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How to Choose the Right Car Insurance Deductible

If you’re in the market for a new car insurance policy, it’s important to find the right coverage and deductible for you. Ultimately, how much protection you have and what you pay out-of-pocket are based on the type of coverage you get and the car insurance deductible you choose. It can be tempting to choose the highest deductible as that often results in a lower monthly premium. While that may result in savings in the short term, it could mean paying more in the long term. Find out what to consider when choosing a car insurance deductible for your needs, budget, and lifestyle.

How to Choose the Right Car Insurance Deductible | Metromile

What is a car insurance deductible? 

A car insurance deductible refers to the total amount a policyholder pays out-of-pocket before the insurance covers a qualified incident. For example, if you get into a fender bender that results in $2,000 of repairs and you have a $500 car insurance deductible, you’re on the hook for $500, and your car insurance company will cover the remaining $1,500. 

As a policyholder, you get to choose your car insurance deductible. What makes car insurance coverage different from other types of insurance is that you’re responsible for paying the deductible each time you file a claim

How does a car insurance deductible work?

If you get into a car accident or other type of incident covered under your policy, you’ll need to file a claim. This process can seem daunting, so it’s natural to wonder how does car insurance deductible work? 

Insurance providers typically take out your car insurance deductible from the indemnity payment — which is the money you receive from a claim. You may also pay the deductible directly to the repair shop fixing your vehicle

Your car insurance deductible is your responsibility and must be paid before your insurance provider covers the rest. 

What are deductibles based off of?

As a consumer, you can typically choose a higher deductible and score a lower car insurance premium. On the other hand, you can select a low car insurance deductible and a higher premium, while lowering your out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. 

However, car insurance coverage — including the car insurance deductible and the monthly premium you pay — is calculated based on risk. Your insurance provider sees each situation a bit differently. 

Generally speaking, the idea is that if you have a high deductible — such as $1,000 or $2,000 — you may be less likely to file a claim for repairs and therefore considered less risky to your insurer. Remember that you pay your deductible and then have your insurance cover the rest. But if any damage or repairs are less than the cost of your deductible, then it’s not worth filing a claim. 

On the other hand, if you choose a lower car insurance deductible between $100 and $500, the probability of you filing a claim goes up. That means you’ll likely pay a higher monthly premium and be considered more of a risk to your insurance provider. 

The amount you choose for your car deductible can depend on your driving history, lifestyle, risk tolerance, and financial situation. 

When do you pay the deductible for car insurance?

You don’t have to pay your car insurance deductible when selecting a car insurance policy. Instead, you pay your car insurance premium. You have to pay your car insurance deductible when you make a claim. 

The car insurance deductible can be payable to either your repair shop or your insurance provider, depending on the amount, your plan, and your provider’s general deductible policy. Oftentimes, you’ll pay your deductible directly to your repair shop, and your insurance provider will take care of the remaining bill.

But remember, ultimately, paying your deductible is up to you. If you would rather not submit a claim, you don’t have to pay your deductible, but you will be responsible for the entire cost of your repair.

What are the different types of auto insurance deductibles? 

When you choose an auto insurance policy, you sign up for a specific type of coverage that can help out in certain situations. In many cases, these coverage options have deductibles. 

Comprehensive coverage 

Comprehensive coverage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in situations outside of a standard collision. So if your car gets damaged in a freak hailstorm or hit by a deer, or ends up being stolen, comprehensive coverage will come to the rescue. This type of coverage is typically sold in tandem with collision insurance. 

Collision coverage 

Collision coverage offers coverage for — you guessed it — in the event of a collision. It doesn’t matter whether you’re found at-fault or not. This type of coverage helps cover the cost of repairs or any needed replacements if there’s an incident. 

Uninsured and underinsured coverage 

Another type of coverage is uninsured and underinsured coverage. In the event you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist or one with limited coverage, this type of insurance can help cover costs. Considering that 1 in 8 motorists are uninsured, it could be a smart idea. This may not be offered in every state or by every insurance provider. 

Personal injury protection (PIP) 

Medical costs are a concern for many people. Personal injury protection insurance can help cover medical costs after an accident regardless of who is found at-fault. Some states like New Jersey require this type of insurance as it’s considered a “no fault” state. But not all states do, and it can be up to you whether to get PIP coverage or not. 

How do I choose the right car insurance deductible amount?

