Metromile Review: Understanding the Benefits and Drawbacks

Metromile is a unique car insurance company that offers a pay-per-mile pricing model. This means you only pay for the miles you drive, which can be a game-changer for low-mileage drivers.

One of the main benefits of Metromile is its affordable pricing. With a base rate of $35 per month, plus $0.25 per mile driven, Metromile can be a cost-effective option for those who don't drive much.

Metromile also comes with a variety of features, including accident forgiveness, roadside assistance, and a built-in driving app that tracks your driving habits. This app can help you improve your driving skills and potentially qualify for discounts.

Metromile's insurance policies are available in 10 states, including California, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

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Metromile is rated 2.77/5 by WalletHub's editors, which is a relatively low score. Its low overall score reflects how Metromile is not the best choice for every type of driver.

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Metromile specializes in usage-based (pay-per-mile) auto insurance policies, which means rates are based on how much you drive. Drivers who spend less time on the road are less likely to get into an accident and can get cheaper rates.

Metromile offers great rates, particularly to those who drive 10,000 miles a year or fewer. However, because your monthly mileage determines your rates, it might not be ideal for drivers who prefer a predictable, fixed payment.

Metromile keeps track of your miles with the Metromile Pulse, a small device that hooks up to your car's diagnostic port. Customers can disable the Pulse's GPS function, so it will capture how far you drive but not your location.

Metromile's customer reviews lean negative on Trustpilot, Reddit, Quora, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with a NAIC complaint rating 7.19 times higher than the national average.

Here are some key pros and cons of Metromile:

Metromile is only available in seven states: Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Metromile offers a wide range of coverage options, including bodily injury liability, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and more. These options are available in most states, but availability may vary.

Metromile also offers a unique pet injury protection feature, which provides coverage for your pet if it's injured in an accident. This feature is only available in states except Illinois and Virginia.

Some of the discounts available with Metromile include a multi-vehicle discount, mature driver discount, and anti-theft device discount. These discounts can help lower your insurance costs, but the specifics may vary depending on your state and policy details.

Here's a breakdown of some of the discounts available with Metromile:

Keep in mind that not all discounts are available in all states, and the specifics may vary depending on your policy and driving record.

Metromile offers a range of coverage options, including bodily injury liability, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and more.

Metromile's coverage options are surprisingly robust for a smaller insurance company, covering medical expenses, property damage, and even pet injuries in some states. However, pet injury protection is not available in Illinois and Virginia.

You can also get coverage for rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. Additionally, Metromile waives your comprehensive deductible if your windshield or window can be repaired instead of replaced.

Some of the specific coverages offered by Metromile include:

Metromile also offers a collision deductible waiver, which eliminates your deductible if you're in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. However, this coverage is available at an additional cost.

Metromile offers a variety of discounts to help you save on your car insurance premiums.

You can get a multi-vehicle discount by insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy. This discount is automatically applied when you purchase a full-coverage policy.

One of the unique discounts offered by Metromile is for installing an anti-theft device, such as a car alarm, during the quoting process. You'll need to provide additional documentation to qualify for this discount.

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If you're a senior driver, you'll automatically qualify for the mature driver discount. This discount is applied regardless of your driving record.

Metromile also offers a safe driving course discount, but only if you complete an approved course. This discount is applied automatically when you indicate your completion of the course.

Here are some of the other discounts offered by Metromile:

Car insurance wasn't traditionally sold by the mile because there wasn't an app for that. Seriously, an insurer could ask general questions about your driving habits, which could and did take account of your personal driving record.

Until a plug-in app was developed to track the miles a vehicle was driven, an insurer could only take your word for it.

Metromile and other pay-as-you-drive insurers will consider traditional factors, like age and driving history, in setting your minimum rate.

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Metromile's pricing model is unique, with rates varying based on the number of miles driven. This pay-per-mile model can be a cost-effective option for low-mileage drivers, but standard-use drivers may not see the same benefits.

Metromile's national average rates are significantly lower than the national average, with liability-only policies costing $104 and full-coverage policies costing $181.

For teens and young drivers, Metromile can still offer low rates, especially if they can join a policy with a friend or relative and access the company's multi-vehicle discount. The safe driving discount is also a good source of savings.

Here are some estimated annual savings with Metromile compared to the national average:

For seniors and retirees, Metromile's rates are higher than national averages, but they still offer a mature driver discount, which can help reduce costs. Additionally, low-mileage seniors can save money.

Metromile's rates compared to top competitors are as follows:

Keep in mind that Metromile's rates may not be the cheapest option for everyone, and it's essential to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best fit for your needs.

