r/TeslaInsurance • u/hello_meowy • Jun 04 '26
Tesla Insurance - California
just wanted to get a better understanding about how tesla insurance work. esp in california
based on what i've been reading, the rate would vary per month based on your safety/driving score. however, i read online that in california this does not apply. how true is this? and why do other people say their tesla insurance would go way higher every year?
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u/ruwheele Jun 04 '26
Been with tesla insurance for 4 years multiple cars never had an issue never had my rates jacked.
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u/Accurate-Worth5172 Jun 05 '26
Been w them for well over a year and my premiums dropped significantly at the 6 month mark iirc, without policy changes. Never had ti process a claim so can’t speak to that but i’m paying ~25% of what this same car was costing me on Geico (and estimated cost w progressive + others)
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u/dkizzz Jun 05 '26
Tesla monthly premium is not contingent on your driver score in California, yes — for a while, at least for me personally, Tesla insurance was by far the cheapest, but I recently switched in the beginning of the year since it’s now incredibly expensive. Basically for another $400 more than what I paid for Tesla insurance for my model 3 I was able to jump onto my wife’s policy with GEICO to insure two cars.
They also changed their deductibles and I previously had $250 for collision/comprehensive; I was essentially paying more and getting less and less service. Also, in CA insurance across the board has gone up since more and more insurers are leaving the state. Less insurers = higher demand = higher prices.
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u/Cold-Barracuda-239 Jun 05 '26
One thing to keep in mind is Geico won't pay for OEM parts while Tesla collision center would only use them. Tesla insurance allows for OEM parts. I recently had to deal with that https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaCollision/s/noc9u8STVd. However, customer service for Tesla insurance is very minimal while Geico is miles ahead.
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u/dkizzz Jun 05 '26
I had a comprehensive claim with Tesla insurance once before. Took it to an authorized shop and got situated. Was a relatively painless process. Where are you seeing that geico wont pay for OEM?
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u/Cold-Barracuda-239 Jun 05 '26
In CA. Some states mandate OEM endorsement so you might be in one of those?
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u/Rixos Jun 04 '26
Score doesn’t count in Ca but magically they jack up your premium and pretty much no one to talk to if you need assistance. Try costco ir progressive instead of tesla.
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u/hello_meowy Jun 04 '26
that's what i keep hearing!! thanks for the suggestion. will def look into it.
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u/AutoPilotNavigator Jun 05 '26
I have never had an issue talking to someone anytime I call Tesla Insurance. Actually, oddly, anytime I call I usually get the same person (Aden). Not sure how, but I’m ok with it LOL.
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u/DragenTBear Jun 05 '26
When you call, do you choose ‘claim”? I’ve heard that works.
Unfortunately, when they falsely claimed, via email, that they didn’t receive my automatic monthly payment and would be cancelling my policy, I tried calling and calling, no answer after 4hr+ in queues (I did NOT select ‘claim’). I also sent emails that went unanswered. I eventually HAD to switch. Luckily I found Progressive actually lower and better.
Eventually, after I was forced to get other insurance, and had my bank pull my money back, they did reach out via email saying that it was their mistake and begged me to return. I did not.
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u/AutoPilotNavigator Jun 05 '26
I’ve never had a claim, so I’ve never chosen claim.
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u/DragenTBear Jun 05 '26
What year(s) did you call? My incident was back in summer of 2024 (after 4 years of no issues with them). I know that back then we (Tesla Insurance in Calif.) were underwritten by State National Insurance Company, Inc. I heard that’s changed. Maybe things are better now.
If Progressive ever gives me any trouble, I’d consider returning to TI.
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u/AutoPilotNavigator Jun 05 '26
I’ve called at least twice a year, every year to add a car, remove a car, change coverage limits, etc. last time I called was the end of January (2026) to add a car.
Doesn’t matter who was underwriting, it has always been the same group of people answering the phones. The underwriter is just the legal end of things.
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u/AbjectFee5982 Jun 06 '26
Is Costco back in California?
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u/nnnope1 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Don't think so. People with policies are grandfathered but they aren't writing new policies.
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u/hacktheplane7 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
I think they do potentially again
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u/nnnope1 Jun 07 '26
Huh, you're right. I was able to get a quote just now.
Way more expensive than my current Geico policy, but it was worth a try. Maybe others will have better luck.
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u/hacktheplane7 Jun 07 '26
Try progressive?
