Switching from MetLife to Another Carrier

My vehicle is currently insured through MetLife. I recently changed the nature of my vehicle usage from commuting to pleasure, and my car insurance rates went up as a result. This seems counterintuitive to me - I would think my rates would go down since I am actually driving in rush-hour traffic less frequently. Is this practice common among car insurers?

Answer

This practice is not unusual among insurers. Your premiums depend largely on how many miles you drive per year. More than likely, you will drive more frequently if you use the car for pleasure rather than solely for commuting purposes. Statistically, vehicles that are used for pleasure represent a higher risk for collision, which justifies the higher premiums. On the other hand, if you have indeed reduced your annual mileage by using your car only for pleasure, you might ask your insurer about low-mileage discount car insurance. This discount is typically available to drivers who drive fewer than 10,000-15,000 miles per year.