Updated: Dec 25, 2023
Written by: Daniel Robinson, Written by: Daniel Robinson Writer Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team writer and has written for numerous automotive news sites and marketing firms across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, specializing in auto finance and car care topics. Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team authority on auto insurance, loans, warranty options, auto services and more. Writer 
Edited by: Rashawn Mitchner, Edited by: Rashawn Mitchner Managing Editor Rashawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team editor with over 10 years of experience covering personal finance and insurance topics. Senior Editor 
Tesla Insurance, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer’s in-house option for auto coverage, is a newer product that’s just starting to gain traction. We at the MarketWatch Guides team wanted to learn whether Tesla Insurance can stack up to the industry’s best car insurance providers, so we took an in-depth look at the company’s policies.
Our team compared the availability, coverage options, costs and customer service scores of Tesla Insurance to determine how it ranks versus leading car insurance brands. We found that drivers aren’t always satisfied with Tesla Insurance due to its relatively poor customer service standards and pricey plans for car coverage.
Key Takeaways:
- Our team gave Tesla Insurance only 7.7 out of 10.0 stars due to its limited availability, poor industry reputation and relatively high premiums.
- The average cost to insure a 2022 Tesla model with full coverage is $3,007 annually or $251 per month, which is 50% higher than the national average.
- Many Tesla owners choose to purchase third-party protection for their Teslas rather than opting for the company’s own coverage.
Best Car Insurance Companies Compare Car Insurance Average Cost of Car Insurance 10 Largest Car Insurance Companies in the U.S.
- How Much Does Tesla Car Insurance Cost?
- Cheapest Insurance for Tesla
- Tesla Car Insurance Rates by Model
- Tesla Insurance Reviews
- Tesla Car Insurance Coverage
- Why Is Tesla Insurance So Expensive?
- Best Cheap Tesla Car Insurance Rates: The Bottom Line
- Tesla Car Insurance: FAQ
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How Much Does Tesla Car Insurance Cost?
Full-coverage car insurance for 2022 Tesla vehicles costs an average of $3,007 per year or $251 each month. This makes Tesla auto insurance premiums approximately 50% pricier than for the average vehicle with a full-coverage policy.
You’ll pay an average of $3,209 annually or $267 per month for full coverage on a 2022 Tesla Model 3, which is 60% higher than the average across all car models. On the other hand, the cost of car insurance for a 2022 Tesla Model Y is $2,804 per year or $234 each month.
Note that full-coverage car insurance includes state-required minimum liability insurance along with comprehensive coverage and collision insurance.
Cheapest Insurance for Tesla
Tesla Insurance isn’t your only option for car coverage, and some traditional insurance providers may offer more reasonable rates for coverage. Note that insurance rates from other companies will be impacted by your age, gender, credit score and other factors left out by Tesla.
Cheapest Insurance for Tesla Model 3
Among the providers in our study, the average estimate for third-party insurance on a 2022 Tesla Model 3 is $3,209 per year or $267 each month.
| Auto Insurance Company | 2018 Model Annual Estimate | 2020 Model Annual Estimate | 2022 Model Annual Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,737 | $1,902 | $1,835 |
| State Farm | $1,776 | $2,029 | $2,107 |
| Travelers | $1,793 | $2,149 | $2,208 |
| Farmers | $3,246 | $3,417 | $3,663 |
| Allstate | $3,894 | $3,907 | $4,392 |
| Geico | $2,745 | $2,558 | $4,499 |
| USAA* | $1,333 | $1,345 | $1,543 |
*USAA has the cheapest estimates on Tesla Model 3 for each model year. However, this insurance option is only available to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest Insurance for Tesla Model Y
The average third-party provider estimate for full coverage on a 2022 Tesla Model Y is $2,804 annually or $234 per month. USAA offers the lowest rate estimates for each model year, though Nationwide’s cost estimates are similar.
| Auto Insurance Company | 2020 Model Annual Estimate | 2021 Model Annual Estimate | 2022 Model Annual Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,632 | $1,515 | $1,580 |
| State Farm | $2,101 | $1,994 | $2,123 |
| Geico | $1,984 | $2,135 | $2,385 |
| Travelers | $2,966 | $2,970 | $3,040 |
| Farmers | $3,341 | $3,453 | $3,580 |
| Allstate | $3,852 | $3,697 | $4,478 |
| USAA | $1,544 | $1,514 | $1,573 |
Tesla Car Insurance Rates by Model
Tesla car insurance prices vary drastically by the make and model year. You’ll almost certainly pay higher rates for newer and pricier Tesla models than for aging or cheaper types. Because of this, the Model 3 and Model Y are usually cheaper to insure than the Model S or Model X.
| 2020 Model Year | 2021 Model Year | 2022 Model Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 | $2,753 | $2,813 | $3,209 |
| Model Y | $2,583 | $2,598 | $2,804 |
Tesla Insurance by State
Ohio, Vermont and Maine often have the lowest Tesla car insurance costs. Meanwhile, Tesla owners usually pay the most in Michigan, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New York.
