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Find Auto Shops Near Me

Find an auto shop near you with Metromile.

Metromile makes it easy to find auto repair shops near you. With our Ai powered app by AVA customers can find auto repair service centers near them whenever they decide to file a claim after a car accident.

If you have a need to file a claim, you can choose to have your vehicle inspected by one of our approved car repair shops. AVA can even assist in finding repair shops, scheduling rental cars, and setting up and processing claims payments.

Join us today to see how much we can

  • Reduce your car insurance cost
  • Get you the best real time car mechanic closest to your location when you need it the most.

How does it work? once you have submitted a claim, you will be directed to the Metromile dashboard where you can choose auto care shops near you which participate in the direct repair program and are located near the zip code of the vehicle’s last location.

If you do not want to choose the nearest automotive repair shop from our car care program, you are welcome to choose your own by opting out of the program. Be sure to check your warranty to see if anything is covered in case of an accident.

AVA can help you get a rental car in the meantime.

Whatever the auto repair shop requires, be it:

  • The diagnostics of electrical damage
  • Alternator damage
  • auto body and paint damage
  • brake pads
  • engine repair
  • radiator
  • air conditioning
  • electric vehicle damage
  • transmission repair
  • wheel alignment
  • doors
  • windshield
  • oil change
  • damage to tailpipe causing extra emissions

Metromile will help to process your claim in the fastest way possible. If your plan covers it we can also offer roadside assistance.

AVA can keep customers posted on repair status, schedule changes, and even help change the rental reservation if needed.

Please note that auto repair is not available in all areas.

Metromile can help you find the auto repair shop near you in the following states:

Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Leveraging the Power of Telematics with YewYin

At Metromile, telematics is at the core of our pay-per-mile insurance – without it, we wouldn’t be able to accurately measure risk or offer fair rates based on your own driving, not everyone else’s. We recently spoke with one of our Senior Product Managers of Telematics, YewYin N., to hear more about how he leverages telematics data in ways that benefit our customers and help make our streets safer for everyone. 

leveraging-telematics-with-yewyin

What brought you to Metromile?

When I was first looking to transition from my previous role, I knew absolutely nothing about Metromile nor the insurtech industry. After my initial conversations with Metromile, I realized how interesting the insurtech space was and saw so many opportunities to improve auto insurance through telematics. I was even more hooked after I met with various Metromilers and heard how passionate they were about making insurance fairer and more delightful for all drivers. 

What does your job as Senior Product Manager of Telematics entail?

As part of the Telematics Team, I help ensure that we build products and features that support our customers’ needs and work with my team to further develop and unlock the full potential of telematics. That encompasses everything from helping shape the telematics strategy, talking to stakeholders and customers to figure out what problems they might be facing, and rallying our internal teams to build products and features that satisfy those needs.

Telematics is at the heart of Metromile, can you explain more about it?

Telematics is the process of sending, receiving, and storing data from various sensors– in Metromile’s case, the sensor is our Pulse device, which connects to every car insured by Metromile. Without telematics, we wouldn’t have Metromile insurance since we use this technology to count each customer’s miles and measure driving behavior. By doing so, we can better understand someone’s driving to offer accurate and affordable car insurance. We can also gather and share data on fuel levels, engine health, and braking patterns to help our drivers stay connected with their car’s health and encourage safer driving habits.

What do you like most about working at Metromile?

I’m an incredibly analytical person so I love working with all the data. I spend hours and hours poring through our driving data and leverage it all to help me make decisions as a product manager. Aside from that, I love that Metromile has a culture of sharing and resolving customer issues in real-time. I’ve seen firsthand how people from various teams work together to identify and quickly resolve any customer problems – this approach speaks volumes to our commitment to a customer-first company.

Anything exciting that you’re currently working on?

Absolutely, there are so many exciting initiatives going on right now but one thing I’m particularly passionate about is building out the next-generation telematics platform. This new system would help us streamline the collection of multi-sensor data as we move towards multiple connected devices in every car as opposed to just our single Pulse device. It’s exciting to be thinking through how we can leverage so many data points to improve the customer experience and help our drivers get even more out of their auto insurance in the future.

