What Auto Insurance Is Best for Infrequent Drivers?

Last Updated on October 18, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 18, 2026 How we fact-check

If you don’t drive much, you spend less time on the road — which usually means fewer chances to crash. In many cases, that lower exposure can translate into lower car insurance costs.

That said, insurers don’t automatically know you’re an infrequent driver. To get the best rate, you typically need to (1) report accurate annual mileage and vehicle use, and (2) choose an insurer or program that rewards low-mileage driving — like a cheap low mileage car insurance policy or a usage-based/telematics plan.

Below is what “low mileage” really means, how pay-per-mile and telematics programs work, and the best ways to get cheaper car insurance if you rarely drive.

  • If you drive far fewer miles than average, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount, pay-per-mile pricing, or a telematics (usage-based) program.
  • Updating your annual mileage and vehicle use (commute vs. pleasure) with your insurer is one of the quickest ways to potentially lower your premium.
  • Usage-based insurance can reward safe, low-mileage drivers — but some programs can raise your renewal rate if your driving data looks risky.
  • If discounts aren’t available, you can still cut costs by adjusting deductibles/coverage wisely, stacking discounts (bundling, autopay, safe driver), and shopping quotes.
Table Of Contents
  1. How Mileage Affects Car Insurance
  2. Low Mileage Car Insurance
  3. Pay-Per-Mile Insurance (Best for Very Low Mileage)
  4. Consider Usage-Based Insurance
  5. Who Should Consider Usage-Based Insurance?
  6. How Insurers Track Driving Habits
  7. Lower Coverage or Raise Your Deductible
  8. Other Discounts for Infrequent Drivers
  9. Best Auto Insurance Companies for Low Mileage Drivers
  10. FAQs on Auto Insurance for Infrequent Drivers
  11. Final Word – Best Auto Insurance for Infrequent Drivers
  12. Sources

How Mileage Affects Car Insurance

Most insurers price your policy partly on how much you drive and how you use the vehicle (commuting vs. pleasure vs. business). If you’ve started working from home, retired, or stopped commuting regularly, updating your annual mileage can be one of the fastest ways to lower your premium. Ask what your insurer actually collects, because it may be less than you think: Progressive says that in most states it only asks how many miles you drive for your work commute, not your total for the year.

As a benchmark, the Federal Highway Administration’s 2024 figures work out to about 13,700 miles per licensed driver per year — 3.29 trillion vehicle-miles across 239.8 million licensed drivers. It varies a lot by state and household. If you drive well under the average American, you may qualify for discounts or low-mileage pricing.

Low Mileage Car Insurance

A dedicated low-mileage discount is rarer than its reputation. Across the biggest personal auto insurers, not one publishes a percentage or a mileage threshold for it: State Farm mentions “low mileage” once on its discounts page, inside a list of discounts you may not realize you qualify for, with no threshold and no percentage, and GEICO, Liberty Mutual and Allstate name none at all. Progressive describes low-mileage insurance as something other companies offer.

Two companies do put something in writing. National General lists a low-mileage discount on its own auto page, without a percentage. American Family publishes both a threshold and a figure: its MilesMyWay program pays up to 25% to drivers who average 20 miles a day or less — roughly 7,300 miles a year — plus 10% just for enrolling, and it uses odometer photos rather than an app. If you want a number to aim at, that is the only published one.

How to get a low-mileage discount: call your insurer and ask them to re-rate your policy with your current annual mileage and vehicle use. Some companies may ask for an odometer photo, a service record, or periodic mileage verification.

Pay-Per-Mile Insurance (Best for Very Low Mileage)

If you drive very little, pay-per-mile insurance may be an even better fit than a standard “low mileage discount.” Pay-per-mile policies generally charge:

  • a base rate (daily or monthly), plus
  • a per-mile rate based on how far you drive.

This setup can be ideal for retirees, remote workers, households with a second “errands-only” car, or anyone who drives a few thousand miles per year.

