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Past behavior can predict future behavior, according to your car insurance provider. Even if you got a speeding ticket as a reckless twenty-something driver but you’re now a responsible and safe thirty-something driver, you could still be paying higher-than-average rates for your car insurance premiums. That’s a scary thought.

Many states use something called the “points system” to keep track of moving violations on a person’s driver’s license. Points are not a good thing (this isn’t a video game), and the more points you have on your driving record, the higher insurance premiums you may face paying. This is because more points = higher risk driver. As a high-risk driver, you are more likely to file an insurance claim. A good rule of thumb: the more serious a driving offense, the more points on your license.

How Points on Your License Affect Your Car Insurance Premiums

What kinds of violations will get points?

Well, speeding is the most common. The faster you were going at the time of the violation, the more points will be added to your driving record. For example: if you were going 10 mph over the posted speed limit, that is equal to 1 point. 11 to 20 mph over is 2 points. 40 mph over or more may be as high as 5 points. Ouch!

There are 18 states that consider texting and driving a moving violation and will add points to your license. Here are the states where that’s possible right now: Alabama, Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

DUIs are a more serious offense, and in many cases, the points system is skipped entirely and your license is suspended or revoked. When someone obtains a DUI, insurance companies go on high alert, as this indicates that the individual is an extremely high-risk driver. Some insurance companies will drop the individual’s insurance policy altogether, as they deem it simply too risky.

Non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, broken tail lights, etc. will not result in points being added to your license.

How long do the points stay on someone’s record?

In most states, 2 or 3 years. Every state’s rules are different, though, so be sure to check out the rules in your state before hitting the road. In Nevada, for example, points tied to minor moving violations (such as making an illegal U-turn or not coming to a complete stop) are removed after 1 year. In California, points tied to a major event – such as a DUI or hit-and-run – stick around on someone’s license for 10 years.

Click here to see the full breakdown by state.

How does my insurance company find out about points on my license?

When you apply for a new policy or renew a current policy, your insurance company will look into your MVR (motor vehicle record). If you are renewing a current policy and there have been changes since you initially applied for your policy, the amount you pay for your premiums may go up or down (depending on what’s been updated on your MVR). Keep your driving record clean and keep your green!

Do keep in mind that the rules in each state differ. Be sure to check out the DMV website in your state to find out more information on the points system. As always, Metromilers, we’re here to answer any questions you may have about your current policy. If you’re thinking of making the switch to Metromile, it never hurts to get a free quote – so why not get one today? Be safe and see you on the roads!

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. 

Have you ever gotten a sneaking suspicion that your car insurance company isn’t telling you everything? Like… you’re paying all this money every year for something you barely use (or think about, for that matter) and when you try to research it further, it becomes confusing AF to figure out?

Here at Metromile, that confusing feeling is the last thing we want our customers to feel. We work hard every day to provide transparency in an industry where there usually is none – the car insurance industry.

Whether you’re a current Metromile customer or thinking about making the switch, we want you to know that we value and respect you. We know that finances play an integral role in deciding which car insurance is right for you, so shall we count the ways in which Metromile is working to save you money?

7 Ways Metromile is Working to Save You Money

1. You only pay for what you use.

1. First and foremost, Metromile’s entire payment structure is based on only what our customers use. The less our customers drive, the more they save every month. That’s a win-win if we do say so ourselves!

2. You save based on how much you drive, not how you drive. Many other insurance companies will base your premiums on the quality of your driving; brake too hard one too many times and your bill goes up. Not at Metromile. Your bill is solely based on how many miles you drive during any given month and has nothing to do with your driving habits – we promise!

3. Road trip for less! Just because you have pay-per-mile insurance with Metromile doesn’t mean that you can’t take a road trip every once in a while! Metromile caps your daily mileage at 250 miles (150/day in New Jersey), so you can cruise the open road without fear of racking up a giant bill.

4. Pay less for the same great coverage. We know that having the right amount of car insurance coverage is important, which is why we have the same great coverage options, such as collision, comprehensive, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, etc. without paying exorbitant premiums like other car insurance companies.

5. Get access to amazing tools through the Metromile app. Through Metromile’s app, our customers have unlimited access to unique tools such as street cleaning reminders and vehicle diagnostics. Our app will save you money on parking tickets and trips to the mechanic ten times over! It’s just another perk we give our customers – you’re welcome.

