Re: Request for info: Insuring a DIY EV conversion in WA

[Grace Reamer]

Congratulations on your conversion progress, Tom. That is a great question about insurance, and I am glad to share it with the group so they can send you their advice.

Grace

> On Jun 5, 2026, at 7:30 PM, Thomas Beisner <thomasbe...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 
> Greetings from Snohomish.
>
> I think I'm a member of SEVA, not sure if I'm still an active member.
>
> Either way, my conversion is going great and I'm at the point of driving and will want/need insurance coverage.
>
> Does SEVA have any recommended Insurers that will insure a DIY EV conversion?
>
> I will greatly appreciate your help on this matter.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Tom Beisner
> 360-294-4323

[John Lussmyer]

I use Farmers to insure my F250 conversion.

[Larry Ryan]

I use Farmers also. Just liability. They designated my electric S-10 as a low mileage 2^nd car. I also use them for my gas burner. Reasonable premiums too. 

-Larry 

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From: seva...@googlegroups.com <seva...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of John Lussmyer <Cou...@CasaDelGato.Com>
Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2026 7:16:32 AM
To: SEVA...@googlegroups.com <SEVA...@googlegroups.com>; Thomas Beisner <thomasbe...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [SEVA] Re: Request for info: Insuring a DIY EV conversion in WA

 

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[Tom Gurski]

There's a few options depending on what you want and how much you're willing to roll the dice.

For full coverage, the safest thing would be an Agreed Value policy. Hagerty is known for this, but others do it too.

You can probably also get full coverage if you add a Custom Parts and Equipment (CPE) endorsement to a normal policy. Some but not all insurers offer this.

If you're only interested in liability or don't care if you have to write off the cost of the conversion, you might be ok with a regular policy. You'd want to explain everything to your agent and/or read the fine print very carefully to see if your conversion could risk denial of a claim. 

I've used Amica for some somewhat weird cars.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom Gurski

Founder and CEO

206-457-3428

bluedotmotorworks.com

Book a meeting

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[jame...@whidbey.com]

I used Farmers for one non-ev pickup my long-time 30 year insurer refused to cover, no coherent reason given. Farmer cost was double what they would have been at my usual carrier. I got rid of the truck after a few years just to get out of the insurance costs. I also checked comparative rates online during that search and found Farmers to be high. Who knows now, especially with new low ball insurance ads. Do some searching.--J

[jame...@whidbey.com]

>I've used Amica for some somewhat weird cars.

I have also used Arnica with some good results, but never on a car.

Sorry, couldn't help it. That's the way I read it the first 4 times. Need to increase the font size.

--J

[Charlie Tsai]

I have my 1996 BMW Z3 EV Conversion covered by Allstate.  They told me that they determined insurance costs primarily on what safety features the car has, like Air Bags and ABS brakes.  They are more concerned about liability costs when insuring the vehicle. Otherwise, I believe they just valued my car based on the value of a 1996 BMW Z3.

Charlie Tsai