Car Insurance, Commuting, and Coronavirus: Companies Offer Relief in Uncertain Times
Updated: Sep 19, 2020
Car Insurance is essential for anyone who drives. And the word “essential” has taken on a whole new meaning these days. Our daily lives have changed drastically amid coronavirus and the resulting self-quarantine and shelter-in-place orders. Suddenly, we went from going and doing to staying in. For those of us who have not been deemed essential workers, we might be lucky enough to work from home. Others have found themselves without work in a very uncertain time. Either way, you might have made the transition from commuter to non-commuter. So, what does the change in your commuting status mean for your car insurance? We break it down below.
From Commuter to Non-Commuter During Coronavirus
A couple months ago, you grabbed your travel mug and hit the road. You had music and podcasts to help you endure the traffic on your way to work. The trip might have been 20 miles or 100 miles. According to an article on CNBC, the average length of an American’s commute is roughly 26 minutes. Of course, this varies from state to state, with Washington D.C. being the longest and South Dakota being the shortest. So, most of us are going from having half an hour on the road to a short walk to the living room.
Changes to Your Car Insurance Due to Quarantine
The miles we would have added to our cars simply aren’t there anymore. And our cars need far less protection when they are just sitting in our garage or driveway. Luckily, this fact is not lost on insurance companies. Based on reports from the Consumer Federation of America, “more than 82% of auto insurance companies like State Farm, Geico and Liberty Mutual are offering policyholders refunds and credits to save money, totaling more than $6.5 billion over the next two months”. Recognizing that the normal amount of coverage is no longer necessary, car insurance companies have stepped up to help alleviate the financial burden on consumers. Luckily, this process is convenient, normally asking nothing from you as the policyholder. Refunds and credits should go straight back to the account or payment method on file.
Specific Considerations for Commuters
If Coronavirus changed your driving routine, you can make some changes. So, what breaks are available specifically for those who used to commute and are no longer doing so? First of all, you can potentially secure lower rates by adjusting your driving status from commuter to non-commuter. Or you can reduce the monthly mileage that you reported to your insurance company as expected. Generally, the less miles you drive, the lower your car insurance will be. In order to take advantage of these options, call your car insurance provider today. Ask them what they can do to help you out during the commuting transition. For further details, view the article in USA Today.