State laws along with factors such as claim rates and severe weather probability can affect the cost of insuring a Tesla. Below are the state averages we received for insuring a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
| State | 2021 Model 3 | 2021 Model Y | 2022 Model 3 | 2022 Model Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,547 | $2,496 | $2,882 | $2,691 |
| Alaska | $2,209 | $2,054 | $2,381 | $2,249 |
| Arizona | $2,663 | $2,549 | $3,012 | $2,740 |
| Arkansas | $2,563 | $2,401 | $3,160 | $2,674 |
| California | $3,311 | $2,997 | $3,439 | $3,282 |
| Colorado | $2,669 | $2,509 | $3,064 | $2,711 |
| Connecticut | $3,565 | $3,072 | $3,910 | $3,292 |
| Delaware | $3,707 | $3,171 | $4,123 | $3,417 |
| District of Columbia | $3,373 | $3,076 | $3,806 | $3,461 |
| Florida | $3,918 | $3,745 | $5,140 | $3,742 |
| Georgia | $2,243 | $2,085 | $2,487 | $2,240 |
| Hawaii | $2,706 | $2,400 | $2,783 | $2,516 |
| Idaho | $1,741 | $1,663 | $2,042 | $1,811 |
| Illinois | $2,184 | $2,204 | $2,588 | $2,392 |
| Indiana | $2,200 | $1,967 | $2,493 | $2,164 |
| Iowa | $1,926 | $1,677 | $2,321 | $1,811 |
| Kansas | $2,433 | $2,473 | $2,803 | $2,739 |
| Kentucky | $2,706 | $2,738 | $3,151 | $3,002 |
| Louisiana | $4,872 | $4,291 | $5,434 | $4,718 |
| Maine | $1,638 | $1,499 | $1,916 | $1,733 |
| Maryland | $2,708 | $2,534 | $2,983 | $2,780 |
| Massachusetts | $4,876 | $4,462 | $4,845 | $4,290 |
| Michigan | $6,422 | $5,947 | $7,268 | $6,343 |
| Minnesota | $2,762 | $2,593 | $3,201 | $2,776 |
| Mississippi | $2,847 | $2,657 | $3,717 | $2,920 |
| Missouri | $3,071 | $2,811 | $3,880 | $3,092 |
| Montana | $3,870 | $3,520 | $4,426 | $3,997 |
| Nebraska | $2,407 | $2,331 | $2,747 | $2,529 |
| Nevada | $3,411 | $3,399 | $3,752 | $3,604 |
| New Hampshire | $2,613 | $1,956 | $2,957 | $2,211 |
| New Jersey | $3,290 | $3,074 | $3,606 | $3,185 |
| New Mexico | $2,300 | $2,079 | $2,608 | $2,230 |
| New York | $4,404 | $4,266 | $5,223 | $4,571 |
| North Carolina | $2,034 | $1,930 | $2,179 | $2,063 |
| North Dakota | $2,236 | $2,091 | $2,498 | $2,308 |
| Ohio | $1,647 | $1,426 | $1,850 | $1,587 |
| Oklahoma | $2,604 | $2,480 | $3,264 | $2,690 |
| Oregon | $2,011 | $1,895 | $2,337 | $2,022 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,707 | $2,551 | $2,931 | $2,778 |
| Rhode Island | $3,366 | $3,046 | $3,718 | $3,354 |
| South Carolina | $2,541 | $2,301 | $2,670 | $2,361 |
| South Dakota | $2,561 | $2,462 | $3,127 | $2,632 |
| Tennessee | $2,603 | $2,260 | $3,116 | $2,530 |
| Texas | $2,854 | $2,666 | $3,165 | $2,855 |
| Utah | $2,175 | $2,005 | $2,509 | $2,159 |
| Virginia | $1,923 | $1,688 | $2,301 | $1,862 |
| Vermont | $1,718 | $1,521 | $1,863 | $1,618 |
| Washington | $2,514 | $2,361 | $2,859 | $2,513 |
| Wisconsin | $2,297 | $2,066 | $2,690 | $2,299 |
| West Virginia | $2,450 | $2,216 | $2,804 | $2,437 |
| Wyoming | $3,113 | $2,706 | $3,481 | $3,037 |
Note: All estimates are for full-coverage insurance and are based on the standardized profile of a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit history.
