Honestly, I get the frustration, but I don’t think it’s all that sneaky on the insurer’s part. Batteries and timing belts are classic wear items, just like tires or brake pads. They’re expected to wear out over time, so it makes sense they’re not covered. I mean, if insurance paid for every part that wore out from normal use, premiums would be through the roof.
I’ve had my share of surprises with policy wording, but I’ve also found that most of the time, if something fails suddenly—like from a short circuit or a fire—comprehensive will step in. It’s the slow, gradual stuff that’s on us as owners. Not saying the fine print isn’t a pain, but I kind of get where they’re coming from.
Still, it’d be nice if they were clearer about what’s covered and what isn’t. I’ve learned to ask a lot of questions before signing anything... probably annoys my agent, but better safe than sorry.
Yeah, I hear you on the fine print headaches. The “wear and tear” exclusions are basically the insurance world’s version of “not my problem.” But you’re spot on—if your battery just up and dies from old age, no dice. If it fries out of nowhere because of a freak electrical issue, that’s usually a different story. I’ve seen folks get tripped up thinking their policy covers more than it does, especially with all the EV buzz lately. Can’t blame anyone for grilling their agent—beats getting stuck with a surprise bill.
Yeah, that “wear and tear” line is where they always get you. I’ve had cars for years and it’s the same old story—if it’s just old, you’re out of luck. But if something weird happens, like a power surge or a short, then maybe they’ll step in. Honestly, most people don’t realize how little their policy actually covers until it’s too late. I always read the paperwork, but even then, it’s a gamble. Insurance companies aren’t in the business of paying out unless they have to.
I’ve had cars for years and it’s the same old story—if it’s just old, you’re out of luck. But if something weird happens, like a power surge or a short, then maybe they’ll step in.
That “wear and tear” clause is such a catch-all, isn’t it? I’ve always wondered how they actually define the line between normal aging and something like a manufacturing defect. Like, if my EV battery just dies out of nowhere at 50k miles, is that really just “old,” or is there more to it? You’re right—policies feel like a maze sometimes. Have you ever tried pushing back on a claim? Curious if anyone’s actually gotten them to budge when it comes to battery issues.
Title: Would your insurance hold up if your EV battery suddenly failed?
That “wear and tear” thing drives me nuts too. It’s like, yeah, obviously stuff gets old, but where’s the line? I had a hybrid a few years back and the battery started acting up around 60k miles. The dealer tried to say it was just normal aging, but I pushed for them to actually check for any recalls or known issues. Turned out there was a service bulletin about a batch of faulty cells, so they covered most of it under a “goodwill” warranty extension. If I hadn’t asked, I’d have been stuck with the whole bill.
If you’re dealing with an insurance claim or warranty fight, here’s what worked for me:
1. Gather every bit of paperwork—maintenance logs, charging history, anything showing you took care of the car.
2. Ask the shop or dealer for a full diagnostic report. Sometimes they’ll find something that points to a defect instead of just age.
3. Look up technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your make/model/year. If there’s a known issue, that’s leverage.
4. Don’t be afraid to escalate. First person says no? Ask for a supervisor or someone higher up.
5. Stay polite but firm. I’ve found you get further if you sound like you know your stuff but aren’t yelling.
It’s frustrating because batteries are expensive and you expect them to last longer than 50k miles. If it just dies out of nowhere, that doesn’t feel like “normal wear” to me either. Sometimes it feels like they’re just hoping people won’t push back.
Anyway, hang in there—it can be a pain, but sometimes you can get them to budge if you’ve got the right info.
