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There’s no way around it: Owning or leasing a car requires some maintenance. 

Aside from filling up the gas tank, drivers need to change the oil in their car regularly. For the many of us who might be driving less nowadays, you might not remember the last time you got an oil change. If this sounds like you, here’s what you should consider about changing the oil in your vehicle.

After how many miles should you change your oil?

You may have heard about an outdated rule that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. While that is a good benchmark, it’s not a “rule” that you should stand by. Why? Because how many miles between oil changes varies from driver to driver depending on a number of factors. 

For example, how old your vehicle is, what type of oil your car uses, and driving conditions can affect how often you should change your oil. 

According to AAA, many modern cars need oil changes after you’ve driven between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. If your vehicle runs on synthetic motor oil, that number can jump up to 15,000 because of the greater efficiency. 

Aside from these benchmarks, a good place to look is your car’s owner’s manual. If you’re wondering, “How often should you change your oil?” the owner’s manual is the best place to look. It will also let you understand what type of oil is best for your vehicle. 

When should you change the engine oil in older cars? 

If you wonder how many miles for an oil change are needed, it can depend on whether you have an older car or a newer one. 

If you have an older vehicle, you may have a recommended oil change schedule based on your car mileage. There may be two different types of maintenance recommendations for your car based on your driving history. For example, there is “normal” and “severe service.” What is considered severe may surprise you. 

According to AAA, severe service can include: 

• Short trips
• Extreme weather conditions
• Continued stop-and-go traffic
• Having your car carry heavy items such as a trailer

So, if you don’t drive much but make a lot of short trips in stop-and-go city traffic, you might require severe service and an engine oil more frequently than you expect. 

Many people think their condition fits the “normal” designation, but many drivers might need to follow the severe service maintenance schedule in reality. 

When should you change the engine oil in newer cars? 

Though you may pay more for a new car, there are certain advantages, notably with maintenance. 

Newer vehicles can have the latest technology, which monitors your driving and alerts you when it’s time to get an oil change. Instead of relying on a benchmark like mileage with an older vehicle, a new car will often have systems in place to notify you when it’s time to get an oil change or other maintenance. 

The owner’s manual for a new car might not have severe service recommendations, as the vehicle may have an internal system that monitors how you drive and the conditions that will affect your oil. 

When it’s time to get an oil change, you might be able to do it yourself and reset the oil monitor system, as noted in your owner’s manual. Of course, you can also have a technician do it for you while you get your car’s oil changed. 

Are frequent oil changes better? 

Some things are better the more times you do them. Getting an oil change isn’t necessarily one of them. 

While important, getting frequent oil changes won’t help improve the performance of your vehicle. While it might not hurt your car either, it could hurt your wallet if you’re getting oil changes too frequently and beyond the schedule recommended in your car owner’s manual. 

Your best bet is to seek guidance from your owner’s manual or stay on top of alerts from your car so that you have a better understanding of when it’s time for an oil change. 

Something to be mindful of is that changing your oil isn’t just about how many miles you drive. Even if you are a low-mileage driver, you’ll generally need fresh oil to get the most out of your car and keep it safe and ready for optimal use. 

What is long-life oil?

There are currently “long-life” oils on the market that might last for longer distances. Long-life oil may last between 5,000 and 15,000 miles, depending on the type you choose. 

Remember: You’ll need to make sure it’s compatible and works for your car. When in doubt, review your car’s owner’s manual to make sure. 

It’s important to understand that you may still need to change your oil filter more frequently than you change your oil. Some cars have oil filters that can last as long as long-life oil change intervals, but you should reference your owner’s manual to make sure your vehicle can handle it. 

The bottom line 

It’s crucial to maintain your car regularly to keep it running at its best. You’ll want to change the oil in your car regularly. Reviewing your car’s owner’s manual and regular checks of your oil filter can help your car’s health in the long run.

If you’re a low-mileage driver, you might be able to save money with fewer oil changes on your car. You can also save money on your car insurance with Metromile and pay-per-mile auto insurance. 

Drivers can save 47% on average a year, according to a 2018 survey of new customers who saved with Metromile, and you can earn an additional discount of up to 15% with your safe driving during a Ride Along™ trial in select states. You can download the Metromile app for free and see if pay-per-mile auto insurance is right for you.

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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.

Metromile offers people more choice and control with their auto insurance and experience as drivers. We want people to have insurance that’s fairer and real-time based on how much you drive, which is why we started with a pay-as-you-go model.

Troy Dye, a Metromile customer and Capital One marketing veteran of more than 20 years, will join our community as the new senior vice president, growth, to bring pay-per-mile insurance to more drivers. Troy is eager to help drivers enjoy a better experience and more value from their insurance company.

We asked Troy why he decided to become a Metromiler, and the opportunities for growth he thinks are ahead.

What should people know about you, Troy?

The first and probably most important thing is I’m a big believer that good ideas can come from anywhere. I don’t think anyone has a monopoly on good ideas, and I think that it’s my job, and our company’s job, to really gather as many good ideas as we can and then put them together in novel ways. It’s important to me because it is a foundational element of team culture and starts to structure how we solve problems as a group.

