Hitting the Books: How Tesla engineers solved the problem of exploding EV batteries

porterjames2 · ‎08-28-2018

I have had AARP/Hartford auto insurance for a number of years. I just tried to add a Tesla to my policy and was shocked to find out the Hartford will not cover it. I had to find an new auto insurance carrier.

Apparently a few insurance companies won't cover Tesla vehicles.

I suggested that AARP find another partner that can meet the needs of it's members.

Just another thing to think about when shopping for an automobile

DaveMcK · ‎02-05-2023

A lot of insurance companies are no long insuring Ultra High Priced cars. A lot of companies are not insuring easily stolen cars like a Kia.

.

If you are looking to buy an extra expensive vehicle l suggest you shop the insurance market first before you buy the new car.

Also you can keep the insurance rate down by having a $3000.00 or $4000.00 collision deductible.

Ford Full Sized Pickup

Topping the list of the most stolen vehicle in America in 2020 is the 2006 Ford F-150. This is the second year the pickup has topped the listing, with over 44,014 units stolen in 2020, 13% higher than in 2019. Pickup trucks are clearly a favorite amongst thieves, especially given their power, reliability and versatility. The F-150 in particular, however, may be the most popular option given how it boasts a great hauling capacity, a spacious interior and a powerful engine.

So, why are these cars so easy to steal, and is Hyundai interested in finding a fix for this matter? Well, the lower priced models of Hyundai and Kia cars don't have an engine immobilizer or a theft deterrent system. This is because Hyundai has too keep on offering cheaper products and has cut costs here. Thus they are absent from their lower priced models.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

JamuJoe · ‎10-30-2022

The irony is that The Hartford insured my iMiEV (EV, but certainly not a ‘super car’ ) for five claim free years before I purchased the Polestar 2. The simple fact is that insurance companies such as The Hartford follow cold blooded underwriting guidance, and care nothing about AARP customers or reducing the impact of fossil fuel vehicles.

DaveMcK · ‎10-31-2022

They mostlikely would not cover a home if you bought or built a new house in a flood plain.

I'm sure that many companies would not cover you if your hobby was jumping out of airplanes or racing stock cars.

IT IS ABOUT RISK. WHAT IS THE RISK OF WHAT YOU WANT TO INSURE HAPPENS. JUST WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THE BATTERIES CATCHING ON FIRE.

PRINCIPLES OF INSURANCE 101!

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

JamuJoe · ‎10-31-2022

Dave,

The risk of this EV catching fire is very very low. Has your iPhone exploded? Risk assessment requires data, and The Hartford hasn’t bothered to collect that data. GEICO has a better approach.

DaveMcK · ‎11-10-2022

In the past there have been battery problems.

Hitting the Books: How Tesla engineers solved the problem of exploding EV batteries

Because you can't sell cars that have a 1 in 150 chance of randomly going boom.

A. Tarantola08.21.21

Between CEO Elon Musk's often erratic antics, strident competition from existing industry titans, and a public that is still not fully sold on the idea of traveling via electrical charge, Tesla's road to prominence has not been a smooth one. But facing a federal investigation into its driver assist systems, is far from the biggest roadblock the company has navigated. As journalist Tim Higgins explains in his new book, Power Play, back in the early aughts, Tesla's engineering team had to overcome an even tougher challenge: keeping the first iterations of its EVs from randomly exploding.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

wrh7787 · ‎06-06-2022

Hello-

As of June 2022- Hartford still won’t cover, when I asked why they would cover the house and garage my Model S sits in but not the car, they said it’s because they consider it a “super car”!

that is the dumbest thing I ever heard of- so then I called tesla and they actually covered it in my state at a great price but then I lost the car discount on the homeowners insurance-

just sucks I say!

RichardH590013 · ‎08-02-2020

Hartford turned me down on a used car that I just bought. 2014 Kia Sportage SUV. I guess my 5 year good driver rating with GEICO for 50 years is not good enough for them. Don't waste your time on them, I hear they'll raise your rates 40% to 70% without any reason by the threads on this site.