6. We offer a multi-car discount. Got one car to insure? Great. More than one? Even better. Grab a free quote today and see how much you could be saving if you switch to Metromile! On average, our low-mileage customers save $611 per year. If you have multiple vehicles to insure, you could be saving even more!

7. Zero cancellation fees. Try out Metromile risk-free. If you decide that we aren’t the right fit for your lifestyle, you can cancel or switch with zero fees. We truly value our customers and want every person to feel that Metromile is a great fit for them. Don’t worry, we’ll be here when you decide to come back.

When you make the switch to Metromile, you truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain – including a trusted partner. Let us help make your car insurance one less thing you have to worry about. Grab a free quote today and see how much you could be saving by making the switch! See you on the roads.

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. 

We get it, accidents happen, and unfortunately, they are happening too often. Car crashes occur every minute of the day, according to National Highway Traffic Administration. That’s, on average, 1440 accidents per day – most of which are collisions. Within a split second your car could be totaled because of a minor mistake. When it comes to crashes, history continues to repeat itself. We see the same patterns contributing to collision accidents, over and over again. To make our roads safer, we’re sharing the most common collision types and tips for preventing accidents from happening.

Top Collisions and Tips for Avoiding them:

1. Rear-end collisions. You look down to change the radio station and look up and all of the sudden you are rear-ending the car in front of you. There just wasn’t enough time to brake. The NHTA states that over 29% of the crashes that happen on the road are rear-ended collisions. Rear-ends occur mostly at intersections, highways, highway off-ramps, and heavy-traffic areas. The more deadly rear-ends accidents happen when driving through roadway-construction or work zones.

• Tips to avoid: 89% of rear-end crashes occur because the driver was distracted. Deter your distracted driving, put down the phone, and even go so far as putting your phone on driving mode, and set your music for your car ride before taking off. Some other ways to prevent rear ends include: Keeping your focus on the road and cars around you and by not ever tailgating, be sure to leave enough space between you and the car in front of you. The rule of thumb is to drive 3-seconds behind another vehicle at ideal driving conditions. If the road is curvy, icy, wet, or there is low visibility give yourself more time and increase it to 6-seconds.

2. Parked-car collisions. You are jamming out to your favorite tunes and go to back out of your parking spot and a car is whizzing by, they don’t don’t stop and uh oh, you collide with one another. We’ve been there and have the bumper dents to prove it. These crashes usually occur when a car is leaving their parking spot or multiple cars are moving about in parking lot.

• Tips to avoid: When backing-up don’t just use your rearview mirror or back-up camera to check to see if there are cars approaching. Do it the old-fashion way and turn around and check your back windows to see if any cars are coming your way. If you park further out and away from the traffic areas, then it could help prevent any accidents since your car would not be surrounded by the congestion.

3. Hydroplaning collisions. After a rainstorm, you head out to run errands and when driving through an intersection your vehicle goes through a large puddle and you can no longer control it, because of this you hit a pole. This happens to many other drivers; wet roads cause more than 10% of traffic fatalities each year. When you hydroplane you have no control over the vehicle’s direction since the tires cannot make contact with the road which most likely will result in a crash.

• Tips to avoid: Make sure your tire tread isn’t too worn down, having good tread will allow for your tires to make better contact with wet roads. Drive slower when going through large puddles on the road and definitely save your cruise control feature for another day. If your vehicle does end up hydroplaning, stop accelerating, and don’t stomp your food on the brakes. Instead, apply a steady pressure and allow the car to coast into a lower speed.

4. Wildlife collisions. Did you know that instances of collisions with large animals nearly doubles during the fall season? In the U.S. an estimated 1.23 million deer-related accidents occur per year. Take those animal crossing signs seriously, you never know when you might be seeing a deer in headlights.

• Tips to avoid: If you drive through forest areas often, consider getting a deer whistle. The noise wards off animals and is designed specifically to attach to a car’s bumper. Other tips for avoiding animal collisions include using your high beam and keeping to the speed limit.

