If your car spends more time in the garage than on the street, Metromile might be the right auto insurer.
Metromile specializes in pay-per-mile coverage. The less you drive, the less you pay. The company estimates that policyholders save an average of 47% on the cost of coverage compared to the policy they had with their old insurance company.
However, pay-per-mile coverage is only available in a handful of states. Keep reading to learn more about Metromile.
- Metromile offers pay-per-mile car insurance coverage to benefit low-mileage drivers.
- Metromile gives policyholders any mileage above 250 a day (or 150 in New Jersey) free.
- Aside from their per-mile pricing model, Metromile offers all the standard coverage options most major insurers offer.
- Metromile will soon accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment and claims payout.
How does Metromile pay-per-mile insurance work
Metromile’s pay-per-mile model is straightforward. You will be quoted a monthly rate regardless of how many miles you drive. But then, Metromile multiplies the number of miles you drive by your quoted per-mile rate. Add your monthly rate and mileage total together, and that’s what you’ll pay.
For example, if your monthly rate is $29, your per-mile rate is $.06 and you drive 200 miles that month, your total due will be $21. Next month, if you drive 100 miles, you will owe $35.
Metromile auto insurance coverage options
Metromile offers the standard coverages you would expect from any auto insurance company. Those break down into three major categories listed below.
Liability coverage
This form of insurance protects you from damages you cause to others or property that does not belong to you. The two types of liability coverage are:
- Bodily injury coverage: If you cause an accident, this coverage pays for any costs related to injuries or deaths of others (not those in your own vehicle, however). This type of coverage also might protect you if you are sued for causing an accident and need to hire a lawyer.
- Property damage coverage: This coverage reimburses you for damages you cause to others’ property.
Vehicle coverage
Many types of protection are available in this part of your auto insurance policy. They include:
- Roadside assistance: This coverage helps you access help such as towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts.
- Underinsured motorist property damage: Reimburses costs if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. This coverage is not available in every state.
- Collision deductible waiver: Waives your collision deductible if you are in an accident with an at-fault uninsured driver. This coverage is not available in every state.
- Collision and comprehensive coverage: Collision coverage reimburses you for damages to your car that result from a collision with another object, such as a pole or building. Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for damages to or losses to your car that do not result from a collision, such as damage caused by hail or theft.
- Deductible-free windshield repair: If your windshield is damaged and does not need a full replacement, Metromile will pay for the repair and will not require you to pay your deductible.
Medical coverage
This coverage reimburses medical costs for both yourself and others. Examples include:
- Underinsured motorist bodily injury: Reimburses you when another driver is at fault for an accident but has insufficient liability insurance to cover your medical costs.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: Reimburses you — and your passengers — for medical costs when another driver is at fault but does not have car insurance.
- Personal injury protection: Reimburses you for expenses beyond medical bills, including loss of income and funeral expenses. Benefits vary by state.
- Medical payments: This reimburses you for medical deductibles and copayments that your health insurance company—or the health insurance companies of your passengers—do not cover.
- Pet injury protection: Metromile includes pet injury protection in most of its “full coverage” policies.
Metromile car insurance discounts
Like other car insurance companies, Metromile offers discounts that mitigate the cost of car insurance. Metromile’s most significant price break comes from its “pay per mile” coverage. That means the rate you are charged depends on your driving habits.
So, for example, you might pay a monthly base rate of $29 plus 6 cents per mile. A driver who logs 450 miles monthly would pay $56 monthly — or $672 a year.
But there are other discount options, too. Here are a few:
- Anti-theft protection discount
- Accident-free discount
- Mature driver discount
- Multi-car discount
- Safety equipment discount
- Ride Along safe-driving discount
Where is Metromile insurance available
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Washington
In addition, all the miles you drive over 250 per day are free, although that drops to 150 miles per day in New Jersey.
Metromile customer reviews and ratings
Regarding customer reviews and ratings, Metromile scored 6.42 on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index for personal auto in 2023.
According to the Better Business Bureau, Metromile has a rating of C- and it is not an accredited business.
Metromile car insurance claims
You can make the Metromile claims process easier by filing your claim online at claims.metromile.com or by calling 888-595-5485.
When filing a claim, have some information handy, such as:
- Policy number
- Date of accident
- Location of the accident
- Description of the accident
- Party names and vehicles involved
As a Metromile claims review proceeds, the best way to check the status of your claim is to call or email your claims representative. Metromile will introduce features that make the process easier in the coming months.
Metromile website and apps
The Metromile app lets you file a claim, monitor your car’s health and manage aspects of your policy. You must have pay-per-mile insurance to use the app.
You can also use the Metromile website to log on to the online dashboard and check your driving data and policy documents. We found the Metromile website to be user-friendly and easy to use.
Metromile’s app can even help you get a more accurate rate quote. The company offers a feature called “Ride Along.” After downloading the app, you drive with it for 17 days.
The app can tell when you are driving based on location and motion data from your phone. It also can tell when you are the passenger and are not driving.
Once the Ride Along period is complete, Metromile will tell you how many miles you have driven to get the most accurate rate. The company notes that eligible drivers can save up to 40% on their initial quote in Oregon if they drive safely during the trial period.
Who is Metromile car insurance a good option for
Metromile may be a great option for drivers who:
- Drive infrequently or short distances
- Live in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Washington
- Want to pay premiums in or receive claim payouts in cryptocurrency
- Want a convenient app and easy-to-use policyholder dashboard
- Have more than one car to insure
Metromile can be a good option for people who drive infrequently. With base rates as low as $29 a month and mileage rates as low as six cents per mile, those who keep their car sitting idle in the garage can save a lot of cash.
However, it’s important to remember that per-mile coverage is only available to drivers in eight states.
Metromile is also a good bet for those who plan to insure more than one car, as doing so can net you an extra discount.
Metromile recently announced that it would soon let its policyholders pay their premiums and accept claim payouts in a cryptocurrency, making them the first insurer to accept premium payments and pay claims in digital currency.
The bottom line: Is Metromile worth it?
Is Metromile suitable for those weighing their insurance options? Metromile can be a worthwhile option for those who drive infrequently. The combined base rate and per-mile charge can save you money.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.