Can I reduce my car insurance if I drive less?
Asked by: Mr. Earl Kunze V | Last update: July 22, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (56 votes)
Will my car insurance go down if I drive less?
The lower distance you travel the cheaper the insurance will be. If you don't drive during prime times the cheaper the insurance will be. Both of these conditions result in you being at a lower risk of potentially being in an accident than people that drive to get to and from work.
Can I drop insurance on a car I don't drive?
Depending on your state's rules and insurer, you may be able to pause your car insurance if you won't be driving for an extended period. If putting a pause on your car insurance isn't possible, you can reduce your coverages or cancel your policy for the time you don't need it.
Is car insurance cheaper if you drive less miles per year?
Yes, your average miles driven annually impact car insurance rates, but how much can vary significantly depending on your state, vehicle usage and insurance carrier. Generally, the less you drive, the lower your car insurance rate may be.
Do I need car insurance if I barely drive?
No, you are not required to maintain insurance on a car that is not being driven. We do however recommend checking with your state DMVs requirements if you have plates on the vehicle.
Does My Car Need Insurance If I’m Not Driving It?
Can I pause my car insurance?
You can only reduce coverage for a month at a time. Any less than this and you cannot suspend your coverage. Before reducing your car insurance, your state may require you to file an affidavit of non-use for your vehicle with the DMV.
What mileage is the cheapest for insurance?
In general, you'll see the most savings if you drive less than 5,000 miles annually. According to Insure.com, someone who drives 10,000 miles annually will pay 4% less than someone who drives 12,000 miles. Driving 7,500 miles annually could reduce your premiums 10% compared with driving 10,000 miles.
What if I drive less than 25 miles a day?
Car insurance has a basis on the concept of risk. The more mileage you cover, the more likely you can get into an accident. Most insurance companies use your average yearly mileage to calculate their car insurance rates. So it is very likely that you will pay lesser premiums if you drive for less than 25 miles daily.
What is considered a low mileage driver?
According to KBB, insurers typically offer insurance discounts for low-mileage drivers who log less than 7,000 miles annually.
Is car insurance supposed to decrease every year?
Usually, yes. At Progressive, rates drop by 8% on average at age 25. But there are other cost factors impacting your car insurance, such as your claims history. So if you're in an accident right before you turn 25, your rate may not drop.
Do I need insurance on a parked car?
Legally, you don't need insurance coverage for a car that's not being driven and is in storage. However, if the vehicle gets stolen, vandalized, or damaged in an accident or weather-related event, you'll be responsible for any resulting expenses if you don't carry insurance.
Should I cancel my car insurance if I no longer have a car?
Even though you don't own a vehicle, having a non-owner policy prevents you from having a gap in your insurance coverage, which can lead to higher premiums when you apply for a new car insurance policy.
How long can you go without car insurance?
It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.
At what point is car insurance not worth it?
If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.
Is there a way to lower my car insurance?
- Qualify for insurance discounts. Getting more discounts that lower your car insurance premium might be easier than you think. ...
- Increase your deductible. ...
- Reduce your coverage. ...
- Compare rates. ...
- Try usage-based insurance. ...
- Take a defensive driving course. ...
- Get a car that's cheaper to insure.
How many miles should I tell my insurance I drive?
For the most part, insurance companies consider under 12,000 miles a year to be lower than average. However, some insurers require that you drive less than 10,000 miles to qualify for low mileage, and they wait to hand out bigger discounts until you are under that number of annual miles.
Do you pay less insurance if you drive less?
While several factors influence your car insurance cost, you may pay a lower premium if you drive less. That's because insurers may consider you a lower risk of filing a car insurance claim if you spend less time on the road. Many insurers incentivize low-mileage drivers by offering discounts on their premiums.
What is the minimum mileage for car insurance?
Most insurance providers consider someone who drives between 0 and 7,500 miles per year a "low-mileage driver." Most insurance consumers are initially rated by default at the standard U.S. average mileage of 12,000 miles per year. However, some motorists drive far fewer than 12,000 miles per year.
Is insurance cheaper with lower mileage?
Savings also vary state-to-state. In California, where insurance companies can only rate policies based on insurance history, marital status, ZIP code and driving experience (including annual mileage), drivers saved 32% on their insurance for halving their mileage from 15,000 to 7,500.
What mileage is too low for a car?
However, there isn't a specific definition or threshold that makes a vehicle low mileage. A vehicle can be considered low mileage if it has traveled less than 15,000 miles. Low mileage can also mean that a vehicle has been driven fewer miles than normal for its age. Thus, a vehicle's mileage can be relative to its age.
What is considered poor mileage?
Poor is anything less than 10mpg. Average is about 15-18 mpg. Good would be anything higher than 20mpg city.
Does Geico give a low mileage discount?
Besides offering lower premiums for low mileage drivers, Geico offers good student, good driver and defensive driving discounts, among others. It's also worth noting that Geico has a usage-based insurance program called DriveEasy, which can help low mileage drivers save money.
What two other factors can affect the cost of your insurance?
Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose. These factors may include things such as your age and your driving record.
How much does insurance cost per mile?
Instead of a standard premium, pay-per-mile insurance charges a low monthly base fee plus a per-mile cost, usually between 4 and 8 cents per mile.
Does your car insurance go up if you drive more?
From California to New York, all states have varying car insurance rates because insurance companies look at geographic factors such as crime rate, number of auto accidents, and weather conditions to determine your premium. Miles You Drive: The more you drive, the more likely you will get into an accident.