Mile Auto Insurance Review (2024)

What You Should Know About Mile Auto

Founded over a decade ago, Mile Auto insurance is underwritten by the older company, Spinnaker Insurance. Though Spinnaker has more experience in the insurance industry, it also receives more complaints.

In fact, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that Spinnaker receives nine times as many complaints as similarly sized companies. However, it’s unclear how Spinnaker’s high number of complaints affects Mile auto reviews.

While it struggles with complaints, Spinnaker has an excellent rating from A.M. Best. A.M. Best rates companies on their financial strength, and Spinnaker’s A- grade means Mile won’t struggle to pay any claims you need to make.

As a pay-per-mile company, Mile insurance isn’t for everyone. However, you might find the lowest rates with Mile if you’re looking for auto insurance for infrequent drivers. Mile is currently only available in seven states, though the company plans to expand throughout the U.S.

Mile Auto Insurance Reviews

Unfortunately, Mile insurance reviews aren’t always favorable. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates companies on their ability to resolve customer complaints. Mile Auto doesn’t have a rating from the BBB, but the company site lists several complaints.

Negative reviews of Mile Auto insurance mainly focus on how hard it is to contact customer service. Mile’s customer service line is only available during business hours, Monday through Friday, and representatives are often slow to respond to requests. This combination leads to frustrating experiences for many Mile customers.

People also say the window of time Mile provides to submit odometer pictures is inconveniently small. Its lack of online options to update your payment details can also make managing your insurance challenging.

However, it’s not all bad news. Reviewers rave about how cheap their coverage is, often saying they can’t find cheaper insurance elsewhere. While its customer service leaves something to be desired, most Mile drivers report overall satisfaction with the claims process.

Mile Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Most insurance companies sell enough coverage to meet minimum insurance and full coverage needs, and Mile is no different. It doesn’t have as long a list as some competitors, but you can buy the following coverages from Mile:

• Property damage liability: This part of liability insurance covers damage you cause to other people’s property in an accident, such as cars, buildings, or fences.
• Bodily injury liability insurance: As the other half of liability insurance, this part pays for damages resulting from injuries to others when you’re at fault in an accident..
• Collision insurance: Liability insurance doesn’t cover any of your repair bills after an accident you cause. You’ll need collision insurance if you want help with your repair bills.
• Comprehensive insurance: There’s a lot more than accidents that can damage your car. Comprehensive insurance covers unexpected events like fire, extreme weather, flooding, vandalism, theft, and animal contact.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Every state selling Mile coverage requires car insurance before you can drive, but not all drivers follow the law. Uninsured motorist protects you from drivers with inadequate or no coverage.
• Personal injury protection/medical payments coverage: Medical bills after a car accident can get pricey quickly. Medical payments or personal injury protection insurance helps pay health care expenses after an accident.

These are the most basic options for car insurance you can find at most companies. Mile doesn’t have the extended insurance options as larger companies, but it offers roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.

Mile Auto Insurance Rates Breakdown

Pay-per-mile insurance is usually cheaper for drivers who put less than 10,000 miles on their cars yearly. Even among the best pay-per-mile car insurance, Mile Auto insurance tends to offer the lowest prices.

Mile sells enough coverage to meet state minimum auto insurance requirements and full coverage needs. The amount you pay for your coverage varies by several factors, but the average driver pays about $44 monthly for minimum insurance.

For full coverage auto insurance, Mile drivers pay about $65 a month, a staggering 93% less than average rates. However, these rates are typical for low-mileage drivers — you’ll see much higher prices if you drive more than 10,000 miles per year.

Other factors affecting your auto insurance from Mile include your location, age, and driving history, but your annual mileage is the most important.

Understanding Mile Auto Insurance

Standard insurance companies calculate a flat fee based on your unique characteristics. Once your rate gets calculated, you can split your payments into monthly increments or pay in full.

Mile Auto insurance doesn’t work like a standard company. Instead, Mile offers pay-per-mile coverage, meaning you pay for each mile you drive. So the fewer miles you drive, the less you’ll pay.

To start, Mile calculates a base rate. Your base rate is the amount you’ll pay for car insurance every month, no matter how many miles you drive.

Mile sets your base rate the same way standard companies craft rates. The company considers your age, gender, location, coverage needs, vehicle type, and driving history to determine your base rate. Then, you’ll get a price for every mile you drive.

For example, a common base rate with Mile is $35 a month. If your per-mile rate is $0.05 per mile and you drive 400 miles in a month, your monthly bill would be $55.

Most pay-per-mile insurance companies track your mileage through a smartphone app or a device you plug into your car. Mile Auto takes a slightly different approach — you’ll need to submit a photo of your odometer once a month.

You don’t need to worry about remembering to submit your photos since Mile sends reminders through email and text. You simply need to click on the link Mile sends you to submit your monthly photo and follow the instructions. Learn more about how your annual mileage affects auto insurance.

Who is Mile Auto insurance not for?

Mile Auto Insurance emerges as a compelling option for drivers with specific needs, yet questions like “Is Mile Auto legit” and “Is Mile Auto a good insurance company” are common among those considering this pay-per-mile car insurance model. Given its unique approach, understanding its suitability involves looking at mile pay per mile insurance reviews and reviews on Mile Auto insurance more broadly.

For frequent drivers accumulating over 10,000 miles annually, the appeal of Mile Auto might wane when compared to traditional insurance policies that offer a flat rate. This shift in cost-effectiveness prompts those considering Mile Auto to delve into pay-per-mile car insurance reviews to gauge if the savings typically associated with fewer miles driven align with their driving habits.