5. Side-impact collisions. Your making a left turn and another vehicle runs a light and hits you on the side of your car. In other words, you just got t-boned, ouch! Side-impact collisions involve any vehicle that has the right away but the other driver fails to stop. This type of accident causes 27% of passenger deaths according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

• Tips to avoid: Follow the rules of the road, pay attention to stop signs, red lights, and who has the right away. Don’t try to make the light before it turns red, instead drive the speed limit and slow down on yellow. Invest in a vehicle that has side airbags to protect your precious cargo inside.

6. Front-impact collisions. The roads are a bit slippery and you end up driving directly into a tree. The front end of your car looks like a crumpled piece of paper now. Front-impacts are 54% of all the auto accidents that occur and it is where the front of your vehicle hits another vehicle or another object.

• Tips to avoid: Adjust your driving to the weather; if it is raining or snowing, slow down and be more cautious. Doing so will help to give you more time to react in case your car loses control. Keep your eyes up and on the road and avoid texting and driving.

Even though these are the most common collisions happening it doesn’t mean they have to happen to you, stay safe out there. If you do happen to get into an accident, rest assured Metromile will have your back. We take great pride in providing a seamless claims experience that way you can get back on the road faster. To get a quote or learn more about how Metromile is changing the auto insurance industry go to www.metromile.com.

Kelsey Glynn is a blogger and owner of Social Graces, a business to support others in their social media needs. She is a contributing blog writer for East Valley Moms Blog, a social media content creator, and an avid photo taker. She is Metromile’s Senior Social Media Advocate and helps to maintain our online communities. You can catch her adventuring around AZ and living the mom life on Instagram.

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Or maybe you’re more of an iguana person. Wherever you fall on the animal spectrum one thing is for sure; animals hold a special place in our hearts. So much so that determining who gets separation anxiety – the pet or the human – can be quite tricky. And in the age of the “support animal,” it doesn’t matter really — furry (and not so furry!) friends are venturing into the real world, day in and day out. In fact, these days more and more companies are opening their doors to their employees’ pets, and many restaurants and airlines are following suit. The truth is, pets have become mobile.

Now that there is no need to leave your best friend at home all the time, have you thought about whether or not they’ll be covered in the case of a car accident? If you’re a Metromile customer, we have some good news; you don’t have to worry about it. Metromile policies (excluding WA and VA) include Pet Injury Coverage at no additional cost. So take that big road trip, because you can rest assured knowing Metromile has your back, and your pet’s too.

So how does Metromile’s pet coverage work? We’re glad you asked…

The Break-Down of Metromile Pet Injury Coverage:

• The definition of “Pet” in this instance includes cats and dogs only. Only pets owned by you or a relative will have coverage.
• The limits of liability for Pet Injury Coverage is up to $1,000 regardless of the number of pets involved in the accident.
• If you purchased collision coverage on at least one of your covered vehicles under your policy, Pet Injury Coverage is automatically applied.
• No deductible needs to be met in order to have this coverage apply.
• This coverage is applicable if your pet sustains injury or death inside your vehicle or any other vehicle you may be driving at the time of a covered accident.
• This coverage will pay up to $1,000 for reasonable and customary veterinary fees.
• If your cat or dog happens to pass away because of a covered auto claim then you will receive $1,000 death compensation minus any payments made towards veterinary expenses accrued.
• If your pet happens to be in the car (we don’t encourage anyone to leave their pet in their car while parked) while it is stolen and your pet is not recovered then you can receive up to $1,000 in compensation.

It’s important to note that Metromile Pet Injury Coverage is not the same as Pet Insurance. Metromile Pet Injury Coverage will only apply to your dog or cat should they sustain an injury in a covered auto accident. To cover your pet at all times, we recommend purchasing a separate pet insurance policy (at this time Metromile does not offer pet insurance). To take a closer look at your coverages you can download your policy contract when you log into your online dashboard or the smart driving app.

So – feel free to let those tongues and ears fly free with the windows rolled down and the music cranked up. If your tail-wagger is your go-to copilot in your car then make sure you purchase a policy from Metromile.

Kelsey Glynn is a blogger and owner of Social Graces, a business to support others in their social media needs. She is a contributing blog writer for East Valley Moms Blog, a social media content creator, and an avid photo taker. She is Metromile’s Senior Social Media Advocate and helps to maintain our online communities. You can catch her adventuring around AZ and living the mom life on Instagram.