Metromile's rates are significantly lower than the national average, saving you money on your car insurance. The national average for liability-only insurance is $104 per month, but Metromile comes in at $104, matching the average.

In contrast, the national average for full coverage is $181 per month, while Metromile offers it for $181, also matching the average. This means you won't get a discount on full coverage with Metromile, but you will get a lower rate overall.

Here's a comparison of Metromile's rates with the national average:

Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your actual rate will depend on various factors, including your age, driving history, credit, and more.

If you're a teen driver, you're probably thinking about how to save on car insurance. Metromile rates for teens and young drivers can be a good option, especially if you don't drive much.

The company offers a multi-vehicle discount if you can join a policy with a friend or relative, which can lead to significant savings.

You should also look into the safe driving discount, which can be a good source of savings. However, it's essential to compare rates with other options in your area.

Metromile's pricing model is pay-per-mile, which can be cost-effective for low-mileage drivers. This model is different from traditional insurance companies that charge a flat rate regardless of how much you drive.

According to the California Department of Insurance, Metromile's rates are based on data from 5,000-16,000 miles per year. For example, if you drive between 5,000-7,500 miles, Metromile's annual rate is around $1,878.

Metromile's rates are compared to its competitors in the article. For full-coverage policies, Metromile is almost in the middle of the pack, with a rate of $181 compared to other companies like GEICO ($97) and Progressive ($146).

Here's a comparison of Metromile's rates with its competitors for different mileage ranges:

Before committing to Metromile, it's a good idea to take advantage of its trial program, Ride Along, to get an estimate of how many miles you drive. This will help you get the most accurate quote.

Metromile's claims process is handled by an AI system called AVA, which collects your information, verifies your coverage, and processes the claim.

The AVA system also connects you to a local repair shop and rental company if needed, and sends an insurance adjuster to verify the damage and help process the claim.

Some policyholders have reported delays and denials of claims, as well as issues with cancellation and billing.

However, some customers have had a smooth experience with Metromile's claims process, such as one policyholder who resolved an auto glass claim within two weeks.

The Metromile app also uses AVA to streamline the claims process, which can lead to automatic approval of your claim in some instances.

Accident Forgiveness is a key benefit for drivers who want to minimize the impact of accidents on their insurance rates. Your base rate will increase after an at-fault accident.

While it's impossible to avoid accidents entirely, doing your best to drive safely and avoid tickets and claims going forward can help mitigate the rate increase.

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Metromile uses an AI claims system called AVA to collect your information, verify your coverage, and process the claim. This system connects you with a local repair shop and rental company, if needed, and sends an insurance adjuster to verify the damage.

The Metromile app uses AVA to help streamline its claims process, which can lead to automatic approval of your claim in some instances. AVA uses data from the Metromile Pulse sensor to reconstruct the scene of an accident and verify your claim details.

You can opt into AVA's direct repair program, which provides a list of preferred local repair shops. Once you choose a preferred shop, AVA will send payments directly to your repair center and keep you up to date on the repair process.

Policyholders with rental car coverage can coordinate a rental through Enterprise Rent-A-Car using the Metromile app. AVA will automatically send payments of up to $30 per day directly to Enterprise, eliminating the need for you to pay for your rental car and wait for reimbursement.

The 24-hour claims processing center is convenient, but customers complain about delays and denials of claims. There were also a few complaints about cancellation and billing, according to NAIC data.

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Installing the Pulse is a straightforward process that requires minimal effort. You can find the OBD-II port under the steering wheel, and that's where the Pulse device will go.

The OBD-II port is usually located under the steering wheel. To install the Pulse, simply insert the device into this port.

A light on the device should begin to flash once it's properly connected. This indicates that the Pulse is ready to start tracking your driving data.

Once the light is flashing, you can start driving and the Pulse will begin sharing your driving data with Metromile.

The Ride Along program is a great option for those who want to try out Metromile's pay-per-mile insurance without committing to a full policy term. This 17-day trial allows you to monitor your driving habits and estimate your monthly bill based on your driving patterns.

During the trial, you'll use the Metromile app to track your driving instead of the Metromile Pulse. This is a convenient and easy way to get a feel for how Metromile's insurance works.

At the end of the 17-day trial, Metromile will give you an estimate of your monthly bill based on your driving habits. This can help you decide if Metromile's pay-per-mile insurance is right for you.

You're not required to purchase insurance from Metromile after going through Ride Along. This makes it a low-risk option for those who want to try out a pay-per-mile insurance program.