Next, I believe there’s no such thing as a “normal” person. Normal is a mathematical construct that makes sense with large audiences, but it doesn’t exist at an individual level. Is anyone perfectly average at everything? If you can get away from the idea that something is or isn’t normal, you can start to learn a lot more. 

Do you take that same approach to work?

I’m a big fan of weird, and not only because I’m a weird person. I think weird makes for better marketing because you start looking at both the similarities and differences in people and embrace uniqueness. Again, if you can get away from what’s “normal,” you can land on something unique and novel, and that’s where greatness happens.

Why did you decide to join Metromile? 

I am a Metromile customer, so I’ve seen firsthand how the company sets itself apart. I’ve really connected personally with everyone I’ve met at the company and feel like we have an incredible diversity of thought on the team. 

I also think the product has a clear purpose and is truly a better option for many drivers. 

Finally, I like brands that zig when everyone else is zagging. I’ve always been a fan of challenger brands because they’re more nimble and hungry than big incumbents. 

What opportunities do you see ahead for Metromile?

Companies can get trapped in believing they have to appeal to everyone to grow. Instead, I think some of the best product development, marketing, and the best strategy comes from finding a real focused problem and solving it in a highly compelling way. 

Metromile is doing that by solving real problems for low-mileage drivers, and that segment is growing each year as people change their lifestyles and how they drive. There are more low-mileage drivers to serve, and it’s only going to get bigger.

I think one of our big opportunities is learning how to quickly and concisely explain what pay-per-mile insurance is and isn’t. When you create a truly new product category, consumer understanding is one of your primary hurdles to adoption. The more we test and learn our way into that answer, the more we will grow our community of drivers.

Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m a fairly adventurous renovator and woodworker, and I am always amazed at how much you can find and teach yourself. Early in my career, I actually bought a house, stripped it down to the studs myself, and renovated everything except for the plumbing, all with the help of books and the internet. Home improvement remains my go-to activity for both stress relief and calming my mind.

Speed round:

Are you a better driver or passenger?

Driver. I can’t stand being a passenger.

What are you listening to in the car these days?

Right now, I’m not driving much. When I do, I listen to a rotation of dubstep, indie folk, and podcasts, but mostly dubstep. And no, I can’t dance — at all.

Do you have a favorite road trip?

I have historically traveled a lot for work, so when I have time off with my family, we like to hang out in generally quiet and tranquil settings. We’ve made a tradition of a summer trip to Smith Mountain Lake, a giant but very quiet lake about three hours from our home in Richmond, Virginia — lots of lazy days on the water!

Career growth at other companies can be like one-way streets: there’s a clear line of sight that gets you to where you want to go, but there isn’t much room for venturing out or trying new things. 

At Metromile, we celebrate people from all backgrounds and walks of life and recognize that skills come in all shapes and sizes. It’s your work ethic and initiative that mean the most. We make it a point to provide Metromilers with a breadth of exposure and allow for exploration to help guide them along their career journey, whatever direction it may be. 

Get an under-the-hood look at what life is like at Metromile from a member of our underwriting team.

Dev, Underwriter

Metromiler since August 2018

What was your career like before Metromile?

I don’t have a formal degree in any area and have worked in a few different industries, from call centers to manufacturing, but nothing insurance or tech-related. I was still figuring out what I wanted to do. A friend of mine worked at Metromile and always talked about how much he enjoyed the culture and how everyone was so friendly. It seemed like a unique work experience, so I decided to check it out.

During the interview process, I found that not having a degree wasn’t a hindrance at all. The hiring managers were more focused on my relevant work experience and what I could bring to the table, and I was happy that I was seen for my skills and work ethic. It felt like a level playing field.

What has your career at Metromile been like?

I started as a customer experience agent on the phones, helping our drivers with their policies. From there, I was able to move directly into our underwriting department as an underwriting assistant. Now, I am a bit more behind the scenes, reviewing policies when an issue arises or making the necessary adjustments when adding coverage to another vehicle. 

There are so many factors that influence car insurance rates. There are so many vehicle modifications that can be done, so it’s always interesting to see what I’ll come across on any given day. Once I worked on rating an old decommissioned ambulance that someone was using as their personal vehicle!

What do you like most about working at Metromile?

The opportunity, one hundred percent. As a young twenty-something, I’m proud to have gotten so far in my career already, especially not having a degree. And I also love my team and everyone that I’ve met at Metromile. It makes such a difference in your day-to-day. I don’t think I could find another team that I love so much. You can’t replace that.

What do you see next down the road for you?

I’m hoping to be able to step into a leadership position as we continue to grow. Underwriters at Metromile can soon expand what they manage. As a part of that, I’d like to develop my leadership skills and get my Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter license. It’s a pretty extensive two-year certification that demonstrates a high level of expertise and decision-making in underwriting. 

What’s been the biggest thing that’s helped you further your career at Metromile?