Imagine you’re driving down the road and then suddenly and out of nowhere–screech and crash–someone hits you. Getting into a car accident can be one of the most stressful moments in someone’s life. Between the “is everyone okay?” gut reaction, the damage to your vehicle, and getting injured yourself, the last thing on your mind should be how much the accident is going to cost you. But what if you get into an accident with an uninsured (or underinsured) driver? What will your insurance cover?

Great questions. Let’s explore the answers to hopefully ease your mind if you ever hit the bad-luck jackpot and this happens to you.

What to Do If You Get Into an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

• • What will my insurance cover? This is probably the first and foremost question on someone’s mind as they start to put the pieces together after an accident. If you carry collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, your insurance company will pay for your vehicle damages less your deductible. Your insurance company would then pursue (subrogate) the other person or their insurance carrier for your deductible and any additional monies your insurance company pays out. If the other party is at fault and uninsured, you can utilize Uninsured Motorist Physical Damage (UMPD) coverage for your vehicle damages if offered in your state and you have it on your policy.

• What if I’m injured?If you are injured in an accident and the other party is at fault and is uninsured or carries inadequate bodily injury limits on their policy, you can pursue a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage.

When buying an auto insurance policy, make sure to discuss your personal insurance needs, coverage possibilities and necessary limits with your agent or insurance company. Looking into coverage with Metromile? We’re happy to offer both UIM coverage and collision coverage, so click here to get a free quote now!

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. You can find her working on her capsule wardrobe, collecting cacti, and trying out the latest beauty products on Instagram.

No one likes to admit they could use some improvement behind the wheel. But the fact is, accidents happen and they happen a lot (over 7 million times in the United States alone in 2016). While you can’t control many of the risks on the road, you can set yourself up to be as safe as possible.

7 Steps You Can Take to Become a Safer Driver

1. Forget about your phone. This is one of the most important (and simplest) things you can do to improve the safety of you, your passengers, and others on the road. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving — even when it’s a hands-free phone — is the equivalent of driving drunk. Scary, right? That means if you really want to reduce your risk, it’s best to refrain from talking.

And texting is definitely a dealbreaker. Sending a text may seem simple, but on average, it causes you to lose your focus on the road for 4.6 seconds. And if that doesn’t sound so bad, consider the fact that you can drive the length of a full football field in that amount of time. Even if you’re fully stopped, just keep your phone out of reach and pay attention to everything going on around you.

2. Keep your car in good shape. No, repairs aren’t cheap, but investing in the appropriate maintenance will ensure your vehicle is up to snuff and safe. Make sure you get routine check-ups for your tires, brakes, fluid levels, lights, wipers, and anything else indicated in your owner’s manual.

3. Buckling up is always a must. Your best defense in a crash is your seatbelt — no buts about it. No matter how far you’re driving or whether your passengers are riding in the front or back, every single person in the car should be wearing a seatbelt at all times.

4. Properly position your hands. Remember when your driver’s ed teacher insisted you keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions? Believe it or not, that 10 and 2 theory has been debunked. Guidelines have recently changed to instruct drivers to keep hands lower on the wheel, either at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4. The modified grip gives you more stability and control and it’s the most ergonomic option.

5. Only drive when you’re well rested. Getting behind the wheel when you’re seriously exhausted is seriously dangerous. Sleep deprivation can have the same effect on your body as drinking alcohol, and as you can imagine, make it incredibly difficult to pay attention and make fast decisions. And according to a 2010 study, one out of every six fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver. If you’re tired, find an alternative plan — it’s not worth the risk.

6. Keep a safe distance. It’s never a good idea to get too close to the other cars around you on the road. Maintain a safety cushion around your vehicle so you can see everything going on around you and you have room to act quickly if necessary.

7. Minimize all distractions. Now you know that looking at or talking on your phone shouldn’t be an option while driving. But ideally, eating, drinking, and searching for that perfect playlist shouldn’t be on your list of behind the wheel activities either. Whenever you’re in the driver’s seat, focus all your attention on the task at the hand.

