At a glance
Low-mileage car insurance is aimed at motorists who typically drive fewer than 7,000 miles a year.
Driving less could reduce your premium, but other factors will impact your quote too.
You can estimate your annual mileage using MOT records and mapping regular journeys.
Types of low-mileage insurance include telematics and PAYG policies.
What is low-mileage car insurance?
Low-mileage car insurance is specialist cover for drivers who do fewer miles than the national average each year.
Because they’re spending less time on the road, insurance providers tend to see them as lower risk. Statistically, less driving means a lower chance of an accident.
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.
What’s considered low mileage?
Generally, anything under 5,000-6,000 miles a year is considered low mileage. There’s no industry-wide threshold though.
Every car insurance provider will have its own definition, but it’s likely to be below the national average miles driven per car. That’s currently around 7,000 miles a year, according to the latest government data.
How to work out your annual mileage
Not sure how many miles you drive each year? Here are a couple of ways to check:
Check your MOT certificate
Check your previous MOT certificates. They show the mileage on your car when it was last tested.
Your mileage should also be recorded in 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.
Work it out manually
If you have a regular routine and tend to drive to the same places, you could calculate your mileage manually.
For example, if you make a specific journey once a week, see how many miles there are between the start and end destinations, and multiply by 52 to get an annual estimate for that journey.
Example
Say you drive 60 miles from your home to work, both ways, twice a month. That’s 120 miles a month, or 1,140 miles a year.
Once you’ve calculated your regular trips, it’s a good idea to add a small buffer for any unexpected journeys.
Just be careful with manual calculations, as significantly underestimating your annual mileage could invalidate your policy.
Quick tip
It’s 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.
Is car insurance cheaper if I drive less?
It could be. Low-mileage car insurance is usually a more affordable option for occasional drivers, as they’re considered lower risk.
Here's how much people usually pay for comprehensive cover based on their annual mileage.
Total annual mileage | Cost of comprehensive car insurance1 |
|---|---|
Up to 999 | £731 |
1,000-1,999 | £692 |
2,000-2,999 | £655 |
3,000-3,999 | £660 |
4,000-4,999 | £666 |
5,000-5,999 | £658 |
6,000-6,999 | £569 |
7,000-7,999 | £590 |
8,000-8,999 | £552 |
9,000-9,999 | £508 |
10,000-10,999 | £576 |
As you can see, low mileage doesn’t always mean the lowest premium. That’s because the price of car insurance also depends on factors such as where you live, your age and the car you drive.
1 Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in June 2026.
How much is low-mileage car insurance?
Here's how much different types of low-mileage drivers typically pay for their car insurance:
£359 a year for retired drivers1
£569 a year for those who drive 6,000-6,999 miles1
£612 a year for learner drivers2.
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.
Compare car insurance1 Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in June 2026.
2 51% of learner drivers could achieve a quote of up to £611.98 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in June 2026.
Who can benefit from low-mileage car insurance?
A few common reasons you might cover fewer miles than the average driver include:
Working from home
If you’re a student
You live in a city and only use your car occasionally
You’re retired
You use more than one vehicle
You choose to walk or cycle more to lower your carbon footprint
You own a classic car.
Quick tip
Don’t drive often? Limited-mileage car insurance lets you select a mileage cap, so you only pay for the number of miles you actually drive. You can also choose pay-as-you-go cover.
Just bear in mind that some policies may come with a device or app that tracks how you drive.
How can I reduce my mileage?
Driving less is not only better for the environment, but it also reduces the wear and tear on your car. And you might even see lower premiums.
Here are a few tips to try:
Walk or cycle
Where possible, walk or cycle for short trips instead of driving. For example, when you’re popping to the local shop.
Carpool
If you commute to work or drive the kids to school, see if you can carpool with a colleague or another parent.
Take public transport
Catching a bus or train over driving can reduce your annual mileage and environmental footprint.
Work from home
If you normally drive to work, speak to your employer about your remote working options.
Plan ahead
Combining errands, such as doing the weekly shop at the same time as the post office run, makes car trips more efficient.
Choose a greener car
If you can’t lower your mileage, why not consider a more fuel-efficient car when it’s time to upgrade?
What low-mileage car insurance options are there?
Telematics insurance
Telematics insurance uses a black box or app on your phone to track your driving habits. It records things like your mileage, speed and braking, and sends the information to your insurance provider.
They then use that to give you a driver score, reflecting how risky you are to insure. And that score usually impacts your next premium.
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) insurance
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) insurance lets you only pay for the amount you drive. And since you’re actively tracking the miles, you might feel less inclined to make those shorter journeys by car.
Classic car insurance
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
Restricted-mileage car insurance caps your annual mileage. This type of policy can be handy if you don’t drive often. This could be the case if you’re retired or only use your car for occasional commuting.
Agreeing to limit your distance could also lower your premium.
Temporary car insurance
Temporary car insurance offers short-term cover, typically available by the hour, day, week or month. It could be a good option if you:
Are a university student and want to use your parents’ car during the holidays
Need a car or van for a day or so to help you move house
Are planning a weekend away with friends and want to share the driving
Are learning to drive and are practicing in a private car every now and then.
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
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.
FAQs
Is there low-mileage car insurance for seniors?
Yes, 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 giving your mileage on your car insurance, you can use last year’s mileage as a guide. Unless, of course, you think your driving habits are likely to change drastically. For example, if you’re about to start commuting for a new job.
You’ll need to be as accurate as possible when estimating how many miles you drive a year on average.
Underestimate, and you could invalidate your insurance. Overestimate, and you could end up paying more than you need to.
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.
That’s another reason why it’s important 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?
Yes, you still need car insurance – even if you’re not driving your car. Under UK law, 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, you won’t need to pay car insurance.
Once you’ve declared your car SORN, you can’t drive or park it on a public road. You’ll need to park it in a garage, on your driveway or on private land.
Over the past decade, Kate has worked in various industries, including company secretarial, small business support and property investing.
Her move to financial services in 2022 not only helped her find her niche in personal finance writing, but also just how alienating finance can be. She’s now motivated by making everyday money a piece of cake for everyone, helping her readers feel informed and in control.
Kate now specialises in savings and current accounts as well as broadband, mobile and energy products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
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