Two big insurers sell it directly. Allstate Milewise charges a daily rate plus a per-mile rate against a prepaid balance, and it prices behavior as well as distance: Allstate tells Milewise drivers to avoid speeds over 80 mph, braking harder than 8 mph in one second, and driving between 11 PM and 4 AM. If the device stops reporting, Allstate bills a default of 40 miles a day. Nationwide SmartMiles charges a base premium plus a cost per mile, and is not sold in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, New York or Oklahoma.

Among the smaller names, check which still exist before you go looking. Metromile is no longer a brand you can buy from — its own site now says “Metromile is a Lemonade company” and sends you to Lemonade, which still sells pay-per-mile. Noblr is gone as a standalone brand; noblr.com now redirects to USAA. Mile Auto is still worth a quote if it writes in your state.

Two names often grouped with these are not actually pay-per-mile. Root prices on how you drive during a test-drive period rather than on miles. Hugo is a pay-as-you-go liability-only policy — it is a six-month policy you can pay for in stretches as short as three days, and there is no collision, comprehensive, theft or roadside coverage, so it is not a substitute for a full-coverage policy.

Consider Usage-Based Insurance

If you are an infrequent driver, then consider usage-based insurance. Some insurers offer usage-based insurance (UBI), which can reward low mileage and safe driving habits.

UBI typically uses a mobile app, plug-in device, or connected-car data to track things like mileage, time of day, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and sometimes phone distraction. If you drive fewer miles and keep driving behavior smooth, you may earn a lower rate.

Today, insurers refer to usage-based insurance by a number of names. Some insurers call it telematics insurance because an app or device tracks driving habits. Others call it pay-as-you-go or usage-based insurance. (Some older marketing terms like “weekend insurance” aren’t commonly used by major insurers today.)

Important: Some programs are “discount-only,” while others can change your renewal rate up or down depending on your results. Always ask your insurer whether the program can increase your premium at renewal.

Each company has its own system. Here’s an example of each company’s usage-based insurance program (availability and names can vary by state, and some programs may be legacy or rebranded):

  • Progressive Snapshot — averages $164 off at sign-up and $328 at completion, usually after six months. Not sold in California.
  • Esurance DriveSense
  • Nationwide SmartRide — an instant 10% at enrollment, up to 40%
  • Liberty Mutual RightTrack — 15% if every driver on the policy takes part, 10% if only some do, up to 30%
  • State Farm Drive Safe & Save — up to 30%, with a 10% initial participation decrease. Not sold in California, Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
  • USAA SafePilot — participation discount raised to 15% in many states in February 2026. USAA sells only to the military community and eligible relatives.
  • GEICO DriveEasy — 47 states plus D.C., but not California, Hawaii or Vermont. GEICO’s car insurance discounts page (information current as of November 2025) lists the maximum potential savings as “Typically, between 5 – 15%.”
  • Allstate Drivewise — a discount for enrolling that “varies by state”; Allstate publishes no savings figure
  • Allstate Milewise — pay-per-mile rather than a discount
  • Farmers Signal
  • American Family DriveMyWay and MilesMyWay — 10%–35% for DriveMyWay with a 15% enrollment discount; up to 25% for MilesMyWay at 20 miles a day or less. KnowYourDrive is no longer listed on American Family’s program page.
  • Travelers IntelliDrive — a 90-day program, up to 30%, in Maryland, Maine, Virginia and Washington; 38 states plus D.C. get IntelliDrive 365 instead, which keeps scoring you and advertises up to 10% for enrolling and up to 35% at renewal
  • Mercury RealDrive — California only, up to 20%
  • MAPFRE DriveAdvisor
  • National General DynamicDrive — the program National General names today; its older SmartDrive name is gone, and it also lists a low-mileage discount

Two programs that used to belong on this list are gone. MetLife My Journey went with MetLife’s auto book, which Farmers bought in 2021; metlife.com now routes auto shoppers to Farmers GroupSelect. Safeco Rewind went with the Safeco brand, which retired on April 25, 2026.