Of course, accidents can happen despite your best efforts to stay safe. That’s why it’s so important to stick with an insurance company that has your back. Make the smart choice and visit Metromile today for a personalized quote.

Full tort? Limited tort? …. what’s a tort? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. If you live in Pennsylvania, you may know what tort is. For the rest of the country (attorneys excluded), tort is not only a cute nickname for a tortoise but is also a legal term meaning “civil wrongdoing – in civil law, a wrongful act for which damages can be sought by the injured party.” In other words: tort means that someone can seek legal action against someone else for causing damage to them during an accident.

Still confused where Pennsylvania comes into the equation? Let me explain. Full tort and limited tort car insurance options were instituted by the state of Pennsylvania in an attempt to decrease the number of pain and suffering lawsuits in Pennsylvania courts. Individuals who now purchase insurance in Pennsylvania are classified as either “limited tort” or “full tort.”

So, what’s the difference between full tort and limited tort? So glad you asked – you’ve been paying attention. Let’s discuss.

Full Tort

Regardless of the extent of the injury or damages, someone with full tort coverage is able to assert a claim for pain and suffering – so long as the accident was not their fault. Someone with full tort coverage is not obligated to first demonstrate that they received a serious injury from the accident before they can recover damages for pain and suffering. Because there is no threshold which must first be met, someone with full tort coverage can automatically assert a claim with their insurance provider for all of the losses they experienced from the accident, such as damages to the vehicle, medical bills, etc. – not just the out-of-pocket costs.

Limited Tort

The other side of this coin is limited tort coverage. Limited tort permits someone injured in a car accident to only recover for their out-of-pocket medical bills, wage loss, automobile repair costs, and other actual monetary loss. When someone elects to have limited tort insurance coverage, they are foregoing the right to pursue damages in a personal injury claim for pain and suffering and other similar damages, even in situations where they are not at fault.

The Exception to the Rule

BUT (and there is a but) – there is a limited exception to this general rule that permits someone with limited tort coverage to pursue a claim for pain and suffering where the injuries they sustained in the car accident were considered “serious.” Yes, serious in quotes, because “serious” injuries are not always clearly defined or proven. Of course, in cases where someone requires life-saving treatment following a car accident, those injuries sustained would be considered serious and allow full recovery for pain and suffering. The problem here is that in the majority of cases, the line that differentiates a serious injury from that of a non-serious injury is less clear.

So Which Tort is for You?

Limited tort is the more appealing option for many people because it’s less coverage and therefore less expensive. However, this choice could end up costing them greatly if they are ever involved in a car accident later on. Metromile offers both full tort and limited tort options for our customers in Pennsylvania.

Click here to get a free quote today and find out which coverage option is right for you! Be safe out there and see ya on the roads.

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. 

With the initial shock of the crash now behind you, it’s crucial to deal with the incident’s aftermath, including filing a claim with your insurance company. 

So, how long after an accident can you file a claim? When is it too late?

From serious to a minor fender bender, a car accident can have a significant effect on more than just your car insurance premium. 

When should you file a claim after a car accident?

Each state has different laws and statutes of limitations that govern when claims and lawsuits can be filed.

If you’ve gotten into an accident, you have until the end of the statute of limitations to file a claim in your state. Even if you’ve switched insurance companies or canceled your policy, you can file a claim as long as you had insurance coverage during the time of the accident.

All 50 states have these claims broken out into two categories: personal injury and property damage. Property damage also includes damage to your vehicle from a collision or because of natural disaster, theft, or vandalism (comprehensive coverage).

Take a peek below to see what the statute of limitations is in your state. If your home state isn’t listed, review Enjuris’ free resource. 

If state law notes that you have two years to file a lawsuit, this also means that you have two years to file a claim. After this period, however, you will no longer have legal recourse to recover any damages incurred from the crash.

Should I wait to file a claim after a car accident?

Filing a claim with your insurance company right away does have its benefits. If you file immediately after getting into an accident, you’re giving yourself time to file a lawsuit if negotiations are dragged out. 

Additionally, if you file an insurance claim right away, you have a greater likelihood of getting paid out by your insurance provider immediately. This is because the insurance company will have a better understanding of what the damage from the accident looks like, as opposed to further damage caused by you or others later down the road.