I ask all the questions all the time. It helped me because I’ve run into a lot of odd scenarios in my work, so don’t hesitate to get another person’s opinion; get as much knowledge as you can. 

Also be curious about other departments because you might not realize right away where your interests lie. Once I shadowed one of our claims representatives to learn more about their role and responsibilities. They loved it! No one’s ever going to turn you down. Even if  you realize it may not be something that you would necessarily move into, just having that exposure into the business is so helpful. There’s so many facets within insurance and Metromile that I never knew. And I never would have known unless I asked around!

What advice would you give a Metromile candidate who may not have a formal degree or may not come from an insurance background?

It’s not something to be put off by or intimidated by. Our team truly cares to invest in talented people. A piece of paper from a university isn’t the end-all, be-all. Go for it, and apply! 

Interested in joining the Metromile team? Check out all of our open positions. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Experience the power of pay-per-mile and see how much you could save on car insurance by taking a Ride Along™. 

Get your free quote in minutes, or earn rewards when you refer your friends and family.

We started Metromile because we saw an opportunity for insurance to be fairer. We believe the most powerful advantage in insurance is grounded in technology and experience, and we set out to build a better experience from Day One.

Regi Vengalil might understand this more than anyone else. In addition to his more than 15 years of experience as a financial steward, corporate development strategist, and operations executive, Regi is also a Metromile customer of six years.

It’s just one of the reasons why we’re excited Regi has joined Metromile as our chief financial officer.

Here’s why Regi decided to become a Metromiler and the opportunities he sees ahead.

What should people know about you, Regi?

I recently moved back to Seattle to spend more time with my family, and my weekends and evenings are usually spent with them. My parents live nearby, so one thing we started doing recently is to have my entire family stay one night a week at my parents’ house. Growing up in the U.S., my grandparents lived in India, so I never had the chance to spend much time with them. I’m glad my two kids have the opportunity to connect with their grandparents.

I’ve also been a Metromile customer for six years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. My family and I are huge Metromile fans.

How did you first hear about Metromile?

I used to take the subway into San Francisco, and I saw Metromile ads underground and in the station. I remember seeing the ad and thinking: This makes financial sense.

I only drove my car maybe 100 or 200 miles a month, mainly on the weekends, and I thought Metromile was perfectly designed for me. My wife has a car that she drives maybe 60 miles a month to pick up groceries and run errands. I have had such a great experience between the street-sweeping alerts, remembering where you parked from the app, and understanding how much gas is in your car. 

My wife makes fun of me, but Metromile is the type of product I’m telling people about at parties and on the weekends. Otherwise, how many times do you talk to your friends about auto insurance?

Is that why you decided to join Metromile?

I think there’s so much opportunity for Metromile. I believe we’re in a unique position to shape the future of car insurance. 

The core success of the company is built on our existing foundation: There’s a huge market opportunity, and I believe Metromile is fundamentally changing the game. 

I believe in Metromile and the experience the product delivers to drivers. I had a great experience when I had a rock in my windshield and had the claim solved simply. I think it starts first by convincing people with savings on auto insurance. Then, they can try pay-per-mile auto insurance, realize the benefits, and see that it’s a better experience if you ever have a claim.

And I think that’s what makes Metromile so compelling.

What opportunities do you see ahead for Metromile?

I’m naturally a problem-solver, and I can’t imagine a more relevant technical problem than what Metromile is trying to solve. Insurance is probably one of the most exciting data science problems, especially as the future of driving changes. For example, I can choose to drive the car myself or let the car drive. Few companies are positioned to price this dynamic fairly, understand the variable risk of who’s actually driving, and respond to the technical challenges because this dynamic is entirely new. 

I believe in how Metromile plans to approach the problem. We have so much opportunity ahead: We will expand nationwide and start to accelerate meaningfully, and invest for the long-term. We have the resources to scale and build differentiated auto insurance. We can also capture demand as Metromile becomes more relevant as mobility evolves to people’s new work schedules and changing driving habits.

We’re in the early innings, and the people who have the richest data and the best technical experience will win. I joined because I believe we have the team to make that a reality, and I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible company and team.

How else do you spend your time outside of work?

I’m a lifelong Seattle sports fan and follow football closely. I’m a big Seahawks fan. Growing up in Seattle, I became a Washington Huskies fan as well. I also just picked up being an assistant tee-ball coach for my 6-year-old. And we just got back from a weeklong trip to Kauai; it made me remember how much we love to travel as a family. I can’t wait for all of us to get out there again to explore and see friends and family.

Speed round:

Are you a better driver or passenger?

Driver for sure. I like to pick the speed and the route.

What are you listening to in the car these days?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on Audible with the kids (though I’m a fan, too) and 90s hip-hop.

Favorite road trip?

I’ve driven many times between Seattle and San Diego, and there is so much to see. It’s so beautiful, and there are so many fun places to explore along the way. I enjoy the mountains and beaches and walking around the cities in between.

Career growth at other companies can be like one-way streets: there’s a clear line of sight that gets you to where you want to go, but there isn’t much room for venturing out or trying new things. 

