Auto insurance: Allianz clarifies the choice between intermediate and full coverage for your new electric or hybrid vehicle
With a new clean or electric vehicle, you often struggle to decide between two coverage levels whose names may suggest more than they actually cover. Allianz explains what each package includes and directs you to your contract for detailed information. With the all-risks package, damages from any accident, including those related to the technical specifics of an electric vehicle, are covered as per the contract, which determines the extent of coverage.
Three levels, one starting point
All options start with the three levels offered. Allianz presents its auto insurance in three packages: third-party, intermediate, and full coverage. Before comparing the two higher levels, it’s useful to understand what the first level includes, as each subsequent level builds upon it.
The third-party package includes liability coverage, defense costs, and driver protection, within the limits specified in the contract. This is the common foundation. Allianz begins with this level because it’s from here that you determine what additional coverage you need to upgrade to the next level.
You have just acquired your new electric or hybrid vehicle and need to choose an insurance coverage suitable for clean transportation. Instead of starting with the names of specific plans, Allianz encourages you to build from this basic foundation and ask a simple question: what else do you want to be protected against besides your liability toward others and yourself while driving? The answer directly points you toward an intermediate or all-risks policy.
The intermediate plan expands on the basic third-party coverage. According to Allianz, it includes theft, fire, and natural disasters. The word “including” is important—it indicates that these three elements do not fully represent the entire scope of this level of coverage, whose specific details are outlined in your contract.
The exact scope of natural events or specific risks is outlined in the terms of your contract, and it is here that Allianz encourages you to check them before making a decision. This way, you know exactly what this coverage level includes, rather than guessing based on its name alone.
Your own vehicle might spend the night on the street, in a parking lot with a public charging station, or in an unmonitored parking area. The fear of theft or damage caused by electrical equipment then becomes part of your daily driving experience. This is typically the kind of situation that leads you to carefully consider an intermediate plan, keeping in mind that coverage depends on the terms of the contract you sign.
All Risks: Damages Covered Under Your Contract
The all-risks coverage includes damages from any accident, according to the contract. For a newer electric or hybrid vehicle whose original value and repair costs (battery, onboard electronics) are often high, this is generally the coverage level you would turn to first. Allianz wants to clarify what this name entails and what it does not cover.
The word “all” might suggest that every damage will be fully compensated. At Allianz, this coverage covers damages from any accident under the terms specified in the contract: it is the contract, not the name of the coverage, that determines the extent of compensation. This clarification helps you compare the different levels based on what they cover, rather than relying on the impression given by their names.
To help you understand at a glance, here’s how the three plans offered by Allianz are structured.
Level
What Allianz advertises
What you read in the contract
Third-party
Civil liability, defense, driver’s guarantee
The covered guarantees
Intermediate
Includes theft, fire, and natural disasters
The scope of natural disasters and additional guarantees
All risks
Damages from all accidents as per the contract
The coverage conditions (vehicle, electrical components)
Allianz encourages you to read the terms of each guarantee before signing. This way, you know what each level entails for your vehicle and your budget in the event of an accident.
Check the options useful for your own mobility
After an accident, mechanical failure, or battery issue, the question of add-ons quickly arises. The base package meets some of your needs, while add-ons cover others, particularly everything related to your ability to continue traveling daily.
Allianz states that add-ons may include the following:
Zero-kilometer roadside assistance: an especially relevant option considering your range, access to charging stations, and usual routes.
Replacement vehicle: an option worth considering if your daily activities depend on your car for transportation.
Legal protection: an option to consider based on your situation and expectations.
Driver’s insurance coverage up to 1,000,000 €: a factor to check when comparing the offered add-ons.
Allianz presents these options as choices to add to your plan based on your needs, rather than services included by default. You might drive an electric vehicle daily between home and work, or pick up your children before heading to your job. In such cases, maintaining mobility is just as important as repairing the vehicle. This is the right time to review your contract documents to determine which options suit your eco-friendly driving style.
A carefully chosen level, with your advisor
With Allianz, you choose your coverage level by knowing exactly what it covers and what it does not cover for your own vehicle. You can obtain an initial quote online before speaking with a consultant. This conversation then allows you to tailor the plan and options to your electric or hybrid vehicle, your charging habits, and your driving routes. This way, you end up with coverage suited to your situation and a clear understanding of your contract.