Bidirectional EV charger at home: is your buildings insurance up to date?

What is a bidirectional charger and why install one at home?

A bidirectional charger does more than an ordinary charger: it not only charges your electric car’s battery but can also feed electricity back from the car to your home (Vehicle-to-Home, V2H) or to the grid (Vehicle-to-Grid, V2G). This turns your car into a home battery on wheels. You use cheap off-peak power to charge the car and use that energy during peak hours for your household, which can significantly lower your energy bill. During a power cut the car can also serve as an emergency power supply. This technology is enabled by the ISO 15118 standard and requires a special charger that communicates with your meter cupboard. Although the purchase price is higher than a traditional charger, more and more homeowners are seeing the benefits and switching to a bidirectional solution.

• Lower energy costs by smartly buying and feeding back electricity.
• Emergency power during a blackout: with a full battery you can keep your fridge, lights and internet running for several hours.
• Future-proof: ready for dynamic energy contracts and changing grid tariffs.
• Increasing self-consumption of your solar power, if you can charge the car during the day.

Notification duty: why you must inform your buildings insurer

Almost every buildings insurance policy requires you to report changes to the home that increase its value or risk. Think of an extension, dormer window, but also a bidirectional charger. If you don’t report it, the insurer can refuse or reduce the payout in case of damage. The charger is connected to the electricity grid and draws higher power loads; this can increase the risk of electrical faults or fire. That’s why insurers want to be informed. It’s not just about the charger itself, but the entire electrical installation connected to it, including any upgraded distribution board.

Some insurers ask for proof of installation by a certified electrical contractor and an inspection report. This is similar to the requirements for solar panels. For a more extensive project, it’s wise to follow the step-by-step plan for home renovation insurance, because the notification duty covers the total impact on your home. If you’re also considering other sustainability measures, read our article on insuring solar panels and renovations.

What happens if you don’t report and damage occurs? In the worst case the insurer pays nothing and you bear the repair costs yourself. A house fire started by the charger can then lead to tens of thousands of euros in uncovered damage. Moreover, the insurer can terminate the policy if you repeatedly breach your duty of disclosure. So be proactive and inform your insurer before the installation, not afterwards.

Does my buildings insurance cover the charger in case of damage?

A permanently installed bidirectional charger is a fixed part of the house, like your central heating boiler or heat pump. It is therefore covered under buildings insurance. Damage from fire, lightning strike, explosion or storm is generally covered. Water damage from a burst pipe affecting the charger is also covered under standard cover, provided you have met the notification duty. However, the insurer will always assess the circumstances: was the installer certified, was the meter cupboard correct, and has regular maintenance been carried out?

Note: damage resulting from a construction fault, inherent defect or poor maintenance is usually not covered. For example, if the charger stops working due to wear and tear, that is your own expense. Damage from power surges in the grid is also not always covered unless you have an additional module. So carefully read the policy conditions of your buildings insurance, as the scope of cover can vary per insurer.

You should also check whether the insured sum (rebuild value) is still correct. Adding an expensive charger and possible meter cupboard modifications increases the rebuild value. If it is not raised, you are underinsured and will only receive a percentage payout for a total loss. Read more about this risk in our guide on underinsurance in Dutch home insurance.

Fire risk: what does the insurer look for with a V2H charger?

A bidirectional charger can deliver high currents, which in combination with an outdated meter cupboard or unskilled installation poses a real fire risk. Insurers therefore apply strict requirements. They want the installation to comply with NEN 1010 (safety regulations for low-voltage installations) and that the correct protective components are used, such as type B earth leakage circuit breakers and arc fault detection devices (AFDD). In addition, the installer must be able to demonstrate professional competence, for example through a SCIOS certification or equivalent.