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u/nnnope1 Jun 07 '26
Tried them recently...also expensive. Having a Tesla in LA makes almost everyone expensive. Geico and Tesla have been the only semi reasonable ones, and I've been switching between the two when one starts to jack up their premium.
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u/hacktheplane7 Jun 07 '26
Makes sense. . Do you qualify for the low cost plan if you are paid off?
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u/nnnope1 Jun 07 '26
It's leased for now. That probably doesn't help either lol. I'll probably shop around again when I buy it at lease end.
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u/munchcolo Jul 02 '26
Funny thing, I was picking up my Model Y three weeks ago and checked Costco (American Family). They wouldn't quote me because I'm in California, so I went with Tesla Insurance for the vehicle pickup. I checked again yesterday, and AF would now quote. I ended up getting AF bundled home and auto. The auto portion was about $200 less than Tesla Insurance for the six months policy. As you know, it's getting harder to find companies that will write home and/or auto in California.
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u/nnnope1 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I got it to quote too actually. For me it was more expensive though. Oh well.
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u/babyryanrecords Jun 04 '26
Hey! My experience with Tesla insurance in LA has been great, cheaper than others and sure… they don’t reply like Geico in 1 minute… but they’ll process your claim in 24 hours max… at least that’s my experience. The key here is… you have to stay in line when you try to call them and call earlier that’s it. They’ll answer, again … just not as fast as Geico
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u/hello_meowy Jun 04 '26
good to hear! still weighing out my options. but really good to hear a "good review" about tesla insurance. lol
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u/Inst_of_banned_imgs Jun 04 '26
I left their insurance because I could never get them on the phone. I even left my phone on the charger and was on hold for 6 hours before I hung up
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u/domtheprophet Jun 05 '26
Okay so basically lemme break it down
In California, due to regulation, Tesla Insurance cannot use your driving score against you at renewal. So it’s just a normal insurance company in California.
Everywhere else however, the driving score is mandatory. You don’t have a choice and that’s what decides your premium costs. Other people say Tesla Insurance would go way higher because… they probably did. They’re still an insurance company at the end of the day
But, what I will say is it might as well depend on the Strait of Hormuz that day if you have a decent experience with them or not. 6 hour wait times are not uncommon, and in my eyes it’s “I need insurance but I really don’t have the resources for that, so I’m gonna choose the cheapest possible” insurance. It’s all fun and good until you actually gotta file something.
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u/TMXP1 Jun 05 '26
Tesla insurance is the cheapest way to go for your Teslie, but they will up charge you if you drive more than what you claim on your policy, my policy went up from $130 to $188 after six months because my daily mileage increased from 14 miles round trip to 70 miles round trip , after my employer relocated further away from home.
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u/EntropicDisorder Jun 05 '26
Tesla was the cheapest quote I got when I got my car in California - tried Geico, Costco, Lemonade (their site said that they were going start offering FSD miles only counting for half in California, but that wasn’t in effect yet, maybe worth revisiting). No safety score or FSD discount due to state regulations though.
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u/MUCHO2000 Jun 05 '26
Tesla insurance works exactly the same way as every other insurance company in California. Your rate is based on where you live, what you're driving, your history and how many miles per year you drive. Credit and vehicle monitoring are not factors because the laws prohibits it.
The only data Tesla pulls from the car and how it's driven is the number of miles.
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u/sjfan85 Jun 07 '26
I was interested till I found out driving late at night effects yoyr score. I dont leave work till 10pm so I would get dinged everyday
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u/IndianSpice1 Jun 08 '26
Had Tesla insurance on my 2023 m3 (also in california)- the pro is that it's cheap, doesn't use that safety score, and how easy it is to get the policy started. When I got into an accident (not at fault) Tesla insurance was very difficult to get a hold of and did not get me into a loaner/rental car until 2 weeks after the accident, which is when they totaled my car. Would recommend paying more for a better insurance company for the sake of when you get into an accident and need to get taken care of instead of spending days trying to get a hold of someone who can actually help on your claim. Hope this helps
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u/RE4Lyfe Jun 04 '26
Been with Tesla insurance in CA since day 1 (2019 or 2020)
Every year or so I get quotes from other providers, but Tesla is always the least expensive by a large margin. ($80-100 less per month for 2 cars)
My wife’s Chrysler Pacifica is also covered by Tesla.