Figuring out the right car insurance deductible amount can be tough. It’s important to evaluate your budget, risk tolerance, driving history, and coverage needs. If you choose a higher car insurance deductible, it’s likely you’ll have a lower premium. That may be good day-to-day, but it may mean your insurer will cover less. If you do need your car insurance, make sure you can afford your deductible or have that amount saved in an emergency fund. 

If you select a lower car insurance deductible amount, it’s likely your premium will be higher. While you’re paying more now, if something happens down the line and you get into an accident, you’ll pay less out-of-pocket then. 

Your deductible amount should be something you feel comfortable paying or have easy access to in an emergency fund, or as a last resort, a line of credit. The last thing you want is to get into an accident and stress about a high deductible that feels out of reach. 

But you also don’t want a premium that feels like it’s hurting your budget each month. That’s why it’s a delicate balance, and you want to find the right amount for your budget and needs. 

Select a deductible amount that feels doable for you. Even if you have a spotless record, remember things happen. It’s also important to be aware of what exactly is covered in your insurance policy. 

For example, if you opt for liability-only that covers damage and injury costs for the other driver if you’re at fault. On the other hand, comprehensive and collision insurance can cover accidents, theft, and weather events that can come out of nowhere. 

You can choose the deductible amount for each type of coverage, so if you think you are a safe driver, it might make sense to have a higher collision deductible (where you can often prevent a crash) versus comprehensive (where the events are typically out of our control).

The bottom line 

If you’re looking for a new car insurance policy, you want to pick a car insurance deductible amount that works for you. That means considering your risk levels, needs, finances, and more. You also want to make sure you have the right coverage to protect yourself in various situations. And if you don’t drive very much? You can pay less with pay-per-mile car insurance with Metromile. If you’re still paying for miles you aren’t driving, it’s time to rethink your auto insurance coverage. Grab a free quote with Metromile today.

How Will Car Insurance Work For Self-Driving Cars?

Self-driving cars can seem like something from the future, but the future is closer than you think. In fact, many manufacturers  have already rolled out some self-driving features. While an official rollout of fully autonomous cars hasn’t happened yet, self-driving cars could hit the market in the next few years. Imagining cars without a human driver is tough to reconcile and brings a lot of questions and concerns. Will self-driving cars be safe? Will they be affordable? How will car insurance be affected by self-driving cars? Based on new research from Metromile and The Ferenstein Wire, this new technology stands to revolutionize the auto landscape and could save consumers $1,000 in car insurance every year. Read on to learn more about car insurance and self-driving cars. 

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The self-driving cars landscape 

Fully self-driving cars, also sometimes referred to as autonomous cars, aren’t sold to the public yet. But as noted above, automated driving systems are already in some vehicles, helping take some of the load off the driver, and are currently being tested. 

Currently, many top car manufacturers are working to make autonomous vehicles (AV) a reality and testing out the technology to move things forward. 

Where we’re at with self-driving cars 

Self-driving technology is moving forward rapidly, but full-on driverless vehicles aren’t a thing just yet. For some context, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has outlined the various automation levels from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Currently, we’re at level 2. These levels of automation are:

  • 0 = No automation, where the driver is fully responsible
  • 1 = Driver assistance, where some features assist the driver
  • 2 = Partial automation, which includes automated functions such as steering and acceleration, but the driver is still responsible and needs to remain present and engaged
  • 3 = Conditional automation, where a driver is needed but isn’t tasked with monitoring the environment and must be ready to take over when needed
  • 4 = High automation, where the vehicle can perform all driving requirements under certain conditions, and the driver may be able to take over as needed
  • 5 = Full automation, where the vehicle can perform all driving requirements during all conditions, and the driver may be able to take over as needed 

So while more vehicle manufacturers are adding self-driving features to their cars, we’re still a few years out from a fully autonomous vehicle. The NHTSA predicts that by 2025 and beyond, fully automated safety features will be available and on the market. 

Currently, General Motors is looking to manufacture one million self-driving vehicles by 2030

Self-driving cars and insurance issues

One of the primary questions with self-driving cars is if there will still be a need for car insurance. Car insurance providers assess a driver’s risk on the road, among other factors, and offer various types of coverage in the event of property damage, bodily injury , and more. 

In many cases, incidents occur because of the driver. So what happens if you no longer need the driver or the risk is seriously reduced? Will it be the driver’s fault or the auto manufacturer’s fault? 

