Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular on the roads. This naturally increases the likelihood of these green vehicles being involved in accidents. But what actually applies in the event of an accident involving an electric car? And why is professional help often needed to settle claims?
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Accident with electric car - What's different?
Accidents involving electric cars, i.e. vehicles that run on electricity instead of petrol, will increase significantly over the next few years. For drivers in particular, this presents hurdles that they should be aware of. This is because an electric car involved in an accident incurs significantly higher costs than diesel and petrol cars. Insurance companies have also recognised this and are naturally unhappy about having to bear these costs.
Accordingly, they often try to avoid settling costs and are reluctant to simply pay for the damage they have incurred. This is why it is particularly important for drivers of electric cars to seek professional help in order to finalise payment and settlement satisfactorily.
This is why fairforce.one specialised in the problems arising from e-car accidents at an early stage and supports you from the outset in enforcing your claims.
Have you been involved in an accident with your electric vehicle? Do not hesitate to contact us. We know what the opposing insurance companies do and will make sure that you get your money and your rights.
What to do after an e-car accident?
After an accident involving an electric car, the same rules apply as after an accident involving a petrol or diesel car. However, some things are still different. Although ADAC and DEKRA have determined that electric cars are no safer or less safe than combustion engines after accidents, you should still be aware of the potential danger posed by a faulty battery. Keep calm after the accident, clear or secure the accident site and take care of any injured persons. However, you should keep a safe distance from the electric car in case it does cause problems.
However, there is no need to panic unnecessarily. The likelihood of your car suddenly catching fire or exploding, as many opponents of electric cars like to claim, is very low. An e-car fire after an accident is less common than with a combustion engine.
Whether you need to call the police depends on the severity of the accident. Here too, the police are not required in the case of minor damage without injuries. However, if the cause of the accident is unclear, there are injuries or major damage, the police are obliged to attend. In the case of leased or financed vehicles, the contract may also require a police report.
Very important: Whether with or without the police, be sure to exchange personal details and insurance information with the other party involved in the accident and take lots of photos of the vehicles and the accident scene.
Do I have to call the towing service after an accident with an electric car?
Whether a towing service is necessary also depends on the severity of the accident. This is not usually necessary for dents and scratches. However, if the bodywork is dented or the front of the vehicle is destroyed, you should play it safe and call the towing service. This is because damage to electronics or the battery is often not obvious at first glance and increases the risk of the electric car catching fire. It is best to tell them on the phone that your vehicle is an electric car.
Don't risk any reductions from the other party's insurance company - have your accident free of charge and without obligation by our regulation specialists.
Who bears the costs for e-car repairs?
Report the damage to your insurance company within the deadline, usually within one week - even if you are not at fault for the accident. This is important in case you are found to be partially at fault. The person responsible for the accident will do the same with their insurance company. However, you can also report the accident to the other party's insurance company yourself. Especially if you have not heard from them after around 14 days.
As with all other accidents, the costs for towing, repairs and all other items incurred are borne by the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident. If you are not at fault for the accident, these costs are therefore charged to the other party's insurance.
This is where the problems usually start. This is because electric cars cause significantly higher costs for repairs and the like, which insurance companies are reluctant to bear. This means that the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident will most likely try to minimise the costs. According to reports, some insurers will even only pay certain claims if you pursue the settlement with a lawyer.
What are the problems after an electric car accident?
The most common problems after accidents involving electric cars are with the insurance company of the party responsible for the accident. This is because they often refuse to pay the often significantly higher costs when electric cars are involved. Due to their design, almost everything is more expensive with electric cars than with combustion engines. This starts with towing, continues with the hourly rates and components for repairs and extends to storage in the case of expert reports and the like.
These are cost items that insurance companies like to avoid and therefore try to reduce payments in every possible way. For you, this means that you could quickly find yourself in a dispute with the opposing insurance company or get caught up in the confusion of insurance law. As a layperson, you are hopelessly outclassed here.
As a result, it has already become clear that many e-car owners do not receive the compensation they are entitled to without expert help. That's why our advice is to get help from our experts at an early stage to secure your claims. fairforce.one not only examines your case, but also determines exactly what payments and benefits you are entitled to and enforces these for you with the opposing insurance company. This not only saves you time and effort, but usually also secures you more money than if you take matters into your own hands.
The best possible regulation after e-car accidents
Have you been involved in an accident with your car? Then it's best to report it to us quickly. Here is an overview of the safe procedure.
- You suffer damage as a result of an accident with your electric car.
- You report the incident to us online or by telephone free of charge on 0800 30 111 60.
- Our experts will get back to you immediately and discuss the next steps with you point by point.
- The claims settlement is initiated and you no longer have to bother with paperwork.
Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.
FAQ on accidents with electric cars
What to do in an accident with an electric car?
In principle, you do not need to behave any differently in the event of an accident involving an electric car than in the event of an accident involving a combustion engine. Keep calm, secure the accident site and help any injured persons. Then call the police and the emergency services if necessary. With e-cars, however, you should be more careful and bear an e-car fire in mind. Although this is very unlikely, it can occur. You should therefore still call a towing service if necessary and have them check the safety of your vehicle. Report the accident to your insurance company and, if applicable, to the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident within one week. But beware, many insurance companies are reluctant to settle e-car accidents. Specialist help is often required to ensure that you get your rights. We can help you here, please contact us.
How high is the risk of fire in an electric car accident?
ADAC and DEKRA have investigated this question and have found no greater danger with electric cars than with combustion engines. Nevertheless, you should call a towing service after accidents with major damage and play it safe.
What problems can occur after an e-car accident?
Although you don't have to proceed any differently after an accident with an electric car than with a diesel or petrol car, settling the claim with the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident can be more difficult. This is because many insurance companies shy away from the higher costs incurred by e-cars and refuse to pay full compensation. Our experts can help you at an early stage and take over the often complicated communication with the insurance company.
Why are there so often problems with insurance for electric cars?
Towing, repairing and storing electric cars that have been involved in accidents is often significantly more expensive than for combustion engines. Claims settlement therefore costs insurance companies significantly more than for a diesel or petrol vehicle. As a result, they like to try to cut costs and reduce your claims. We will be happy to help you get your rights. Get in touch with us.
What happens to an electric car after an accident?
This depends entirely on the damage caused by the accident. If the damage is repairable, it is usually repaired in a specialised workshop and the car is repaired. In the event of a total loss, the car is disposed of professionally. However, all of this, whether towing, repair, storage (fire protection) or disposal, is significantly more expensive than with combustion engines. Although the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident must always bear these costs, it often tries to minimise them. Many e-car drivers find that they cannot get justice without professional help. We will be happy to help you here, please contact us.
