by Joe Laur
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Don’t you love deals where you can just pay for what you use? Like on demand movies, electricity, auto insurance….Wait Auto insurance? What if you could pay for your auto insurance by the mile? If you drive less, you pay less than those who drove more? Sounds good for my wallet – and the planet.

An old saying goes: “You can’t get enough of what you don’t really need” That is never so true than in insurance. Why pay for more than you absolutely need? Makes sense for the budget and not only saves money but helps the planet. With an incentive to drive less, “pay as you go” insurance helps to reduce CO2 and other tailpipe emissions, ease fuel costs, and wear and tear on your vehicle. How does it do all this?

The new frugality is all the rage. Rather than consume, consume, consume, (translate: pay, pay, pay) people are learning to buy only what they need, and save the occasional luxury for special days. Adds to leisure time and Gross National Happiness too.

Besides, people shouldn’t have to pay more for a responsible product. How can we choose things that are financially responsible and help the planet? It’s delightful when the two coincide.

Enter MileMeter, a Dallas based insurance company that’s working to create a sea change in the way folks do insurance- in real dollars and “sense” Because this works on the planetary level as well. Fewer miles driven translate into less impact. Combined trips cut carbon. Fewer flings fritter away fewer gallons of fuel. Measured miles moderate emissions.

MileMeter’s market area is currently limited to Texas, but they are expanding into other states in 2010. They are also willing to partner with other companies, so if you have an activist bent, ask you insurance company about this- why don’t they offer this service? Then give them MileMeter’s name and number.

According to Chris Gay, founder and CEO of Milemeter, there’s a virtual Who’s Who of international insurance companies checking rates on MileMeter’s website every day. The old dinosaurs of insurance are well aware of the new mammal on the block who’s threatening to eat their eggs.

If you have a vehicle that is driven less than 12,000 miles per year, MileMeter insurance could help you lower your auto insurance expenses. If you can walk or ride to work, take public transportation, or have an extra vehicle that just sits in the garage, then you could be a MileMeter customer, and a friend of the earth all at once.