In response to questions like this, the NHTSA states:

“It is vital to emphasize that drivers will continue to share driving responsibilities for the foreseeable future and must remain engaged and attentive to the driving task and the road ahead with the consumer available technologies today. However, questions about liability and insurance are among many important questions, in addition to technical considerations that policymakers are working to address before automated driving systems reach their maturity and are available to the public.”

Car insurance claims for property damage

So even though self-driving cars can reduce the risk of an accident and make establishing fault a bit murky, there will still be a need for car insurance. 

According to the Insurance Information Institute, car insurance claims around accidents may be reduced, but there will still be a need for coverage when it comes to property damage or loss due to theft or inclement weather. 

The cost of repairing self-driving vehicles may be higher 

Additionally, it’s important to note that the overall cost of repairing self-driving vehicles may be higher. 

Given the technology of autonomous cars, including various sensors, cameras, and other equipment — when repairs are needed, the cost will likely be at a premium and not something your local mechanic can fix. 

Insurance underwriting and claims 

As technology shifts, so will the car insurance industry. Underwriting criteria and liability insurance will likely be reimagined. 

Claims for accidents may be reduced and the Insurance Information Institute notes that healthcare, disability, and workers comp claims from auto accidents may be reduced as well. Since many car accidents are caused by human miscalculation, error, or judgment, self-driving cars may end up lowering car insurance rates. 

What the future holds for autonomous cars and insurance 

There’s no doubt that autonomous cars will be a reality faster than we think. What that looks like from an insurance perspective is complex. Each state has its regulations as it relates to auto insurance. On top of that, each state deals with liability for injuries differently and has different minimum requirements for coverage. 

One of the persisting questions is who will pay in the event of an incident ? Though the NHTSA states that the liability will be shared, how that works and actually breaks down will need to be clarified. Will the insurance company subrogate the AV manufacturer if the technology failed and the operator was not at fault? These nuanced situations and important questions will need to be answered. 

Given all of these factors, self-driving cars can create insurance issues that will need to be dealt with. On top of that, it’ll be an adjustment for consumers as well. 

According to a 2021 JD Power Study on self-driving cars, 41% of respondents are comfortable with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as the highest level of automation, and only 14% of respondents are comfortable with fully self-driving cars. 

In the coming years, car insurance may look different, and consumers may see autonomous cars on the market. 

The bottom line 

Car insurance for self-driving cars might look different than what you’re used to today. At Metromile, we will have the ability to adapt our signature pay-per-mile insurance to autonomous vehicles as they enter the market. For now, low-mileage drivers can use pay-per-mile technology to pay less for car insurance. You pay for gas by the gallon, so why not pay for insurance based on the miles you drive? Get a free quote with Metromile.


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.

Choosing the Right Car Insurance Deductibles

If you are shopping for new car insurance (or updating your current policy), one of the factors to consider when getting a quote is choosing the deductible amount. It might seem enticing to pick the highest deductible since that often equates to a lower monthly premium. But saving a few bucks in the short term might mean you pay more in the long term. Let’s break down how car insurance deductibles work, with the help of our friends at The Zebra.

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Your car insurance deductible is the amount of money you have to pay if something happens to your car before your insurance kicks in, after a covered event (such as a crash, theft or weather damage). For example, if your car needs $2,000 in repairs and your deductible is $500, you will have to pay $500 and your insurer will cover the remaining $1,500. Many insurance providers (including Metromile) will take the deductible out of the indemnity payment (the money you receive from a claim), or the deductible will be paid directly to a repair facility if you choose to fix your car. Car insurance deductibles work differently than other types of insurance deductibles, such as health insurance. Your health insurance deductible applies across the calendar year, but your car insurance deductible will be applied for each claim you file. So if you submit two car insurance claims in a year, you will have to pay your deductible each time.

So how do you choose the right deductible amount for your needs? If you choose a higher amount, there is less chance that the insurer will have to help pay for damage, so your monthly premium might be lower. If you choose a lower deductible, your premium might be higher, but that means you will have to spend less money in the event that something happens to your car. The Zebra advises that you shouldn’t just choose a high deductible in hopes that you will never have to make a claim. There are always things beyond our control (like vandalism and bad weather), so if something happens and you can’t pay for repairs, that’s bad news.

Comprehensive & Collision Coverage 101

The following guest post is written by Neil Richardson, an advisor for The Zebra, which is the nation’s largest car insurance comparison marketplace. An insurance nerd through and through, Neil has helped tens of thousands of customers understand and secure auto insurance with his expertise and unique knack for translating complex industry jargon into plain English.

