A hypermiling discount on your auto insurance policy?

Many people may have never heard the term “hypermiling” before.  Hypermiling refers to the combined use of specific driving strategies with the goal of maximizing fuel mileage.  Examples of these strategies include:

• Driving at slower speeds and obeying the posted speed limits
• Traveling at less congested times of the day and/or travel less congested routes
• Monitoring instant and average fuel mileage
• Ensuring tires are consistently properly inflated
• Limiting idling time
• Accelerating smoothly and  moderately

If done correctly, these driving techniques can increase real world fuel economy by 30% over manufacturer ratings.  More importantly for insurance purposes, most of these behaviors are a good thing when it comes to reducing the risk of an accident as they typically involve slower speeds, less aggressive driving, travel on less congested roads in a well-maintained vehicle, and drivers generally being much more aware of their surroundings and their driving habits.

Hypermiling would seem to embody many attributes of a lower risk driving style and could merit a personal auto policy discount.  Clearly verification may be an issue when it comes to such a discount but as fuel prices continue to climb, hypermiling should become a more relevant topic.  And as insurers look for ways to refine their risk classification schema, a hypermiling discount may not be that farfetched.

What do you think? Should drivers who employ these driving techniques receive discounts?  Let us know.