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We’re building a community of drivers who come to Metromile for the savings and stay for the experience. Our diverse team combines the best of Silicon Valley technologists with veterans from Fortune 500 insurers and financial services giants focused on using technology to reinvent insurance as a tool for financial resiliency.

Check out open positions at Metromile or give our pay-per-mile auto insurance a try by taking a free Ride Along™ trial from the Metromile app.

Coming Out in the Workplace with Valerie H.

Earlier this year, Metromile DevOps Engineer Valerie H. came out as a transgender woman company-wide. We spoke with Valerie to hear more about her experience sharing her transition with colleagues and her insights on coming out in the workplace. 

Coming out in the workplace | Valerie H.

What do you do as a DevOps engineer at Metromile?

I’ve been a DevOps Engineer at Metromile for about three years now and it’s my job to make sure all of Metromile’s servers and other tools stay up and running so other developers can do their jobs. That includes everything from coding and deployment to maintenance and regular updates on internal and external platforms and services.

Can you walk me through your decision to share your transition company-wide?

The decision for me to come out at work came from a practical standpoint. I work with a lot of different people every day and I wanted to come out as a transgender woman to the whole company so people could still contact me and wouldn’t be taken by surprise when they saw a new name on Slack, email, or our other internal platforms. 

I was initially just going to share my news with the Engineering Team, but after connecting with the People and Comms Teams, we landed on sharing my announcement company-wide through Slack. I figured it was best to just “rip the bandaid off” and let everyone know in case they needed to contact me in the future. 

What were some of the things you considered as you prepared to come out in the workplace?

The first step I took was coming out to my manager just to give him a heads up about what was happening. I then went to our People Team to let them know I would be changing my name and pronouns and that I would need internal records, email, and usernames altered to reflect that. I also wanted to tell the People Team ahead of making my announcement in case any issues came up down the line with harassment or disrespectful colleagues.

I held off on announcing until I had chosen my new name, Valerie, and then let my manager and the People Team know that I was ready to share that I was transitioning. The day I came out at work, I let my team know first during a small meeting, and then later that afternoon I shared the news on our company-wide Slack channel. 

What was the response like? And how have things been since your announcement in March?

I knew Metromile’s supportive culture would mean people would have my back in general but I wasn’t sure just how everyone would react – especially at a company that has over 350 employees across the nation. When I made my announcement over Slack, there was an outpouring of support – everyone was so kind and kept thanking me for sharing. At the end of that day, I cried tears of joy because I just hadn’t expected everyone to be so supportive.

Since then, things have been back to business – which is great. Colleagues do occasionally use my deadname or wrong pronouns but are quick to correct themselves. I knew from the beginning this was just something I was going to have to accept as people acclimated to the change. In my initial announcement, I explained that it’s okay to make a mistake but asked people not to make a big deal about it – just correct yourself and move on.

Any insights for others thinking about coming out at work?

I was lucky to have such a supportive environment when I came out at work and I know not everyone will have that same experience. However, I did find that it was extremely helpful to have a group of trusted colleagues when you’re thinking about or planning to come out at work. Having a friend in IT also never hurts as there are way more systems than you think where your email, username, or pronouns need to be changed.

Alerting your People Team/HR about any plans to come out is important as they are the first people you should go to should you experience any harassment or disrespect in the workplace. If you are in the middle of your gender transition and are changing your name, your HR team can also help navigate that name change on certain documents/internal systems. For someone like me who has not changed their legal name yet, I had our People Team change everything that does not need to match my current legal name. Once I get further along in my transition and legally change my name, I’ll go back to HR and remove my deadname from everything.

When I was coming out at work, I knew not everyone would understand what being transgender meant or why I was transitioning, so I posted an informational Q&A on our internal wiki page so people could refer to that if they wanted to learn more. I didn’t really expect everyone to understand it, however, I did ask for everyone to respect it and have been blown away by the amount of support I received.

