Metromile Review: Is It the Best Choice for Car Insurance?

Metromile Auto Insurance: At a Glance

Metromile is a tech company aiming to revolutionize the car insurance market. Policyholders pay a relatively low base rate with an additional charge per mile. Metromile limits charges for road trips — a maximum of 250 miles can be charged per day (150 miles in New Jersey). So, if you plan to travel out of state, you should notify the company.

While Metromile offers some interesting standard options — such as automatic pet insurance for full-coverage policies — it doesn’t have some common options, like gap insurance. There also appear to be issues with unexpected charges and strict policies around sudden requests for additional documentation.

Is Metromile a Good Choice for Car Insurance?

Metromile Insurance’s pay-per-mile insurance (PPM) model makes it a compelling choice for low-mileage drivers. But costs can also balloon for months if you drive more than usual. Your  monthly bill can also fluctuate, which makes budgeting less predictable. Some discount opportunities can lower costs, but these aren’t available everywhere.

Where Metromile stands out

The pay-per-mile policies make it easy for low-mileage drivers to save money. The company also offers top-of-the-line technological features, which is great for tech-centered customers. It also includes some surprising benefits, such as automatic pet injury protection on full-coverage policies.

Where Metromile falls short

While pay-per-mile insurance can be affordable for some, rates tend to be higher than average for Metromile drivers, according to Compare.com data. Customer and claims satisfaction also appears to lag behind competitors, with complaints seven times the national average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Metromile Customer Reviews

Overall, customer reviews lean negative on Trustpilot, Reddit, Quora, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). And the company’s NAIC complaint rating is 7.19 times higher than the national average. Though ratings are high on WalletHub (4.4 out of 5 stars), few happy customers wrote about their experience.

So where’s Metromile succeeding, and where’s it falling short? Let’s look at some specific reviews.

Though positive reviews are more scarce, I found several happy customers who tend to talk about easy sign-up and savings. And several reviewers mention staying with the company year after year, like this one below.

Among the negative reviews, sudden charges were a primary theme. Take this one below, which uncovers charges after having issues with the company’s Pulse device and for not driving their car.

This wasn’t the only account I found detailing this issue. This complaint below on BBB details being charged for problems with their device and difficulty canceling their policy.

Metromile National Average Rates

Reviews are a bit mixed, but how about Metromile’s average rates? Below are the average monthly premiums from Metromile for liability and full-coverage policies, according to research from Compare.com.

Compared to the national average, Metromile is far cheaper — $27 per month cheaper for liability and $90 for full coverage. That’s an average annual savings of $324 and $1,080, respectively.

But national averages are too blunt to estimate your actual rate. Many factors influence your costs, including your age, driving history, credit, marital status, gender, and location. We’ll cover a few of the most influential factors later in this article.

Metromile Rates Compared to Top Competitors

Let’s start by comparing Metromile’s rates with some of its top competitors. Here are the average rates by insurance company based on Compare.com data.

Metromile’s liability policies are more expensive than others on the list. This could be due to several factors but likely is related to its pay-per-mile model. PPM can be cost-effective for low-mileage drivers, but standard-use drivers won’t see those benefits. Additionally, many insurance companies build low-mileage discounts (and others) into their costs.

Metromile is almost in the middle of the pack for full-coverage costs. This indicates that it’s definitely worthwhile to compare quotes from Metromile and several competitors.

What Types of Coverage Does Metromile Offer?

For a smaller insurance company, Metromile offers a surprising number of coverage options, including:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers others’ medical care after an accident you cause.
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle due to an accident you caused.
• Collision deductible waiver: Waives your deductible if an uninsured driver hits you.
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a non-collision event, such as hail.
• MedPay: Pays for your and your passengers’ medical costs regardless of fault.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Pays for your medical costs no matter who’s at fault for a car accident.
• Pet injury protection: Provides coverage for your pet if it’s injured in an accident — collision and comprehensive policies only.
• Property damage liability: Covers others’ property after an accident you cause.
• Rental car reimbursement: Covers part or all of the cost to rent a car after a covered incident.
• Roadside assistance: Provides car breakdown assistance, such as towing, flat tire changes, battery jump-starts, and locksmith services.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection: Protects you if you’re hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance or enough insurance.