Tesla Insurance Reviews
The MarketWatch Guides team gave Tesla Insurance sold by the automaker itself 7.7 out of 10.0 stars due to its lack of nationwide availability, poor customer experience ratings and issues with its reputation.
The company’s approach to auto insurance may not be for everyone. Those who value personal customer service may find it difficult to navigate the company’s digital-first structure.
Overall, Tesla Insurance is worth a look for owners who’ve enjoyed services from the company so far. For most other drivers, however, it’s unlikely to be their best car insurance option.
| Overall Rating | 7.7 |
|---|---|
| Cost and Discounts | 7.8 |
| Coverage | 8.1 |
| Industry Standing | 7.3 |
| Availability | 6.8 |
| Customer Experience | 7.6 |
*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team.
Below are the pros and cons of Tesla Insurance coverage:
ProsTelematics insurance program rewards drivers for good habitsCan be cheaper for some Tesla ownersIntegrates well with the Tesla app
ConsOnly available in 11 statesExpensive for non-Tesla vehiclesReports of poor customer service
Tesla Insurance Customer Reviews
Since Tesla Insurance hasn’t been around for long, it’s difficult to find customer reviews for it. Tesla is a much larger company, so it’s possible to look at overall reviews to understand how it treats its customers.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), which scores companies on how they respond to customer complaints, doesn’t rate Tesla and has withheld accreditation. Customers on the BBB site give Tesla 1.1 out of 5.0 stars and it has a high number of complaints, even considering its size.
Tesla App Reviews
We noticed a few patterns in reviews of the Tesla app regarding customer service. People who reported a positive experience with the company mention its technology and the app’s user-friendliness, while negative reviews focus on frustrations with representatives when filing insurance claims.
Our team reached out to Tesla for comment on these reviews but never received a response.
Tesla Car Insurance Coverage
When it comes to coverage types, Tesla Insurance is a standard auto insurance provider. You can choose either a minimum-coverage plan that just meets your state’s requirements or opt for a wide range of insurance products to protect your Tesla.
Tesla Standard Coverage Types
Below is a list of standard options offered by most car insurers, including Tesla:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: The medical expenses and lost wages of other parties will be covered if they get injured in a car accident you caused
- Property damage liability coverage: Pays for damages to others’ vehicles and property after you cause an accident
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical bills and lost wages for you and members of your party, regardless of who caused the collision
- Medical payments (MedPay): Takes care of medical expenses but not lost wages for you and your party, no matter who’s found at fault for an accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage/underinsured motorist coverage: Pays for your injury and property claims if an at-fault driver lacks sufficient coverage to pay for damages
Tesla Full-Coverage Types
When shopping around, you’ll likely hear people mentioning full-coverage car insurance. This refers to policies that include collision and comprehensive insurance along with state-mandated minimum-liability coverage. Here’s what these types of car insurance take care of:
- Collision coverage: Covers damages to your own vehicle and personal property after a car accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers vehicle damages from sources other than car accidents such as fires, flooding and instances of theft or vandalism.
Tesla Additional Coverage Options
Tesla Insurance offers a few additional coverages that can help you cover expenses related to your vehicle. Although we found these choices commonly mentioned by Tesla owners in our research of customer feedback, there’s no information online about the programs.
- Glass coverage: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing the glass in your Tesla.
- Roadside assistance: Takes care of emergency roadside needs such as towing, fuel delivery and flat-tire help on top of standard insurance services.
- Rental car reimbursem*nt: Pays for a rental car if your Tesla is involved in an accident or heads to the repair shop.
- Gap insurance: Covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and what it’s worth in the event of a total loss.
Tesla Insurance Discounts
Tesla Insurance lists a single opportunity to save money on its website: a 12% discount for insuring more than one vehicle on your policy. There are mentions online of an Autopilot discount that reduces rates if you own a Tesla with a strong autonomous driving capacity.
