Rise in Tesla vandalism drives insurance premiums, frustrating owners

SALT LAKE CITY — A wave of vandalism against Tesla vehicles is leaving owners on edge and insurance experts sounding the alarm that this could drive up rates across the board.

Orem Police said a Tesla Cybertruck was keyed from front to back on one side while parked. The act was caught on video by the truck’s on-board cameras.

The department’s Facebook post, which has since been taken down, garnered reactions ranging from claims of political motives to defenders calling it an expression of First Amendment rights.

In Las Vegas, multiple Teslas were set on fire, with similar incidents in Oregon, Washington, and Missouri.

Insurify Data Analyst Matt Brannon said this recent string of Tesla-targeted vandalism could fuel higher insurance prices.

“If insurers can prove that they are losing more money on these vandalism claims on Teslas, then some drivers could see their premiums go up,” Brannon said.

Steve Branigan, local Tesla owner, seemed less than enthused about a potential insurance rate increase.

“I’d expect nothing less from insurance,” he said.

Tesla customers in Utah weigh in

For Salt Lake City’s Sean Branigan, buying a Model S was a choice to help the environment.

But with the current political climate, Branigan said that he is becoming more cautious about where he parks his car.

“I think people need to remember that ultimately you’re trying to do the right thing for the planet, and politics shouldn’t really come into play on that,” Branigan said.

Mylo Small commutes from Ogden to Salt Lake in his Model Y every weekday and thinks what’s been happening isn’t helpful.

“They need to check themselves, and they need to like, control their emotions,” Small said, “Because vandalizing people’s whips is not cool.”