Metromile Pros and Cons

Every insurance company has strengths and weaknesses, and Metromile is no exception. Its pay-per-mile model offers genuine advantages for low-mileage drivers while presenting clear drawbacks for others. Understanding Metromile’s pros and cons in detail helps you make an informed decision about whether this usage-based insurer fits your situation, rather than relying on marketing claims or assumptions.

This guide examines Metromile’s advantages and disadvantages honestly and thoroughly, covering pricing, the tracking device, coverage, availability, and the customer experience. By weighing the genuine pros against the real cons, you can determine whether Metromile’s strengths align with your priorities and whether its weaknesses are dealbreakers for your situation. For background, see our guide on how Metromile works.

Metromile Pros

Substantial Savings for Low-Mileage Drivers

Metromile’s primary advantage is significant savings for people who drive less than average. By charging based on miles driven, low-mileage drivers pay only for their actual usage, often saving substantially compared to flat-rate insurance that doesn’t reward limited driving.

Fair, Transparent Pricing

The pay-per-mile model offers transparency about why you pay what you pay. Your cost directly reflects your driving, giving clear insight into your premium. This fairness corrects the traditional situation where low-mileage drivers subsidize high-mileage ones.

Daily Mileage Cap

The daily mileage cap protects you on long trips by not charging for miles beyond a daily threshold. This feature makes pay-per-mile practical even for low-mileage drivers who occasionally take road trips, preventing expensive bills on unusual driving days.

Accurate Mileage Tracking

The Pulse device accurately measures your mileage directly from your vehicle, ensuring you’re charged fairly for your real usage rather than estimates. The precise tracking supports the fairness of the pay-per-mile model.

Smart App Features

Beyond billing, the Metromile app offers useful features including trip history, car location to find where you parked, street sweeping alerts, and diagnostic alerts. These add value beyond basic insurance, turning your car into a smarter vehicle.

Standard Coverage Options

Metromile offers standard coverage components comparable to traditional insurers, including liability, collision, comprehensive, and more. You get the protection you need with the pay-per-mile pricing advantage.

Metromile Cons

More Expensive for High-Mileage Drivers

Metromile’s biggest drawback is that high-mileage drivers pay more than with flat-rate insurance. As miles accumulate, per-mile charges add up until the total exceeds traditional pricing. The model only benefits low-mileage drivers.

Requires the Pulse Device

Metromile requires the Pulse device plugged into your vehicle to track mileage. Drivers who prefer not to have a tracking device in their car may be uncomfortable with this requirement, which is integral to the pay-per-mile model.

Limited State Availability

Metromile operates in a limited number of states rather than nationwide, with availability that has shifted over time. Drivers in states where Metromile isn’t available can’t access the company regardless of how well it might fit their situation.

App-Only Model

Metromile operates through its app with no in-person agent support. Drivers who prefer agent relationships, in-person consultation, or traditional service may find the app-only model limiting.

Privacy Considerations

The Pulse device tracks mileage and offers location features, raising privacy considerations for some drivers. Those uncomfortable with a tracking device monitoring their driving and location may prefer traditional insurance without mandatory tracking.

Less Beneficial as Mileage Increases

The value proposition weakens as mileage increases. Drivers near average mileage see minimal savings or breakeven, while those above average pay more. The model specifically rewards low mileage, offering little to average or high-mileage drivers.

Pros and Cons Summary

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Whether Metromile’s pros outweigh its cons depends entirely on your mileage. For genuinely low-mileage drivers, the substantial savings and fair pricing clearly outweigh the device requirement and other drawbacks. The pay-per-mile advantage makes the tradeoffs worthwhile for those who drive little.

For average or high-mileage drivers, the cons outweigh the pros since they would pay the same or more than traditional insurance. For these drivers, the device requirement and other drawbacks come without the savings benefit, making traditional insurers or behavior-based options like Root more attractive.

The key is honest assessment of your mileage. Low-mileage drivers find Metromile’s pros compelling, while average and high-mileage drivers find the cons decisive. Compare against traditional insurers like GEICO and Progressive to evaluate your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main pros of Metromile?

Metromile’s main pros include substantial savings for low-mileage drivers, fair and transparent pay-per-mile pricing, the daily mileage cap protecting against road trip costs, accurate mileage tracking, useful smart app features, and standard coverage options.

What are the main cons of Metromile?

Metromile’s main cons include being more expensive for high-mileage drivers, requiring the Pulse tracking device, limited state availability, an app-only model with no agents, privacy considerations, and weakening value as mileage increases.

Is Metromile good for low-mileage drivers?

Yes, Metromile is particularly good for low-mileage drivers because its pay-per-mile model charges only for miles driven. Low-mileage drivers, remote workers, and urban dwellers can save substantially compared to flat-rate insurance.

What’s the biggest downside of Metromile?

The biggest downside is that high-mileage drivers pay more than with flat-rate insurance, since per-mile charges accumulate above average mileage. The model only benefits low-mileage drivers, making it unsuitable for those who drive a lot.

Should I avoid Metromile if I drive a lot?

Yes, if you drive around or above average mileage (roughly 12,000 miles annually), Metromile typically costs the same or more than traditional insurance. High-mileage drivers should choose traditional insurers or behavior-based options like Root.

Is the Pulse device requirement a problem?

It depends on your comfort with tracking. The Pulse device enables fair pay-per-mile pricing, which low-mileage drivers find worthwhile. Privacy-conscious drivers who prefer not to have a tracking device may find this requirement a drawback.

Does Metromile’s limited availability matter?

Yes, if Metromile isn’t available in your state, you can’t use it regardless of how well it might fit. Metromile operates in a limited number of states with availability that has shifted over time, so checking your state is essential.

Do Metromile’s pros outweigh the cons?

For low-mileage drivers, the pros clearly outweigh the cons through substantial savings. For average or high-mileage drivers, the cons outweigh the pros since they would pay the same or more than traditional insurance. Your mileage determines the answer.

The Bottom Line

Metromile offers genuine advantages and real drawbacks that make it an excellent choice for some drivers and a poor fit for others. The pros center on substantial savings for low-mileage drivers, fair and transparent pay-per-mile pricing, the protective daily mileage cap, accurate tracking, and useful app features.

The cons center on higher costs for high-mileage drivers, the Pulse device requirement, limited state availability, the app-only model, privacy considerations, and weakening value as mileage rises. These drawbacks make Metromile unsuitable for average and high-mileage drivers and those uncomfortable with tracking.

Whether Metromile is right for you depends primarily on your mileage. Low-mileage drivers find the pros compelling and the savings substantial, while average and high-mileage drivers find the cons decisive. Honest assessment of your annual mileage, combined with comparing against traditional insurers, helps you make the right choice.

Ready to weigh Metromile against your options? Visit Matrix Insurance to compare Metromile and other carriers. Use our car insurance calculator to estimate pricing, or contact our team for personalized guidance on whether Metromile’s pros and cons align with your situation.