Creating Fiercely Loyal Customers with Claims Rep Nikki

If you’ve ever had to file an auto insurance claim with another insurer, you know the process can be long, frustrating, and incredibly confusing. At Metromile, our claims team works hard to turn that experience on its head and support our drivers when it matters most. 

We recently spoke with Senior Claims Representative, Nikki G., to get an under-the-hood look at what life is like on the Metromile Claims team and how she’s helping to live our value of creating fiercely loyal customers.

Insurtech Careers: Metromile Claims Adjuster

What did you do prior to Metromile?

I spent more than four years working at a large, traditional insurer – almost three years as a total loss specialist years and then transitioned to non-injury auto claims with the same company. 

What brought you to Metromile?

While I enjoyed my previous insurance role, I felt my days were getting very monotonous. I missed being challenged in my job so I decided to look beyond traditional insurance carriers and see what else was out there. In my search, I found Metromile and liked that it was a younger, smaller, tech-based company. At Metromile I could tell I’d be more than just a number within a huge corporate environment., which was the experience I had at my prior firm. During the interview process, I felt immediately aligned with the culture and knew it was the place for me to work and grow as an auto insurance claims adjuster.

I first started out as a claims file owner for non-injury claims and although it was similar to previous jobs I’d held, Metromile’s training was incredibly thorough and I learned a ton of new skills. I was coached on how to become a better adjuster in the sense of gathering quality information versus just gathering the basics and going through the standard filing motions.

What does your job as a claims representative entail?

When I first started at Metromile, I was a file owner for non-injury claims but now I specialize in bodily injury claims with no attorney representation. For each case, I review statements, photos, video footage, police reports, and any other provided evidence to help me make quality decisions on liability and who is at fault. I also review the proper and applicable coverages for each specific case as it changes based on the state and can get a little complicated. After that, I look into any medical treatments that were needed as a result of the claim and then work on following up with billing and any bodily injury statements. It can be a lot of information to take in all at once but the biggest asset you can have – besides some organization – is to have confidence in what you’re doing. Thankfully, Metromile’s training program well-prepared me to take on complex claims cases with confidence.

One of the biggest parts of this job is having true empathy for the customers you work with. As a claims adjuster, you are helping them through a complicated and long process and it’s important to understand your customer to provide the best and smoothest claims process possible. Aside from that, it’s really important to build rapport with the customer as they have to be comfortable with their settlement agreements and feel taken care of when it comes to resolving any injuries. Customers also need to be well informed when it comes to offering fair and quality settlements to those involved so you need to have a good relationship with those you’re helping so they trust you to help them make a decision or settle a claim. 

What do you like most about working at Metromile?

In my day-to-day work, I love interacting and building relationships with my customers. A huge part of this job is making those connections with people and showing them that they aren’t just a number but that they’re valued customers and we at Metromile genuinely care what happens with their claims. I’ve been able to build lasting relationships with past customers I’ve helped – one customer still sends me adorable dog photos long after I helped him settle a claim! On top of that, I love the investigative process and being challenged to figure out what happened with each claim. I’ve learned so much about insurance claims and enjoy solving complex puzzles that include so many moving parts and parties. 

I also love the company feel of Metromile and how valued I feel as an employee. Our SVP of Claims, Jim, knows me by name – it’s the small things like that that really make a difference in your day-to-day work ethic and happiness. Throughout the pandemic, Metromile has also been super flexible and understanding when it comes to life outside of work and I can take time for myself when needed. 

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m working towards developing my skills around more serious claims to prepare myself for any attorney-represented bodily injury claims roles that’ll open up. These types of claims are a lot more in-depth and require more negotiation and working with a lot of parties. Aside from that, I’d love to go back into management and work towards a leadership position. 

Do you have any advice for those looking for new roles in the insurance space?

