EV Charger Insurance & Liability UK Guide 2025

You've installed a home EV charger. But is it covered by your insurance? And what happens if something goes wrong?

This guide explains everything UK homeowners need to know about EV charger insurance, from notifying your insurer to understanding liability if your charger causes damage.

Key takeaway: Most home insurance policies cover EV chargers, but you must notify your insurer to ensure you're protected.

Do I Need to Tell My Home Insurance About My EV Charger?

Yes, you should notify your home insurance provider when you install an EV charger. Here's why:

Why Notification Matters

Material change to property - An EV charger is a permanent electrical installation that changes your property's risk profile
Policy compliance - Most policies require you to notify insurers of significant changes
Claim validity - Failure to notify could jeopardise claims related to the charger
Premium adjustment - Your premium may change (usually minimal or none)

What Happens If You Don't Notify?

If you don't tell your insurer and later make a claim:

Related claims (charger fire, electrical damage) may be rejected
Unrelated claims (burglary, flood) should still be valid, but insurers may use non-disclosure as grounds for investigation
Policy voiding is rare but possible in extreme cases

💡 Pro Tip: Notify your insurer in writing (email is fine) and keep a copy of their acknowledgment. This provides evidence if disputes arise later.

What Information Do Insurers Need?

When Notifying Your Insurer, Provide:

Charger details:
- Make and model (e.g., Wallbox Pulsar Plus 7kW)
- Purchase cost (typically £500-£1,000 for the unit)
- Installation date
Installation confirmation:
- Professional installation by qualified electrician
- Competent person scheme membership (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, Stroma)
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) received
Location:
- Where on property (driveway wall, garage, etc.)
- Indoor or outdoor installation

Sample Notification Email

Subject: Notification of EV Charger Installation - Policy [Your Policy Number]

Dear [Insurer Name],

I am writing to notify you of a recent improvement to my property at [Your Address].

On [Date], I had an electric vehicle charger professionally installed:

- Charger: [Make and Model, e.g., Ohme Home Pro 7kW]
- Value: £[Amount including installation]
- Location: [e.g., External wall adjacent to driveway]
- Installer: [Company Name], registered with [NICEIC/NAPIT]
- Certification: Electrical Installation Certificate received

Please confirm receipt of this notification and advise if any changes to my policy or premium are required.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Policy Number: [XXXX]

Will My Premium Increase?

The Good News

Most insurers don't increase premiums for professionally installed EV chargers. In fact:

Many insurers view EV chargers positively (modern, eco-conscious homeowner)
Professional installation reduces risk vs. DIY or improper installation
EV chargers are increasingly common—insurers have adapted

Typical Premium Impact

Insurer Response	Likelihood
No change to premium	70-80%
Small increase (£10-30/year)	15-20%
Significant increase (£50+/year)	5-10%
Refusal to cover	<1%

If Your Premium Increases Significantly

Ask for explanation in writing
Shop around—other insurers may not charge extra
Consider specialist EV-friendly insurers

EV-friendly insurers (2025):

LV= (explicit EV cover)
Admiral (EV-positive pricing)
Direct Line (includes charger cover)
Aviva (no additional premium typically)

What Does Home Insurance Actually Cover?

Typically Covered Under Buildings Insurance:

✅ Charger unit itself - As a permanent fixture/improvement ✅ Electrical damage - From power surges, lightning, etc. ✅ Fire damage - Caused by or affecting the charger ✅ Storm damage - Physical damage from severe weather ✅ Accidental damage - If you have this cover (e.g., car hitting charger) ✅ Theft - Though chargers are rarely stolen (hard-wired)

Typically Covered Under Contents Insurance:

✅ Charging cables - Portable cables you store in your car/home ✅ Accessories - Cable holders, covers, etc.

Typically NOT Covered:

❌ Wear and tear - Normal degradation over time ❌ Mechanical breakdown - Unless you have breakdown cover extension ❌ Manufacturer defects - Covered by warranty, not insurance ❌ Damage to your EV - This is car insurance, not home insurance ❌ Third-party vehicle damage - Complex—see liability section below

Liability: What If My Charger Damages Someone Else's Property?

Scenario 1: Your Charger Causes a Fire That Spreads

If your EV charger causes a fire that damages a neighbour's property:

Your liability insurance (part of home insurance) typically covers:

Damage to neighbouring properties
Legal costs if you're sued
Compensation claims

Limit: Usually £1-2 million liability cover included in standard policies. Check your policy documents.

