Low mileage car insurance
- If you’re driving less often or for shorter distances, you could benefit from cheaper car insurance
- Compare prices from 175 provider products to find the right cover for you[1]
[1] Correct as of September 2024.
What is low-mileage car insurance?
Low-mileage car insurance is specialist cover for drivers who spend less time on the road each year. Policies vary, but low-mileage car cover is typically available for drivers who do fewer miles than the national average. Because less time driving typically means less chance of an accident, it could mean cheaper car insurance.
The average mileage for UK car drivers in 2022 was 5,373 miles, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). Although that’s a 24% increase from 2021, it’s still considerably less than the 6,500 miles we travelled in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.
Insurance providers have their own criteria for a low-mileage car insurance policy. Some even specialise in car insurance for low-mileage drivers, so it’s a good idea to compare quotes to get the right deal for you.
Is car insurance cheaper if you drive less?
It could be. Driving less is one way you can drive down the cost of your car insurance. That’s because if you’re on the road less, you’re seen as statistically less likely to make a claim – and that means less risk for the insurance provider.
But a low annual mileage doesn’t guarantee you cheaper car insurance. The price of your premiums depends on several factors, including where you live, your age and what kind of car your drive.
And it’s not always clear cut. For example, if you drive less, some insurance providers may consider you a less experienced driver and therefore more likely to be in an accident.
What’s classed as low mileage on a car?
Every car insurance provider will have their own definition of what counts as low mileage. But it’s likely to be below the average miles driven per car each year in the UK.
Not sure how many miles you drive each year? When you need to estimate your annual mileage, a good place to start is to look at your previous MOT certificates as they list the mileage on your car when it was tested.
The mileage should also be recorded on your car’s service book each time it’s serviced. You can use these figures to work out how many miles a year you do on average.
It’s also a good idea to make a note of your car’s mileage whenever you take out a car insurance policy or renew an existing one. This means you’ll have another annual record of your mileage, which you can use when you’re shopping around at renewal time.
Who can benefit from low-mileage car insurance?
People who drive less than the average mileage might be able to benefit from low-mileage car insurance. There are several reasons you might cover less mileage than the average driver. For example, if you are:
- Working from home
- A student
- Living in a city and only using your car occasionally
- Retired
- In a household with more than one vehicle
- Choosing to walk or cycle more to lower your carbon footprint
- The owner of a classic car.
The price you pay for your car insurance is always based on your annual mileage to some degree. It’s one factor of many that comes into play when insurance providers calculate your car insurance premiums. You can typically expect to pay less if you drive fewer miles.
However, for those who drive well below the average amount, specialist low-mileage car insurance cover could be an option.
With limited-mileage car insurance, you can pay only for the number of miles you drive, by selecting a mileage cap, or choosing pay as you go cover. Depending on the policy you choose, you may be sent a device to fit in your car or an app to keep track of your miles.
How can you reduce your mileage?
There are several benefits to reducing your annual mileage. Not only is it better for the environment, but it could also reduce the wear and tear on your car. And, potentially, driving fewer miles could get you a cheaper quote when it’s time to renew your car insurance.
Here a few ways you could reduce your annual mileage:
- Where possible, walk or cycle short trips instead of driving – for example, when you’re popping to the local shop
- If you commute to work or drive the kids to school, see if you can carpool with a colleague or another parent
- Choose to take public transport, where possible, instead of driving
- Speak to your work about the option of working from home a day or two per week
- Plan ahead to combine driving errands, such as doing the weekly shop at the same time as the post office run.
What’s the best car insurance for low-mileage drivers?
If you have very low mileage, you may be able to save money by taking out a specialist policy:
- Telematics insurance uses a black box to track your driving. If you stay within your agreed mileage limit, your insurance provider may offer you a discount.
- Pay-as-you-go insurance allows you to only pay for the amount you drive.
- Classic car insurance is for classic and vintage car enthusiasts who only drive their vehicle a few times each year. You can compare car insurance for vehicles manufactured from 1970 onwards with us.
- Restricted mileage car insurance offers a discount if you drive less than a set number of miles per day.
- Temporary car insurance is an option if you only drive occasionally. It’s short-term car insurance, typically available by the hour, day, the week or month. It could be an option for university students who plan on using their parents’ car when they’re back home for the holidays.
Looking for a better deal on your car insurance? However many miles you drive, you can find a range of competitive insurance quotes right here at Compare the Market.
Shopping around is one of the easiest ways to get a cheaper quote. Our price comparison tool is quick and easy to use, giving you a list of quotes based on your needs, in a matter of minutes.
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How much is low-mileage car insurance?
The price you’re quoted for car insurance depends on more than your annual mileage. How much you’ll pay depends on other factors including your age, where you live and your driving history.
Here are some examples of what you could pay for different types of car insurance. If your annual mileage is lower than average, you could find that your premiums are cheaper.
One of the best ways to find a great deal on car insurance is to shop around. We can help you find a policy that works for you.
[2] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £775.48 for their comprehensive car insurance in September 2024.
[3] 51% of over 70s could achieve a quote of up to £451.11 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in September 2024.
[4] 51% of learner drivers could achieve a quote of up to £744.73 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in September 2024.
What do I need to get a quote?
To get a car insurance quote, you’ll need to provide us with your:
- Name, age and address
- Registration number or model and age of car
- Annual mileage
- Occupation
- Length of no-claims discount
- Details of your driving history – accidents and motoring convictions for example.
Why use Compare the Market?
Get a quote in just 7 minutes[5]
51% of customers could save up to £461[6]
[5] Correct as of September 2024.Frequently asked questions
Is there low-mileage car insurance for seniors?
Drivers over 60 may be eligible for specialist low-mileage cover. Just check the policy for any upper age limits, and bear in mind that you may get a better deal with cover designed specifically for seniors.
What should I put for my mileage on my car insurance?
When you compare car insurance or buy a policy, you’ll need to accurately estimate how many miles you drive a year on average.
It's important to estimate your mileage accurately. Underestimate and you could invalidate your insurance. Overestimate and you could end up paying more than you need to.
You can use your mileage from previous years as a guide, unless you think your driving habits are likely to change. For example, if you’re about to retire or you’re starting a new job with a longer commute.
Do car insurance companies check mileage?
Yes, insurance providers can check your mileage, especially if you make a claim. They can also check your MOT to see if your estimate matches what’s been recorded by the test centre.
Try to be as accurate as possible when estimating your annual mileage. If your estimate is way off, your insurance provider may assume you’ve deliberately misled them and they could cancel your policy.
Do I still need car insurance when I’m not driving my vehicle?
UK law says that your car must be insured if you drive or park it on a public road.
If you declare your car off-road by making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) via the DVLA, then you won’t need to pay car insurance.
Once you’ve declared your car off-road, you can’t drive it on a public road and you’ll need to park it in a garage, on your driveway or on private land.