It’s scary to leave a company you’ve been at for multiple years and switch from a legacy carrier to a disruptor but, I can confidently say it was so worth it. Working within auto insurance claims isn’t always the easiest job in the world, but it’s very rewarding work. Especially here, our culture makes auto insurance fun and people log on every day not only to do their job but to build relationships with colleagues and customers as well.

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We’re building a community of drivers who come to Metromile for the savings and stay for the experience. Our diverse team combines the best of Silicon Valley technologists with veterans from Fortune 500 insurers and financial services giants focused on using technology to reinvent insurance as a tool for financial resiliency.

Check out open positions at Metromile or give our pay-per-mile auto insurance a try by taking a free Ride Along™ trial from the Metromile app.

How to Prepare Your Car for Summer

The following is a guest blog by Brian Shreckengast, a writer at SelfStorage.com.

Now that summer is here, you might think that you no longer have to worry so much about weather proofing your car. And while it’s true that warmer weather is generally easier on your motor vehicle, you’ll still want to take certain precautions to keep your car in tip-top shape – otherwise, you could end up with peeling paint or a blown radiator. There are really three big dangers to your car during the summer: heat, sunlight, and humidity. The following steps will help keep your car protected against these elements.

summer_car_maintenance

Problem: overheating. Solution: radiator checkup
One of the biggest causes of breakdowns during the summer is overheating engines. The risk of overheating is worse if your car is older and if you live in an area with high temperatures. The intense summer heat can put a lot of strain on your cooling system. Give your radiator a check-up, making sure that there are no damages to the radiator or hoses. It’s important for your radiator to receive good air flow, so clean up any dirt or debris that may be blocking it, and make sure the cap isn’t damaged.

Problem: overheating. Solution: refill coolant
After checking up on your radiator’s condition, make sure that you’re using the proper amount of coolant. Radiator coolant should be flushed and changed every two years. Ensure that you keep a 50/50 mix between distilled water and coolant.

Problem: battery damage. Solution: refill fluids
Battery fluid can evaporate in the summer heat and internal parts can be damaged. Check that the water level in each of the battery’s cells comes up to just below the cell’s inspection hole. If levels are low, carefully add more distilled water. Clean off the battery, as dirt can be a conductor and drain power. Pay attention to the terminals, as dirt or corrosion can weaken the power feeding into your car.

How Danielle recovered her 90’s Honda with the help of Metromile

Summer brings warmer weather, beach trips, and adventure but unfortunately, summer also correlates with a higher rate of auto theft across the country. Many think higher-end luxury vehicles would be the most targeted, but vehicles like 1990’s Hondas and early 2000’s pickup trucks have the highest rates of theft. 

Older, popular vehicles like Hondas are particularly vulnerable to theft as the key slots wear down over time and can be easily picked with a skeleton key (a device that acts as a master key for loose or older locks). 

San Diego-based Metromile customer Danielle couldn’t believe it when her 90’s Honda was stolen over a holiday weekend but knew she could turn to Metromile for help. We spoke with Danielle to hear more about what happened and how she recovered her car so quickly thanks to the Metromile app and Pulse device.

Metromile app helps recover Honda, one of the most commonly stolen cars

Recently, you had your car stolen. Can you share how it happened? 

Over Memorial Day Weekend, my family and I were using our car for various errands throughout the weekend and parked it right outside our apartment on Sunday night. We got up the next morning ready to do some holiday shopping but as we walked out of our apartment, we noticed our car wasn’t where we had parked it the night before. At first, we thought we had just misremembered, but my partner was adamant he had parked the car in front of our apartment and that’s when we realized it had been stolen. 

We immediately called the police and while my partner was explaining what had happened to the dispatcher, I realized we could try locating the car with the Metromile Pulse device. I opened up my Metromile app and sure enough, the car was close by.  While my partner was still on the phone with the police, I took our second car over to where the Metromile app said it was, and sure enough, we found it parked only a few blocks away from our home. 

What happened next?

