Nissan Leaf: Sounds Good, But What About Insurance?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

So, Nissan has released video of its production Leaf making “forward” (above) and “ backward” noises, but it seems that there may still be some details to work out. For one thing, the Leaf’s official battery range stretches from 138 miles to 47 miles, according to gm-volt.com. Your mileage may vary, etcetera. But wait, there’s more! One blogger recently tried to insure a Leaf… actually, he tried to get an insurance quote for a Leaf. Can you tell where this is going?



According to the write-up at nissan-leaf.net, the closest thing available to a insurance quote for the Leaf is a rep who

felt that because the technology was new and the car had not been vetted as of yet, the premium would probably be 10-15% higher over a similar vehicle, and that it would fall in line once the appropriate tests where done on the vehicle.

Apparently this is not an uncommon problem. The Leaf goes on sale this year… someone should probably get a couple of actuaries on this.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Lokkii Lokkii on Jun 15, 2010

    I suspect that the reason for caution from insurance actuaries has nothing to do with the safety of the vehicles, and everything to do with the unknown costs for repair of these vehicles. Know anybody with an aluminum Audi? Ask them about the joys of insuring advanced technology. Oh, and then there's a rule I always follow - when in doubt, charge too much now and lower it later if the [s] competition forces me to do so[/s] evidence warrants

  • Blowfish Blowfish on Jun 15, 2010

    Explain to me why a few parkade rendered LPG, Natural gas cars Persona non grata? Is like in the old days check your arms before u enter a watering hole, restaurant etc. Hindenberg's fire wash caused by the fabric, rather than the Hs, but H2 is very flammable.

  • Blowfish Blowfish on Jun 15, 2010

    I’m an Arizona insurance agent. If I get a call on one of these I’m going to insure it as a golf cart until I get told otherwise. It should be a pretty inexpensive policy. No worries, if there is any large unusual payouts done by the ins co, u bet the Premuim will go skyrocket the next morning. Afterall they're there it make mulla not charity works. All the Bookies I mean Actuaries all cohoots together, no different than credit rating agencies. Like trying to get another loan when your first one is in arrears.

  • Shaker Shaker on Jun 16, 2010

    If they're going to require sound emission, at least give the customer a choice (at purchase, or a selector on the dash) of at least 4 "approved" sounds. I'd prefer something different than the video - it's sorta "Blade Runner avoid copyright infringement" - ish.

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