A Cybertruck Owner Claims Tesla is Punishing Him for Choosing to Drive His Truck Manually Instead of Relying On FSD – Adds, “I’m Getting Penalized For Enjoying Driving My Cybertruck”

David, a Cybertruck owner from Virginia, says he loves driving his Cybertruck, but Tesla is punishing him for choosing to drive it manually instead of relying on the truck’s full self-driving software.

David has signed up for Tesla Insurance, which utilizes multiple real-time driving inputs to determine the monthly coverage cost for each Tesla Insurance customer.

Tesla primarily penalizes drivers for two habits: driving manually instead of using FSD software and driving at night.

Regrettably, David says he often enjoys driving at night, and when he’s out for a drive, he prefers to do the actual driving himself, finding it boring to just sit with his hands on his thighs.

Ironically, David is being penalized with a higher insurance premium because he loves his Cybertruck and enjoys driving it.

To continue driving his Cybertruck manually while still securing a good insurance premium, David is considering dropping his Tesla insurance coverage and switching to another provider.

However, if he goes ahead and changes insurance providers, David is worried that he might not receive the same integrated service he got when he was using Tesla Insurance.

The conflicted Cybertruck owner shared his story on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum.

He writes…

“Share Your Experience with Non-Tesla Insurance Claims

TLDR: I’m thinking about switching from Tesla Insurance because I’m unhappy with its driver score system, which penalizes my preferred driving styles like night driving and manual control over FSD.

I would like to hear from other Cybertruck owners about their experiences with non-Tesla insurers (e.g., Progressive, GEICO, USAA), especially regarding accident claims, OEM parts usage, and how easy it is to schedule repairs at Tesla centers compared to other repair shops.

Tesla insurance offers a more streamlined process after an accident. However, I’m curious about what others have experienced with non-Tesla providers such as Progressive, GEICO, and USAA.

I’m considering switching because of the driver profile and scoring system. I drive mostly at night and enjoy driving my truck—it seems like if you drive it, you enjoy it.

Keeping my score in the 90s is tough, and I’m not a bad driver. Since I paid for this vehicle, I want to drive it the way I like.

I’d probably get the 10% discount if I enable FSD, but honestly, I mostly use active cruise control and enjoy keeping my hands on the wheel and steering. Sitting with my hands in my lap feels kind of boring. 

Have you filed a claim with these other companies? How did it go? I know there’s already a thread on quotes from other insurance companies, but I'd like to start a separate thread about actual accident claims involving the vehicle. 

Are they using OEM parts? Is it difficult to schedule an appointment at a Tesla repair center through these providers, or do you need to visit a different shop? 

I’m not sure if Tesla repair centers only serve Tesla insurance customers.”

David appreciates the vertical integration that comes with his insurance provider being the same as his vehicle manufacturer.

However, because David really enjoys driving his Cybertruck, he can’t use Tesla insurance.

This is definitely an unexpected paradox, but one thing David should keep in mind is that switching to another insurance provider, especially while driving a Cybertruck, might not be a good idea.

Last year, we broke the news that GEICO was terminating some Cybertruck insurance policies under the company’s personal vehicle category.

Tesla Cybertruck owners can still obtain coverage through GEICO’s commercial vehicle program, but this typically incurs higher costs.

Besides GEICO, several other insurance providers have also canceled policies specifically for the Cybertruck over the past few months.

Some mention the truck’s unusual design, others cite high repair costs, and some point to the truck’s low production numbers as reasons not to cover the Cybertruck.

Considering the unfavorable perception of the Cybertruck by insurance companies, David might find it wiser to stick with Tesla, even if it means paying a higher premium for driving manually.

However, please let me know what you think in the comments. Share your ideas by clicking the red “Add new comment” button below. Also, be sure to visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.

For more information, check out: A Brand-New Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says Everything on the Left Side of His Truck Stopped Working Less Than 24 Hours After He Bought it – Adds, “The Passenger Side Doors, Windows & Lights Don’t Work”

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.