Once we got to our car, we called the police back and had them meet us at the car to inspect it before we attempted to drive it. The police filed a report for the stolen car and then added that it was recovered so we had an official account of the incident. They then proceeded to inspect the vehicle for any damage, dangerous items, or evidence as to who stole it. Once they finished, they had us use our backup key to see if it would turn it on. Luckily it did, and we drove it back to our home without any problem.

Following the police officers’ advice, we immediately called a locksmith to repair the ignition barrel (part of the ignition switch and key slot used to turn on the car) since it had been damaged during the heist. From the moment we realized the car was stolen to when we had the ignition barrel fixed after recovering it only took a matter of hours. The best part was that thanks to the Metromile app, we didn’t have to replace the car – it was just fabulous!

Certain makes/models seem to be targeted more than others, do you have advice for other drivers of vulnerable vehicles?

Yes! Here’s what I learned from the locksmith:

  • Invest in an anti-theft device, such as audible alarms, steering wheel locks, brake locks, or a kill switch. While anti-theft devices can still be picked, anything that’s going to add extra time to the process of stealing is a huge deterrent as thieves prefer vehicles that are quick and easy to steal.
  • Contact the police regardless: even If you’re able to find your stolen car yourself,  always call the police and have them conduct a safety inspection before you turn it on and attempt to drive it away. You never know what happened while your car was gone or what hazardous material could remain. And, they might find evidence that leads them to the criminals who stole it. 

Not sure if your vehicle is particularly vulnerable to car theft? Check out NHTSA’s auto theft risk calculator to learn more about your car’s make/model. You can also check out Metromile’s blog for steps you can take to protect your vehicle.

The bottom line

As Danielle experienced,  bad things can happen to your car, even when you think it’s safely parked. That’s why it’s important to have the right amount of coverage and auto insurance you can rely on. Metromile has often reunited drivers with their lost or stolen vehicles, with an approximately 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate thanks to the Metromile Pulse device.* 

Not sure if Metromile is a fit for you? Take a Ride Along™ to try before you buy. Download the Metromile app and get a free auto insurance quote. You’ll keep your current coverage and drive as you typically would for about two weeks. Then, we’ll consider your actual driving to provide you with an accurate rate. You could even save up to an additional 15% off your quote in select states for your safe driving.

*As of February 2021

Bringing Insurance to Life with Brand Designer Angela

At Metromile, we pride ourselves on providing personalized and reliable auto insurance for low-mileage drivers. The design of our website and mobile app are integral to ensuring customers and prospects alike have a delightful experience no matter how they interact with us. We recently met with one of our designers, Angela L., to hear more about how she first got into design and helps bring the Metromile brand to life through visual design and imagery. 

Bringing Insurance to Life with Brand Designer Angela

You have a background in cognitive science, how did you end up working in design?

Ever since I was a toddler, I always loved to draw but it wasn’t until later when a friend introduced me to the world of digital art that I really started to get into design and illustration. When I went to college, I studied cognitive science, which focuses on the study of the human mind, but I still had a lingering interest in art. I met others who were actually pursuing a career in design and illustration, and I realized I could too. I ended up joining design clubs and surrounding myself with innovative and artistic students who pushed me to pursue a career in art and digital design once I graduated. My degree in cognitive science allowed me to blend my knowledge about the artistic process with my interest in psychology, which is why I felt like a career in design fit me well. 

How did you choose Metromile to start your design career?

After graduating in 2019 and doing contract work, I was searching for full-time design roles and was immediately captivated by Metromile’s existing illustration style and dynamic designs. I was particularly drawn in by how diversity and representation were shown through various illustrated personas where different skin colors, hairstyles, body sizes, and cultural practices were represented and celebrated – not just lightly alluded to. Metromile’s dedication to representing all types of customers in their imagery was a huge part of why I wanted to join the design team. 

On top of that, I felt the bright colors and playful illustrations fit my natural design style already, and I saw a breadth of opportunities to build upon the current designs while improving my own skills. Beyond fitting the job description, throughout the hiring process I loved talking with the recruiters and the team members I’d be working with and got a great sense of company culture and how I’d fit in with the broader Metromile team. 

