Rivian is a US-based car company headquartered in California, founded in 2009, that makes electric vehicles specifically designed for more rugged, off-road terrain than a typical electric car. Their goal is to make trucks and SUVs that are more sustainable and don’t burn fossil fuels but still allow people to explore the natural world — The company refers to their vehicles as “Electric Adventure Vehicles.”
Because they sell such unique vehicles, Rivian also sells car insurance for their customers, but Rivian owners can also get car insurance through most major insurance companies.
What is Rivian car insurance?
Rivian operates a licensed insurance agency, and if you buy a Rivian vehicle, a Rivian insurance advisor can put together a quote for you for a policy that is tailored to your needs.
However, it is important to note that Rivian is not a car insurance company. Their insurance products are underwritten by Nationwide. You should also remember that you aren’t required to insure your vehicle through Rivian just because you bought it from them — you should be able to get a quote for a Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicle through most other insurance companies.
How much does Rivian car insurance cost?
Rivian is so new to the market that there isn’t much information about their rates, but we were able to get sample rates for a Rivian R1S through both GEICO and Progressive. The chart below shows those rates and compares them to rates for other popular electric vehicles.
Company | Rivian R1S | Tesla Model 3 | Chevy Bolt EV |
|---|---|---|---|
GEICO | $2,371 | $2,987 | $1,171 |
Progressive | $2,874 | $3,236 | $2,648 |
One of the factors in your full-coverage insurance rate is the price of the vehicle you are driving. The more expensive the car, the more you are likely to pay to insure it, and electric vehicles are typically more expensive than their non-electric counterparts.
Because Rivian vehicles start between $68,000 and $70,000 for their cheapest options, insurance will naturally be more expensive to reflect the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle in that price range. For example, the Chevy Bolt EV is cheaper to insure, but it also has an MSRP of $31,995, which is part of the reason why the price difference is so high.
Price isn’t everything, however. The Tesla Model 3 has an MSRP of $44,990 and is more expensive to insure than the Rivian R1S, according to our sample quotes.
Is Rivian car insurance cheaper if you buy it through Rivian?
This is a tough question. Rivian uses a number of features to keep their insurance costs low, including built-in tracking and safety features that are only available to Rivian. If you choose to insure a Rivian through another company, you likely won’t see those features reflected in your rates.
However, each insurance company has their own internal rating system to determine prices. It is possible you could find lower rates with another company, so it is important to compare multiple quotes to make sure you are paying the lowest possible price.
Does Rivian use telematics to set their insurance rates?
Rivian uses what they call a “connected vehicle platform” to set their rates, which is basically the same thing as a telematics system, but they don’t provide much detail regarding what information their connected vehicle platform uses.
Generally speaking, usage-based insurance can help safe drivers earn a lower rate by tracking driving behavior and awarding discounts to people who demonstrate safe driving habits.
Rivian also offers their Driver+ system that helps with lane changes, emergency braking, and other issues. Drivers who use their Driver+ option can earn a discount of up to 15% on their insurance.
Rivian recall
In October, 2022, Rivian recalled more than 12,000 of its vehicles due to a loose fastener in the vehicles’ front suspension, as CNN reported at the time. [1] The company said at the time that it expected to be able to fix the problem on every recalled vehicle within 30 days and that the repairs would be made at no cost to the customer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rivian different from Tesla?
Rivian is not affiliated with Tesla. Rivian is a separate electric vehicle company that focuses on trucks and SUVs instead of cars, with a focus on useful outdoor features over flashy options. For example, Rivian sells a tent that mounts to the top of the vehicle and, for an additional fee, a kitchen that pulls out of the side of the vehicle, complete with a stove and sink.
Is Rivian car insurance available in every state?
Rivian insurance is currently available in 48 states. Because Rivian is underwritten by Nationwide, coverage for Rivian vehicles likely won’t be available in states that aren’t serviced by Nationwide.
Does Rivian insure vehicles sold by other companies?
Yes, Rivian will cover all of your vehicles on one policy, even if you own makes and models that aren’t sold by Rivian. They also offer homeowners insurance through Nationwide, allowing you to bundle your coverages for a discount.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.
For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by the state or insurer. All quotes were based on 10,000 annual miles driven.
Rates for the Rivian R1S are not included in our Quadrant data, so these rates were based on quotes for a married 35-year-old male driver with a clean driving history in ZIP code 75287.
Rates for the other electric vehicles were based on a national average rate for single drivers age 30, 35, and 45.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of insurance costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
