Tesla’s car insurance product in the United States has been slammed for being “totally ridiculous” and lacking customer service.
A report from Reuters detailed multiple customer allegations against the carmaker’s insurance division regarding poor communication, an apparent lack of processes, and increasing premiums based on a “safety score”.
Tesla first began selling car insurance in 2017 under the name InsureMyTesla. CEO Elon Musk said dealing with traditional insurance companies was a “nightmare” and said “we’re trying to turn a nightmare into a dream with Tesla Insurance”.
Supplied Credit: CarExpert
However, as Reuters reports, Tesla’s insurance company appears to be rife with problems of its own.
The news outlet interviewed half a dozen policyholders, and sourced complaints from social media and online posts including on the Better Business Bureau website.
Some customers claim Tesla took months to release payouts for totalled vehicles, and one customer claimed it took more than 15 calls to get a hold of someone from the insurance company after a collision, calling the service “totally ridiculous”.
Other customers who managed to get through were told they needed to be called back, only to never receive a callback from Tesla Insurance.
Sources told Reuters that Tesla insurance employees were sometimes answering phones and handling hundreds of claims at the some time, which is a far heavier workload than at other insurance companies.
Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Tesla reportedly will vary its customer’s premiums based on a daily “Safety Score” which it claims is reflective of a customers “real-time driving behaviour”.
Reuters reports Tesla is facing two lawsuits over claims its vehicles are prone to producing false collision warnings, which can reduce a driver’s safety score.
One customer told Reuters her insurance premium jumped up nearly 50 per cent as a result of the Safety Score system.
“I’m not satisfied with how the safety score is calculated… You’re grading me on something that’s not working properly,” she said.
Supplied Credit: CarExpert
According to the news outlet, the customer took her vehicle to be inspected by technicians due to its software malfunctioning. She claims during a vehicle inspection of her car a technician didn’t wear a seatbelt while driving and the Tesla software recognised the unsafe behaviour.
That day the customer claims she “got dinged” on her safety score.
Another customer struggled to obtain a proof of insurance and claims the policy had to be reissued for it to effectively appear in his Tesla App.
“The problem is there is no customer service. At all,” he reportedly posted on Facebook.
Tesla closed operations of InsureMyTesla, before bringing an insurance product back in 2019 under a different underwriter.
Supplied Credit: CarExpert
According to the California Department of Insurance, Markel Group State National Insurance – Tesla’s underwriter – had the worst consumer complaint recording among the top 50 Californian car insurers.
In July 2020, CEO Elon Musk in an earnings call said its Tesla Insurance was “revolutionary” and predicted within three months it could account for 30 to 40 per cent of the value for the Tesla brand.
In 2021, according to Californian insurance records, Tesla insured more than 50,000 vehicles within the state.
Currently, Tesla offers insurance in Arizona, California, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Reuters reports Tesla has applied to expand its insurance into Florida, Georgia, and Washington.
News Related
-
Hyundai’s more expensive new i30 hatchback won’t arrive in Australia until the third quarter of 2024. Hyundai Australia chief operating officer John Kett last week confirmed the new European-made hatch’s arrival time. That leaves Hyundai without what’s arguably its best-known car, and half of its best-selling line alongside the newer ...
See Details:
When more expensive, more efficient Hyundai i30 hatch hits Australia
-
Great Wall Motors (GWM) Australia is advertising a range of special drive-away offers on its GWM Ute range until December 31, 2023 as part of a 2023 plate clearance campaign. The drive-away deals represent savings of up to $4000, depending on the variant, and apply from the entry-level Cannon 4×2 ...
See Details:
Deals on wheels: GWM Ute drive-away offers
-
The Albanese Government won’t deliver on its promise to take another next step towards introducing fuel efficiency standards locally in 2023. Scott Nargar, senior manager of future mobility and government relations at Hyundai Australia, confirmed the news to CarExpert on the back of conversations with Minister for Climate Change and ...
See Details:
Delays put Australian fuel efficiency standards on the rocks
-
It’s just after midday on a pleasant Thursday. The alfresco area at Good Company, the Three Pound Group pub nestled between Karrinyup Westfield and the sprawling car park, is speckled with groups of mums, with bubs, enjoying a husband-free wine and share plate. A couple of older ladies indulge in ...
