How to calculate your annual mileage

When you get a car insurance quote, providers will ask about your annual mileage. This helps them understand how much you drive each year, which can affect your premium. So, it's important to be accurate. Overestimating could lead to you paying more, while underestimating can lead to your policy being invalidated if you make a claim.

Estimating your yearly mileage can be tricky, but we've made it easy with our guide. It explains how to use a mileage calculator to get an estimate, how your annual mileage impacts your insurance and how you can reduce your mileage.

A simple way to calculate your annual mileage is to use our mileage calculator tool.

Another way to calculate your yearly mileage is by checking your MOT history. Each time your car gets an MOT, it records the total miles driven. You can use this information to figure out your annual mileage by comparing the total miles each year.

For example, if you drove 6,000 miles in the first year and 12,000 miles in the second year, your average yearly mileage is about 6,000 miles.

Discover how to easily check your MOT status by exploring our comprehensive guide.

How to reduce mileage and save fuel

There are many ways to drive less each year, save fuel, and keep some extra money in your pocket. Here are some tips:

• Plan your route: Before you go, plan your trip to find the shortest and least crowded route.
• Use public transport: If possible, take buses, trams, or trains instead of driving.
• Carpool: Share rides with friends, family, neighbours, or coworkers, especially for daily commutes.
• Lighten your load: Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight and save fuel.
• Check your tyres: Make sure your tyres are properly inflated to reduce resistance and save fuel.
• Drive smoothly: Avoid aggressive driving like speeding and rapid acceleration to use less fuel.

Does mileage impact car insurance?

The number of miles you drive each year can affect how much you pay for car insurance. If you drive a lot, your insurance might cost more than someone who doesn't drive as much. This is because driving more often means you're more likely to have an accident, so insurers see you as a higher risk.

You must ensure that you provide an accurate estimated yearly mileage. It can be tempting to put in a lower mileage to get a cheaper premium, but if you do this, insurers can invalidate your policy, and you won’t be able to make a claim.

Mileage isn't the only thing that can affect your insurance price. Things like your address, motoring convictions, the car you drive, named drivers and your claims history can also come into play.