How should I file an insurance claim after a car accident?

As always, best practices after a car accident include: 

• Getting the other driver’s insurance details and contact information and writing down the vehicle’s license plate number
• Assessing the damage to your vehicle and taking photos of both the scene and all vehicles involved
• Filing a police report and writing down the report number
• Visiting the doctor if you are injured. Make sure to document everything and keep track of any paperwork, as you’ll need this information for a personal injury claim.

How does the claims process work at Metromile?

At Metromile, we try to make the claims process as painless as possible.

We have licensed insurance specialists available 24/7, which means you can file a claim whenever you’re ready. 

If you’d like, you can even file a claim from the scene of the accident on the Metromile app or website, assuming you’re safe and don’t need medical attention. 

We offer three ways for you to file a claim:

• From the Metromile app
• On the Metromile website, after you log into your account
• Over the phone by calling 888-595-5485

Unfortunately, filing a claim after a car accident isn’t always so easy. Some auto insurance companies have a lengthy claims process. If you’ve struggled with this before and are looking for a more straightforward approach, check out Metromile. 

Because the Metromile Pulse device is plugged into your car at the time, it can serve as a “virtual witness” of the accident, which can speed up the claims process. For example, you might be able to confirm details instead of providing them over and over again.

The bottom line

Each state has a different statute of limitations for both property damage to your vehicle and personal injury claims, but you should file a claim as soon as you can. 

Just because there is a long time frame for the statute of limitations in your state does not mean that you should wait the full period. You may want to give yourself time in case negotiations, or the claims process takes longer than expected. You can also get paid sooner if you file a claim sooner. 

If you don’t often drive and want a smoother claims experience, Metromile and pay-per-mile auto insurance may be right for you. 

You can see if Metromile is right for you with Ride Along™. Download the Metromile app for free to get started. After you get an auto insurance quote, you’ll drive for about two weeks with your current coverage (Ride Along is a trial and not an insurance policy) — no need to change your routine! Then, we’ll show you how much you could save with an accurate rate based on your actual observed driving.

With every season of life, there are bound to be changes. From your sweet sixteen to going off to college, getting married, having kids, and finally settling into retirement, your car insurance needs are going to change. Today, we’re talking to you, seasoned retiree – because your lifestyle needs haven’t stayed the same, which means your car insurance shouldn’t stay the same, either.

Often times, retirement can lead to a lot less driving because your life is changing drastically. Instead of the usual grueling commute to work each day, you may be riding your bike or walking – or you just drive less by taking the daily drive to work out of the equation altogether. Metromile might be the perfect car insurance solution for you – with Metromile, you pay a low monthly base rate plus pennies per mile. In this handy guide, we’ve compiled a guide to help seniors (like you!) research and get the best deal on car insurance.

Discounts and Rate Decreases

Generally speaking, people over the age of 65 can find great discounts on their car insurance. Why, you might ask? It’s because their mileage tends to drop, on average, from 10 – 15k miles per year to only 5 – 8k miles per year. That’s about a 50% decrease in the amount of driving that seniors are doing per year! So, because you’re on the road less, some insurance companies will see you as less of a risk and therefore might give you a low-mileage discount. That’s where Metromile comes in – we give all our customers, regardless of their age, a low-mileage discount 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

However, there is something else to keep in mind: on average, rates do tend to go up slightly once you reach the age of 75. According to the 2009 census, this is due to a higher percentage of fatal crashes that are caused by an elderly driver. So, even if you personally have never been in an accident or caused a crash, your rate could still go up based on this data. In some cases premium costs starts to increase rapidly after a driver turns 64. For a person who has stopped commuting, it makes no sense to pay more, especially if you’re driving less.

Finding the Right Amount of Coverage

When assessing your current policy, there may be a few ways to adjust your coverage and save some money:

• Your deductible: if you find yourself driving fewer miles than before, you may want to look into raising your deductible. This tactic will save you money in the long-term.
• The primary driver: if you’re no longer the primary driver of your vehicle (i.e. your child or caretaker drives you), you can look into saving money by changing the primary driver on your policy.
• Your coverage: if you’re driving significantly less than you used to, it might make sense to adjust your coverage level. For example, if you drop comprehensive or collision insurance from your policy, you will save money on your premium.
• A second vehicle: when you’re retired, you may find that you no longer have the need that you once did for a second vehicle. Dropping down to one vehicle on your policy is a great way to save some money and streamline your finances.
• Other insured drivers: with your kids out of the house, you’ll no longer need to cover them on your insurance policy. Reducing the number of people insured on your policy is another great way to reduce your expenses as a senior.