Scenario 2: Someone Trips Over Your Charging Cable

If a visitor or passerby trips over your cable and is injured:

Your liability insurance covers:

Their medical costs
Compensation for injury
Legal defence costs

Prevention tips:

Use cable management systems
Don't trail cables across paths
Ensure adequate lighting around charging area

Scenario 3: Your Charger Damages Someone Else's Car

This is complex. If your charger malfunctions and damages a guest's EV:

May be covered by:

Your home insurance liability (if deemed your negligence)
Guest's own car insurance
Charger manufacturer's product liability

Best approach: Contact your insurer before any repair work. Let them guide the claim process.

EV Charger Warranties vs. Insurance

Understanding the Difference

| Warranty | Insurance | |----------|-----------|| | Covers manufacturer defects | Covers accidental damage, fire, theft | | Usually 2-3 years | Ongoing as long as you pay premium | | Free (included with purchase) | Paid (part of home insurance) | | Claim to manufacturer | Claim to insurer | | May be voided by improper installation | Not affected by installation quality (if disclosed) |

When to Use Warranty vs. Insurance

Use Warranty For:

Charger stops working for no apparent reason
Software issues
Component failures within warranty period
Anything that's a "defect"

Use Insurance For:

Lightning strike damage
Fire (even if charger caused it)
Flood damage
Impact damage (car hits charger)
Theft of charging cable

Special Situations

Rented Properties

If you're a tenant:

Landlord's buildings insurance covers the charger if landlord owns it
Your contents insurance covers your portable charging cables
Get landlord's written permission before installation
Notify your contents insurer about the charger

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

If your property is listed or in a conservation area:

Standard insurance applies, but...
Premiums may already be higher
Ensure charger installation had proper consent
Notify insurer of the property's status if not already known

Flats and Apartments

For flat owners:

Buildings insurance is usually via management company
Notify management company of charger installation
Your contents insurance covers your cables
Check freeholder has approved installation

Business Use

If you charge a company car at home:

Standard home insurance still applies
Your employer may have fleet insurance implications
Clarify with both your home insurer and employer

What Happens If Your EV Charger Causes a Fire?

The Claims Process

Ensure safety first - Call 999 if fire is ongoing
Document everything - Photos, timeline of events
Contact insurer immediately - Don't admit liability to anyone
Preserve evidence - Don't dispose of damaged charger
Get professional assessment - Insurer will send assessor

Common Causes of EV Charger Fires

EV charger fires are extremely rare but can occur from:

Poor installation - Undersized cables, inadequate circuit protection
Damaged cables - Crushed, cut, or water-damaged cables
Manufacturing defects - Rare, but covered by product liability
Electrical faults - Power surges, loose connections

Prevention:

Use qualified installer (NICEIC, NAPIT registered)
Annual visual inspection of charger and cables
Replace damaged cables immediately
Don't use extension leads with EV chargers

Fire Statistics

For context: UK fire services attended approximately 300 EV-related fires in 2024, covering both vehicles and chargers. With over 1 million EVs and hundreds of thousands of home chargers, the risk is extremely low.

Insurance Documentation Checklist

Keep These Documents Safe:

Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) - Proves professional installation
Invoice for charger and installation - Proves value and date
Notification email to insurer - Proves you informed them
Insurer's acknowledgment - Proves they received notification
Warranty documents - For non-insurance claims
Building Regulations compliance certificate - If applicable

Store Copies:

Physical copies in a safe place (fireproof if possible)
Digital copies in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)
Email copies to yourself for easy retrieval

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need separate EV charger insurance?

No. Your home insurance should cover your EV charger as a permanent fixture. Separate charger insurance products exist but are unnecessary for most homeowners. They may be worth considering only if your home insurer specifically excludes EV chargers (very rare).

What if my insurer doesn't cover EV chargers?

This is increasingly rare, but if your insurer refuses cover:

Get their refusal in writing
Shop around—most insurers now cover chargers
Consider specialist insurers like LV= or those targeting EV owners
Don't operate an uninsured charger

Is my car covered if my charger damages it?

No—home insurance doesn't cover your own vehicle. That's what your car insurance is for. However, if your charger causes damage to your car, your car insurer may pursue your home insurer (subrogation) if there's a fault/liability element.

Does the charger need its own insurance certificate?

No. The charger is covered under your buildings insurance. You don't need a separate certificate or endorsement, just acknowledgment from your insurer that they're aware of the installation.

What if I installed the charger myself (DIY)?

DIY installation of EV chargers is illegal in the UK (Building Regulations Part P) and potentially dangerous. If you have a DIY installation:

Insurers may refuse related claims
You could face prosecution
Get it properly inspected and certified by a qualified electrician immediately

How long do I have to notify my insurer?

Most policies require notification of changes "as soon as reasonably practicable." Notify within 30 days of installation to be safe. Immediate notification is best practice.