Are EV chargers covered by my insurance policy?
Quick answer (TL;DR)
Yes, if the charger is permanently installed (hard-wired and fixed to a wall or post at your home) it is treated as a fixture or fitting and is therefore covered under the Buildings section of your policy.
No, if it’s a portable “granny” cable/plug-in unit that simply sits in the boot, it’s regarded as a vehicle accessory and isn’t covered.
Why a fixed wallbox is covered
Our policy defines Buildings as “the structure of the home … as well as fixtures and fittings … permanently fixed solar panels, … permanent hot tubs, Jacuzzis or spas.”
A hard-wired EV wall-charger is a permanent electrical fixture in exactly the same way as those examples, so damage caused by any insured peril (fire, storm, escape of water, malicious damage, the-ft, etc.) is covered up to your Buildings sum-insured limit.
If you have chosen the optional Accidental Damage extension for Buildings, one-off mishaps (e.g. reversing into the charger) are also insured.
When the charger isn’t covered
Our policy excludes “mechanically or electrically-propelled vehicles … and the parts, spares and accessories of any of these” from Contents cover.
A loose, plug-in lead or portable charger counts as an accessory of the car, so it falls under that exclusion.
Damage that arises from poor installation, wear-and-tear or faulty workmanship is not insured.
Tip: Include the cost of your charger (and its installation) when calculating the full rebuilding cost of your Buildings sum insured, so you’re never under-insured.