When you are insuring a valuable asset like your vehicle, you want to be aware of the ins and outs of your policy before you give your payment information, not at a crucial time like a claim. “Full coverage” is often used as a blanket statement to describe an insurance policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, but it isn’t that simple. Understanding your coverage before something happens will help you avoid a potentially disastrous outcome like being stranded on the road because you thought your “full coverage” policy provided roadside assistance or medical coverage when it may not.

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So, What Is “Comprehensive and Collision” Anyway?

Physical damage coverage, which is the part of your auto policy that covers your vehicle, is described as “comprehensive and collision.” Technically, they are two separate types of coverage, though they are often coupled, and they extend beyond state minimum liability insurance requirements (which cover the other driver in a collision).

When you finance a vehicle, you are required to carry both comprehensive and collision coverage, and this is normally when you will be told that you need a “full coverage” policy. Lenders require this coverage in addition to the state minimum because it will cover your vehicle against damage due to accidents (collision coverage) and many scenarios other than accidents (comprehensive coverage), which is important to those lenders since you don’t yet own the car outright.

Comprehensive coverage is a catch-all for incidents that aren’t considered “accidents” like hail, flooding, or vandalism damage. When getting an insurance quote, you will need to choose a deductible amount. If you are financing your vehicle, then you will want to confirm what deductible option you are required to carry based on your loan paperwork. The option you select is the amount that you agree to cover (read: pay) if you have to file a claim. Once your deductible has been paid, then the insurance company will fix the remaining amount of damage.

The Art of Selecting Your Deductible

Most people who have comprehensive and collision on their policy will carry $500 deductibles, but there are many other deductible options which typically range from $250-$1,000. The total cost of an insurance policy is often largely dependent on the deductible selected. The lower the deductible, the more expensive the policy, but also the less you will have to pay if something happens to your car. Most agents will let you know what the difference in premium looks like among the options so you can decide which one makes the most sense for your situation.

Did you know that a number of insurance companies (including Metromile) also allow you to select individual deductible options for comprehensive and collision? Generally speaking, collision coverage is much more expensive than comprehensive, so you may consider having a $500 deductible for collision but select a $250 option for comprehensive and only see a slight difference in your premium. The important thing to keep in mind is that you have options. Editor’s note: If you are considering switching to Metromile, our licensed agents are happy to help determine the best coverage and deductibles for your needs!

Three Car Insurance Add­-Ons to Keep Your Car Out of Trouble

Next in our “buying a car” series is a guest post from our friends at The Zebra. Enjoy!

After the unmistakable joy a shiny new car brings, comes a glimmer of worry. Namely, just how to keep your new ride in tip­top condition. That’s where insurance add-­ons can help: in addition to the main components of liability and comprehensive insurance, there are optional coverages that can make a major difference in the protection of your vehicle — and yourself. Many insurance companies offer a long list of ancillary policy features, with everything from custom equipment to pet injury coverage, making it hard to tell which add-­ons are worth the extra bucks, and which to ditch. Here, we’ve compiled three add­-ons you should consider, and when they might come in handy.

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Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a vital policy add­-on for anyone that doesn’t have a full coverage health plan or simply has no medical insurance at all. PIP protects you — and your passengers — against personal injury by covering medical expenses, such as medical and surgical treatment, ambulance fees, medication, and in some cases, lost wages and rehabilitation services. And since PIP is a “no ­fault” coverage, even if you are determined to be at ­fault in an accident it wouldn’t limit your use.

PIP coverage benefits vary based on state, insurer, and the specifics of the policy, but typically can provide anywhere from $1500 to $250,000 in personal injury coverage. Considering that in the United States 2.35 million people are injured or disabled in car accidents annually, PIP coverage is often well worth the price.

Uninsured Motorist

There are three main reasons to opt to carry uninsured motorist coverage. One: You want protection against hit and run collisions. Two: You live in a state with a large population of uninsured drivers (you can refer to our table on uninsured drivers by state). And, three: the minimums for insurance required by the state you reside in are too low to cover all accident-related expenses. If any of these match your situation, you’ll definitely want to add uninsured motorist coverage to your policy.

How “Aware” of Insurance Are You?