If a fire starts in the charger or the connected wiring, the insurer’s loss adjuster will investigate whether professional standards were met. If you did the job yourself or hired a cheap, uncertified installer, the claim is likely to be rejected. So always ask for certification and keep the declaration of conformity. Having a regular electrical inspection (for example every five years) also gives peace of mind and can prevent an insurance dispute.

In addition to technical requirements, insurers recommend installing smoke detectors in the room where the charger and any home battery are located. Some policies even explicitly require this. The premium can often be lower if you can demonstrate that you’ve taken fire safety measures. An annual damage insurance review helps keep your insurance up to date and benefit from possible premium advantages.

What does contents insurance cover around a charger?

The charger itself is buildings, but a mobile charging cable that you don’t permanently mount is often counted as contents. If that cable is lost due to fire, theft or water damage, you can claim under your contents insurance – provided the cable is stored in or near the house. A permanent connection, such as a fixed cable from the charger to the wall, falls back under buildings. When in doubt, check the policy conditions or consult your insurer.

The cover for your electronic devices is also relevant. A power surge from the charger that damages your television, computer or other belongings is covered under contents insurance if you have an ‘overvoltage’ module. Without that module, the damage is often excluded. So check whether your policy is extended with cover for induction or overvoltage damage. Coupling a home battery may bring additional requirements; inquire about this.

We recommend having your entire insurance package screened when you install a bidirectional charger. After all, the impact extends not only to buildings but also to contents and liability. Similar to the attention required when a child leaves home – as explained in our guide on insurance when a child moves to a student room – this technological step calls for a recalibration of all your policies.

Meter cupboard modifications: who bears the risk?

A bidirectional charger often requires an upgraded meter cupboard, with an extra circuit or a switch to three-phase power. This modification is not a simple task; incorrect execution can lead to overloading of the main connection and thus a fire hazard. Once the meter cupboard is part of the electrical installation, it falls under buildings insurance. It is crucial that you have the work carried out by a certified installer who registers the modification with the grid operator. Keep the invoice and the revised consumer unit schedule as proof.

Also, be aware of possible premium discounts: insurers may charge a lower premium if you can demonstrate that the installation meets the highest safety standards. Inquire about this during your annual policy review. If you want an objective comparison of your current policy with the market offer, it is worth comparing buildings insurance to see if you are paying too much.

What if you combine the charger with a home battery?

More and more homeowners are opting for an integrated system: solar panels, a home battery and a bidirectional charger. The battery is usually installed in the meter cupboard or a separate room and poses an additional risk, especially due to the lithium-ion cells that can cause a thermal runaway if damaged. Most buildings insurances consider the home battery as part of the house, but impose specific requirements on the installation location (e.g. not in the living room, but in a well-ventilated storage room) and the presence of fire-resistant measures. Check the policy conditions for exclusions of damage caused by battery failure.

It is wise to explicitly report the combination and check whether there are exclusions for damage from ‘battery fire’. Some policies exclude this or cap the payout. In addition, the battery manufacturer’s warranty may cover certain damage, but the cover period is often limited. Make sure your buildings insurance properly covers damage to your home from battery failure. Want to know more about insuring solar panels and sustainable installations? Then visit our page on insuring solar panels and renovations.

Check your buildings insurance for the right cover now

Installing a bidirectional charger is a great step in making your home and energy supply more sustainable. But it also brings a concrete notification duty and possible adjustments to your insured sum. Don't wait until damage occurs; the insurer's loss adjuster will inevitably check whether you met your obligations. With a proactive attitude and good documentation, you can enjoy the benefits of V2H technology without losing sleep over insurance gaps. Make sure you have not only the charger but also the meter cupboard, the cable and any home battery correctly insured.

Do you doubt whether your buildings, contents or liability insurance still fits after installing a charger? At PolisMoment you can have a free, no-obligation insurance check carried out. A specialist looks at your situation and compares the conditions of dozens of insurers, so you know exactly where you stand. Meanwhile, a commission-free insurance advice can help you save structurally on premiums without sacrificing cover.