Contact your insurer to ask about telematics programs, usage-based insurance, or low-mileage options. For a neutral explainer of how telematics works, the NAIC has an overview here: Understanding usage-based insurance (NAIC). It is blunt about the trade-off — “not everyone is a better than ‘average’ driver and may not be eligible for discounted rates.”

Who Should Consider Usage-Based Insurance?

Usage-based insurance is often a strong fit for infrequent drivers — but it’s usually best for people who also drive smoothly and avoid risky times of day.

Drivers who can benefit from usage-based insurance include:

  • Employees working from home
  • Anyone who can avoid driving late at night, which is the time of day these programs actually score
  • Stay-at-home parents
  • Someone who takes public transit or bikes to work
  • Drivers who only drive on weekends

Many drivers are surprised that UBI is about more than just miles. Programs may consider hard braking, acceleration, phone distraction, and driving time. The late-night window is the one the carriers name: Allstate Milewise flags 11 PM to 4 AM, Progressive Snapshot says to limit trips between 12 and 4 a.m. on weekends, and GEICO DriveEasy scores “how often you travel late at night.” None of them names a rush-hour factor.

UBI may not be ideal if you dislike sharing driving data, drive frequently in heavy traffic (where hard braking is common), or have multiple drivers who share one car and drive very differently.

How Insurers Track Driving Habits

To qualify for low-mileage pricing or telematics discounts, you usually need to verify mileage and/or driving behavior. You can’t simply claim to drive 5,000 miles per year and expect a discount — most insurers will want some proof.

There is a second reason not to guess at the number. New York’s Department of Financial Services calls it rate evasion when drivers misrepresent where a vehicle is garaged or driven to get a lower premium, and Delaware’s insurance department calls a false garaging address insurance fraud outright. Give your insurer the real mileage and the real use class.

Common verification methods include:

  • Mobile app tracking (uses phone sensors and requires permissions)
  • Plug-in device (often an OBD-II device installed in the vehicle)
  • Odometer verification (photo uploads at enrollment/renewal or periodic check-ins)
  • Connected-car data (available with some vehicles/insurers)

The evaluation window differs by program, and the published ones run longer than you might guess. Travelers IntelliDrive is a 90-day program in Maryland, Maine, Virginia and Washington, but the IntelliDrive 365 version most other states get never stops: Travelers rescores you at each renewal from the trips in the previous 365 days and calls 50 or more trips enough. Allstate Drivewise needs at least 50 trips before your renewal is processed, then reprices on your past 12 months of driving (six months for the first renewal). Progressive credits the Snapshot discount at renewal, “usually after six months.” American Family lets you run a 99-trip trial first. Several insurers also pay a discount just for enrolling, before any score exists: 10% at State Farm and Nationwide, 15% at USAA and for American Family’s DriveMyWay.

If you are a safe driver with fewer miles than average, telematics programs can sometimes produce meaningful savings — but results vary a lot by insurer, state, and driving patterns.

Lower Coverage or Raise Your Deductible

Not every insurer offers low-mileage discounts, and not every infrequent driver will qualify for UBI savings. If you want to reduce premiums further, consider lowering your coverage or raising your deductible.

Raising your deductible (for example, from $500 to $1,000) can lower premiums — but make sure you could comfortably pay that amount after a claim.

Some infrequent drivers drop collision and comprehensive coverage altogether once a car is older and paid off. That can cut costs significantly, but damage to your own vehicle won’t be covered. If you have a lease or loan, your lender will usually require comprehensive and collision.

Other Discounts for Infrequent Drivers

Low mileage is just one way to save. Other discounts that may apply to infrequent drivers include:

Work From Home Discounts: Many insurers now offer work-from-home discounts. If you don’t commute daily, ask if your insurer can re-rate your policy as “pleasure” use or a reduced commute.

