K Siva Kumar, 40, from Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, bought an electric scooter in April 2022. Just a day after the purchase, when he put its detachable battery for charging, it exploded causing a fire in his bedroom. Kumar died and his wife and children suffered injuries.
There have been various instances of the electric vehicle (EV) battery bursting into flames and causing injury or worse. Ever wondered if such incidents are covered under motor insurance?
Current Availability
The EV insurance space in India is evolving. Since third-party vehicle insurance is mandatory in India, all EVs above a certain capacity have to be insured. Currently, traditional motor insurance policies meant for internal combustion engine (ICE) i.e., petrol and diesel vehicles, are being issued for electric cars and scooters as well.
Broadly, two types of policies are being used for EVs as of now. First, traditional comprehensive insurance policies that include own-damage (also known as accidental damage) and third-party insurance. Second, asset insurance policies for low-capacity EVs that don’t fall...