What does your design work look like at Metromile?

When I first joined Metromile, a lot of my work focused on assuring our imagery was consistent with our values and overall personality across various platforms. I worked with everyone, from product designers to HR to internal communications, to help create and maintain a cohesive illustration style across every single one of our internal and external touchpoints.

Bringing Insurance to Life with Brand Designer Angela
Angela designs our quarterly customer newsletters, this illustration is from our Fall Extra Mile Newsletter.

As time went on, I realized that I loved helping out with the UX work, visual design, and even a little bit of the product design work. So with the help of my manager, I was able to take on projects that combined illustration and visual design. This allowed me to pursue my interests while honing my design skills. I recently contributed to a project by redesigning the visual experience of our Roadside Assistance flow in the Metromile app. It’s currently in production and I can’t wait to share it with our customers as it’s the first time I was able to utilize my design skills and be a part of the larger design process.

Bringing Insurance to Life with Brand Designer Angela
Angela’s work for our claims and liability coverage.

Since first joining Metromile, I’ve been able to advance my career and pursue my interests all while contributing to existing and engaging projects in real-time. For a company like Metromile, design is such a critical part of who we are and I’m incredibly grateful to contribute to and improve the customer experience. I’m thrilled to have found a position where I can utilize my knowledge in art, design, and cognitive science, and learn more about the product design space.

Road Trips That Can Be Done On The Cheap

If you’ve opted to forego the pricey European summer vacation in favor of a more budget-friendly road trip in the States, you’re already ahead of the game in terms of saving. But while low-cost accommodations and meals will undoubtedly cut costs, diving head-first into a spontaneous cross-country excursion could still result in a nasty surprise in the form of a scary credit card bill.

Carefully plotting out your journey from beginning to end will spare you any unpleasant financial surprises, and will take the guesswork out of where to eat, sleep, and sightsee. Here are some of the very best American road trips that can be done on a strict budget.

8 Road Trips That Can Be Done On The Cheap

  • Big Bear Lake, California
    The trip from San Francisco to Big Bear is just shy of eight hours—the perfect amount of time to blast your favorite Spotify playlists and still have time for some juicy podcasts. And if you’re in Los Angeles, Big Bear is the ideal quick and easy escape from the big city (it’s about 100 miles northeast of L.A. proper). The mountain resort is a perfect budget-friendly destination, thanks to its comprehensive website full of online coupons for everything from dining and shopping to lodging and recreation. There’s no cost to visit the destination itself, so with a little research, you can tailor-make a stay that’s totally affordable.
  • Antelope Canyon, Arizona
    You’ve seen the seemingly endless stream of Instagram pics—now it’s time to get your own stunning selfie. Antelope Canyon is easily accessible from a number of starting points, including Phoenix, AZ, Nevada, or Utah. The epic attraction is also close to the Grand Canyon, so if you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck, this route will pack plenty of action. The canyon is located on Native American Navajo territory and required an entry fee. You can try your luck with local tour groups at the canyon entrance or make a reservation ahead of time.
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
    If a 12-mile hike sounds like your idea of the perfect way to cap off a road trip, then consider driving Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. The high-altitude, 50-mile winding route connects the East and West passes of Glacier National Park, and includes access to the Highline Trail, a wildflower-dotted hiking path that’s not for the faint of heart—but totally free to try.
  • Florida Keys, Florida
    A short and sweet trip south of Miami is the two-hour drive from Key West to Key Largo. The quick escape is packed with historic sites like Victorian mansions and museums (the Hemingway Home was built in 1851 and it’s where the iconic writer lived from 1931 to 1940). And if you’re looking for a nature-based adventure, you can see hundreds of butterflies, birds, and tropical plants at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.
  • Great Lakes Seaway Trail, New York and Pennsylvania
    Get a serious history lesson on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, one of the first American roads to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The 518-mile route follows along the shores of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River and includes an astounding 40 state parks. Presque Isle State Park is one worthy stop in particular. The (free!) natural attraction is a 3,200-acre peninsula that features miles of beach.
  • Big Sur, California
    This central coast California destination is a must for outdoorsy types. It takes less than three hours to drive the 145 miles from San Francisco, and accommodations can be pretty cost-effective since campsites are plentiful (some cost as little as $15 a night, but you’ll have to make advanced reservations). If roughing it isn’t really your thing, you can indulge in some self-care without totally splurging—take a late-night dip in the healing waters at Esalen hot springs for just $35.
  • Canyon Country, Utah
    National park connoisseurs will definitely want to make an adventure out of a Southern Utah excursion. Within just 650 miles of desert, you’ll find five national parks that some people consider among the best in the country. Drive from Moab to Grand Junction in just 90 minutes, and you’ll have a chance to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands.
  • The Loneliest Road, Nevada
    Okay, yes, the name is a drag, but you’re bound to have a pretty great time traversing this largely-isolated section of U.S. Highway 50. Because the route follows the Pony Express path, there are actually quite a few must-see attractions on the drive from Carson City to Baker, including hot springs and old mining towns.