Keep in mind that coverage options and availability vary by state. For instance, pet injury protection is available in all states except Illinois and Virginia — so be sure to research the specific coverages in your area.

Metromile Car Insurance Discounts

Admittedly, it was hard to find any concrete information about discounts with Metromile. I could only find three discounts listed anywhere on the website (without any additional information besides the name) — and the chatbot couldn’t answer additional questions about discounts.

Additionally, links appearing to take me to more information about specific discounts just brought me back to the same webpage. This is likely because discounts aren’t available in all states, or other restrictions may be in place.

Regardless, here are the discounts I was able to uncover on the website and after chatting with an agent.

• Multi-vehicle: Discount for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy.
• Mature driver discount: Senior drivers automatically get the discount.
• Anti-theft device: Install an anti-theft device, such as a car alarm, during the quoting process to get it (additional documentation may be requested).
• Safe driving course: Complete an approved safe driving course to get this discount.
• Online quote: This discount is applied when you get your quote online instead of over the phone.
• Full coverage: You get this discount for buying a full-coverage policy; it automatically applies when you purchase comprehensive and collision coverages.
• Continuous insurance: You can qualify for this discount if you have no gaps in your insurance history.
• Paperless: This discount is for getting billing and policy documents electronically. Sign up for paperless when you buy your policy to get the discount.
• Homeowners: Provide proof of homeownership to qualify for this discount.
• Education: Earn this discount for completing a college degree. The discount is applied automatically when you indicate your education level.
• 5 years at-fault accident-free: This discount is automatically applied if you have no at-fault accidents on your driving record for the past five years.
• 3-year clean record: Having no points on your license gets you this discount. The discount is automatically applied based on your driving record.

The Metromile agent told me that the awarded discount is based on other policy specifics. And, even when implemented, the policy doesn’t show the specific percentage.

Metromile Car Insurance Rates by Age Group

Your age affects car insurance rates substantially, so let’s take a look at the average rates for Metromile policyholders broken down by age group.

Younger drivers pay much higher rates than other age groups, but car insurance rates typically decrease with age. Older drivers tend to have more driving experience and fewer accidents. But accident rates tick back up after drivers reach age 70, when reaction time slows and other issues can interfere with driving ability.

Metromile rates for teens and young drivers

Metromile rates for liability-only and full-coverage policies are higher than national averages. Teen drivers pay $48 and $16 more per month than the national average, while 25-year-olds pay $21 and $8 more, respectively, according to Compare.com data.

But, for younger drivers who don’t drive much, Metromile can still provide low rates.

This is especially true if you 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, but you should compare rates with other options in your area.

Metromile rates for seniors and retirees

Interestingly, average rates for senior drivers are more expensive than rates for middle-aged drivers. Metromile’s rates are higher than national averages as well — $43 higher per month for liability and full-coverage policies. But you can still find a deal with Metromile.

Metromile offers a mature driver discount (though information on the discount is scarce). And, since most seniors drive less than average, low-mileage seniors can save money.

Metromile Car Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Car insurance rates can increase with a poor driving record due to increased risk, accidents, or traffic violations, while a clean record generally leads to lower premiums.

Here’s how Metromile rates change based on your driving record, according to Compare.com data.

Rates tend to rise based on the severity of the incident. That’s why drivers with a speeding ticket have a more moderate increase compared to drivers with an accident or DUI. Insurers have to pay for the damages you cause in an at-fault accident — something they want to avoid, which is why your rates increase after incidents like these.

DUIs are an indicator of dangerous driving practices, as driving impaired comes with a higher probability of accidents and costly claims.

Metromile rates after a speeding ticket

On average, a single speeding ticket raises rates by 37%, according to data from Compare.com. At Metromile, liability rates are slightly higher than average for drivers with a speeding ticket, while full-coverage policies are about average.

