Mileage-based discounts sound good in theory, but I’ve had a similar experience—by the time you jump through all the hoops, it barely feels worth it. I tried to get a “low mileage” rate with GEICO here on Oahu after working from home most of 2022, and they wanted odometer readings every few months. Then, when my renewal came up, the discount was like $40 for the whole year. Not nothing, but not really worth all the extra paperwork and hassle.
I’ve also heard that some companies just don’t bother with mileage discounts in Hawaii because our average commutes are so short anyway. Maybe it’s different on the mainland where people rack up more miles? I dunno. For me, just calling around every six months or so has worked better than trying to prove I barely drive. Sometimes you get lucky and catch a promo or a new company trying to break into the market.
One thing that did help a bit: raising my deductible. I was nervous at first since “high-risk” means any claim could be expensive, but it dropped my premium by almost $200/year. Not ideal if something happens, but it made the monthly payments less painful.
Also, if you’re not already doing this—double-check if your employer or any groups you’re part of have partnerships with insurers. My cousin got a decent discount through her credit union that wasn’t advertised anywhere else.
It’s frustrating how much more work it takes when you’re labeled high-risk, especially when you’re actually driving less than ever. The system feels kinda stacked sometimes...
Raising the deductible made a difference for me too, but I’m always a little anxious about what happens if I actually need to file a claim. Mileage discounts felt pointless—my last insurer wanted photos of my odometer every quarter, and the savings barely covered a tank of gas. I’ve had better luck just switching companies every year or two, honestly. The “high-risk” label really does make everything more complicated than it should be...
Switching companies has been the only thing that’s really moved the needle for me, too. I tried the low-mileage discount route once and honestly, the hoops they made me jump through weren’t worth the $30 or whatever I saved. The high-risk label is such a pain—my rates doubled after a not-at-fault accident, which still baffles me. Raising my deductible helped, but it’s always in the back of my mind that one bad day could wipe out those savings. At this point, I just keep a spreadsheet and shop around every renewal. Not ideal, but it’s kept things manageable... for now.
Has anyone actually gotten their “high-risk” label removed, or is that just wishful thinking? I’ve been stuck with it for years after a single ticket and a fender bender (also not my fault), and it feels like no matter what I do—defensive driving courses, keeping my record clean, even switching cars—nothing really budges the rates much. The deductible thing is a gamble, honestly. I did the same, but the one time I needed to use it, the savings from the higher deductible basically vanished.
Do any of these companies actually reward you for staying claim-free, or is it just empty marketing? Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just stuck playing this game until the label magically drops off. Just curious if anyone’s had real luck getting out of the “high-risk” penalty box, or if it’s just something we have to ride out.
Do any of these companies actually reward you for staying claim-free, or is it just empty marketing?
That’s what I keep wondering too. I’ve been super careful since my last ticket, but my rates haven’t really dropped either. Does anyone know if switching to a different insurer in Hawaii actually helps, or do they all just use the same “high-risk” database? I’m also curious if things like installing a dashcam or using those tracking apps make any real difference, or if it’s just another gimmick.