At Metromile, we like to do things a little differently. All of the left turns, byways, and side streets are not only fair game but encouraged. We make it a point to provide Metromilers with a breadth of exposure and exploration to help guide them along their career journey, whether taking professional training courses to move up into a managerial role or hopping on over to an entirely different department. 

Get an under-the-hood look at what life is like at Metromile from a member of our product team.

Brandon, Metromiler since October 2017

Director, Product Management

What brought you to Metromile?

I was drawn to Metromile because auto insurance hasn’t changed significantly in such a long time — super nerdy, I know! At my previous company, I briefly worked with one of the large national insurance companies. It was then that I realized how stale the industry was and that there is a lot of room for innovation. Being in the San Francisco Bay Area, I heard about what Metromile was doing and decided to make the change.

Being right in the middle of all of the action, what do you think has helped make Metromile successful?

Being able to work closely with so many different teams, whether it’s user research or marketing, helps us develop a very well-rounded product offering. We can have open conversations and challenge what hasn’t been done or what could be done better; we’re not afraid to ask, disagree, or share new ideas. You can chat with the CEO, a vice president, whoever. If you have an idea, it’s on the table. It doesn’t feel like it’s this big, stuffy pitch. 

Our level of collaboration has been incredible. I love working with the executives without all of the bureaucracy and red tape you might experience at a bigger company. That’s not our culture; we do things differently, and it plays to our advantage. In my opinion, freedom and transparency are required in the highly-regulated industry we find ourselves in. Intuitively, you might think it would be the opposite, but having worked with members of the departments of insurance in the states we’re available in, it’s clear that we’re all aligned on building a fair and equitable product for drivers. And they’re open to our methods of innovation!

What Metromile products have you helped develop?

When I started here, my first role was to help launch Metromile in Arizona. It was a hit-the-ground-running kind of project and proved to be a great way to learn about the industry right off the bat. Being involved in a state launch helped open up doors into diversity, different rating factors to consider, and behavioral pricing work. After about a year, I was able to work closely with Dan, our CEO, and with our data science team more. I think a big part of our success comes from working with such a wide variety of people from all professional backgrounds. 

Eventually, I moved into a principal product role, which came with a lot of very interesting, hands-on work of overseeing our product’s actual implementation. After talking with my manager, I realized I also had the opportunity to manage more junior employees on the product team, which has always been an interest of mine. Having those direct, open conversations with managers is a true reflection of our culture, especially with transparency being one of our core values. So that was my next phase, continuing to build out products and mentoring others to further develop the product team.

What is one of your favorite aspects of life at Metromile?

Especially with the teams working from home during COVID-19, I always have felt like I have a great work-life balance; I can take a break when I need to or dial into a meeting while I’m on a walk. The level of autonomy we have was one of the things that brought me to Metromile in the first place and has been a big reason for my happiness here these past few years. 

Autonomy is also how we’re all able to dabble in and explore different areas of the business. For instance, I could never see myself being a full-fledged data scientist, but understanding what goes into that line of work and how that team builds predictive models from scratch is super interesting to me. To this day, I am still learning more about it, and ultimately, it helps inform my work on the product.

What do you love the most about your work?

We have the creative, collective mindset of a technology company. We’re constantly moving, working, and evolving. You’re not going to work on developing a single-function button for five years. 

We operate at a pace that inherently brings a different kind of experience where you can be involved firsthand on strategies and work on a lot of projects within a single year. That’s always been a huge draw for me, personally, to see how everyone else thinks and how they approach these broader solutions of how to make pay-per-mile insurance so simple that people get excited about it. Auto insurance is boring for most people, but we’re doing something different. 

Every day I’m learning new things about the industry — and, at this point, I know way too many insurance acronyms — but it all helps inform how we can package our product and what makes the most sense for our users. I love that constant challenge. 

What are you most excited to develop in 2021?

I can’t wait to start rolling out into new states and get into that process again. It’s always so exciting to develop a game plan when we introduce pay-per-mile to an entirely new market because there are so many audiences in each state. “Low-mileage drivers” don’t all look the same. 

It’ll be great to get into that momentum of growth and adding to our community of customers. We’ll get their fresh feedback, which will help us shape the product even more. Every person in the company is involved and has a major part to play. 

What advice do you have for Metromile candidates who may not come from an insurance background?

I always try to assure candidates not to be intimidated by or focus on having an insurance background; I had only a sliver of exposure to the insurance industry prior to joining Metromile, but it never hindered my work here. 

From the start, my team and the projects I was working on helped me learn and get up to speed very quickly. So many Metromilers come from an array of industries, and it only helps strengthen our business perspective. 

I also wouldn’t want anyone to be scared of auto insurance. Yes, it’s a highly-regulated industry, but  I’ve noticed repeatedly that we continuously challenge the status quo. It’s ingrained in the culture we have. We assess how we go about things, how we can change things up in the name of efficiency and improvement, whether it’s a sales call script or how we develop our road maps. There’s a huge appeal to be a part of a company in an industry that’s rapidly changing. It appeals to those looking to not only grow in their career, but who also want what they do to have a real impact and know that they’re helping modernize a once traditional sector.

