Pleasure Use vs. Commuter Car Insurance
What's the difference between pleasure and commuting car insurance
Pleasure and commuting car insurance policies are the most common vehicle use options. On average, you will be quoted $11 less per year for a pleasure use car insurance policy than a commuter policy. Let’s explore the ins and outs of these policies, and evaluate some car insurance premiums from popular providers.
Pleasure use vs. commuter car insurance
The typical American driver carries a commuter car insurance policy. This means the vehicle is their primary method of transportation, and is used to get to and from work or school. A pleasure use car is a weekends-only vehicle, or one driven only occasionally. Pleasure use car insurance comes into play in several instances: if a driver has a classic auto or sports car for recreational purposes, or if a driver takes public transit or a bike to work and relies on their car for occasional essential trips. See average insurance rates for typical vehicle uses.
| Use of Vehicle | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Farm | $1,660 |
| Pleasure | $1,760 |
| Work - One-way commute (less than 10 miles) | $1,778 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | $1,784 |
| Work - One-way commute (15+ miles) | $1,799 |
| Business | $2,012 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
Pleasure use car insurance is slightly less expensive than commuter coverage, at an average of $1,427 per year for auto insurance versus a commuter vehicle’s $1,438. This difference is fairly insignificant until you assess specific car insurance providers. See below the companies offering the cheapest rates for pleasure use and commuter car insurance.
Other vehicle use designations for insurance
Vehicles used on a farm for agricultural activities.
Vehicles used for limited commercial or business functions.
Is car insurance cheaper for commuters or pleasure use drivers?
A commuter policy is slightly more expensive than a pleasure use policy on average. But what you pay for car insurance coverage will depend on you, your insurance provider, and your vehicle. See below how your premiums can change based on your car insurance company and your vehicle use. These car insurance rates are based on a standard driving profile (methodology outlined here).
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| Use of Vehicle | Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasure | Allstate | $2,414 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | Allstate | $2,395 |
| Pleasure | Farmers | $1,786 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | Farmers | $1,789 |
| Pleasure | GEICO | $1,542 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | GEICO | $1,553 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | Nationwide | $1,488 |
| Pleasure | Nationwide | $1,476 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | Progressive | $1,902 |
| Pleasure | Progressive | $1,887 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | State Farm | $1,571 |
| Pleasure | State Farm | $1,569 |
| Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles) | USAA | $1,365 |
| Pleasure | USAA | $1,365 |
For each vehicle use, USAA is the cheapest option. On average, a USAA policy costs $531 or $497 per six months for a commute or pleasure use policy, respectively. If you do not qualify for USAA, your next best bets are Nationwide and GEICO. Nationwide's policies cost $642 or $583 per standard six-month term, for commute and pleasure uses. Your rates will vary depending on your driving history, the car you drive, and who insures it. Your best bet for finding the cheapest car insurance premium is to assess as many options as possible. Enter your zip code below to find affordable rates for commuter and pleasure vehicle uses.
Find an affordable policy today!
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
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- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.