Chinese Tesla owners complain of insurance hassle and long delays for repairs

Tesla Motors’ electric vehicles might be the hot new thing for China’s nouveau riche, but owners are complaining of long delays waiting for repairs and processing insurance claims.

Under Chinese insurance law, policyholders are usually covered for the cost of repairs. However, when it comes to serious damage, Tesla insists that certain components, namely the battery pack and motor, be replaced in order to protect their company secrets.

This can mean that insurers more used to covering conventional vehicles may refuse to pay.

Owners are also reportedly facing problems when it comes to more general repairs. While the company has a fully equipped service centre in Beijing’s Yizhuang area, parts often need to be shipped from the US, leading to delays and shortages, an issue often faced by low-import vehicles, according to a Beijing-based analyst.

“Tesla customers enjoy the same level and quality of professional service  wherever they are located, as Tesla places customer experience at the core of our business," Tesla spokeswoman Peggy Yang told the South China Morning Post. "The reported incident is an isolated incident in that the customer’s vehicle suffered from severe collision and the recommended repair was to replace the body shell, which needed to be shipped from US, hence the transportation time."