The Disadvantages of Pay as You Drive Insurance
Pay As You Drive insurance is taking off in popularity. This insurance program is based on the number of miles you drive. The less you drive, the cheaper your insurance premiums. In the current tough economy, the idea of paying less for what can be a big expense is appealing. However, Pay As You Drive Insurance does have some disadvantages.
First, in order to use Pay As You Drive, you must consent to have your mileage monitored. Monitoring your mileage is not cost-free, and those costs are paid by the insured, not the insurance company. Especially for GPS monitoring, those costs can outweigh any savings gained by using Pay As You Drive. In addition, drivers have to get a new monitoring device any time they change insurance companies. That reality can make you think twice about changing companies just to get a lower rate.
Secondly, the companies that make the odometer tracking devices also charge a periodic fee for transmitting data. So, not only do you pay for the device, you pay to use it. This, again, possibly can eat away any savings from driving less when you use Pay As You Go.
Third, the insurance companies have had an opportunity to develop a completely new price structure when they offered Pay As You Go. This has allowed them to pass off new costs to drivers, again, canceling out the benefits of your careful and frugal driving.
Concerns have also been raised about the data gathered by the odometer tracking devices. Supporters of Pay As You Drive insurance claim the devices will only monitor the mileage necessary to compute the Pay As You Drive insurance premiums, but that could easily change. The devices could be revamped to gather additional data on drivers, including whether they drive, when and how often. This data could be then be passed along to the insurance providers, who could possibly use this information to justify rate increases for Pay As You Drive insurance premiums.
Those who favor Pay As You Drive insurance claim that less driving will result in fewer vehicle accidents. However, the relationship between vehicle miles traveled and accidents isn?t entirely proportional. Also, low mileage drivers are not necessarily safer, better drivers. A driver on a Pay As You Drive insurance program can just as easily have an accident as a driver who is on a more traditional insurance program.
The potential financial benefits from Pay As You Drive insurance make the program look very attractive on the surface. However,drivers who are considering Pay As You Drive car insurance should contact a qualified insurance provider and ask detailed questions. Gather as much information as possible in order to accurately decide if Pay As You Drive insurance is right for you.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.
categories: Car Insurance,Vehicle Insurance,Auto Insurance,Insurance Cars,Vehicles,Automotive,Personal Finance
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