Introduction
A home EV charging point represents a genuine investment and a permanent addition to your property, yet many homeowners never think to check how it fits into their home insurance until something goes wrong. Understanding this now avoids complications later.
This guide explains why declaring your charger matters, what's typically covered, and how it differs from cover for charging cables. It complements our guides on EV charging cable cover and home insurance.
Key Terms Explained
- Home Charging Point
- A permanently installed unit for charging an electric vehicle, generally treated as a fixture for insurance purposes.
- Fixture
- An item permanently attached to a building, typically covered under buildings insurance rather than contents cover.
- Buildings Sum Insured
- The total value your buildings insurance is set to cover, which should reflect additions like a home charger.
- Certified Installation
- Installation carried out and signed off by a qualified electrician, often required for both safety and insurance purposes.
- Portable Charging Cable
- A cable carried separately from the fixed charging point, sometimes covered under car rather than home insurance.
- Vandalism Cover
- Protection against deliberate damage to property, typically included within standard buildings insurance.
What Home Charger Insurance Covers
A home charging point sits within your buildings insurance in most cases, though the specific scope varies by insurer.
Damage From Insured Events
Damage to the charging unit from an insured event such as fire, storm or flood is generally covered under standard buildings insurance, in the same way as damage to other fixtures.
Theft
Theft of the charging unit itself may be covered in some circumstances, particularly where it forms part of the property's fixtures and fittings.
Electrical Faults and Liability
Cover for electrical faults arising from the installation, and liability if the charger causes damage or injury, often depends on the specific policy and whether professional installation requirements were met.
| Item | Typical Cover |
|---|---|
| Fixed home charging point | Home buildings insurance |
| Portable charging cable | Car insurance or home contents |
| Vehicle itself | Car insurance |
Benefits of Declaring Your Charger
- Ensures the fixture is reflected in your buildings sum insured
- Reduces the risk of a claims dispute later
- Confirms exactly what protection applies
Potential Drawbacks of Not Declaring
- Possible complications if a related claim arises
- Buildings sum insured may not reflect the charger's value
- Certification evidence may be requested retrospectively
What Isn't Typically Covered
Wear and tear, damage from non-compliant DIY installation, and faults arising from using incompatible equipment are generally excluded from standard cover.
Common Situations
Rented Properties
Tenants generally need landlord permission before installing a charger, and should clarify who is responsible for insuring the fixture once it's fitted, since this can sit differently depending on the tenancy agreement.
Charger vs Vehicle Cover
Your home charging point is a separate consideration from your car insurance, which covers the vehicle itself, and portable cables are sometimes treated separately again from the fixed unit.
Older or Retrofitted Chargers
Chargers installed some years ago should still be checked against current insurer requirements, particularly if installation records or certification weren't retained at the time.
Solar-Integrated Charging Setups
Homes combining solar panels with EV charging should check how each element is declared, since some policies treat integrated renewable and charging systems differently from a standalone charger; see our solar panel insurance guide for more detail.
What Affects the Cost
- Whether the charger is professionally installed and certified
- The value of the charging unit
- Your home's overall buildings sum insured
- Security measures around where the vehicle and charger are located
- Whether the property is owner-occupied or rented
- Claims history
Before You Install a Charger
- Confirm landlord permission if renting. Get this agreed and documented before installation.
- Use a qualified electrician. Ensure installation is certified to the relevant standard.
- Declare the charger to your insurer. Update your buildings sum insured accordingly.
- Keep installation records. Retain certification and receipts for future reference.
- Review annually. Confirm cover still reflects the charger's current value.
Making a Claim
- Report the incident promptly. Contact your home insurer as soon as possible.
- Provide installation and certification records. These help support an accurate assessment.
- Describe the damage clearly. Include photographs where possible.
- Report theft to the police where relevant. Obtain a crime reference number to support the claim.
- Keep records of all correspondence. Maintain a clear paper trail throughout the process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not declaring a home charger to your insurer
- Using an uncertified or non-professional installer
- Not keeping installation and certification records
- Assuming the charger and charging cable are covered identically
- Installing without landlord permission in a rented property
- Not updating your buildings sum insured after installation
Frequently Asked Questions About Home EV Charger Insurance
Do I need to tell my home insurer about an EV charger?
Generally yes, as a fixed installation it can affect your buildings cover and should typically be declared to your insurer.
Does home insurance cover damage to my EV charger?
This depends on your specific policy, so checking whether damage from insured events, and potentially theft, is included is worthwhile.
Does the charger need professional installation for insurance purposes?
Professional, certified installation is important both for safety and because insurers may require evidence of this for cover to apply.
Is my charging cable covered under the same policy as my charger?
Not necessarily, cables are sometimes treated separately, so checking both your home and car insurance for how each item is covered is worthwhile.
What happens if I don't declare my home charger?
This could affect a future claim relating to the charger or resulting damage, particularly if installation or certification requirements weren't met.
Does installing a charger affect my home insurance premium?
It can add a modest amount to your premium, reflecting the increased buildings value and complexity of the property's electrical installation.
Are tenants able to install a home EV charger?
Tenants generally need landlord permission before installing a charger, and should clarify who is responsible for insuring the fixture once installed.
Does a charger need a specific electrical certificate?
Installation should be carried out and certified by a qualified electrician, and insurers may request this certification if a related claim arises.
Is vandalism to a home charger covered?
Vandalism to a permanently installed charger is generally covered under buildings insurance, in the same way as damage to other fixtures, subject to policy terms.
How do I make a claim involving a home EV charger?
Report the incident to your home insurer as soon as possible, providing installation and certification records along with details of the damage.
Conclusion
A home EV charging point is a valuable but sometimes overlooked addition when it comes to insurance. Declaring it to your home insurer, ensuring professional certified installation, and understanding exactly what's covered helps protect this investment properly.
Whether you're planning a new installation or checking an existing charger's cover, taking these steps now avoids complications if you ever need to make a claim.