Third-party
Third-party insurance only pays out for damage done to someone else or their car or property – it doesn’t cover you or your car
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What is low-mileage car insurance?
Low-mileage car insurance is car cover for motorists who only drive a short distance each year (usually less than 6,000 miles).
Although many factors affect your car insurance premium, in general the lower your mileage the less you will pay. This is because the less time you spend on the road, the less likely you are to have an accident and to make a claim on your insurance.
However, there is a limit to this. Traditional car insurers usually charge motorists who drive very few miles slightly more, because they are considered inexperienced.
📣 Did you know? Someone who drives 10,000 miles a year pays on average 3%
How does it work?
There are two main types of low-mileage car insurance:
Standard low mileage insurance: This is a traditional policy where the insurer adjusts your premium according to your annual mileage. A lower mileage can mean a lower premium.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: You pay a fixed fee for basic cover and then you're charged for each mile you drive. This can be beneficial if you only use your car occasionally.
There are not many pay-per-mile car insurance providers in the UK. You can compare quotes from some of them on MoneySuperMarket if you fit their criteria.
Generally, you need to have an annual mileage under 6,000 miles a year.
Which type of car insurance do I need?
You will have three types of car insurance to choose from:
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Third-party, fire and theft
Third-party, fire and theft policies add cover for your own car if it’s stolen, or damaged by fire or an explosion
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Fully comprehensive
Fully comprehensive cover offers everything included above, but also adds a range of other cover options for you and your vehicle
How do I calculate my annual mileage?
An easy way to calculate your annual mileage is to look at your MOT certificates; this will tell you how many miles you have driven between MOTs which should be done each year. You can also use our annual mileage calculator to work out how many miles you're likely to drive in the year ahead.
Looking ahead, factor in any long journeys you plan to do or changes of circumstances. For example, you might have moved jobs and have a longer commute.
What is covered by my car insurance?
Individual policies vary but here’s what you can usually expect from a comprehensive policy:
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What's covered
Damage to your car: From an accident, fire, vandalism or a natural disaster such as storm damage
Theft of your car: you'll get a replacement vehicle if yours is stolen
Third-party damage caused by your vehicle: You’ll be covered for damage you cause to a third party, their vehicle or their property
Personal injury: Offers compensation if you’re seriously or fatally injured in a road accident
Windscreens: You’ll often be able to claim for a windscreen repair or replacement if you get a windscreen chip or a cracked windscreen
Third-party medical expenses: If you cause an accident, the cost of medical treatment for each person injured in the other vehicle
Legal expenses: Pays out for legal costs related to a claim
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What's not covered
Wear and tear: Normal wear and tear on your car that's expected over time, such as brake pads and tyres needing to be replaced
Invalid driving licence: If you or another named driver is driving without a valid licence (e.g. if it's out of date), you won't be covered
Driving under the influence: Anything that occurs while you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be covered
Additional drivers: If a person is not a named driver on your policy, it is unlikely that they will be covered
What add-ons can I get with my car insurance?
You can usually add the following onto your insurance policy, for an extra cost:
Breakdown cover
If your car breaks down, breakdown cover provides assistance at the roadside to get your vehicle moving again. This may be particularly useful if you have an older vehicle which is more likely to suffer mechanical problems than a new one. You can sometimes get cheaper breakdown cover by combining it with your car insurance.
Courtesy car cover
Provides a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired. This is ideal if you rely on your car daily for commuting.
Courtesy car cover is often included for free in comprehensive car insurance policies.
Personal accident cover
Personal accident cover pays out a lump sum if you’re injured or killed in a road accident. It offers peace of mind, particularly if you have loved ones who depend on you financially. Most comprehensive car insurance policies will include personal accident cover.
Motor legal protection
Motor legal protection will cover any legal fees you might face in relation to a road accident. As legal fees can mount up, it can give you peace of mind to have these covered. Motor legal protection is often included in comprehensive car insurance policies.
Windscreen cover
Windscreen cover will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing a chipped, cracked or smashed windscreen. If you have a newer car you may have safety technology which requires recalibration when your windscreen is replaced and this could be costly without insurance.
If you have comprehensive insurance windscreen cover is likely to be covered but check your policy documents to be sure.
Car keys cover
Covers the cost of replacing lost, damaged or stolen keys. If your car has keyless entry it will be more expensive to replace your key fob than if you have a standard car key so this might be a worthwhile add-on to your insurance. Some comprehensive policies may include cover for car keys.
Wrong fuel cover
Covers the cost of draining and cleaning the fuel tank if you accidentally put the wrong fuel type in your car (known as misfuelling). Wrong fuel cover isn’t usually included with insurance policies - even comprehensive insurance.