Wedged between Flag Day and the Fourth of July is the summer holiday you probably didn’t know you needed: Insurance Awareness Day. That’s right—June 28 is the day Americans are encouraged to educate themselves on their current policies and make sure they’re getting the coverage they need. We’re not totally sure what constitutes an appropriate way to celebrate this annual event (would streamers and balloons be overkill?), but we do know the day is a great excuse to get familiar with the ins and outs of insurance and feel confident that you’re covered.

pay-per-mile car insurance

While Insurance Awareness Day may not get the same Hallmark treatment as some other national commemorations, the holiday is worth recognizing. After all, according to a survey from car insurance comparison marketplace, The Zebra, 81 percent of consumers say they have the coverage they need, but 99 percent failed to correctly identify 10 basic coverage types and terms. Potentially more shocking? Twenty-two percent of respondents didn’t even realize they’re required by law to have car insurance. Scary, right?

You may know a thing or two about car insurance (or you may be part of that twenty-two percent—that’s okay! No judgment!). No matter how much knowledge you think you’ve got, it’s always a great idea to brush up on the basics and feel safe, secure, and satisfied with your coverage.

Why Insurance Coverage Is a Must

While most people do know they need car insurance, far fewer probably know why. Like any other kind of security, car insurance protects you (and your passengers) in case of an unexpected incident, like an accident, theft, damage, etc. Every state requires drivers to have some kind of insurance plan, but the specific requirements vary based on location. Regardless of where you live though, the local law does require you to prove you can pay damages in the event of an accident.

It seems straightforward, but car insurance can get a lot more complex than that. There are various types that offer different levels of protection; some are required and some are optional. Understanding the factors that go into determining the type of coverage you need can help you find a plan that’s got your back at a premium that won’t break the bank.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Policy

Unless you’re an insurance professional, chances are you’re a little perplexed by all the paperwork that comes with coverage. Getting to know a few key terms can help you get up to speed:

    • Declaration page: This refers to the first page (or several pages) of your policy that states the name of the person insured, their address, the insurance provider, the policy term, coverage limits, and other key facts about the plan and who it’s covering.
    • Coverage: This one seems simple, but there are various types of car insurance coverage available:
        • Bodily Injury (BI) coverage is required by most states to cover costs related to injuries or deaths to other people in the event of an accident that’s your fault.
        • Property Damage Liability (PD) covers the cost of damages to someone else’s property if you’re at fault in an accident.
        • Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) covers you in an accident if other driver is at-fault and uninsured.
        • Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UIMBI) is very similar to UMBI but pays up to the limit for expenses in case the other driver is at-fault for the accident but can’t cover your costs because of their own plan’s insufficient liability limits.
        • Medical Payments could pay the medical deductibles and copayments that aren’t covered by your health insurer, or the insurer of any of your passengers.
        • Comprehensive coverage can be helpful if your car is stolen or damaged in ways that don’t involve a collision.
        • Collision coverage covers you if your car collides with another object (like a car, a brick wall, a tree, etc).
        • Collision Deductible Waiver coverage isn’t available in every state, but if you have it, your collision deductible will be waived in case you’re in accident with an uninsured at-fault driver.
        • Underinsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage pays for damages to your car if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
    • Deductible: The out-of-pocket amount you have to pay after a covered event (like an accident, theft, or weather damage) before your insurance kicks in. It’s basically your financial responsibility in case anything happens. For example, if your car requires $5,000 in repairs, and your deductible is $1,000, you’ll have to pay $1,000 before your insurer will pay the remaining $4,000. Your car insurance deductible will be applied for each claim you file (unlike health insurance deductibles which apply across the calendar year). That means if you submit two car insurance claims in a year, you’ll have to pay your deductible both times.
    • Premium: Your premium is the amount of money you pay your insurer to provide coverage for qualifying claims. The amount you pay is based on a variety of factors, including type and amount of coverage you want, the type of car you drive, your location, your driving record, your credit history, your age, your gender, and marital status.
    • Claim: A demand made by the insured person for provide coverage and compensation from the insurance company in the event of a loss, subject to the terms of the insurance policy contract.
  • Risk Assessment: This is how likely the insurer thinks it will be that you’ll file a claim, based on your driving record and other factors—this determines your rate.

How to Pick The Coverage That’s Right For You

To say car insurance is confusing is a major understatement. To know which kind of coverage you need, it’s best to ask yourself a series of questions so you can figure out the right policy for you. Here are some things to consider:

  • How much coverage do you need (and what’s required by your state)?
  • How much do you drive?
  • What’s your risk assessment?
  • Who will the policy cover?
  • What will your deductible be?
  • Is your car leased or financed?
  • Will you be driving for work?

