Commuting pattern changed. Report it to insurance?

[friendly_jacek]

Hi, My wife recently got a new job that requires her to commute 120 miles (round trip).
Between bad job with easy commute and great job with long commute, she chose the latter. 10 mile commute is on file with insurance. Do I need to talk to them? Will they increase the rate?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Yes, and probably. That is a big change in to/from work mileage, so you are probably getting a good rate from the relatively short daily commute.

 

[dave1251]

Yes and Yes. If the rate is an dramatic increase I advise to shop around there is always better deals to be found IRT auto insurance.

 

[Billy_D]

You should report it to the insurance.

 

[ABerns]

Yes, report it -- you'd hate to give them a reason to deny a claim!

 

[opus1]

Yes, yes, and yes.

A coworker decided she didn't want to take the train to work anymore and started driving into Chicago. Didn't bother to tell the insurance company because she figured they'd never know, so, of course, 6 months later she gets into an accident. Long story short, it cost her as much, if not more, than if she told them up front and sucked up the premium increase.

 

[JHZR2]

It is your duty to pay your policy based upon your true risk. More time on the road does indeed increase risk (and also isn't the best for you in terms of time wasted, health, etc). Hopefully they won't charge too much for it...

 

[friendly_jacek]

Thanks for letting me know. Will do.

 

[bdcardinal]

You guys have to tell your insurance company your commute? Never been asked that in California. All they ask is the current odometer reading once a year.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
You guys have to tell your insurance company your commute? Never been asked that in California. All they ask is the current odometer reading once a year.


How is that any different? Then they know what your use pattern is and can price your risk accordingly.

Some states also require a dmv mileage reporting, IIRC. Im sure it varies from state to state. In NJ, the state has no idea what my mileage is, but thus the insurance company asks about commute distances.

 

[mattwithcats]

My State Farm here has 3 years distances, used for premium calculations...
Under 3000
3000-7500
And over 7500

If your total yearly mileage has changed, you need to report it.

 

[AdRock]

I've never had to disclose anything like that for insurance. State Farm has wanted the mileage of a vehicle when I bought it but that's it. I can insure the car as a weekend only, or leisure vehicle, but for a daily driver they don't care whether I drive 10 miles a year or 50000 miles a year the insurance cost is the same.

 

[Dave Hess]

Hopefully she got a substantial salary increase at the new job for a 120 mile daily commute.

 

[Cujet]

With insurance (as with so many things) , you should purchase what you need.

I no longer drive all that many miles. I don't commute to work every day (as I'm often on business trips for my aviation job) .

But, I do make sure to carry exactly the coverage I want.

 

[Vikas]

I recall insurance in our state has only two categories; under 7500 vs over per year miles. Alas, we can never fit in the first one.

 

[andyd]

Mmmnph, I get a run around when I confront the insurance people. I drive my cars very little these days. I drive a company van. and I no longer use my cars to commute.

 

[SHOZ]

My insurance company ask for a yearly total. 15000 was what I said and used for pleasure.