Don’t Drive Much? This Auto Insurance Company Lets You Pay By The Mile

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

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Car insurance can be a funny thing. It varies based on where you live, your age, and the type of car you drive. But one thing that isn’t generally considered is how much you’re actually on the road – until now. Metromile has revolutionized the way car insurance works, charging customers on a pay-per-mile basis.

You could join those who are already saving an average of $500 per year with Metromile in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Click here to get a free quote and see how much you could be saving.

Drive less, pay less.

The concept couldn’t be more simple. You pay a low base rate to Metromile, and after that, your payments are based on how many miles you actually drive. Interested? Keep reading.

The flat monthly base rate starts from $29 (so you’re covered when your car’s not moving), then you pay just pennies per-mile. Both rates will vary based on factors including age, vehicle type, and driver history. However, let’s say your rate is 3.2¢ per mile (an example given on the Metromile website). If you drove 500 miles a month at that rate, your overall monthly bill would be just $46.

Take a moment to compare that rate to what you currently pay your insurance provider. Chances are the Metromile rate is a significantly lower number.

Another great thing about Metromile is that you’re still allowed to have long driving days. If you drive more than 250 miles per day (or 150 miles if you live in New Jersey), you won’t be charged for any of those additional miles. They’re totally free.

Measuring your mileage.

If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably a pretty smart cookie. You realize that you don’t drive that much, and you don’t think it’s fair to have to pay the same car insurance rate as someone who is always behind the wheel. But you’re probably wondering how Metromile tracks your mileage.

The answer lies within a device called Pulse, which easily plugs into the OBD port of your car – the same port used by your mechanic to check the health of your vehicle. Once your Pulse is plugged in, all you have to do is make sure it stays plugged in. It does all the work from there, measuring your mileage and transmitting that information to Metromile’s billing department.

The Pulse – which is completely free to customers – also powers the Metromile app, which is full of useful information. For example, the app can let you know if you’re parked in a street sweeping zone, so that you can move your car and avoid getting a ticket. It also lets you keep track of your trips, and has a car locator so you’ll never have to wander around searching for your vehicle.

Same coverage, cheaper price.

The old saying is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Because of this, you might be wondering whether Metromile provides its customers with the same coverage as a “regular” auto insurance company. The answer is yes.

You’ll still get everything you’re used to getting, from bodily injury coverage to collision insurance. You’ll also be given several deductible options, ranging from $250 to $1,000. In addition, you can opt to add on emergency roadside assistance.

There’s always someone on hand to talk to at Metromile, no matter what time of day, so you won’t be left alone when the time comes to file a claim. Of course, you can also file a claim online. It’s your choice.

Is it here to stay?

Metromile is growing, and the company was featured on Forbes’ 2018 FinTech 50 list. And why wouldn’t it be here to stay? It just makes sense.

Think about it – you don’t pay a flat fee for your water or electricity. Instead, you pay for what you use. Why shouldn’t car insurance companies operate in the same way?

As Metromile CEO Dan Preston told TalkMarkets last year, traditional car insurance is “unfair to low-mileage drivers…the number one risk indicator for drivers is how often they’re on the road, so drivers that drive less really should pay less for car insurance.”

Try it out for free.

If Metromile seems like a deal worth exploring, you can do so completely free of charge. Just log onto Metromile’s website and get a free quote. You can also try the service risk-free, and you won’t have to pay a cancellation fee if you decide it’s not right for you.

If you don’t live in one of the seven states where Metromile currently operates, be sure to sign up for the company’s waitlist. This will let you know when Metromile becomes available in your area.