As a senior, there are many changes happening in your life – so why should your car insurance stay the same? Metromile’s pay-per-mile insurance may be a great option for you as you glide gracefully into your golden years!

– – –

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink.

Hide your phone chargers and take your wallet – if you live in an urban area, you already know to not leave anything in your car that could potentially attract thieves. Not leaving chocolate bars, lollipops, or anything that could potentially melt and cause a mess is also a no-brainer. But did you know that you shouldn’t leave a pair of glasses in the car? How about sunscreen? If these surprised you, keep reading to find out the eight things you should never leave in your car.

1. Glasses:
First up: glasses and sunglasses. If you’re thinking, “I have a pair of sunglasses in my car right now”, don’t panic. This rule is really only applicable if it’s a particularly sunny or warm day. Leaving glasses on your dashboard can cause the plastic to melt, warping your precious specs. Metal frames could become too hot to touch (let alone too hot to wear) due to the way that the windshield attracts and traps sunlight.

2. Medications:
Most medications, whether prescription or otherwise, are sensitive to temperature changes. On a hot day, a car can act like an oven, trapping in the heat; on a cold day, a car can act like a refrigerator, trapping in the cold. In order to ensure your medications retain the greatest potency, it’s important to keep them in a cool, dry place – and this place is not your car. If you have certain medications you take on-the-go with you every day, we suggest that you keep them in your purse or bag instead.

3. Wine:
Glass bottles are also very sensitive to temperature changes. If left in a hot car, the wine inside the glass bottle will expand and the bottle might burst or the wine might seep around the cork. If you don’t want to clean up a giant mess or have your car smelling like wine for weeks, it’s best to take your after-work purchase inside right away (and drink it, obvs).

4. Electronics:
Okay, if you leave electronics in your car in plain sight I won’t feel bad when someone breaks your window and steals them (harsh but true). However, not only are they thief-candy, but electronics and heat/cold do not mix. A car is not like a building – it doesn’t regulate heat in the same way. Once a car is not running, the temperature inside can fluctuate drastically and may cause irreversible damage to phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, etc.

5. Plastic water bottles:
Most modern translucent plastic is made from polyethylene terephthalate and contains BPA (the chemical that gives the plastic strength). When cold/room temperature, BPA is inert; however, when heated up, BPA can seep out of plastic and into the liquid it surrounds. Drinking water from a plastic bottle that’s been left in a hot car is quite dangerous for your health, as BPA has been linked to certain kinds of cancers. If you must leave water in your car, it’s much safer to do so in a glass, ceramic, or metal bottle.

6. Cosmetics:
Boys, this one doesn’t apply to you so keep scrolling. Ladies, we shell out a lot of cash for those expensive cosmetics – don’t let them get ruined by leaving them in your car! On a warm day, your NARS lipstick will turn into a waxy, red puddle. On a cold day, your Benefit mascara will freeze in the tube and become dry and unusable. Protect your cosmetics and don’t leave them in your car, as tempting as it is for a quick on-the-go touch-up.

7. Sunscreen:
If I surprised you by mentioning that sunscreen should never be left in the car, let me explain. The active ingredients in sunscreen break down when exposed to heat; the shelf life becomes shorter and the efficacy reduced. Additionally, you could be left with a big, greasy mess to clean up if the heat in your car causes the cap to blow off.

8. Flammable liquids:
All flammable liquids have a warning printed on the side of the canister. This includes hairspray, spray paint, aerosol cans (of any kind), lighters, etc. This is because, above these temperature recommendations, the contents of the pressurized canisters can expand and potentially explode. When dealing with combustibles, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Off to go clean out your car? Don’t worry – We won’t tell! Of course, you should never leave pets or children in a car, even if it’s just for a moment. As always: be sure to get a quote with Metromile today – it only takes a few minutes and could be the best switch you make all year!

Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink.