https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/tesla-vandalism-study-owners-insurance/
Study reveals surprising trend among nearly half of Tesla drivers: 'More ... emotionally charged than they ever expected'
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has drawn the ire of protesters around the country.
Vandalism against vehicles has unfortunately been around for a very long time. From keyed door panels to slashed tires, it can become a costly ordeal for anyone who has even been victimized. And according to nearly 50% of Tesla owners, their electric vehicles have been targeted by vandals at an alarming rate.
In a recent study from Guardian Service, researchers surveyed 508 Tesla owners in the United States. This was done to "explore how vandalism, insurance hikes, and public perception are reshaping the EV ownership experience."
As noted by the researchers, 44% of Tesla owners reported that they received "intentional damage to their vehicle." This accounted for an average repair bill of $1,900 for owners. Not only do these acts of vandalism cost Tesla owners in the short term, but they may affect long-term insurance rates as well.
The study reports that 61% of the respondents had their insurance rates go up following the purchase of their EV, with an average increase of $340 per year. However, millennials said that they had experienced an even greater increase at $360 annually. This resulted in 30% of EV owners switching insurance providers since their initial purchase.