Before you hit the road, you’ll need to have a car insurance company that has you covered. If you’re not a Metromile customer, what are you waiting for? Visit metromile.com for a free quote today.

National Bike Month: How to Participate

May is National Bike Month, so we’re exploring ways to make commuting by bike easier and safer. Whether you ride your bike for fun, to get fit, to save the environment, or just to get around town, we’ve got recommendations on how to make cycling better for everyone. One way you can celebrate this year is by participating in National Bike to Wherever Day, on May 20th (previously Bike to Work Day). If this will be your first time participating or you’re nervous about jumping back into the saddle, here are a few tips to get you started.

biking_to_work

Plan your route. Google Maps is a good way to find bike-friendly streets by selecting the “bicycling” option. Keep in mind that your preferred route by car won’t always be the safest option while riding a bike. If you’ll be taking your bike with you on public transit, make sure there aren’t any limitations on how many bikes can be accommodated.

Check your bike. If your bike hasn’t had much action lately, double-check your tires and brakes. It’s also always a good idea to make sure your chain is well lubricated and free of debris. Take a short ride around the block just to make sure everything is in working order.

Safety first. Before leaving the house, put on your helmet and reflective clothing to help with visibility. Depending on where you live, there may also be legal requirements for a front and back light. Both are especially important when cycling at night. While riding, watch for opening car doors and follow regular traffic laws. Once you reach your destination, be sure to lock your bike securely.

Even if you won’t be able to bike to wherever this week, drivers can still help make the roads safer for cyclists. While driving, keep these quick tips in mind:

Pass with care. Give bicyclists a 3-foot buffer while passing, and on multi-lane roads, switch lanes to ensure there is plenty of room.

Exit safely. Always double-check for cyclists before opening your door.

Mind your speed. Increased speed can mean the difference between an injury and a fatality. Follow speed limits and use caution while driving near bicyclists.

If you find that you’re biking more often than driving, Metromile’s per-mile car insurance could help you save. Head over to www.metromile.com/insurance to learn more.

How Having a Hybrid Work Schedule Can Save You Money on Car Insurance

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of work culture as we know it. Work was dominated by office culture but since the public health emergency started in 2020, more companies have opted for remote work or a hybrid work schedule, and that’s here to stay. Even though there’s a “new normal” happening and a push to go back to the office, the uncertainty and rise of variants are keeping many employees working from home.

These work changes can lead to more savings, which is a bonus in a time of high inflation. You can spend less on gas and even lower your car insurance if working from home. Here’s how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted work schedules, changed driving habits, and how you might save on car insurance when you work from home.

Need Car Insurance? Work From Home Could Save You Money

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed the American workforce

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans drove to work and regularly commuted to offices and work sites. Often, drivers dealt with rush-hour traffic or long drives. In the spring of 2020, circumstances shifted, and the roads were emptier as droves of people started to work from home or lost their jobs.