We’re a technology company that does insurance. I think that helps people understand our differentiation from these other larger insurance incumbents. Everyone’s heading in the same direction. Having that focus on creating an incredibly simple product that people love aligns Metromilers as a whole, no matter their background.

Interested in joining the Metromile team? Check out all of our open positions. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Experience the power of pay-per-mile and see how much you could save on car insurance by taking a Ride Along™. 

Get your free quote in minutes, or earn rewards when you refer your friends and family.

You understand that it’s important to shop around for auto insurance to get a competitive rate. However, you want to limit who has your personal information. What if you could have the best of both worlds?

Enter: The anonymous auto insurance quote.

Unfortunately, anonymous car insurance quotes aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. You could receive an erroneous quote or an estimate that might not help you make a good comparison between your current policy.

How do anonymous car insurance quotes work?

Some websites and services offer anonymous auto insurance quotes or coverage calculators. They claim to be able to provide you a quote without any personal information.

Typically, anonymous quote calculators and websites use factors, such as your ZIP code or state and basic information about your driving record. Then, they might provide auto insurance price averages for your ZIP code or state or offer a range of prices for the rates you might receive.

What information do you need to get an auto insurance quote?

Most auto insurance companies personalize the price you pay. 

You should avoid using a cartoon character’s name or a fake name like Joe Blow or John Doe, as the quote you receive may be “fictional,” too.

You’ll typically need to provide personal information to get an accurate quote, including:

• Full name
• Address where you park your vehicle at night
• Date of birth
• Drivers license number and when you received your first drivers license
• Driving history, such as whether you’ve had any recent accidents or traffic violations
• Make, model, and year of any vehicles on the policy
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of any vehicles on the policy
• Insurance history, such as whether you’ve had coverage before

Providing valid information about yourself means an insurance company can give you an accurate auto insurance quote. This way, you can make meaningful comparisons of your current coverages and limits and make a more informed decision before you switch insurers. 

How can I get an accurate car insurance quote online?

The personal information you provide when you receive your quote helps an insurance company understand your driving and whether you might be a risky driver. The insurer uses this information to rate you as a driver, provide insurance discounts or offers, and ensure you’re eligible for coverage.

The quotes or ranges anonymous quote calculators and websites provide generally aren’t binding, which means there is no guarantee an insurance company will sell you an auto insurance policy at these prices. 

To get an insurance quote you can purchase, you will generally need to fill out a complete application and provide information about yourself, your vehicle, and your driving and insurance histories.

Now, you can see how your actual driving can affect the price you pay for car insurance.

Metromile lets you know if you’re a low-mileage driver that could save with pay-as-you-go insurance. Download the Metromile app and start a free Ride Along™ trial before you buy.

You can get a free auto insurance quote with Ride Along. 

We’ll ask you to drive as you typically would for about two weeks (you should keep your current insurance policy to keep coverage during your trial). You can earn up to an extra 15% off your quote, depending on your state, as a reward for demonstrating safe driving habits during your Ride Along.

The bottom line

It might seem extra savvy to get an auto insurance quote online without providing your personal information, but anonymous quotes could cost you. You might find out the quoted price is just an estimate and pay a higher price later or get stuck with a policy with coverage and limits you don’t want.

Auto insurance rates are personalized heavily by insurance companies. Providing your actual and up-to-date personal information and selecting the coverages and limits you want is a good way to make an informed decision before you make a significant purchase.

Drivers are springing back to the roads, Metromile data from the first three months of 2021 shows. 

The total number of miles driven across the U.S. surged in March 2021 compared to the same time last year, after months of continued slumps, according to an anonymized and aggregated sample of Metromile customers nationwide.

But as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Metromile data shows life for many people may look different than it once did. Like the so-called “K-shaped” economic recovery, a bifurcation in driving and mobility is developing nationwide.

The recent driving behavior may be a good indication of a “new normal” as more people embrace flexible hybrid schedules for in-office work and use their cars differently than they had last year.

How has driving in the U.S. changed in 2021?

While driving recovered occasionally in 2020, notably in the summer and year-end, vehicle use remained low. Metromile customers nationwide collectively drove 30% fewer miles from April through December 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Early data showed signs these low levels would continue in 2021. 

Miles driven nationwide in January and February 2021 were both 28% lower year-over-year, not dissimilar from the 30% drop observed throughout 2020.

The situation changed dramatically in March. Drivers nationwide collectively put 19% more miles on their vehicles year-over-year and 20% more than February 2021.

Despite the recent rebound, mileage hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. The total number of miles driven nationwide in March 2021 is 79% of the miles driven in February 2020.

People in Illinois and Washington state ramped up driving the most by 29% and 30% in March, respectively, from the year prior. The increased mileage might be a result of resumed commutes as large employers in both states reopened offices. Notably, tech giants encouraged employees working from home to return to their Seattle area campuses at the end of the month.

