Pleasure use and commute are two of the most common types of primary vehicle use that insurance companies use as part of the rate calculation. How you use your car helps the insurance company determine the odds that you’ll file a claim.
A vehicle rated for commute is used to drive to and from work or school. On the other hand, pleasure use means you use your car less frequently, likely not on a daily basis, for things like shopping and going out to dinner.
What are the types of primary use for a vehicle on insurance?
When your insurer asks you about the primary use of your vehicle, typically the categories that you can choose from include the following:
- Commute: You use your vehicle to commute to and from your work and/or school on a daily basis.
- Business: If your vehicle is used for business, such as sales calls or deliveries.
- Farm: Your vehicle is used primarily on a farm, ranch or orchard.
- Pleasure: The vehicle is driven less often, mainly for leisure activities.
Generally, a pleasure use car is rated for a lower mileage than a commuter car. The pleasure use rating usually means lower rates because the insurance company believes it’s on the road less often. You’ll pay more for insurance on a commuter car due to the many hours on the road. Pleasure use cars may also qualify for a low-mileage discount.
You can use your pleasure use car occasionally to drive to work; for example, if your commuter car is in the shop. You can also use a commuter car to go on a weekend trip. The classifications aren’t hard-and-fast rules, they simply define how the car is primarily used.
The exact definition of a commuter car vs. a pleasure use car differs from one insurance company to another. If you’re unsure how to classify one of your vehicles on your car insurance policy, ask your insurer.
If you have a car you believe would be considered a pleasure vehicle but your current insurer does not offer a reduced rate for this type of pleasure or seasonal vehicle, it’s time to shop around.
— Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