By April 2020, a staggering 20.5 million people had left the workforce, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This was the steepest decline seen on record. Nearly 75% of the drop included service workers due to restaurants and bars shutting down. Though food and drinking establishments have opened back up, many places are struggling to retain or entice employees to return

In general, there’s been what’s dubbed “The Great Resignation” — which peaked in November 2021 with 6.3 million separations from employment, according to BLS data. On top of that, millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic due to a lack of childcare and paid family leave. 

Even as things return to a new standard of normal with some employees going back to the office, the Pew Research Center found that as of January 2022 59% of employees are working from home all or most of the time. This is down from 71% in October 2020. 

While some may like remote work or having a hybrid work schedule, it has led to difficulties for some people, notably parents who have childcare responsibilities and workers who might be putting in longer hours and suffering from online video conference fatigue.

On the other hand, some remote work converts don’t want to go back to the office. So much so that an October 2021 Gallup survey found that 30% of employees would consider finding new employment if remote work was no longer an option. 

Given these data points, it’s clear that nearly every worker has been impacted by the pandemic in some way. There’s been a shift in work culture with many employees wanting to keep a hybrid work schedule or fully remote option.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed driving habits

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, regular commutes and dealing with traffic were common hassles for many employees.

Metromile analysis of driving data in 2020 found that many drivers have changed how they drive, even if they recently picked up their driving. Weekday morning and evening commute-hour driving has been replaced with afternoon and weekend trips. 

Other drivers are spending less time on the road, continuing trends that began in the spring of 2020 when shelter-in-place orders and public health guidelines limited driving.

You can lower car insurance working from home

The shift in work culture has led to not only time savings but cost savings with gas as well. One benefit you may not realize is that you can also lower car insurance working from home. 

If you currently have a remote or hybrid work schedule, you are likely driving less often. If you’re driving less, then you should pay less for car insurance as well. 

You can get car insurance that is ideal for work-from-home employees which can lead to more savings. How? By opting for pay-per-mile car insurance. 

Pay-per-mile car insurance is the best car insurance if you work from home

Many drivers are currently saving money because they have pay-per-mile car insurance. Pay-per-mile auto insurance is a type of usage-based insurance, which means rates are based on how you use your car, most notably how far you drive. 

Your premium can adapt to your lifestyle in almost real-time, as you pay for the miles you drive. This can give you more control of your auto insurance costs.

If you spend more time at home or your work schedule has changed, you could save with pay-per-mile auto insurance.

Drivers pay a low monthly base rate and a few cents for each mile they drive. If you don’t often drive, you could save money.

Many Americans drive fewer than 40 miles each day and are considered low-mileage drivers. Low-mileage drivers can save up to 47%* a year when they switch to Metromile, according to a 2018 survey of new customers who switched and saved.

You can see if pay-per-mile auto insurance is right for you with a free Ride Along™. Download the Metromile app, and get a free auto insurance quote. Next, you’ll drive as you typically would for about two weeks (make sure to keep your current auto insurance coverage so that you remain covered during the trial), and you’ll see how much you could save if you switch car insurance companies. You could also earn an additional discount of up to 15%** off your initial quote in select states for demonstrating safe driving during your Ride Along.

The bottom line 

The pandemic has made sweeping changes in the work landscape in nearly all sectors. Some people have benefited from the changes and others have not. While everyone adjusts to the new reality, there’s one thing you can do to take back control — switch car insurance if you work from home. 

Given rising costs in all sectors, changing your car insurance if you work from home may help you save money. Instead of having a flat rate for premiums, get a rate that is fair and based on the miles you drive. If you have a hybrid work schedule or are a remote worker, pay-per-mile coverage may be an ideal fit for you. You can lower car insurance working from home and have a win-win situation. Get your own free quote with Metromile today. 

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Dear Debt. She’s a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.

* Average annual car insurance savings by new customers surveyed who saved with Metromile in 2018.

***Eligible drivers can save up to 15% on their initial quote with their safe driving in Oregon.