Thinking of leasing a Tesla Model 3? Here's what you need to know about insurance costs

Considering getting behind the wheel of the car that revolutionised electric driving?

Before you hit the accelerator on that Tesla Model 3 lease, it's worth knowing where it sits on the insurance scale.

The Tesla Model 3 falls between insurance groups 48 and 50 (out of a total of 50 groups), placing it firmly in the premium territory.

But don't let that put the brakes on your electric dreams.

With incredible tech, impressive range and that undeniable Tesla cachet, many drivers find the Model 3 worth every penny – insurance included.

Let's dive in and see what this could cost.

Want our honest opinion on the Tesla Model 3? Check out our review below.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

How much is Tesla Model 3 insurance in the UK?

Wondering how much that Tesla Model 3 will set you back in insurance costs? While your premium will depend on several factors - your age, postcode, driving history and even where you park overnight - we can give you a rough idea.

For a typical 30-year-old driver with a clean licence, Tesla Model 3 insurance costs generally fall between £800 and £1,200 per year.

Good news if you've got a few more miles on the clock. Older drivers with years of no-claims bonus will likely benefit from lower premiums.

On the flip side, younger drivers looking at a Tesla Model 3 lease might need to brace themselves for heftier insurance bills.

Why is a Tesla Model 3 more expensive to insure than other cars?

Let's put it this way: when you're driving a piece of cutting-edge tech that costs between £45,990 and £59,990, insurers see pound signs.

The Tesla Model 3's premium price tag naturally pushes it into higher insurance territory, which is just the reality of protecting a valuable asset.

But don't blame Tesla specifically; this is standard for the luxury end of the market. You'll find other high-end electric beauties like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Audi e-tron GT sitting right alongside it in group 50.

The good news? While your insurance might make your wallet wince, the Model 3 more than makes up for it elsewhere.

Opt for a business lease deal (or salary sacrifice) on the Model 3, and you'll enjoy remarkably low Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rates, not to mention sailing smugly past those eye-watering prices at the pumps.

To put things in perspective, cars like the nimble Hyundai i10 and compact Citroen C1 sit all the way down in insurance group 1.

But then, they're not exactly packing the same punch as your Tesla, are they? Their On The Road (OTR) prices are significantly lower, which explains their friendlier insurance ratings.

There's another factor at play here too.

While electric cars generally have fewer moving parts than their petrol or diesel counterparts (goodbye, complicated engines and transmissions), when something does go wrong, the repair costs can be steeper.

Those sophisticated battery systems and high-tech components don't come cheap to fix, which insurers factor into their calculations.

The silver lining? The Tesla Model 3 is one of the safest cars you could choose for you and your family.

It achieved the maximum five-star rating in its Euro NCAP safety tests, with an impressive 96% score for adult occupant protection. This safety excellence might not drop your insurance group, but it certainly offers peace of mind.

And you can’t put a price tag on safety.

The bottom line: Is a Tesla Model 3 worth it?

Yes, insuring a Tesla Model 3 comes with premium costs. There's no getting around that.

But when you weigh it against what you're getting (cutting-edge tech, impressive range, top-tier safety, and zero trips to the petrol station), the numbers start to make more sense.

For many drivers, the combination of lower running costs, reduced maintenance, and the pure joy of electric driving more than compensates for the higher insurance premiums.

And with a Tesla Model 3 lease, you can get behind the wheel without the hefty upfront purchase price.

Want to get your hands on a Tesla Model 3 lease?

Ryan Darby

Ryan Darby

Ryan takes the lead on all things 'wordy'. With a sports media background, a true passion for cars, and a LOT of driving experience under his belt, he'll make sure you have all the information you need, when you need it.