Distance based insurance premiums

[Pinch]

So this afternoon I am sitting on the train, reading my free Sydney MX when I see an article about distance based car insurance for non-car commuters.

This really got me excited as I have 3 cars (all for different purposes) with the most appropriate small Mini doing the bulk of the work for the wife's city commute and our general running around, and I don't commute by car at all. The Fairlane by comparison only does about 3-5K per year, compared with the Mini's 20K or so, but the 'lane costs far more in annual costs.

The insurer of the 'lane gets a bloody big free kick as the thing is hardly driven, yet I pay full freight, so imagine my delight at the prospect of a fair go.

The article referenced Real Insurance, and low and behold I just did an online quote and went into all this detail about its non-commuting use, an annual k's bracket of 2499-5000 option etc etc. All was well in the world until the premium came up - about a $100 more than my current AAMI policy that doesn't give a rats about the fact that the 'lane's most important duties are keeping the pepplecrete on the driveway from fading!

So alas, it was too good to be true. It would be a great idea though if it really was properly distance based. Not only for enthusiasts with a weekend car, it could also mean that more people could have multiple vehicles with the most appropriate being used most of the time. Would save everyone driving 'cruisers etc to drop the kids at school just because they can only afford to run one car and occassionally tow a boat or go bush or something.