I’ve had similar issues with Metromile, actually. Their dongle sometimes logged trips when my car was parked at the airport for days—guess it picked up random movement or something. I’ve learned to screenshot my odometer every month just in case. It’s a hassle, but at least I have proof if they question my mileage.
Their dongle sometimes logged trips when my car was parked at the airport for days—guess it picked up random movement or something.
- Had a similar thing happen with a different pay-per-mile company (not Metromile, but same idea). My ‘72 Chevelle sat in the garage and somehow racked up “miles” just from me moving it a few feet to sweep underneath. Not sure how these devices are calibrated, honestly.
- Screenshotting your odometer is smart. I started keeping a little notebook in the glovebox with monthly readings. Old-school, but it’s come in handy.
- Wonder if the dongle picks up vibrations from airport shuttles or luggage carts? Feels like a design flaw.
- Honestly, these systems seem better suited for newer cars that don’t get parked for long stretches. Classic cars or weekend drivers just confuse them.
- Anyone else notice their insurance app randomly “loses” connection and then suddenly logs a bunch of miles at once? Makes me question the accuracy.
Mileage-based insurance is cool in theory, but I’m not convinced it’s ready for folks who don’t drive daily or have older rides.
I’ve had my car log “phantom” miles too, especially when it’s just sitting in the driveway. Once, I literally just started it to let it run for a few minutes and the app said I’d driven half a mile. I started snapping pics of my odometer every month just in case. Not sure if it’s the dongle or the app, but it’s definitely not perfect.
Title: Mileage-based car insurance: who’s using it and which company do you like?
I’ve had my car log “phantom” miles too, especially when it’s just sitting in the driveway. Once, I literally just started it to let it run for a few minutes and the app said I’d driven half a mile.
That “phantom miles” thing is more common than people realize. I’ve seen it pop up in claims investigations, and it can get messy if there’s a dispute about actual mileage. I remember one case where a customer’s pay-per-mile policy showed an extra 40 miles over a couple months, but their odometer didn’t match up. Turned out, every time they started the car to move it for street cleaning, the dongle logged a short trip—even if the car barely moved. The tech isn’t always as precise as the marketing makes it sound.
Snapping pics of your odometer is actually a smart move. I’ve seen folks get into arguments with their insurer over discrepancies, and having those photos can really help clear things up. It’s not always the dongle’s fault, though. Sometimes the app misinterprets data, especially if there’s a weak GPS signal or if the car’s battery is low. I’ve even heard of some systems logging miles when the car’s towed or even during maintenance.
I do think these programs are getting better, but there’s still a gap between what they promise and what actually happens day-to-day. Some companies are more transparent about how they handle errors—Metromile, for example, has a process for disputing mileage if you can prove it’s off. Others just shrug and say “that’s what the device recorded.” It can be frustrating.
If you’re on a mileage-based plan, keeping your own records is probably the best backup. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it beats getting overcharged for miles you never drove. And yeah, sometimes I wonder if all this tech is really saving us money or just giving us something new to worry about...
Yeah, I’ve run into the same nonsense with phantom miles. Honestly, it’s more hassle than it’s worth sometimes. I tried Metromile for a year and got dinged for miles when my car was in the shop—ridiculous. I keep odometer pics now, but honestly, if you drive more than a couple times a week, these plans just aren’t worth the headache. The tech’s not there yet.