MetromileReviews of metromile.com

The insurance itself has been fine. The devices are pretty bad though. There are two options. One plugs into the OBD2 port, the other plugs into the "lighter" port. The first drains my battery because I don't drive enough to offset the small steady drain. The second doesn't connect within the average duration of my occasional short drives, so I wind up getting alerts that it hasn't connected for too long, and then I have to go drive around to get it to connect. Since the whole point of the insurance is that it's for drivers who drive very little, having neither device work well for that situation is pretty problematic.

Initially, I was pleased with Metromile. It was a young, dynamic company, offering a good service. However, it changed for the worst. I am 81 and leave alone in the heart of the Sequoias. Last year I had a major surgery and went to my friends in Long Island, NY. to recuperate. Before I left, I call Metromile and ask if it is OK to suspend my insurance for about seven months and reinstate it when I am back in California. I was told there is no problem, but no one took care to explain that my rates would go up. They increased everything: the base rate, per/mile rate, even an after 100 miles discount went up to 250 miles. They said I had to be treated as a new client. No explanation and no consideration. They lied, saying that it is also because the industry has increased rates. When I checked it out with Progressive and the 20-th century, I was told, no rates were increased in that period. Metromile is a good concept. However, be aware of their iron fist in a velvet glove. Yuri Spilny