Archive · 12 Aug 2026
What EV Battery Damage Claims Cover and Exclude
Electric cars are becoming more popular in India.
Fixing them can cost more than fixing regular cars because they have special batteries and parts.
The battery can make up about 40% of the total repair bill.
Standard car insurance may not cover the battery, so owners should check their policy.
Some insurers, like Digit Insurance, sell extra add-on covers that protect the battery, charger and cables.
If your electric car gets damaged, you register a claim, send photos or videos, and the insurer works with the garage to fix it.
You need to keep documents like your registration certificate and driving licence ready.
If a car is stuck with a dead battery, roadside assistance can charge it for up to 30 minutes or tow it up to 50 km.
Owners should also know what is not covered, like when a car is started after being in flood water.
Specialised battery components can account for around 40% of an EV's total repair cost and may not be covered under standard motor insurance.
Digit Insurance's EV Shield add-on covers the battery, electrical panel, vehicle charger and charging cable against accidental damage or loss.
EV repairs are usually more expensive because of sophisticated battery systems and specialised parts, but EV insurance premiums remain competitive with petrol vehicles.
The claim process starts with registering the claim and submitting photos or videos via a self-inspection link, after which the insurer coordinates with the garage on repairs.
Starting an EV after it has been submerged in flood water may be treated as contributory negligence, and pre-existing damage and consequential losses can be excluded from coverage.
- Who
- Aditya Kumar, Head of Motor Underwriting at Digit Insurance, and electric vehicle owners in India
- What
- Guidance on EV insurance for battery damage, including what add-ons cover, how the claims process works and common exclusions
- When
- Not specified in the article; the advice reflects the current period of growing EV adoption across India
- Where
- India
- Why
- EV batteries and specialised components can account for about 40% of repair costs and may fall outside standard coverage, so owners need tailored protection
- Battery share of repair cost
- Approximately 40% of total vehicle repair cost
- Coverage gap
- Battery may not be covered under standard motor insurance
- EV Shield add-on covers
- Battery, electrical panel, vehicle charger and charging cable
- Mobile charging assistance
- Up to 30 minutes or until 30% charge via generator van
- Towing assistance
- Up to 50 km to nearest charging station, workshop or home
- Required documents
- Registration Certificate, insurance policy, driving licence and valid Pollution Under Control certificate
- Common exclusions
- Pre-existing damage, consequential losses and starting a submerged vehicle after flooding