We can all save fuel and emissions by cutting back how much we drive, but until now not many insurance companies haven't seen fit to reward us with lower rates if we put fewer miles on our cars. There have been a few percentage discounts if you live close to work, sure, and lots of hybrid discounts, but no plan where your bill and your odometer have a symbiotic relationship. Now, the MileMeter company in Texas has launched a pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) insurance program that offers infrequent drivers the chance to pay a lower premium. Of course, it's highly amusing to me that Texas - the second largest state in the Union, where very house is at least 100 miles from the neighboring house*, - is where you can get rewarded for driving less, but I'm glad we're starting somewhere.

* This might not be accurate.

[Source: Sustainable Business]

There's only one place to buy a new G-Wiz, the tiny electric car, in the UK: GoinGreen. To entice buyers, the retailer has just launched a dedicated insurance option for the crush-zone-free EV. With it, London G-Wiz drivers might be able to breathe a little easier as they cruise around. Benefits include a free G-Wiz if yours is in the shop, all repairs done by GoinGreen itself and "highly competitive rates." Oh, and there is only one printed document, which allows GoinGreen to call this a "truly green insurance policy." As we know, insuring small cars and hybrids can be expensive, so getting coverage tailored to your EV lifestyle might be worth it. GoinGreen developed the plan with insurance broker Heath Lambert and it is underwritten by Chaucer Insurance.

[Source: GoinGreen]

The Insurance Research Council (IRC) has published a report that comes out against small cars. It shows that the average auto injury claim payment in accidents involving lighter-weight vehicles was 14.3 percent greater than the average payment in accidents involving heavy vehicles. What does this mean? That the quest to find lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles might result in more expensive insurance costs. So, when gas gets more expensive, we'll demand lighter cars that burn less fuel but they will be lighter and the insurance will cost more.

IRC's calculation method took into consideration 9,140 personal injury protection (PIP) claims closed in 2007. The cars in these incidents were divided into four weight groups. The IRC found that claims from the lightest group were 14.3 percent more expensive than from the heaviest vehicles. They also found that while 38 percent of the lightweight cars could resume commuting to work after the accident, 46 percent of the heavyweight vehicles were able to continue driving. Not only that, IRC's study says that driving a lighter vehicle made you 12 percent more likely to require hospitalization in case of an accident.

[Source: IRC]

Photo by Wili_Hybrid. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Massachusetts drivers are voting with their rides. According to the insurance company Travelers of Massachusetts, the number of hybrid drivers in the Bay State rose 36 percent in the last nine months. The numbers, from the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles, show that there are 22,353 registered hybrid cars on the roads in Massachusetts today, compared to 16,477 last July. That's an increase of 5,876 hybrids, or about 653 a month. One reason Travelers is paying attention to these numbers is because they offer a hybrid driver's discount (up to ten percent) for vehicles and drivers in Massachusetts. Of course, the national company offers hybrid discounts to drivers around the U.S., and you can find out if you qualify at the Hybrid Travelers website. Details after the jump.

At AltWheels Boston 2007, the Environmental Insurance Agency (EIA) told me they want people that drive less to pay less for insurance. Currently, EIA is working to get laws changed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The idea of paying for how much you drive is called pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) and it's offered by several insurance companies right now. Progressive's Tripsense offers discounts of up 25 percent based on how much the vehicle is driven. GMAC has offered mileage-based discounts to Onstar subscribers in certain states. Italian insurer SARA offers a per-day insurance policy where customers send text messages indicating they will drive the next day or next week. The Dutch insurance company Pazomat offers 50 percent discounts dependent on the amount of driving you do. PAYD is a great way to reduce insurance costs for people who drive less. Too bad it's an uphill climb to get it enacted.

Related:

• British supermodel Laura Bailey launches eco-friendly car insurance

I was browsing the internet last night and ran across a story from The Alternative Consumer regarding Esurance, so I decided to check them out myself. You can do the same by clicking here. I found that they are indeed trying to do their part, and are hoping to do more. If you have any suggestions on how they can continue to expand their green and sustainable activities, you can send them an email.

Can you "save some green" while they help to save our green? Can I come up with any more green hyperbole? Sure! How about: It IS easy being green! Any other suggestions?

[Source: Esurance via The Alternative Consumer]

After previously announcing their intention to offer discounts to owners of hybrid vehicles in Ohio, Farmers Insurance is now expanding the program to another 37 states. Customers of Farmers Insurance in all 41 states where they operate will be eligible for discounts of up to 10 percent on all their coverage. The discounts are available to owners of hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles. The discounts were first offered in California in 2005. According to Farmers Insurance vice president Bill Martin: "Our research shows that drivers of hybrid vehicles are more mature, drive fewer miles and are more environmentally conscious than the average driver," The full press release is after the jump

[Source: BusinessWire]

In a recent press release, Travelers Insurance company announced that New Jersey is the latest state to receive their 10 percent discount for customers who own a hybrid vehicle. Now at 39 states, Travelers is also offering a central website for those who are considering a hybrid to learn about information such as tax benefits as well as obtaining policy data and insurance quotes.

The Farmers Insurance Group on the other hand extends their green discounts beyond hybrid owners to drivers of other alternative-fuel vehicles, although, flex-fuel capable cars aren't included in the list. The 10 percent discount is currently available in 10 states and a 5 percent discount is available in California. Farmers' discount roll-out will continue by adding seven more states in October, eight in November, 11 in December and four more states at an undisclosed time next year.

The discounts should be great news to eco-minded car buyers as federal credits for hybrids begin to wane.

[Source: Travelers Insurance Company]