Metromile Insurance Reviews

Key Points:

• Metromile offers pay-per-mile auto coverage in eight states.
• The company was acquired by Lemonade Insurance in 2022, which will make its tracking technology more accessible across the country.
• Drivers pay as little as a $29 monthly base rate, plus a per-mile rate as low as six cents.

Metromile is a different kind of car insurance company; it offers low rates based on how many miles you drive. In this article, our team of experts will break down Metromile’s unique coverage options, cost structure, and reviews from customers to help you decide if the usage-based auto insurance provider is right for you. We’ll also compare Metromile to some of the best car insurance companies in the industry.

When you shop for auto coverage, we suggest that you compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers. With that in mind, we’ll highlight a couple of our top-rated providers in this article as well.

Metromile Car Insurance Review

Overall, we give Metromile 3.4 out of 5.0 stars. This rating is based on the company’s performance across four key areas: cost, coverage, reliability, and service.

Metromile Insurance Ratings

Here’s how Metromile measured up in each of our four key rating categories:

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

Is Metromile Insurance Good?

Metromile is a good choice for people who work from home or only drive their cars once in a while. The company offers standard car insurance products at reasonable prices. If you require special coverage like classic car insurance or rideshare protection (if you use your car for services like Uber), you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Pros And Cons Of Metromile Insurance

Available in: Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington

Founded in: 2011

Coverage: Usage-based auto

Metromile Company Overview

Metromile was founded in 2011 in San Francisco, which makes it a relative newcomer to the auto insurance industry. The small company was recently acquired by Lemonade Insurance. According to a press release, the Metromile brand will sunset over time as its technology is incorporated into Lemonade’s services.

How Does Metromile Stand Out?

Metromile’s usage-based insurance calculates rates based on miles driven, using a plug-in device called Pulse. The Pulse device is plugged into the car’s diagnostic port and requires cellular service to function. With this in mind, Metromile might not be a good option if you live in a rural area without good cell service.

The Metromile Pulse device can lose its signal if you don’t drive your car for a certain period of time. When you reconnect it, you may have to send Metromile a picture of your odometer to confirm your mileage. You can also set up a grace period if you know you won’t be driving for a while.

Driving Behavior Tracking

The Pulse device tracks driving habits in real time and tracks average speed, time of day, and day of the week. Your safe driving habits can lead to lower car insurance premiums depending on the state you live in.

Metromile Industry Reviews

Metromile doesn’t currently have a profile on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Lemonade Insurance isn’t currently rated by the BBB and receives 2.4 out of 5.0 stars from customers on the platform.

Metromile Car Insurance Coverage

Metromile offers all standard types of car insurance, including:

Other Metromile Coverage Options

Metromile doesn’t offer as many optional add-on coverages as other insurers. Its roadside assistance benefits include on-call towing, flat tire changes, and locksmith services.

Metromile Car Insurance Cost

As a pay-per-mile car insurance provider, Metromile charges policyholders a monthly base rate (as low as $29) plus a per-mile rate that’s as low as six cents. As an example, if your base rate is $29 per month and you put 500 miles on the odometer in a month, you would pay about $60 in total for coverage that month. Base rates and per-mile charges are based on a variety of factors, including driving history, credit score, and other criteria.

One thing to remember is that Metromile doesn’t charge after you pass 250 miles in one day. This means you can still take road trips here and there without incurring huge fees.

Metromile Insurance Discounts

Since Metromile is a pay-per-mile insurance provider, you won’t find many of the discounts commonly offered by other companies. The company’s website does mention a multi-car discount, but there’s no mention of lower rates for military, seniors, or students.

Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates

Metromile rates are determined by a range of factors, including the following common criteria:

• Driving record: Those with a clean driving history pay significantly lower car insurance premiums than those with at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUI violations on their records.
• Location: A densely-populated area brings more auto accidents and insurance claims than rural areas.
• Age: Teen drivers pay much higher auto coverage rates than more experienced drivers.
• Marital status: Married drivers pay less for car insurance than single drivers.
• Vehicle: Older vehicles are less expensive to insure than newer vehicles. Sports cars and luxury vehicles are also expensive to insure.
• Gender: The gender on your driver’s license affects car insurance rates. Those who identify as male typically pay higher premiums.

Metromile Insurance Reviews: Conclusion

Metromile is a good option for drivers who work from home or simply don’t drive very often. The company offers affordable rates and has a strong reputation for professional service. With its recent acquisition by Lemonade Insurance, Metromile’s technology should soon be available well beyond its current service area of eight states.

Other Recommended Car Insurance Companies

If pay-per-mile auto coverage doesn’t seem like the right fit, we suggest that you compare car insurance quotes from multiple traditional providers. State Farm and Geico are two of our highest-ranked car insurance companies. We recommend including them in your shopping experience.

State Farm: Best Overall Provider

We give State Farm our Best Overall Provider award because it offers a comprehensive selection of auto coverage options at affordable prices. As the largest auto insurer in the U.S. according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), State Farm has independent agents spread all across the country. That means it’s easy to get personalized recommendations from an expert in your area.

State Farm offers all the standard types of car insurance policies you’d expect, along with rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and rideshare coverage. With Drive Safe & Save™, the company’s usage-based program, you can save up to 30 percent on your premiums.

Geico: Best For Discounts

Geico is the third-largest auto insurer in the country according to the NAIC. The company has a strong reputation for good customer service and competitive pricing. Our team also considers Geico Best for Discounts in the auto coverage industry. Many of the discounts the company offers can save drivers 15 to 25 percent.

One thing that sets Geico apart from its competitors is the fact that it offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). This coverage functions much like an extended warranty by protecting key vehicle components from breakdowns incurred through normal usage.

Metromile Reviews: FAQ

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.