By Miles Car Insurance Review: Pay-Per-Mile Insurance
Do you drive under 7,000 miles a year and want to save on car and insurance costs? By Miles could be for you. By Miles is a pay as you drive policy that can save you money if you don’t spend much time on the road.
This is for newer cars and less frequent drivers, a fixed annual fee to cover your car when it’s parked and a monthly rate based on miles driven. Perfect for those who want to avoid the high costs of traditional used car insurance.
Customer reviews say it’s simple and you can save big. For more reviews, including positive and some negative reviews, see Trustpilot and Smart Money People.
What is By Miles Car Insurance?
By Miles Car Insurance is a pay as you drive insurance policy for less frequent drivers. This means more personal and potentially cheaper car insurance.
About By Miles
By Miles is a UK based car insurance company that offers insurance for low mileage drivers. The company’s aim is to help you save money by only paying for the miles you drive. By the Miles insurance they also has a mobile app to help you track your journeys and manage your insurance.
The company has been praised for its new approach to car insurance. It’s for those who don’t drive much, city dwellers or those who use public transport and only drive their cars occasionally. The fixed annual cost plus a variable per mile rate means you only pay for what you use.
Insurance Model
By Miles pay as you drive insurance combines a one off upfront fixed cost or annual premium with a variable cost based on the miles you drive. You pay a lower fixed rate upfront that covers theft and accidental damage. On top of that you pay a variable rate depending on your mileage.
For example if you drive fewer miles in a month your insurance cost will be lower than if you drive more miles in a month. This is great for drivers who don’t use their car daily. The app is a key feature to track your driving and get transparent billing.
You can read more about this insurance model on Forbes Advisor UK and Finder UK.
How to Sign up to By Miles
To sign up to By Miles you need to meet certain eligibility criteria and go through an onboarding process. This will get you the best insurance plan for your driving habits.
Eligibility
To be eligible for By Miles you must meet certain conditions. Firstly By Miles is for drivers who expect to drive less than 7,000 miles a year. As By Miles is for low mileage drivers you need to estimate your annual mileage accurately.
Your car must be compatible with the By Miles app which tracks your mileage. Most UK registered cars from the last 20 years are eligible but you need to check compatibility during sign up. You also need a smartphone to use the app as it provides real time tracking and updates on your insurance usage.
You also need a valid driving licence and to be a UK resident. Meeting these basics saves you from any headaches during sign up.
Onboarding
The onboarding process starts by visiting the By Miles website and entering your details. You’ll need to enter your car’s make, model, year and your estimated annual mileage. This helps By Miles tailor the insurance to your needs.
Once you’ve submitted the initial details you’ll get a quote. If you like the quote you can buy. By Miles will then send you a Miles Tracker, a small device that plugs into your car’s OBD-II port. This tracker will track your mileage accurately.
Plug in the tracker and download the By Miles app on your smartphone. The app will walk you through setting up the tracker and provide real time mileage updates. Once everything is set up you’re covered and can drive knowing you’re only paying for the same number of miles you drive.
Cost and Fees
By Miles Car Insurance has a new pricing model for less frequent drivers. Here’s what you need to know about by miles car insurance policies, their policy pricing and additional charges or savings.
Policy Pricing
By Miles has a “pay-per-mile” pricing model. This price also consists of two parts: a fixed annual cost and a per-mile rate.
Fixed Annual Cost: This covers admin fees and basic insurance cover.
Per-Mile Rate: Charges based on the actual miles you drive. This is great if you drive less than 7,000 miles a year.
For example if your fixed cost is £150 and your per-mile rate is 3p if you drive 5,000 miles your annual cost would be £300 (fixed) + £150 (miles) = £450.
Additional Charges and Savings
There may be extra charges or savings with By Miles.
Upfront Costs: A one off payment for the fixed annual cost.
Expense Transparency: Any additional charges (e.g. late payment fees) are clearly stated.
Savings Opportunities: Renewable discounts for low mileage, good driving habits or bundling other insurance types.
By Miles has great customer reviews, often for being value for money and transparent on charges as per Trustpilot and other review sites.
Cover
By Miles has a flexible approach to car insurance with options for different driving needs. See the standard cover and extras available to add to your policy.
Standard Cover
By Miles has standard cover options to suit most drivers. This comprehensive insurance includes Third Party Liability which covers damage or injury to others. Comprehensive Cover covers your car for damage from accidents, theft, fire or vandalism.
Other standard:
Windscreen Repair: Costs for repairing or replacing windscreen cracks.
Personal Accident Cover: Compensation for injury or death in an accident.
European Cover: Extends your policy for EU trips.