08/02/2020 See below response when I tried to get insurance:

"Thank you for contacting The Hartford.

Based on the information provided, The Hartford is unable to issue insurance coverage at this time."

moviedoc · ‎01-15-2019

I just bought a Model 3. Hartford's excuse for not coveing Tesla, I was told by a representative, is that they see Tesla as in the same class with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, etc., which is absurd.

AARP, hear me: A big part of what keeps me a member is the insurance. If Hartford doesn't get with the program, I will likely move ALL my insurance to another company.

DaveMcK · ‎01-15-2019

This is not the place to contact AARP/HARTFORD about insurance coverage for any area.

As noted before:

‎08-28-2018 06:46 PM

My first thought is that there is not enough accident history to set rates for these vehicles. It has been a long time since I took principals of insurance. I would suggest you shop the insurance market. I'm sure they are a very small percentage of the vehicles that would be covered. Not enough to add them under the blanket coverage of many inuance companies. It is all about spreading their risk across a large cross section of vehicle types.

There are just 300,000 Tesla cars on the road compared to the 35,000 new Camry's sold in March 2018.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

moviedoc · ‎01-15-2019

Not helpful, Dave.

What IS the place??

DaveMcK · ‎01-15-2019

For auto insurance go to:
https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/all/hartford-auto/

This is a chat group.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

JamuJoe · ‎10-31-2022

Your link is to The Hartford, not AARP. Useless.

moviedoc · ‎01-15-2019

A chat group?

Really?

There's nothing at the URL you provided that allows me to let AARP know that they should pressure Hartford to cover Teslas or find a new insco.

DaveMcK · ‎01-15-2019

If you clck on the link this is what you will find.

AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford

DETAILS

DISCLOSURES

Auto Insurance

The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers savings and benefits designed to reward members for being safer, more experienced drivers. The program offers a Lifetime Renewability benefit in most states – coverage will be renewed each year as long as you meet a few simple requirements. No-cost, no-obligation quotes are available. Added savings if you bundle your home and auto policies.

How to Access

Enter or mention your AARP membership number to get a quote online or by phone.

SEE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR STATE

You'll leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider's terms, conditions, and policies apply.

LEARN MORE

or call The Hartford at 1-800-684-5518

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

ReyesGray · ‎10-29-2018

I own a Tesla and use SF. I just tried to call for a quote given that I get at least one solicitation from Hartofrd a month throuh AARP. Why not...?

It would have saved everyone time and money if it read on the solicitation "We don't Insure Teslas."

Oh well.

DaveMcK · ‎08-28-2018

My first thought is that there is not enough accident history to set rates for these vehicles. It has been a long time since I took principals of insurance. I would suggest you shop the insurance market. I'm sure they are a very small percentage of the vehicles that would be covered. Not enough to add them under the blanket coverage of many inuance companies. It is all about spreading their risk across a large cross section of vehicle types.

There are just 300,000 Tesla cars on the road compared to the 35,000 new Camry's sold in March 2018.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

ManicProgressive · ‎08-28-2018

@porterjames2 wrote:
I have had AARP/Hartford auto insurance for a number of years. I just tried to add a Tesla to my policy and was shocked to find out the Hartford will not cover it. I had to find an new auto insurance carrier.
Apparently a few insurance companies won't cover Tesla vehicles.
I suggested that AARP find another partner that can meet the needs of it's members.
Just another thing to think about when shopping for an automobile

Wow, did they say why? There are many Teslas where I live and it’s on my to-buy list in a few years. That’s very odd...

MOORE6 · ‎02-03-2023

I tried with same result - agent said it’s because they are expensive to repair after accident -applies to all Teslas. I asked about e Mustang - they will apparently cover those . Could the reason be that Tesla also sells insurance?