Had a similar experience myself last year—though not as dramatic as lightning. My EV battery suddenly stopped charging after a heavy rainstorm. Turned out water had seeped into the battery compartment due to a faulty seal. Insurance covered it fully since it was considered accidental damage, not wear and tear. Definitely agree that gradual degradation is warranty territory, but it's reassuring to know insurance steps in for unexpected mishaps like these...
"Insurance covered it fully since it was considered accidental damage, not wear and tear."
Good point—most policies do cover sudden, accidental incidents like water intrusion or lightning. Gradual battery degradation is usually warranty stuff, but it's smart to verify your policy specifics. I've seen claims denied over vague wording before, so always double-check exclusions. Glad yours worked out smoothly though...
Yeah, that's spot-on advice. I've heard of insurers pushing back if they think the battery issue was brewing for a while. Always helps to snap a few quick photos or grab documentation right away—can save you headaches down the line...
Yeah, totally agree with documenting everything right away. EV batteries are pricey replacements, and insurers aren't exactly thrilled about footing that bill. I always keep service records handy too—saved me once when they questioned my car's maintenance history...
Yeah, documenting everything is definitely smart, especially with EVs. I've seen insurers get pretty picky about battery replacements—can't really blame them considering the cost involved. But honestly, even with meticulous records, I've seen cases where insurers still push back hard. Had a client once whose battery failed prematurely, and despite having all his service records neatly organized, the insurer initially denied the claim, arguing it was a manufacturer defect rather than covered damage. Took some serious back-and-forth before they finally budged.
Another thing to keep in mind is the fine print in your policy. Some insurers specifically exclude battery degradation or failure due to wear and tear. So even if you're super diligent about maintenance, you might still be out of luck if the battery just naturally wears down faster than expected. It's frustrating because EV tech is still relatively new territory for insurance companies—they're still figuring out how to handle these claims fairly.
One tip I'd add: if you're buying an EV, it's worth checking if your insurer offers specialized coverage or endorsements specifically for battery issues. A few companies are starting to offer these now, probably because they're tired of dealing with angry customers when standard policies don't cover expensive battery replacements. Might cost a bit extra upfront, but could save you a headache down the road.
Still, I wouldn't rely solely on documentation—it's crucial, sure, but also make sure you understand exactly what's covered and what's not. Insurance companies aren't exactly charities...they'll look for any loophole they can find to avoid paying out big claims like these.
