For anyone who owns a vehicle, auto insurance is typically required to ensure that the car (or truck, or van, etc.) is protected from damage and theft, as well as that various liability issues are covered if you find yourself involved in an accident.
Plus, most states require that drivers have at least a minimum amount of vehicle insurance by law.
In most cases, drivers purchase their auto insurance via one of the many vehicle insurance carriers. And, if they also have homeowners/renters insurance, as well as coverage for other items with that same insurer, it is likely that they can qualify for a premium discount.
Today, however, there are other ways of purchasing the auto insurance that you need – and in many respects going this route can be faster and more convenient. It could also be cheaper regarding premium, depending on what you drive, and how often you are behind the wheel.
MetroMile, for instance, offers a new model of auto insurance that enables those who may not drive a lot on an annual basis to secure the coverage that they need at a lower price than would otherwise be available.
Check Pricing for MetroMile>>>
Based in part on the MetroMile system, pay-as-you-drive coverage has become much more popular – particularly for those who live in urban areas and may have other options, such as walking, biking, or public transportation, to get where they need to go.
The History of MetroMile Car Insurance
MetroMile began its operations in 2011. The company focuses on providing auto insurance, primarily for vehicles that are driven 12,000 miles per year or less. Because of this, the premium can often be lower than that of a “traditional” auto insurer.
The company prices its coverage on a pay-per-mile basis, where the insured is charged a “base” rate, along with a fixed rate per mile. The company doesn’t take a driving style or driving behavior into consideration when calculating the premium.
Currently, the company only serves a few of the U.S. states. Over the past few years, MetroMile has grown to 230 employees, and as of 2023, it had reported annual revenues of $140 million. Since its inception, MetroMile has raised more than $295 million in funding.
The company is headquartered in Market Street, San Francisco, California, U.S. Other areas served are California, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Arizona, and Oregon.
MetroMile Car Insurance
MetroMile offers a different way to obtain auto insurance. While most other vehicle insurance carriers will base the premium rate on a long list of complex factors, MetroMile instead focuses primarily on the amount that a person drives on an annual basis.
And, if someone drives fewer than 12,000 total miles per year, then the premium rate on insurance coverage through MetroMile could be quite affordable.
The process of getting auto insurance quotes and coverage through MetroMile is entirely electronic – which is one of the reasons why the company can provide coverage more cheaply than some of the other providers of this type of insurance.
In fact, to sign up for insurance through MetroMile, customers need to agree to the electronic delivery of their policy. This means that bills and correspondence will also all be sent via e-mail versus paper delivery.
To measure the mileage of a vehicle, MetroMile will plug a device – referred to as the MetroMile Pulse – into the onboard diagnostic port of the car. This device will then transmit the mileage data to the company’s servers.
In addition to offering auto insurance coverage, MetroMile also provides a customer service team, as well as a claims team that is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for clients who need to contact them.
But it is important to note that a vehicle may be registered in any state when purchasing a policy through MetroMile (although the vehicle should ideally reside permanently at the location that is listed on the insurance policy).
For those who are interested in insuring their vehicle through MetroMile, and who do not presently live or drive in the above-listed states, there is the ability to be waitlisted and notified as new states become available in the MetroMile coverage area.
Also, because the premium for car insurance through MetroMile is based primarily on how much an individual drives, the company is not presently able to insure vehicles on a ride-sharing program such as Uber or Lyft.
At this time, MetroMile is only offering personal auto insurance coverage and not commercial vehicle policies.
Better Business Bureau Grade and Customer Complaints about MetroMile Car Insurance When considering the use of any company, it can be beneficial to check out the reviews about that company from trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau.
In the case of MetroMile, this company has been an accredited business through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since June 25, 2013. MetroMile has been given a grade of A+ by the BBB, on an overall grading scale of A+ to F.
Over the past three years, MetroMile has closed out a total of 28 customer complaints through the Better Business Bureau (of which 21 were closed out within the past 12 months).
Of the 28 total complaints, 16 of them had to do with problems with the company’s products and services, 10 were about billing and collection issues, and two had to do with advertising and sales issues.
