Does black box insurance have a mileage limit?

Some black box car insurance policies have mileage limits, but it isn’t a universal feature of telematics insurance. Others work with an estimated annual mileage when calculating your premium instead.

Whether you have a limit will depend on the insurer and the terms of your policy, so it's worth checking whether your cover includes a specific mileage allowance before you take out a policy.

Is a mileage estimate the same as a mileage limit?

No. Estimated annual mileage is the number of miles you expect to drive over the course of a year. Insurers use this information to help calculate your premium, as driving more miles generally means greater exposure to potential accidents.

A mileage limit is the maximum number of miles you can drive within a set period under the terms of your policy. What happens if you reach that limit depends on the terms of your cover, so check your policy documents or ask your insurer rather than assuming you can continue driving as normal.

Find out more in our guide to what happens if you drive more than you declared on your car insurance.

How to check if a black box mileage limit is right for you

Before choosing black box insurance, it's worth checking whether the policy has a mileage limit and how that compares with your usual driving habits.

You can get a better idea of how far you typically drive by checking your car's MOT mileage history or comparing recent readings. Think about any longer journeys you might make throughout the year, too.

If you choose insurance with a mileage limit and your circumstances change, meaning you expect to drive more miles than you originally estimated, contact your insurer to find out what options you have.

Not sure how many miles you drive? Read our guide to estimating your annual mileage for car insurance.