If you’ve shopped for auto insurance lately, you know that costs have continued to rise in the recent past. Certain factors also affect the rates an insurance company may offer a driver, including their age, location, vehicle make and model, and driving history. When the cost of insurance makes driving seem financially impossible, you may be open to alternative insurance options that are more affordable. Enter Mile Auto, a pay-per-mile insurance offering that can save eligible drivers up to 40%. Learn more about this insurance company to determine whether it might be the right fit for you.
Mile Auto Insurance Overview
Mile Auto offers pay-per-mile auto insurance coverage for low-mileage drivers. The concept behind pay-per-mile insurance helps to reward drivers who use their vehicles less frequently. Instead of paying a monthly premium for coverage, your insurance cost depends on the number of miles you drive. The creators behind this company wanted to offer more transparency to low-mileage drivers and help them see what they’re paying for. This group of drivers tends to pay more than their fair share when purchasing traditional auto insurance.
This company also doesn’t require drivers to install tracking devices in their vehicles, as some other per-mile insurers do. Instead, drivers insured with Mile Auto simply snap a photo of the odometer in their vehicle once per month and send it to the company. The monthly cost is the base rate plus the cost for each mile driven during that month.
Who Qualifies for Mile Auto Insurance?
Not all drivers qualify for coverage through Mile Auto. In order to get a policy, you must drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year. However, that’s the main requirement put in place by this company. Most drivers qualify, including younger and newer drivers, individuals with poor or no credit history, and older, more experienced people. The company calculates a per-mile rate and base rate for each applicant. Factors that affect each rate include:
- Age
- Gender
- Vehicle make and model
- Driving record
- Location
- Credit history
- Coverage amounts and add-ons
In certain states, insurance companies may be restricted from using certain data to calculate rates.
How Mile Auto Insurance Works
By calculating a base rate and per-mile rate for each driver, Mile Auto can charge based on the number of miles driven. For example, a driver named Betty qualifies for a base rate of $55 and a per-mile rate of $0.10. During the month of March, she drove 400 miles, so her monthly auto insurance cost with Mile Auto was $95.
Auto Insurance Coverage Options
Mile Auto offers full coverage auto insurance policies to shield drivers from financial liability. Each policy includes at least the minimum liability coverage amounts required by the state in which the driver operates their vehicle. Applicants can also customize their policies with additional coverage options, such as collision and/or comprehensive coverage, roadside assistance, and rental vehicle reimbursement.
Collision coverage pays for damages caused to the policyholder’s vehicle if they collide with another vehicle. In many states, the driver deemed to be at fault in an accident is responsible for paying for the damages caused to all vehicles involved. Their insurance coverage would kick in to pay for damages caused to other vehicles, but liability insurance generally doesn’t cover the policyholder’s vehicle. Adding collision coverage to your auto insurance policy can shield you from costly repair bills if your car sustains damage and you’re at fault.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused to a vehicle by something other than a collision. Some examples of situations in which this coverage type applies include:
- Harsh weather conditions
- Theft
- Flooding
- Glass damage
- Fire
- Vandalism
Drivers who drive high-value vehicles may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to their policies for added peace of mind. Roadside assistance is another coverage option offered on Mile Auto policies. If your car breaks down, you get a flat tire, or you run out of gas, you might need help right away. With roadside assistance coverage, you can get a tow truck, a battery jump, help to put on a spare tire, or a fuel delivery to your location. Rental vehicle reimbursement covers the cost of renting a car when yours is undergoing repairs.
Discounts Available
Since Mile Auto charges per-mile, the company doesn’t provide many discounts to its customers. However, drivers may be able to qualify for lower rates by choosing lower coverage limits or higher deductibles on their policies. Mile Auto won’t allow a driver to choose coverage limits that fall beneath the state-mandated minimum amounts in the state where they drive. However, opting for minimum coverage might offer substantial savings over choosing a full coverage policy.
The deductible is the amount that the policyholder must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company pays anything. For example, if a driver’s comprehensive coverage had a $500 deductible, the driver would pay the first $500 toward repairs after a vandalism incident and the insurance company would pay the remainder, up to the coverage limit. Having a higher deductible on your policy can lower your base rate and/or per-mile rate with Mile Auto.
Mile Auto Insurance Availability
Drivers located in certain states may not be eligible for Mile Auto, as the company only offers policies in specific locations. These include:
- Arizona
- California
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
If you’re in one of these states and you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year, you may want to look into Mile Auto as an option for insurance coverage. The company is working on expanding to other states as well. Drivers can request to be notified when Mile Auto launches in their state.
Finding the right auto insurance provider can help protect you and those around you on the road. If you’re a low-mileage driver, you may find it worth your while to look into per-mile insurance coverage and find out how much you can save over a traditional policy that doesn’t factor in how much you drive.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
