Original purchase invoice/receipt
- ✅ Installation certificate (EICR)
- ✅ OZEV grant confirmation (if applicable)
- ✅ Warranty documentation
- ✅ Photos of installation
- ✅ Correspondence with insurer about notification
After Any Incident:
- Photos/video of damage
- Date and time record
- Witness statements
- Police crime reference
- Weather reports (for storm claims)
Warranty vs Insurance: Know the Difference
Manufacturer Warranty
Covers:
- Manufacturing defects
- Component failures (not caused by external factors)
- Electrical faults within normal use
- Software issues
Does NOT Cover:
- Storm/flood damage
- Vandalism/theft
- Accidental damage
- Surge damage (usually)
Typical Duration:
- Wallbox: 3 years
- Ohme: 3 years
- Zappi: 3 years
- Pod Point: 2 years
When to Use Warranty vs Insurance
| Scenario | Claim From |
|---|---|
| Charger stopped working (no external cause) | Warranty |
| Lightning strike damaged charger | Insurance |
| Someone stole the charger | Insurance |
| Display screen failed after 18 months | Warranty |
| Car reversed into charger | Insurance |
| Software bug prevents charging | Warranty |
| Flood water damaged charger | Insurance |
Important: Using warranty first protects your no-claims bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell my insurance about my EV charger?
Yes. EV charger installation is a material change to your property. Failure to notify can void your coverage for charger-related claims and potentially affect your entire policy. Most insurers don't increase premiums, so there's no reason not to notify.
Will my home insurance premium go up with an EV charger?
Unlikely. Major UK insurers (Aviva, Direct Line, Admiral, LV=) do not increase premiums for standard EV charger installations. Very high-power setups (22kW three-phase) or unusual installations may occasionally see small increases.
Is my EV charging cable covered if stolen from my car?
Yes, but under different policies. A portable EVSE stored in your car is typically covered by car contents insurance. A cable stolen from your home charger is a home insurance claim. Check both policies for specific coverage.
What happens if my charger causes a fire?
Report to fire service, then contact your insurer. Fire damage is covered, BUT if the fire resulted from faulty installation or failure to maintain the charger properly, your claim may be disputed. Always use qualified installers and keep certificates.
Can I claim for a better charger than the one damaged?
"Betterment" isn't usually covered. Insurance pays for like-for-like replacement. However, if your exact model is discontinued, insurers typically offer the nearest equivalent current model. You may be able to pay the difference to upgrade.
How long does an EV charger insurance claim take?
Simple claims (under £1,000, clear cause): 2-4 weeks. Complex claims (fire, large value, disputed cause): 4-12 weeks. Theft claims requiring police reports: 3-6 weeks. Speed depends on how quickly you provide documentation.
