MetroMile Now Offering Free Connected Car Service; Expands Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance to Washington

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MetroMile, the connected driving platform, today announced three major milestones in its mission to unlock car data to save drivers time and money. The company is providing drivers in the San Francisco, Seattle, or Portland metro areas with a free Metronome device, opening easy access to the MetroMile platform. The company also launched its new free mobile app, which provides MetroMile drivers valuable analytics and insights about their car and driving data. In addition, the company expanded the country's only pay-per-mile car insurance service to the state of Washington.

"The MetroMile team is unlocking the data trapped in cars by connecting them to a powerful platform that uses car and driving data to save drivers time and money with a unique suite of services," said David Friedberg, Chairman of MetroMile.  "MetroMile is making the connected car a reality with a free and simple device – the Metronome – that instantly allows a driver to access MetroMile's money-saving services."

Added Steve Pretre, CEO of MetroMile, "Now that we can connect any car, we can reinvent the way services are priced and delivered. We started with insurance, the largest expense for many drivers. By allowing them to pay for car insurance on a per mile basis, we are now saving our customers over $400 per year on average.  With our new mobile app we are moving to address the next largest costs of using a car – gas and maintenance."

MetroMile to Provide Free Access to the MetroMile Platform

MetroMile is providing free Metronome devices to early users in San Francisco, Seattle and Portland metro areas. Drivers can sign up for a Metronome by visiting www.metromile.com and the company will provide them on a first-come-first-served basis. Drivers in other cities and states can join the waitlist for when MetroMile expands availability to other areas.

The Metronome connected car device captures data from the car and transmits wirelessly to the MetroMile platform. The Metronome has an integrated cellular modem and GPS, so it delivers accurate, real-time data, without the hassle of pairing with the phone, using the phone to identify location, or using up the driver's data plan. Drivers simply plug the Metronome into their car's diagnostic port under the dashboard and it is immediately connected. 

Once connected, MetroMile users can download the MetroMile app to access valuable driving analytics and insights.

New MetroMile Mobile App for iOS

MetroMile is expanding the services built on the MetroMile platform by applying its technology and predictive modeling expertise to help drivers reduce the next largest costs of car operation after insurance – gas and maintenance. These new services will be available through a free MetroMile mobile app for iOS, launching today.

"Our early users will receive first access to features that quantify the hidden costs of car use," said Dan Preston, Chief Technology Officer at MetroMile. "Over time, we expect to deliver even more data, insights and services that help them solve the challenges they face in their day-to-day car use."

Key features of the app include:

• Smart Commuting - The MetroMile app learns the ins and outs of drivers' daily commutes, showing them the most optimal time to leave the house
• Gas Optimization - Drivers can compare their car's factory-rated MPG to their actual usage, see how their driving patterns directly affect fuel efficiency and check the exact gas cost for every trip they take.
• Engine Diagnostics - The MetroMile app decodes a car's check engine codes and lets the driver know if they need a checkup, or just a simple reset.
• Find Your Car -With the Metronome in place, drivers can always find the last place they left their car.

MetroMile Expands Per-Mile Car Insurance Services into Washington

Starting today, MetroMile is bringing its flagship service, the country's only pay-per-mile car insurance, to Washington drivers. The company is also planning to launch in additional markets in early 2014 and throughout the year.

Previously available only in Oregon, MetroMile's per-mile car insurance service allows drivers pay a small monthly base rate plus a few cents per mile. Using the Metronome device, cars report actual miles driven during the month. At the end of the month the number of miles is multiplied by the per-mile rate and is automatically charged to the driver's credit card. Drivers can also take road trips without concern, with daily rates caped at 150 miles a day for Oregon drivers and 250 miles a day for Washington drivers. Designed for those who drive 10,000 miles per year or less, MetroMile's per-mile insurance saves its average customer over $400 per year.

"People living in cities often drive less than half the national average. Insurance can be the majority of their cost of operating a car," said Pretre. "We are working to break the old model of one-size-fits-all insurance rates by aligning what people pay with the amount they drive. It's fair, it's transparent, and it gives drivers more control over their costs. We've proven the concept in Portland and are now taking the service to other cities, starting with Seattle."

About MetroMile

MetroMile is building a revolutionary platform for services built around the needs of drivers – from useful driving data and insights to an entirely new pay-per-mile car insurance model. MetroMile technology combines hardware, software, and cloud-based infrastructure to access, analyze and manage driving data at a massive scale. Over time, the company plans to harness the power of its predictive modeling expertise to make all aspects of driving and owning a car simpler, less expensive, and more convenient. MetroMile is located in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit www.metromile.com.

SOURCE MetroMile