Thursday, February 26, 2009

The Many Advantages of Pay As You Drive Insurance

By Tom Martens

The premiums you pay on your auto insurance are usually based on your age, gender, and where you live. Pay As You Drive insurance however is different. It's based on the number of miles you drive. Drive fewer miles, pay lower premiums.

The obvious advantage of Pay As You Drive coverage is its lower cost. Since the premiums you pay are calculated on the basis of how many miles you drive, reducing your monthly insurance payment is a snap. Just drive fewer miles. Not only will you pay less for your policy, you will pay less for fuel and maintenance. The fewer miles you drive, the less wear and tear, and the greater likelihood you will be able to keep your car long after you make the last payment. And with the cost of new and used vehicles going up all the time, having a car without a payment is a major incentive.

The less obvious advantage of Pay As You Drive coverage is that you can tailor your program to your specific driving needs. Premiums under these plans are either computed on the basis of miles driven, or on the basis of hours driven. You can choose a Pay As You Drive policy that focuses on total miles, or total hours in a specific time period, such as six months. Pay As You Drive coverage offers you the flexibility and freedom you need to choose exactly the coverage you need, and to get it at a lower cost as you economize.

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 incentivize 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.

The Brookings Institute found that two-thirds of American households would save an average of $270 per year with Pay As You Drive. In the current economic situation, that is welcome 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.

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