When you make an insurance claim involving physical damage to your EV, your insurer directs the vehicle to one of their approved repairers.
If that repairer is not qualified to work on electric vehicles, the consequences range from extended repair times to compromised safety. Here is what to check before you buy a policy.
Why it matters
Repairing an EV after an accident is not the same as repairing a petrol car. High-voltage systems must be made safe before any repair work begins.
ADAS sensors disturbed during bodywork must be recalibrated afterwards. Battery condition must be assessed if the vehicle has been in a significant impact.
These tasks require specifically trained and accredited technicians with the right equipment.
A non-accredited repairer who accepts the job anyway or who subcontracts the specialist elements without proper oversight risks incomplete repairs, uncalibrated safety systems, and potentially undisclosed battery damage.
None of which will be obvious to you when you collect the vehicle.
What can go wrong
Bodywork repaired without ADAS recalibration means lane-keeping, emergency braking, and parking assistance may not function correctly.
Battery damage that was not assessed may develop into a more serious fault over subsequent months. And a repairer who cannot access the correct diagnostic tools for your specific EV model may be unable to clear fault codes or confirm systems are functioning correctly after repair.
How to confirm your insurer's repairer network
Ask the insurer directly before purchasing the policy whether their approved repairer network includes garages accredited for EV high-voltage work.
Ask whether ADAS recalibration is included as a standard element of any bodywork claim, or whether it is an additional cost you need to request.
Get the answers in writing. A verbal confirmation that is not reflected in the policy terms does not protect you at claim time.
