Insurance companies usually price auto insurance policies on factors such as the driver’s gender, age, driving record, and place of residence. Pay As You Drive insurance, however, is very different, being based on the number of miles you drive. The fewer miles you drive, the less you pay.
The obvious advantage of Pay As You Drive, then, is cost. Since Pay As You Drive premiums are computed on the basis of how many miles the vehicle is driven, it is extremely easy to reduce the monthly insurance bill. Simply reduce the number of miles driven. Not only does this save money on the insurance bill, it also means less on gas and maintenance and repair. The fewer miles driven, the longer the vehicle lasts. It may be possible to keep the vehicle long after that last car payment is made, and in our tough economy, who can’t find things to do with the money that otherwise would be spent on a car payment?
Another advantage to Pay As You Drive insurance is you can specifically tailor your insurance program to meet your driving needs. Premiums under Pay As You Drive insurance are determined either within a specific range of miles, by the total number of miles driven or by the number of hours driven. A driver can elect to have a Pay As You Drive insurance program that focuses on a specific time period, such as six months, or the driver can simply choose to focus on the total number of miles driven. Pay As You Drive insurance gives drivers plenty of freedom and flexibility when it comes to designing an insurance program that works for them.
Another factor in the low cost of Pay As You Drive is the fewer miles driven, the lower the risk of a crash. Low-mileage drivers are typically more focused and careful behind the wheel, and the lower premiums for Pay As You Drive incentive this quality.
Pay As You Drive plans require mileage monitoring, but there are several options. You can opt for certified odometer readings, the same kind as performed when you have a safety inspection. Or you can have a GPS monitor installed into your car, which allows the computer simply to upload data to the insurer. If you choose to use GPS, the initial cost of the monitor will probably be offset by the reduction in your premiums, making future coverage less expensive and hassle-free.
A report from the Brookings Institution found that two-thirds of U.S. households would save an average of $270 a year with Pay As You Drive insurance. In the current tight economy, that is great news.
Moreover, not only does Pay As You Drive save you money, it protects the environment. Fewer vehicles on the streets and highways means a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Less traffic also means fewer traffic jams and less congestion, and less time wasted sitting in the car.
There are many advantages to Pay As You Drive. See or call your insurance agent to get more detailed information about a Pay As You Drive policy that meets all your insurance needs.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.
