Is it better to drive more or less for insurance?

Asked by: Cora Roob  |  Last update: September 11, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (19 votes)

The fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident. Driving fewer miles also reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, which can lead to fewer mechanical failure-related claims. Insurers often ask how many miles you drive. The more miles you drive, the higher your rate could be.

Does insurance cost more if you drive more?

How much you use your car – The more miles you drive, the more chance for accidents so you'll pay more if you drive your car for work, or use it to commute long distances. If you drive only occasionally—what some companies call “pleasure use"—you'll pay less.

Is it better to put commute or pleasure for car insurance?

You should put commute. The distinction is not a huge one, and shouldn't affect your rates all that much. By the way, you don't lose coverage if you use your commute car for pleasure purposes, and you don't lose coverage if you use your pleasure car for work from time to time.

Is it better to drive your car more or less?

Drive the car once a week.

This will help keep cooling, lubrication, and fuel system parts in shape, charge the battery, and prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. Use the brakes frequently to remove any rust that has formed on the brake rotors.

Does driving more miles increase insurance?

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.

How Much Car Insurance Do I Actually Need?

39 related questions found

Can I reduce my car insurance if I drive less?

Driving a lower-than-average number of miles each year impacts car insurance rates by creating a potentially lower risk profile. The fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident.

What is the best mileage 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.

How much is too much driving on a car?

“In a typical week, relying on a car for more than 50% of the time for out-of-home activities is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction. This implies that at high levels of car dependence, there are negative implications that outweigh the benefits of car-based travel.”

Is it better for a car to have more or less miles?

Generally, lower mileage used cars tend to be more valuable because they have been driven less and theoretically have more life left in them. They are also less likely to have experienced significant wear and tear. However, high mileage cars can still be a good option, especially if they have been well-maintained.

Can you drive 700 miles in a day?

Expert-Verified Answer

It will take approximately 14 hours to complete a 700-mile trip at an average speed of 50 miles per hour, which is less than one day. If driving a limited number of hours each day, the total days needed can be calculated by dividing the total hours by hours driven per day.

How many miles is considered pleasure driving?

Insurance companies usually classify your driving "for pleasure" if you drive less than 7500 miles a year.

What vehicle use is the cheapest to insure?

Sedans are usually cheaper to insure than trucks and high-end SUVs. However, companies charge varying premiums depending on the vehicle model, safety features, and cost of parts. So, if you're shopping for a sedan, it's beneficial to understand how much you'll pay to insure it and where to find the cheapest rates.

How does the type of car you drive affect your insurance rates?

Your auto insurance premiums are influenced by the make and car model you drive. Vehicle make and model-specific crash statistics make some vehicles riskier for car insurance companies to cover. If their car needs expensive components or repairs, drivers often pay higher insurance premiums.

How do you lower your car insurance bill?

7 ways to lower your car insurance premium
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. Getting more discounts that lower your car insurance premium might be easier than you think. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

Is car insurance cheaper if you drive less miles?

Key Takeaways:

According to our research, car insurance costs are almost $100 less per year for those who drive 6,000 miles annually than for those who drive 12,000 miles.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

What mileage is too high?

So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer. If a car's mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car's history.

Is 70,000 miles a lot for a 5 year old car?

So, a car that is five years old would have about 75,000 miles to be considered “average.” Anything significantly more, and a car is considered to be “high mileage.” Anything significantly less, and it's a “low mileage” car.

What's more important years or mileage?

While it's a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it's more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles may have received more TLC than a 5-year-old model with 50,000 miles.

Is it bad to barely drive a car?

Fluid Deterioration: Engine oils, brake fluids, and coolant can break down if not circulated regularly. Old or ineffective fluids may lead to reduced performance and increased risk of engine damage. Weekly driving and regular maintenance can help prevent fluids from deteriorating.

How many miles driven is too much?

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

What is considered too expensive for a car?

It's generally recommended that you cap transportation expenses at 10% of your monthly income. Beyond the sales price, also budget for expenses like repairs, registration, and insurance.

Does insurance go up if you drive more?

The amount drivers pay for their insurance is determined by the miles they put on their cars. The greater their mileage, the more expensive their insurance policy will be. On the other hand, the lower mileage means a lower monthly payment.

What is considered high mileage for insurance?

If you drive a lot, insurance companies will charge you higher premiums because they're taking on more risk. Generally, anything over the U.S. average annual mileage (roughly 14,000 miles) is considered high and will result in a rate hike.

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.