But even with elevated rates, there are still ways to save. First, avoid getting future traffic tickets. And if you have a policy with Metromile, try to reduce your mileage. If that’s not possible, you can compare rates with other insurers to see if a better deal is available.

Metromile rates after an accident

Car insurance rates increase by as much as 44% after an at-fault collision, according to Compare.com data. Metromile rates are a little higher than the national average of $122 per month for liability and $256 for full-coverage premiums.

The way to save with Metromile is to drive less. While your base rate will increase after an at-fault accident, your rate per mile will not. And, of course, do your best to avoid tickets and claims going forward.

Metromile rates after a DUI

Most drivers experience a rate increase of 94% after a DUI, according to our analysis. Interestingly, Metromile appears to penalize drivers with a DUI less than the average insurer. National averages are $167 per month for liability and $348 for full coverage, so you’ll likely save with a Metromile policy since its rates are $144 and $258 per month, respectively.

To lower your rate even further, look for ways to drive less. Shopping around and looking into discounts (especially the defensive driving discount) may result in an even lower rate.

Metromile Car Insurance Rates by Credit Score

Your credit history is another factor that influences your rates — and while insurers don’t look at your credit score specifically, they look at your credit history to create something called a “credit-based insurance score” to gauge your risk level.

This is why car insurance rates may increase with lower credit scores, as insurers may perceive higher risk and tie credit history to a driver’s likelihood of filing claims.

The table below shows how credit scores affect rates with Metromile.

As expected, rates are cheapest for drivers with excellent credit and most expensive for drivers with poor credit. Interestingly, drivers with poor credit can typically find a good deal with Metromile — the company’s rates are about $40 and $110 cheaper per month than the national average.

Rates are somewhat higher than average for liability policies for all other drivers. Full-coverage policies are likely to come with savings of around $10 per month for drivers with excellent and good credit.

Long story short, it’s worth it to get a quote from Metromile, no matter your credit rating.

How to Purchase a Car Insurance Policy from Metromile

You can purchase a Metromile policy online or over the phone in just a few minutes. You’ll need your driver’s license number to get the quote and your VIN to purchase the policy. You can’t buy a same-day policy, but you can get insured within 24 hours.

It takes a few days to get your Pulse device (the plug-in that tracks your mileage). But even if you don’t get it before your policy start date, your policy will still go into effect. Just be sure to install it once you receive it.

Let’s walk step-by-step through my quoting process.

Getting a quote from Metromile

To start my quote, I went to the Metromile homepage and entered my ZIP code.

Next, I entered my personal information, including my name and date of birth.

The beginning of the form had one question per page.

Next, the company asked for my current premium cost to estimate my savings.

And, since it’s a pay-per-mile company, I also entered by estimated monthly mileage.

Next, I entered my address.

Then, I entered information about my vehicle.

Next, I had to enter my email address to save my quote (there’s a little note explaining it’s only used to calculate my rate).

Then, I was presented with an advertisement about Metromile.

The next steps required me to fill in additional information about my vehicle and driving history.

I thought it was a bit clunky to move through the same group of questions again, and wish I could’ve entered all the related information on one page (but that’s a personal preference).

The final step was to select my coverage level. The company offers three — Basic, Enhanced, and Premium. Keep in mind that you can customize your coverage levels and deductibles no matter what option you choose. I started with Basic coverage.

After selecting a coverage level, I was given a quote for an estimated monthly premium. That’s because costs are dependent on how much you drive.

It was easy to see what was included and which options weren’t (like MedPay and rental reimbursement). The Basic package also defaults to $1,000 deductibles for collision and comprehensive.

I decided to increase my coverage levels to see the difference in cost. I also added MedPay, uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, rental car reimbursement, and roadside assistance. Notably, the cost of roadside assistance is about $2 per month.

Overall, the process was fast and straightforward and provided plenty of information along the way. There was also a chatbox for answers to quick questions and to get connected with an agent quickly.