Still confused? We don’t blame you—auto coverage can be a thorny issue. To ring in Insurance Awareness Day this year, why not visit metromile.com? You’ll find lots more information and have the chance to get a free quote. Now that’s the perfect way to celebrate.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

Rental Car Safety Tips

If you’ve ever owned a car, you know the intimate bond that’s forged between driver and vehicle over time. You get to know this car — it’s your car. It might even have a name, a personality, a special skill (for example, my 1996 beauty goes by Lexi, she’s quirky but dependable, and she’s so scratched and dented, no one tries to mess with her).

Rental-Car-Safety-Tips

But when you don’t get behind the wheel often enough to merit a car purchase or you’re traveling far and need to leave the wheels behind, you might need to invest in a rental. And while a rented ride can be pretty sweet, it can also feel unfamiliar and kind of freaky. You never want to be uncomfortable on the road — tension and anxiety aren’t your allies when you’re trying to stay safe. Luckily, practicing a few simple strategies when you pick up your rental can help you find your cool and feel confident in the driver’s seat.

Rental Car Safety Tips

    1. Make sure your insurance plan includes car rental coverage. Most Metromile policies do transfer to rental vehicles, so if you’re a Metromile customer, you’re probably good to go. If you’re not sure what kind of coverage you have, contact your carrier ASAP and work out the details before you reserve your rental. Insurance is a must whether the vehicle you’re driving is yours or someone else’s — iron out the logistics ahead of time.

    2. Inspect your car at the lot. You might be stoked to drive off into the sunset in your new ride, but don’t leave the lot without doing a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Take a look at the mileage, look for dings and scratches, and check the tires and fluid levels (and make sure that gas tank is full!). You might also want to open the trunk and make sure you have the correct tools to change a tire if necessary.

    3. Cover the basics. Before you drive off, talk to the rental agent about who you should contact if the car breaks down, you misplace your keys, or you mistakenly leave them in the vehicle. Be sure to write the contact information down and keep it on you at all times (storing the info in your phone is great, but what happens if you accidentally lock that sucker in the car along with your keys?).

    4. Get familiar. Even if you’ve been behind the wheel since high school, all cars are different — your rental will likely have some quirks you’re not familiar with. Take a few minutes to adjust your seat and mirrors, locate the turn signals and light switches, and take a brief lap around the lot to make sure you feel confident.

    5. As always, buckle up. It should go without saying, but seatbelts are a must, no matter which car you’re driving. Don’t forget to secure your belt before you go.

    6. Study your geography. If you’re in a new area, be sure to take a good long look at a map, consult your GPS, and plan your route ahead of time.

    7. Eliminate the distractions before you drive. If you know you’re going to want to listen to the radio or play music on your phone, figure out the technical logistics before you start the engine. Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents — stash your phone somewhere where you won’t be tempted to glance at it, and prepare to focus all your attention on the road.

Whether you’re traveling for work or gearing up for an epic summer road trip, taking basic precautions will help keep you safe in your rental car. Need insurance coverage that will have your back, wherever you go? Visit www.metromile.com today for a free quote.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

Metromile Claims, By The Numbers

There were over 4.5 million car accidents involving property damage in the U.S. last year. And while not every accident turns into a claim, and not every claim is handled by Metromile, we still care. Why? Because we’re building a seamless claims process so that even the most minor fender benders can be resolved quickly and you can get back on the road faster.

So today, we are taking a look at all the claims we resolved in 2017, and how the whole process was made simpler with the help of data, science, technology — and a little bit of magic.


*Based on 2017 Metromile Claims Data.

Want to learn more about our experimental approach to building a better claims experience?

The best way to get to the truth of what low-impact and hit-and-run crashes would look like to the Pulse and AVA is to truly measure those collisions in the field. So that’s precisely what we did. We found a couple of used cars and put Pulse devices in them. Then we crashed them. Over, and over again.

Should I File a Claim with Their Insurer or Mine?

You’re driving along, minding your own business (maybe singing along to some questionable throwback tracks) when bam! — another driver ruins your day. You’re fine, but now you have to deal with the aftermath of the accident. It’s clear to everyone involved that you were the innocent party in this scenario — so do you still have to file a claim with your insurer?