Check whether your car has a special fuel cap system which prevents misfuelling to decide whether it’s worth adding wrong fuel cover to your insurance.
Personal belongings cover
Personal belongings cover offers protection for your belongings in the event your car is stolen, which can be handy if you tend to leave them in your car. Some comprehensive car insurance policies may include this or it may be covered under your home insurance.
No-claims discount cover
Protects your no-claims discount by letting you make a certain number of claims within a year before it affects your premiums. Building a no-claims discount will reduce your premiums over time and if you’ve had no claims for several years you might want to protect it. But you’ll need to pay extra to do so.
How can I reduce my annual mileage?
Here are some tips on how you can reduce your annual mileage:
Car-sharing: Consider car-sharing services or carpooling with colleagues or neighbours. This can significantly reduce the number of miles you drive, especially for daily commutes.
Public Transportation: Utilising public transportation such as buses, trains, or trams for your daily commute or occasional trips can reduce your mileage and help the environment.
Walking and cycling: For short distances, opt for walking or cycling. This not only reduces mileage but also promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Consider a different car: If you're in the market for a new car, consider a smaller, more fuel-efficient model.
Review Your driving habits: Avoid aggressive driving habits like speeding and rapid acceleration, as they can significantly increase fuel consumption.
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What do I need to get a quote?
It's quick and easy to compare car insurance quotes. We just need a few details from you:
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Details of the car
The car’s registration number if you know it. If not, the make and model is fine. We’ll also need the car’s age, value and any modifications or security improvements you’ve made.
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Your details and your licence
Including your job, age and address, plus the same for any additional drivers on the policy. We'll also need to know what type of licence you have, how long you've had it, your claims and driving history.
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How many miles you will drive
Your annual mileage. We also need to know what you use the car for – social, commuting or business. You’ll also need to say where you’ll keep the car at night for security.
Why compare car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
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Speedy and simple
Just pop in a few details about yourself, your car, and the cover you need
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See your savings
We’ll do the legwork to find the cheapest car insurance that offers the cover you need – you could save up to £550*
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Never miss a renewal
With Car Monitor, we can remind you when your MOT and tax are due, so you never miss a renewal date
What other types of cover can I get?
Aside from a specialist car insurance policy, there are other types of insurance policies that cater to drivers with lower mileage:
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Short-term
Short term or temporary cover to cover anything from one hour to several months.
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Telematics car insurance
A black box is fitted in your car to monitor how well you drive, when you drive and how many miles you do.
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Learner driver car insurance
Learners do lower mileage compared as they are only legally allowed to drive with an experienced driver.
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Standard car insurance
A standard policy will be suitable as it takes your mileage into account when calculating your premium.
What happens if I provide the incorrect information about my annual mileage?
Providing inaccurate information about your mileage – for example by underestimating it – could cause problems if you need to make a claim, especially if there’s a big difference between the figure you state and your actual mileage.
In some cases, it could result in your policy being declared invalid, or even lead to you being charged with insurance fraud.
Can I get low-mileage insurance for a classic car?
Yes, you can. Many classic car owners only use them on special occasions such as weddings or track days. Classic car insurance policies normally come with capped mileage.
Can seniors get low-mileage car insurance?
Older drivers often drive less miles than average. Seniors should include an accurate mileage on their car insurance application to get the right cover.
Do I still need car insurance when I’m not driving my vehicle?
You will always need to have car insurance if your car is kept on a public road or car park. The only time when you don’t need insurance is if you have declared the car as Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This means you don’t drive it and it’s kept off the road, such as in a private garage. However, if you don’t have car insurance, your car won’t be covered if stolen.
What happens if I provide my insurer with an inaccurate mileage figure?
Your insurer is able to see your annual mileage on your MOT certificate. Underestimating your mileage could invalidate your policy if your insurer finds out. This could lead to problems taking out another insurance policy in the future.
Over-estimating your mileage could result in paying more than necessary for car insurance.
What should I do if I’m going to go over my mileage limit?
Contact your insurer if you think you’re going to go over your annual mileage limit. It should be able to change your policy. This might mean you have to pay more but it will protect you from having your policy cancelled altogether.
Will low mileage always reduce my car insurance premium?
If all the other factors that influence car insurance prices stay the same, lowering your mileage should reduce your cost. Our data shows that someone who drives 2,000 miles a year pays on average 3%
However, all sorts of other things could make your car insurance cost go up. For example, if you make an insurance claim or are convicted for speeding. The price increase from factors like these is likely to be more than any decrease for driving fewer miles.
How can I reduce my annual mileage?
Ways to reduce the mileage you do in your car include:
Car pooling with a commuting colleague and taking it in turns to drive to work
Choosing public transport where possible
Doing short journeys on foot or on a bike rather than in the car
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Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025 by
Accurate as of 08 December 2025.
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