Car Insurance Options Offered Through MetroMile
In September 2016, MetroMile started underwriting its auto insurance policies, versus solely providing coverage through other insurers.
Along with auto coverage, customers of MetroMile can use the company’s Pulse driving app. This app offers numerous features, including the collection of data about the vehicle’s trips, and overall health.
Some of the app’s other features include:
- Street sweeping alerts, where the driver of the vehicle is notified if their vehicle is parked in a sweeping street zone
- Car health monitor
- Car locator feature, which indicates where a vehicle is parked – and a feature that can be extremely helpful in locating a vehicle if it has been stolen
The Pulse app provided via MetroMile may be used on either iOS or Android phones. And, an individual does not have to own auto insurance through MetroMile to use the driving app.
Overall, for those who drive 12,000 miles per year or less, MetroMile could be a good option, as it offers an easy and convenient shopping experience for coverage – especially for those who are in favor of tech-related solutions. It also offers an easy, smooth claims process.
However, because MetroMile is not offered in all of the U.S. states, the option of getting car insurance through this particular source could prove to be difficult (or non-existent) for many drivers and vehicle owners.
Other Products and Services Available
In addition to auto insurance coverage and its Pulse driving app, MetroMile also offers a customer service team that is available to answer questions and concerns from clients and potential insurance policyholders.
The company also offers an easy-to-use claims processing system, where representatives may be contacted at any time.
How to Get the Best Rates on Car Insurance
If you’ve been looking for the best rates on car insurance, one way that you can accomplish this is by working with an independent insurance agent who has access to multiple auto insurance carriers.
That way, you can compare, side by side, policies, features, and premium prices, all in one convenient place. From there, you can then determine which policy will work the best for your coverage needs, and for your budget.
When you are ready to start shopping for auto insurance, we can help. We are an independent insurance brokerage, and we work with many of the top auto insurance carriers in the industry today.
We can provide you with all of the details that you need directly from your computer, so the process won’t require you to meet in person with an insurance agent.
If you are ready to get started, then just simply fill out our quote form. Should you find that you still have any additional questions about auto insurance coverage, companies, and premium rates, then please feel free to contact us directly via phone. Our experts can be reached, toll-free, at.
We understand that the process of obtaining auto insurance can be a bit challenging. There are many different options to choose from, and you want to be sure that you are meeting all of the state-mandated requirements, while at the same time keeping your plan affordable.
The good news is that we can get you where you need to go regarding coverage. So, contact us today – we’re here to help.
MetroMile Review
Product Name: MetroMile
Product Description: MetroMile is an innovative auto insurance provider that offers pay-per-mile insurance, ideal for low-mileage drivers. Leveraging modern technology, the company provides tailored insurance rates based on actual driving, making it a unique offering in the market.
Summary of MetroMile
MetroMile has revolutionized the auto insurance landscape by introducing its pay-per-mile structure, particularly appealing to urban dwellers and those who don’t drive frequently. Utilizing a proprietary device called the Pulse, it tracks miles driven to calculate insurance costs accurately. This transparent pricing model ensures users only pay for the miles they drive, potentially leading to significant savings. Integrated with a user-friendly app, MetroMile also offers features like trip tracking, car health monitoring, and street sweeping alerts in select cities.
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Cost and Fees
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Customer Service
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User Experience
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Product Offerings
Overall
Pros
- Pay-per-mile Model: Offers potential cost savings for infrequent drivers by charging based on actual mileage.
- Transparent Pricing: Straightforward billing allows users to easily understand their charges.
- Tech Integration: The Pulse device and associated app provide added benefits beyond insurance, like vehicle health updates.
- Claims Efficiency: MetroMile boasts a swift and user-friendly claims process facilitated by its app.
Cons
- Not Ideal for High-Mileage Drivers: Those who drive extensively might find traditional insurance to be more cost-effective.
- Limited Availability: As of the last update, MetroMile’s services are only available in certain states.
- Dependence on Pulse Device: Insurance rates and additional features rely on the device, which needs to be plugged into the car.
- Rate Fluctuations: While generally cost-effective, rates can vary based on driving conditions and locations.