Should-I-File-a-Claim-with-Their-Auto-Insurer-or-Mine

It’s a common point of confusion for drivers, but there are some simple ways to assess how best to proceed so you can get back on the road and get on with your impromptu in-car karaoke sessions. There are two directions you can take after being involved in an accident where you are not at fault.

Filing a Claim With Your Own Insurer

If you have collision coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance provider. They’ll pay for the repairs to your damaged car, minus any deductible you have on the collision coverage on your policy. Your company will then pursue the other driver’s insurance company for reimbursement of the claim, including your deductible. This process is called subrogation.

Using your own collision coverage makes sense when the other insurance carrier is unresponsive, has a coverage issue with their own insured or is completing a lengthy investigation. Your insurance company will be in a position to get your vehicle repaired and back on the road in a timely fashion and then subrogate for any monies paid out including your deductible.

Filing a Claim With The Other Driver’s Insurer

If you are not at fault for an accident, do not wish to pay your deductible or you do not have collision coverage on your policy, you can pursue your claim through the other party’s insurance carrier. The other carrier will ensure coverage is in order for their insured and complete a liability investigation to determine who was at fault for the accident. Once the other party’s carrier has accepted liability for the accident, they will handle your damages.

They may require you to get an estimate of the damages to your car, work with you to identify a body shop or have you send them photos of the damage to your car. They will then pay for the damages to your car as well as pay for a rental car while yours is being repaired.

Always Call Your Insurer No Matter Where You File A Claim

Regardless of which company you decide to file a claim with, you should report the accident to your own insurer. Reporting the claim to your own insurer puts them in the best position to handle your damages should any delays occur with the other party’s carrier. Metromile policyholders should report all claims.

Still have questions? Need coverage? Visit metromile.com today or call 1.888.242.5204 to get a quote today.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.

How to Handle a Hit & Run

Look, If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, you’ve likely experienced any number of emotions ranging from fear to anger and everything in between. But if that accident was a hit and run, you may have also been left feeling confused and hopeless. After all, how do you claim your rightful compensation for damages and injuries if the person at fault has fled the scene? Luckily, there are some specific procedures and policies in place to protect hit and run victims — here’s what you need to know:

How-to-Handle-a-Hit-Run

What Qualifies as a Hit and Run?

An accident qualifies as a hit and run if a driver intentionally flees the scene without providing the other party with their contact information. An example of this would be if another vehicle hits yours on the road and then speeds off or if a driver hits your parked car when it’s unattended and fails to leave behind their info.

How to Handle a Hit and Run

It’s understandable that a hit and run might leave you feeling frustrated and upset. The best thing you can do is try to remain calm and start collecting as much information as possible. The more facts you have about what happened, the more it will help your insurance company make a decision about your claim, and the more likely it is that the police will catch the driver responsible for the damage.

As soon as you’re safe and feel prepared to take action, follow these important steps:

    1. Try to gather as much information about the car that hit you as you can. If you were in your vehicle, do your best to recall details like the color, make and model of the car and the license plate number.
    2. Survey the scene to locate any potential witnesses who may be able to help fill in the details. Be sure to get contact information for these people.
    3. Before you leave the accident scene, take photos of the area, and be sure to immediately snap photos of your car, especially if there are traces of paint left behind from the other car.
    4. Write down the time and location of the accident; if you were away from your parked car when the accident occurred, write down as much information as you can gather.
    5. Call the police as soon as possible and file an accident report — even if the police can’t locate the responsible driver, the report serves as an official document that may help speed up the insurance claims process. Police reports must be submitted within 48-72 hours of an accident, so don’t wait to take this important step.
    6. File an auto insurance claim. If you’re a Metromile customer, follow the Accident Checklist and assess the damage to your vehicle.

Whatever you do, do not chase after a driver who hits you and leaves the scene. This may lead to another accident. Remain as calm as you can and follow the steps above instead. If you’re involved in a hit and run, or any accident, and you’re a Metromile customer, quickly and easily file a claim online or by calling 1.888.595.5485. Our team will help you get back on the road safely as soon as possible.


Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist/writer/editor and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism alumna. She’s written extensively on health, body image, entertainment, lifestyle, design, and tech for outlets like Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and a whole lot more. She’s also a contributing editor at Fitbit and the social media director at California Home + Design Magazine. She is an avid admirer of shiny objects, manatees, and preteen entertainment.