The cover is designed to be fully comprehensive cover so you’re covered for most eventualities. With their pay-per-mile model low mileage drivers can save big.
Extras
By Miles also has a range of extras to add to your policy. One of the most popular is Breakdown Cover which gives you help if your car breaks down.
You can also add Legal Expenses Cover which will help with legal costs after an accident. No Claims Discount (NCD) Protection is also available so your NCD won’t be affected if you make a claim.
Courtesy Car Cover can be added to give you a temporary car if your car is being repaired. Key Cover will cover the cost of lost or stolen car keys.
These extras let you customise your insurance to suit you and give you extra peace of mind.
Policy Management
Managing your By Miles car insurance policy is simple through the web dashboard and their customer portal. You can track your usage, change your cover or cancel your policy if needed.
Customer Portal
The By Miles customer portal is easy to use. You can check your mileage, see your charges and view your policy details at any time. It’s available through a web browser or the By Miles app. Simple and intuitive.
One of the main features is tracking your vehicle’s mileage in real time from car’s dashboard. This will help you stay within your expected mileage. You can also download statements and billing info from the online dashboard through the portal.
You can also get customer support through the portal. Use the live chat to get quick answers to your questions. This is useful if you need help with the portal or your policy details.
Change and Cancellations
Changing your By Miles policy is easy. Through the customer portal you can update your personal details, change your vehicle or change your cover levels. These changes are processed quickly so your policy reflects your current situation.
If you need to cancel automatically renew of your policy you can do so through the portal or by contacting customer service. The portal has step by step instructions for cancellation. Check for any cancellation fees or notice periods that apply.
If anything goes wrong or you have an issue, you can always contact the By Miles team. They’re available by email or phone to help sort out any policy management problems.
Claims
By Miles has a simple claims process. Follow these steps and you’ll get the help you need fast.
How to Make a Claim
When you need to make a claim with By Miles you start by contacting their claims team. You can do this through the By Miles app which makes it easy. Have all your details to hand, policy number, date of the incident and a description of what happened.
The app has a live chat feature so you can get help and instructions straight away. If you prefer you can also call their customer service number. Once you’ve contacted them you’ll need to fill in a claim form, either online or through the app. This form will capture all the details required and get your claim processed quickly.
What to Expect After Submitting
Once you’ve submitted your claim By Miles’ claims team will review it. You’ll get updates on the progress of your claim. They’ll contact you through the app, email or phone to keep you informed.
During this time an adjuster may contact you for more information or to inspect the damage. The claims team will aim to settle claims quickly. Straightforward claims are usually settled faster, more complex claims may take a bit longer to finalise.
You’ll get guidance on any repairs or replacements needed for your vehicle. By Miles has a network of approved garages so pay as you go can get your car fixed. This makes the process stress free and gets you back on the road fast.
Customer Service and Support
By Miles has multiple customer service options and generally get good feedback for their helpfulness and response times. Most users find contacting support through the app easy and quick.
Contact Options and Response Times
You can contact By Miles via multiple ways, whether you prefer phone, email or live chat. They’re available by phone on 0330 088 3838 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and weekends and bank holidays 10am to 4pm. You can also use the live chat feature which is real time through the app. Live chat response is instant so you can get your questions or issues sorted quickly.
Customer Reviews and Satisfaction
Many customers are happy with the support they get from By Miles. According to Trustpilot reviews users like the app for viewing their journeys and mileage and find the the customer services and support responsive. When users contact them with a question they often get a quick response. Feedback like “My question was answered/resolved straight away” is common from users who contact the By Miles customer service team. This level of support contributes to the overall customer satisfaction.
By Miles Pros and Cons
By Miles has a pay-per-mile insurance model that suits some drivers more than others. Here’s the main advantages and things to consider.
Pay-Per-Mile Benefits
By Miles is best for drivers who don’t travel far. If you drive less than 7,000 miles a year you could save big compared to traditional insurance. This model is very cost effective as confirmed by many reviews that have saved on their insurance premiums.
By Miles is easy to use and many customers like the setup process. For example on Trustpilot users said it was easy. The app tracks your mileage and expenses so you can keep an eye on your own car insurance reviews and costs.
Things to Consider Before By Miles
While By Miles might save money for a car insurer for some it’s not for everyone. Drivers who cover more miles annually might find this model not cost effective. If you drive long distances frequently traditional insurance might be better value.
There can be variation in renewal quotes. Some users on MoneySavingExpert reported higher quotes in subsequent years. Always compare renewal quote to annual costs and consider the increase.
Finally always read the customer reviews. While many are positive some users have had issues with customer service or claims. Check these out to help you decide.