See Details:
Good Company among WA’s best shopping centre pubs
-
LeBron James museum opens up in Akron, Ohio LeBron James' Home Court, a museum about the star's career, opens in Ohio. ByGMA Team November 26, 2023, 9:32 PM LeBron James was back in Cleveland Saturday night as James' Los Angeles Lakers defeated his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Still, the ...
See Details:
LeBron James museum opens up in Akron, Ohio
-
Dozens of Queensland residents claim the small country town they live in is getting bankrupted by a single speed camera. The Guardian reports residents of Malanda, roughly 115 kilometres south-west of Cairns, have received a litany of speeding fines in recent months from a portable speed camera. State MP Shane ...
See Details:
Small QLD town bands against mobile speed camera, class action mooted
-
The streets of Northbridge transformed into a burst of colour as thousands of Perth people turned out for the Seven West Media Pride Parade. With this year’s theme, Be Brave, Be Strong, Be You, participants and guests were all that and more as they arrived dressed for the occasion. Glitter ...
See Details:
Camera IconNorthbridge comes alive with colour for Pride Parade and Festival
-
Not even Nissan’s iconic Skyline can avoid the electric vehicle (EV) tide. Best Car Web reports the Skyline will go all-electric for its next generation, but contrary to previous reports, it won’t be reborn exclusively as an SUV. The next Skyline will reportedly be a 330kW electric fastback, which could ...
See Details:
Nissan Skyline going electric-only after almost 70 years - report
-
-
-
Not even Nissan’s iconic Skyline can avoid the electric vehicle (EV) tide. Best Car Web reports the Skyline will go all-electric for its next generation, but contrary to previous reports, it won’t be reborn exclusively as an SUV. The next Skyline will reportedly be a 330kW electric fastback, which could ...
See Details:
Genesis' BMW X3 rival gets rugged off-road makeover
-
Not even Nissan’s iconic Skyline can avoid the electric vehicle (EV) tide. Best Car Web reports the Skyline will go all-electric for its next generation, but contrary to previous reports, it won’t be reborn exclusively as an SUV. The next Skyline will reportedly be a 330kW electric fastback, which could ...
See Details:
How to make a Hummer even flashier: strap a Rolls-Royce on top
-
Not even Nissan’s iconic Skyline can avoid the electric vehicle (EV) tide. Best Car Web reports the Skyline will go all-electric for its next generation, but contrary to previous reports, it won’t be reborn exclusively as an SUV. The next Skyline will reportedly be a 330kW electric fastback, which could ...
See Details:
Thousands of vulnerable Australian drivers in limbo after rule change - report
-
Not even Nissan’s iconic Skyline can avoid the electric vehicle (EV) tide. Best Car Web reports the Skyline will go all-electric for its next generation, but contrary to previous reports, it won’t be reborn exclusively as an SUV. The next Skyline will reportedly be a 330kW electric fastback, which could ...
See Details:
Kaley Cuoco says daughter Matilda's 'first Thanksgiving was perfect'
OTHER NEWS
Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) has announced it will develop a range of entry-level electric cars priced between ¥140,000 (A$30,400) to ¥170,000 (A$37,000) for the Chinese market. Reuters reports ...
Read more »
Wait times for new vehicles are getting shorter at Hyundai Australia, and its SUVs in particular are in strong supply. The company says that on average, existing orders are expected ...
Read more »
Re-engineering company Lunaz Design is having another crack at its Aston Martin DB6 formula with a new, ultra-sustainable take on the classic coupe. Lunaz Design specialises in comprehensively restoring classic ...
Read more »
See Beyoncé's and the best looks from her 'Renaissance' premiere The singer's former Destiny’s Child bandmates were among the attendees. ByShafiq Najib November 26, 2023, 5:45 PM Beyoncé is truly ...
Read more »
The updated Hyundai i30 Sedan range is starting to make its way into Australian showrooms, and while we’ll have to wait for the more desirable Hybrid (HEV) and turbocharged N ...
Read more »
As we mark the 10th National Asbestos Awareness Month this November, a stark reality confronts us — an estimated one-third of Australian homes contain potentially hazardous asbestos. The annual toll ...
Read more »
How to recreate the 'Friends' moist maker Thanksgiving sandwich Jessie James Decker shared the Thanksgiving sandwich from her cookbook. ByKelly McCarthy November 24, 2023, 4:01 AM Jessie James Decker has ...
Read more »