Metromile Customer Service

The Metromile chatbot is available 24/7. Agents are also available by chat Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. When I used the chat at 11:45 a.m. ET, it took seven minutes to connect with an agent who was knowledgeable and professional.

Over the phone, it took 18 minutes to speak with an agent. It was admittedly tedious, but the agent I spoke with was also knowledgeable and friendly. The phone line is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

Reviews of Metromile customer service lean toward the negative, and it was difficult to find a detailed positive review. However, the reviewer below calls customer service “excellent” and “totally professional.”

Among negative reviews, I noted several where reviewers received notices to submit additional documentation (often well into the policy term) or risk cancellation. And in most of these cases — even after submitting the documentation — the customer’s policy was canceled.

Consider the experiences of two longtime customers below, who were both canceled.

Filing a Claim with Metromile

Metromile uses an AI claims system (called AVA), which collects your information, verifies your coverage, and processes the claim. Once you submit your claim through AVA, you’ll be connected to a local repair shop and rental company (if needed and so long as you have rental car coverage). The company sends an insurance adjuster to verify the damage and help process the claim as well.

Metromile says it processes claims more quickly and painlessly than traditional insurers. But what do customers think? The overwhelming majority of online reviews are negative — and many customers expressed surprise at a slow claims process and claims being processed by a third party (National General Insurance Group).

The customer below filed a complaint due to not being able to get into contact with an adjuster.

But not all the reviews are bad. I found one that explained that a claim for auto glass was easily resolved. The policyholder in the review below was able to resolve their claim within two weeks.

What Other Types of Insurance Does Metromile Offer?

As of this writing, Metromile only offers policies for car insurance and specifically pay-per-mile policies. However, Lemonade Insurance acquired Metromile in 2022. Lemonade offers a wider variety of insurance products, including:

• Renters insurance: Coverage for personal property and liability protection for those renting a home or apartment.
• Homeowners insurance: Coverage for homeowner’s property and liability; may cover additional structures on the property.
• Pet insurance: Coverage for veterinary expenses and medical bills for pets, providing financial support for their healthcare.
• Term life insurance: Coverage for a specified term that pays out a death benefit to beneficiaries if the insured passes away during that term.

Bottom Line: Is Metromile Car Insurance Right for You?

Metromile’s technological advantages and pay-per-mile structure offer ease of access and potential savings for many low-mileage customers. But for people who drive more than 7,500 miles annually, this company may not be a great fit. There also appear to be occasional issues with the Pulse device, so it’s a good idea to request a new one if you experience this problem.

Bottom line, weigh your options carefully — and read the fine print — before deciding if Metromile is your best option.

Metromile Auto Insurance FAQs

Because it’s a relatively new company, policyholders often have questions about Metromile. Below are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Is Metromile a legit company?

Yes. Metromile is a legitimate car insurance company operating in several states known for its pay-per-mile insurance model. It’s often a good fit for low-mileage drivers.

Does Metromile have the cheapest car insurance?

Possibly. Metromile may offer affordable insurance for low-mileage drivers (fewer than 7,500 miles annually). But it’s necessary to compare quotes to find the best rates.

Where is Metromile available?

Metromile is currently available in eight states: Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. The company plans to expand its reach in the near future.

What happens when you unplug the Metromile device?

When you unplug the Metromile device, it affects your tracking and billing accuracy. Metromile will contact you by email and text to assist you with reconnecting your device.

Does Metromile offer full-coverage auto policies?

Yes. You can purchase a full-coverage policy from Metromile, which includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information. All the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. Better Business Bureau, “Metromile, Inc.,” Accessed October 24, 2023.
2. Quora, “Almost signed up with Metromile for my insurance, but am very skeptical after seeing so many negative Yelp reviews. Does anyone have any experience with claims from them?,” Accessed October 24, 2023.
3. Reddit, “Metromile auto insurance experiences,” Accessed October 24, 2023.
4. Reddit, “Has anyone tried Metromile (pay-per-mile insurance)?,” Accessed October 24, 2023.
5. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Metromile Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” Accessed October 24, 2023.
6. U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, “Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group,” Accessed October 24, 2023.