Safe Driver Discounts: Infrequent drivers often have fewer tickets and claims. Many insurers offer safe driver discounts to drivers with a clean record.

Off Hour Discounts: Some telematics programs reward driving at safer times. In practice that means staying off the road late at night; that is the window Allstate, Progressive and GEICO all name.

Bundle and policy discounts: Bundling auto with home/renters, paying in full, paperless billing, autopay, and multi-car discounts can also reduce premiums — even if you don’t qualify for low-mileage programs.

Best Auto Insurance Companies for Low Mileage Drivers

Rates vary widely by state and driver profile, and no study ranks insurers on price for a low-mileage driver, so this table is about what each company publishes rather than who is cheapest. All figures checked October 2026.

InsurerBest for infrequent drivers who…Low-mileage discount published?Telematics / UBI programCan it raise your rate?Notes
USAAWant strong pricing/benefits (if eligible) and are comfortable using an appNone publishedSafePilot (app-based) — participation discount 15% in many states, February 2026Not publishedUSAA sells only to the military community and eligible relatives, so check eligibility before you shop
GEICOWant an app-based program that factors in miles + driving habitsNone publishedDriveEasy (app-based) — 47 states plus D.C.; not CA, HI or VT. GEICO’s discounts page lists maximum potential savings as “Typically, between 5 – 15%” (information current as of November 2025).Yes (in some states)GEICO: “riskier drivers may see a higher rate depending on the state.” It does not say which states. Seven scoring categories, including route regularity.
State FarmPrefer a discount-focused program that won’t penalize you for the dataNone published; “low mileage” is named once with no thresholdDrive Safe & Save — up to 30%, plus a 10% initial participation decrease. Not sold in CA, MA or RI.Not published (a discount program)State Farm publishes a discount and a participation decrease, and no rate-increase language. Ask before you enroll rather than taking that as a guarantee.
TravelersDrive low miles and drive smoothly (and want a strong telematics option)None publishedIntelliDrive — a 90-day program, up to 30%, in MD, ME, VA and WA. IntelliDrive 365, in 38 states plus D.C., runs for the life of the policy: up to 10% for enrolling, up to 35% at renewal, up to 2% for staying in.Yes, except in DC, MT, NC and VA, where Travelers says riskier driving will not raise the premiumCan be great for very safe drivers; read the state rules
American FamilyWant a mileage-focused program (no constant trip tracking)MilesMyWay — up to 25% at 20 miles a day or less, plus 10% for enrolling; odometer photos, not an appDriveMyWay — 10%–35%, with a 15% enrollment discount and a 99-trip trialNot publishedMilesMyWay is the better “low miles” fit; DriveMyWay is behavior-based. One program per driver, both allowed on one policy.
ProgressiveAre okay with app/device tracking and want personalized pricingNone published; Progressive calls low-mileage insurance something other companies offerSnapshot — averages $164 off at sign-up and $328 at completion, usually after six months. Not sold in CA.Yes, though Progressive says about 2 in 10 drivers get an increase; NC, HI, NY and MT are excluded from increasesGood for low-mileage plus smooth driving; check state details
Comparison of major insurers commonly worth quoting for infrequent drivers (availability and program rules vary by state and policy).

Low mileage car insurance prices vary widely depending on your location and insurance company. Compare quotes online to find the cheapest car insurance as an infrequent driver.

FAQs on Auto Insurance for Infrequent Drivers

Final Word – Best Auto Insurance for Infrequent Drivers

Few insurers offer a plain low-mileage discount, but most of the big ones offer a telematics program and two sell pay-per-mile. If you drive well under the 13,700-mile national average, the three things worth trying are updating your mileage and use class, enrolling in a telematics program, and pricing a pay-per-mile policy.

My advice is to get your quotes at identical limits and deductibles, then ask one question before you enroll in any telematics program: can this raise my rate at renewal? GEICO, Progressive, Allstate and Travelers all say it can in at least some states, so the answer matters more than the advertised discount.

Sources

Checked October 18, 2026