Californians and Oregonians added 19% and 16% more miles on their vehicles, respectively.

Smaller upturns in driving came from East Coast Metromile customers. The total number of miles driven in March 2021 grew by 18% in Pennsylvania, 12% in New Jersey, and 11% year-over-year in Virginia.  

Arizona, one of the last states to implement a stay-at-home order last year, saw the smallest increase in March 2021. Mileage in the Grand Canyon State rose by only 6% compared to the year before.

Will these new driving trends continue in 2021?

While the total number of miles driven is quickly approaching pre-pandemic levels, it is becoming more apparent how people drive has changed. A new normal may be developing.

People returning to the office may be in for a pleasant surprise: Drivers may find fewer congested roads, as people plan to commute less often than they did before. The trend will likely persist as employers embrace hybrid work schedules, and full-time remote work continues to be more accepted.

Already, the number of miles driven from January to March 2021 during the weekday morning rush hour of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. fell by 15% year-over-year.

The changed behavior could be positive for road safety. Rush hour and evening driving are typically more risky journeys because of increased road congestion and poorer visibility, respectively.

Drivers have also shifted when they get into their vehicles to the weekend and the afternoon.

The increase in miles driven nationwide may be a result of road trips and other long-distance driving. Highway driving, as measured by miles driven 60 miles per hour or faster, grew considerably in the first three months of 2021 compared to the year before.

Metromile customers nationwide took 14% more trips to new locations more than 75 miles away in 2021, and the number of miles driven in trips 75 minutes or more soared by at least 25% year-over-year.

While miles driven nationwide increased recently, traffic levels remain at pre-pandemic lows. The number of miles driven at 30 miles per hour or slower is down — no matter the trip duration.

News headlines have also focused on the sharp increases in reckless driving and speeding as fewer cars are on the road during the pandemic. According to Metromile data, high-speed driving is most common in short trips between 15 and 30 minutes and on road trips of two hours or more.

While speeding 75 miles per hour more is up 74% from January to March 2021 compared to the previous year, there is some reversion to pre-pandemic norms emerging. 

Speeding in the first three months of 2021 has decreased by 32% compared to last spring, and the average speed of trips between 30 and 75 minutes has also reduced.

The bottom line

The COVID-19 pandemic created a nearly instant shift in the way people get around the United States. 

Local and state shelter-in-place and public health orders minted millions of new low-mileage drivers overnight, as many people limited their vehicle use to the bare minimum.

While some drivers may return to their pre-pandemic habits, Metromile data from the first three months of 2021 reveals how people return to the road has likely diverged. Emerging social trends, such as increased remote work and household moves to further away suburban and rural communities, may advance these changes and create different driving routines and a new normal going forward.

It’s not your imagination: Many of us now drive less often than we did before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decline in driving may have started last spring, as states and other areas adopted stay-at-home orders and other public health guidelines beginning in March 2020. In some cases, the number of cars on the road dropped dramatically. In the month from March 19, 2020, the total number of miles driven dropped 58% nationwide, according to Metromile data.

Some signs point to this trend continuing.

Driving in the United States before the coronavirus pandemic

A majority of Americans are infrequent drivers, and this trend started before the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported Americans drove less than 37 miles a day on average in 2018, the most recent year for which data is available. In fact, 65% of Americans drive less than the national average, making them low-mileage drivers. 

And there is no single group of low-mileage drivers, a sign of how commonplace this is across the United States. Some of these drivers include:

• People who work from home or employees with flexible schedules who do not commute to work regularly
• Regular riders of public transportation, including buses, commuter trains, local trams, ride-sharing, shared bicycles or scooters, or subways
• Younger drivers and college students, including those who might live off-campus
• People who live in suburbs or rural communities outside of cities
• Older drivers or retirees 
• People who share their cars online with others 

How driving in the United States changed because of COVID-19

Despite indications last year that driving may be rebounding, including increased road trips in December 2020, the number of miles driven nationwide remains lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Metromile customers nationwide collectively drove 30% fewer miles year-over-year from April through December 2020.

Coastal drivers had the most significant changes in 2020. Virginia drivers put 33% fewer miles on their vehicles, the largest drop among Metromile customers during the pandemic, while those in California and Washington state plunged 32% and 30% miles from their daily routines, respectively. People in Oregon and New Jersey both reduced miles driven by 25%, while Pennsylvania cut their driving by 26%. 

Arizona and Illinois drivers may have rebounded the soonest, as their miles fell 21% and 23%, respectively, the lowest decreases among Metromile customers.

There are also indications Americans changed how they drive during the coronavirus pandemic.

While Metromile customers drove less overall, they started to take longer trips. The number of trips to new locations 75 miles or further away from April through June 2020 increased by 21% compared to the same period in 2019.

During the same period, drivers across the country drove more often in the afternoon, seemingly replacing their morning commutes and late-night driving with mid-day trips.

What the new driving trends mean for auto insurance

As Americans drive less often, they could stand to save on auto insurance.