While these were the only Tesla Insurance discounts mentioned, it’s worth reaching out to an agent to check that there aren’t other savings. Many insurers give car insurance discounts for clean driving histories and for having certain safety features in your vehicle.
Tesla Insurance App: Tips for Cheaper Tesla Insurance Rates
Tesla calculates policyholders’ auto insurance rates by evaluating their driving behaviors using technology that comes standard in its cars. Because of this, your responsibility behind the wheel plays a significant role in the prices you’ll be charged for coverage.
Driving behaviors to avoid include hard stops, speeding and using your phone while driving. Each month, the Tesla app issues a safety score that will affect your rate for the following month. While Tesla Insurance pitched this as a revolutionary way to set rates, it’s more or less a typical telematics insurance program.
Where Is Tesla Insurance Available?
Tesla Insurance is one of the market’s newest providers, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk only announcing the program in 2019. Availability is currently limited, as drivers in only 11 states can pick up coverage. Here’s where Tesla Insurance is available as of November 2023:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
Why Is Tesla Insurance So Expensive?
Tesla personalizes car insurance rates based on an individual’s driving habits using real-time monitoring. The program, named the “safety score,” extends lower rates to drivers who practice good habits but will also penalize motorists with bad ones.
Tesla says it doesn’t use factors such as your age, gender, credit score and marital status when setting rates. This is different from most providers and may appeal to certain drivers. Instead, the company employs an unusual method, setting insurance rates based on the factors below:
- Tesla model: More affordable cars like the Tesla Model Y are often cheaper to insure than higher-end ones like the Model X.
- Location: Rates vary based on the state you live in, but they could also change within your state due to the presence and severity of risk factors.
- Miles driven: Those who put large numbers of miles on their vehicles will likely end up paying steeper rates for Tesla Insurance.
- Deductible: Drivers who choose a low insurance deductible will pay higher monthly rates for car insurance. They’ll be charged less upfront for auto repairs, though.
- Chosen coverage: Those who select more extensive coverage or have high limits on their Tesla Insurance plans will likely be charged more. They’ll receive greater benefits if they have to file an auto claim, though, so it’s worth it for many Tesla drivers.
- Safety score: There are five main components to the safety score calculated by Tesla. These factors are the number of forward collision warnings you receive per 1,000 miles, how many times Tesla’s Autopilot system has to be disengaged and the number of times you exhibit hard braking, aggressive turning and unsafe following.
Monthly premiums could change with any coverage provider, but they’re particularly variable with Tesla Insurance.
Best Cheap Tesla Car Insurance Rates: The Bottom Line
Owners may find cheaper rates from Tesla Insurance than from other providers, but that isn’t guaranteed. That said, people who enjoy the Tesla ecosystem will likely enjoy the experience offered through the company’s insurance program.
Best Car Insurance for Tesla
Tesla may be the best auto insurance provider for some, but even those people can benefit from shopping around. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from companies like State Farm, Geico and Progressive to learn which offers the best coverage at competitive rates.
Two providers that are highly rated for Tesla vehicles are Geico and State Farm. Below are the estimated full-coverage rates for a 2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y:
| Make and Model | Auto Insurance Provider | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | State Farm | $2,107 |
| Tesla Model Y | Geico | $2,385 |
*The rates shown in this table are estimated average yearly premiums for a full-coverage policy for a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record.
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
State Farm is the nation’s largest car insurer and offers courage for Tesla vehicles nationwide. It earned the second-best score in our 2023 auto insurance study, far exceeding the placement of Tesla Insurance.
Our team found that State Farm has an outstanding combination of coverage options, reasonable rates and strong customer service. State Farm also features one of the largest selections of discounts in the auto insurance industry, making coverage even more affordable.
Keep reading: State Farm insurance review
Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
Geico earned a strong score in our 2023 auto insurance study because it frequently provides low average rates. On top of this, Geico offers plenty of discounts such as for good drivers, students and those who bundle homeowners and renters insurance with auto coverage.
Keep reading: Geico insurance review
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Tesla Car Insurance: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about Tesla’s own insurance policies:
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
Daniel Robinson Writer
Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team writer and has written for numerous automotive news sites and marketing firms across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, specializing in auto finance and car care topics. Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team authority on auto insurance, loans, warranty options, auto services and more.
Rashawn Mitchner Managing Editor
Rashawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team editor with over 10 years of experience covering personal finance and insurance topics.