The specific availability of Mile Auto in certain states also means that not everyone can access its services. This limitation necessitates a careful review of options for those in unsupported areas or planning a move. Moreover, Mile Auto’s streamlined insurance offerings might not fully meet the needs of drivers looking for an extensive range of coverage options and endorsements, according to reviews on Mile Auto insurance.

When it comes to customer support, Mile Auto customer service reviews reveal some challenges, particularly around the processes for submitting odometer readings and reaching support staff. These aspects are crucial for drivers who prioritize seamless customer service experiences and efficient digital interactions for managing their insurance needs.

For those accustomed to the convenience of automatic mileage tracking, the manual submission process for odometer readings that Mile Auto employs might seem less appealing, despite its advantage of not requiring GPS tracking. This approach, while valued for its privacy considerations, is an essential factor to weigh, based on mile auto customer service feedback and operational preferences.

Lastly, the search for discounts is a common thread in insurance decision-making. While exploring “Is Mile Auto a good insurance company,” potential customers may find that the opportunities for discounts beyond the mileage-based savings are more limited with Mile Auto compared to traditional insurers, as highlighted in various pay-per-mile car insurance reviews.

In conclusion, while Mile Auto Insurance holds promise for low-mileage drivers and those concerned about privacy without GPS tracking, it’s vital to consider individual driving habits, service expectations, and the need for comprehensive coverage. The inquiries about “Is Mile Auto legit” and the broader exploration of its value proposition underlines the importance of thorough research and comparison, informed by detailed reviews on Mile Auto insurance and its customer service experiences.

Considerations When Planning a Long Road Trip

Low-mileage insurance is great for your daily routine, but what happens if you want to spend the weekend out of town? U.S. drivers frequently put hundreds of miles on their cars in a single road trip, which can cause your rates to double or more.

Pay-per-mile companies usually limit the number of daily miles they charge to avoid making it cheaper to get insurance from a standard company. Mile Auto isn’t clear about its policy towards road trips, but similar competitors like Metromile car insurance cap daily miles at 250.

When you buy pay-per-mile insurance, check with a representative before you go on a long trip. While Mile Auto probably has a plan for long trips, checking beforehand might save you money. Also, find out how to get a low-mileage discount.

Mile Auto Discounts Available

Since Mile Auto insurance offers low rates by charging by the mile, it doesn’t offer other discounts. So if you’re not a low-mileage driver and want to take advantage of discounts, you should consider a standard insurance company instead.

How Mile Auto Ranks Among Providers

Mile Auto insurance has few competitors for pay-per-mile coverage, so finding companies to compare can be tricky. However, you have a few options, including the following:

• Metromile Auto Insurance. Metromile is a pay-per-mile company available in eight states and is ideal for people looking for more technological options. With Metromile, you use a plug-in device to track your miles.
• Allstate Milewise. Milewise is a mileage tracking program offered by Allstate to give low-mileage drivers an option to save. Milewise is available in 21 states and uses a plug-in device paired with an app.
• Liberty Mutual ByMile. Available in 17 states, ByMile also uses a plug-in device paired with an app. ByMile is a good choice for low-mileage drivers who go on the occasional road trip.
• Nationwide SmartMiles. SmartMiles has the widest availability, covering 40 states. SmartMiles uses a plug-in device to track your miles and has some of the best customer service ratings.

Like standard car insurance, comparing your options is important when looking for pay-per-mile coverage. Another consideration is whether low-mileage insurance is right for you, but a representative can help you decide.

Mile Auto Insurance Claims Process

The claims process is a crucial aspect of any auto insurance policy, and Mile Auto Insurance aims to simplify this procedure for its policyholders, despite the varied mile auto insurance rating found in reviews. When an unfortunate incident occurs, initiating a claim with Mile Auto involves promptly reaching out to their customer service. This direct approach is designed to facilitate a smooth process, even as some customers have expressed desires for improvement in service responsiveness.

Policyholders are required to provide a comprehensive account of the incident, supported by necessary documentation such as damage photos, police reports, and any relevant witness statements. This thorough documentation aids in Mile Auto’s evaluation and subsequent coverage determination under the policyholder’s plan. The company may conduct a vehicle inspection to accurately assess repair costs, a step integral to the mile auto claims process.

Communication is emphasized throughout, with Mile Auto keeping the insured informed from the initial filing to the claim’s resolution, whether it involves repair authorizations or dispute resolutions. This communication is key to addressing any concerns about how to cancel Mile Auto insurance or queries about coverage specifics.

Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Defined

Pay-per-mile car insurance, including offerings like pay per mile auto insurance and car insurance by the mile, presents a modern solution tailored for drivers who use their vehicles sparingly. This insurance model, emphasizing auto insurance by the mile and options to pay by the mile insurance, caters to a demographic that seeks fairness in billing—a direct correlation between mileage and insurance costs.

The primary benefit of pay-per-mile car insurance, as seen in offerings like pay per mile car insurance, is the potential for significant cost savings for those who drive less. This model departs from traditional flat-rate policies, introducing a more equitable approach where the amount you drive directly influences your insurance costs. However, questions like “what is Mile Auto?” and “How does by the mile car insurance work?” often arise, highlighting the need for clarity and understanding of these innovative policies.

See if Mile Auto is Right for You

Although Mile Auto insurance struggles with its customer service, it does well with its claims process and offers some of the lowest rates for low-mileage drivers. If you drive fewer than 27 miles per day, Mile Auto insurance might be right for you.

Of course, you should still compare rates with other companies before you sign up for a policy. Mile Auto has low rates, but you might find a company better suited for your needs elsewhere.