Pay-per-mile auto insurance, sometimes called pay as you go or pay as you drive auto insurance, can reduce costs for low-mileage and infrequent drivers. Instead of paying a flat rate with traditional car insurance companies, drivers can instead pay for what their lifestyle might require.

Unlike other auto insurance, pay-per-mile insurance rates focus on someone’s actual driving.

Car insurance savings can add up. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Metromile customers collectively saved about 27% in per-mile premiums from April to December 2020 because they pay per mile. 

As a result, some drivers saved double (or more) the auto insurance discounts provided by other insurance companies or suggested by the state.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Virginia drivers, who reduced their driving the most among Metromile customers during the pandemic, saved the most, paying 41% less in per-mile premiums than they did the year before.

Drivers in Washington state and Arizona had per-mile premium reductions of 31% and 29%, respectively.  

Metromile customers in Oregon and Pennsylvania paid 26% less than they did in per-mile premiums than the year before, while California drivers cut their per-mile bills by 27%. 

Finally, Illinois and New Jersey drivers saw 20% and 18% lower per-mile premiums, greater savings than the partial refunds some insurance companies provided during the pandemic.

The bottom line

Many Americans could benefit from pay-per-mile auto insurance. For many drivers, Metromile can provide the same coverage as other car insurance companies without a pricey bill. 

Metromile offers a trial called Ride Along™, which gives drivers the opportunity to try pay-per-mile auto insurance before they buy. 

After you download the app and get a free auto insurance quote, you’ll drive as you typically would for about two weeks (you should keep your current insurance provider to maintain insurance coverage during the trial) to show us how much you drive and whether you’re a safe driver. We’ll then use how you drive to show you an accurate rate or give you a discount up to an extra 15% off your quote, depending on your state, for safe driving.

As a long-time Metromile customer — and former Metromile employee! — Isabel is well-versed in the ways of pay-per-mile auto insurance and Metromile’s insurance coverage.

But Metromile still found a way to surprise Isabel.

Now that she’s working from home, her odometer may be taking a break, but her Metromile insurance is still hard at work — most recently helping her recover her stolen Audi in February 2021. Here’s how Metromile reunited Isabel with her car.

What’s been your experience as a car owner living in the city?

Let me start by saying I’ve had terrible luck with parking garages: a popped tire here, a yanked-off bumper there. 

I never had a problem when I lived in San Francisco and would park on the street. You would think someone would have broken in then! Half of the time, I would forget what street I parked on, so I always pulled up the Metromile app to find my car. 

Now I live in Oakland, California, in an apartment building that has an attached covered garage. During the day, it’s open to the public as paid parking. Since I’ve been working from home this past year, I don’t drive very often, and I don’t check the app as frequently anymore. 

How did you find out someone stole your car?

One night I received a text alert from Metromile saying my check engine light was on. It was really bizarre.

I brushed it off, thinking my car was parked safe and sound downstairs. It wasn’t until the next day, around noon, that I discovered my car was missing. I just wanted to get the pack of La Croix I had left in the backseat!

I remembered, from my time on the Metromile customer experience team, when I helped people find their stolen cars; I immediately pulled up the Metromile app to find my car’s whereabouts. 

Luckily, the thieves hadn’t spotted my Pulse device or thought to pull it out. I could see them driving around in Oakland, California. I called the police, and we waited for a few hours until the car stopped moving. It ended up only a mile and a half from my house behind a motel.

How did they manage to get your car out of the garage?

The people who stole my car were very professional. On the security footage, you could see them drive into the garage in another Audi. They managed to start my car without breaking any of the doors or windows. It took them less than five minutes, so they were in and out before they had to pay for parking. 

They exited the garage with both cars close together so they could get out in one go before the barrier arm came down. The police said the way they stole my car is very common nowadays. 

I would have thought that would only be the case in public parking garages. That’s why I pay extra for my parking spot in the first place! 

What state was your car in when you found it?

The thieves had tinted the windows, spray-painted the wheels, and changed the license plates in just a few hours. 

The engine was fine, but they must have tried tinkering with something under the hood, which had prompted the Metromile alert earlier. 

The interior was full of trash and all of the tools you would need to steal cars, like power tools and batteries. There was a cell phone, computer parts, and some people’s identification cards. Thankfully I hadn’t left many personal items or valuable items in the backseat, so I’m really lucky. 

It was pretty inconvenient and feels a little violating, but it could have been much worse had I not had Metromile. 

Having gone through this, what advice do you have for other occasional drivers like yourself?

My tip for other drivers out there: even if you have covered parking, beware. 

Without the help of the Metromile app, I wouldn’t have gotten my car back. Metromile has saved me money, and now, having recovered my car, I love it even more!

The bottom line

As Isabel learned, things can happen to your car, even when you’re not driving much, or take precautions like purchasing covered parking in a garage. This is why it’s important to have the right amount of auto insurance coverage for your lifestyle and budget.

Metromile has reunited drivers with their lost or stolen vehicles. We even boast a 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate as of the end of February 2021.

Not sure if Metromile is a fit for you? 
Take a Ride Along™ to try before you buy. Download the Metromile app and get a free auto insurance quote. You’ll keep your current coverage and drive as you typically would for about two weeks. Then, we’ll consider your actual driving to provide you with an accurate rate. You could even save up to an additional 15% off your quote in select states for your safe driving.

Are your car insurance rates going up?

When it’s time to renew your policy, your car insurance company might send you a letter to let you know your rates are increasing.

That might not be a surprise if you recently got into a car accident or received a speeding ticket. But what if you’ve never filed a claim before? 

Sometimes, even if you drive safely, your car insurance rates might rise for reasons that are out of your control.

Let’s take a look at a few reasons why your car insurance might be so high and how a pay-per-mile auto insurance policy from Metromile could help you save money.

What factors impact your car insurance rates? 

Car insurance companies consider a number of factors when setting your premiums.

It’s important to understand that your auto insurance rates could be based on things like:

• Your driving record
• What type of car you drive
• Where you live
• How old you are and how long you’ve been driving
• Your gender
• Your credit rating

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at why your car insurance rates might be going up.

Why did my car insurance go up? 

There are several reasons why your car insurance rates might go up.

Sometimes your car insurance premiums increase as a direct result of your driving behavior. Other times, it could have nothing to do with you. Your rates could go up simply because of changes in the market.

Here are four common reasons why car insurance rates go up:

1. Your auto insurance rates might go up if your driving record changed. 

If your recent driving shows you might be a risky or dangerous driver, your car insurance premium can increase at renewal.

For example, if you were determined to be at fault in a car accident, you’ll almost certainly notice an increase in your premiums. If you got caught speeding or running a red light, paying the ticket might be the least of your worries. 

Plus, you might lose any safe driver discounts you used to have, which could increase your rates even more. It’s a double whammy and more reason for you to drive safely.

2. Your auto insurance rates could rise for reasons that have nothing to do with driving.

For example, if your credit goes down, your car insurance premiums might increase. 

Even though it has nothing to do with your driving habits, a sharp drop in your credit score could be an indication of risky behavior that insurers fear could carry over to the streets or a greater likelihood of filing a claim.

3. Your auto insurance rates could also go up if you added insurance. 

This could be as simple as buying a new car that’s more expensive to replace, adding a new driver to your policy, especially if it’s a teenage driver, or increasing your coverage amounts. This doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. 

But because the insurance company is taking on more risk or providing more coverage, they could raise your premiums.

4. Your auto insurance rates could also increase for reasons that are beyond your control. 

If you move from a quiet town to a big city, where car accidents and stolen vehicles are more common, your car insurance company might raise your rates to make up for the additional risk.

As car repairs or health care costs go up, they could also increase your premiums because it can become more expensive to pay for any vehicle damages or injuries you might cause in an accident. 

Lastly, don’t forget car insurance companies also have to factor in inflation.

What auto insurance discounts are available? 

Your car insurance company might offer various discounts.

If your car insurance rates are going up because of your driving record, you’ll probably have a difficult time finding another insurance company that will give you a better price. But if they’re increasing your rates for other reasons, you might be able to save money by shopping around for a more affordable car insurance policy that offers better discounts.

Here are some common car insurance discounts that you should make sure to ask for:

• Safe driver discount or a no-accident discount
• Good driver discount
• Mature driver discount
• Safety equipment installation discount for anti-theft equipment or car alarms, for example
• Multi-vehicle discount

At Metromile, you could also score a discount of up to an additional 15% off your initial quote in select states by taking a Ride Along™ and demonstrating safe driving. 

What is Ride Along™, and how does it work? 

Ride Along™ is like a free trial that lets you test out Metromile without needing to commit.

All you have to do is download the Metromile app for free. Then, you’ll just drive as you would ordinarily for 17 days. We’ll take it from there and count how many miles you drive, so we can estimate how much you’d pay on a regular basis with pay-per-mile auto insurance.

While we’re at it, we might also consider your driving behavior, like whether you speed or how hard you brake. If you demonstrate you’re a safe driver during this trial period, you might qualify for an additional discount of 15% if you live in Arizona or Oregon.

Then, you can switch to Metromile and start your coverage. (You won’t be covered by Metromile during your Ride Along.)

How else can I save money on car insurance with Metromile? 

Metromile offers pay-as-you-drive auto insurance.

Instead of charging you a flat rate for car insurance, we start you off with a small base rate and then charge you by the mile after that. 

While your rates may still be determined by things like your driving record, what type of car you have, and where you live, the price you pay is based on how many miles you drive. So if you’re a low-mileage driver, think about how much money you could save on auto insurance!

What’s next?

Still wondering why your car insurance rates are so high?

If your car insurance rates recently went up, you might be looking for ways to save money. While other auto insurers give you little choice over how much you pay, Metromile puts you in the driver’s seat. We provide you with control over how much you pay each month based on how many miles you drive.

The less you drive, the more you save. 

Think you might be a low-mileage driver? Get a free auto insurance quote from Metromile today to see how much you could save.