The concept is this: Consumers currently pay for a generic pile of insurance to cover an unknown number of miles every payment period, if the insurance was purchased in blocks of miles up-front or metered and paid at the end of a period, the consumer could potentially pay for exactly the amount of insurance they need, rather than over pay for miles they don't drive. It has the added "benefit" of encouraging drivers to put fewer miles on their cars and thus reduce roadway congestion. This kind of system is currently in testing in Texas with a company called MileMeter, which has customers report mileage regularly via digital photograph of their odometer and bills the consumer accordingly.

We are torn on this concept. On the one hand, it could certainly reduce the operating cost of a vehicle, or at least match driving habits to insurance coverage. It would also conceivably clear the roads of drivers just out for a joyride and reduce overall congestion.

On the other hand it would make going out for a joyride even more expensive than just paying for gas. We're also leery of any kind of GPS tracking system, regardless of potential benefit. A large percentage of potential consumers feel the same way about tracking, and it's been suggested the mileage verification could just be done by agents or at regular emissions inspections.

Regardless, this is one of the first times in a long time we're genuinely torn about a proposal. What do you think?

Update: Commissioner Steve Poizner's Press Secretary spotted our post and wanted to clarify a few things about the new rules, take a look:

Just saw your post and wanted to offer a few clarifications.

1. Under the current system, California drivers estimate their annual mileage and their rates are based on that. However, there is no reward for driving fewer miles. In addition, mileage bands are very large. One of the largest insurers in the state has just two categories: less than 7500 and more than 7500. So if you drive 20,000 miles a year and something changes (perhaps a change in employment?) and you go down to 12,000 miles a year, your insurance rates may not be any lower.

2. GPS is a concern that we received many comments on. Commissioner Poizner, prior to elected office, founded a company that brought GPS technology to cell phones. He knows the power of that technology. Because of that, the regulations expressly prohibit using GPS or collecting any data besides just the number of miles driven. The one exception is for multipurpose devices such as GM's Onstar. Onstar may know where you are (how else would it summon emergency help), but that information may not be recorded or used by the insurance companies.

3. While you did not cover this topic, California law requires that driving record, miles driven and years experience be the top three factors in determining your insurance rates. That will not change under these regulations.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Darrel Ng
Press Secretary
Office of Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner

[Sacrimento Bee]

Photo credit Chris Hondros/Getty Images

In addition to the most expensive to insure list, the folks at Insure.com put together this list of the least expensive cars to insure. Come join us on this journey to find out what makes these econo-boxes so damn cheap to own that it'd almost be a crime to not consider them for your next purchase. Almost.

[via thecarconnection, edmunds, insure.com]

20.) Dodge Grand Caravan

Price: $22,725
Cost To Insure: $960
Curb Weight: 4321 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.3 liter V6
HP: 175
TQ: 205

Driver Stereotype: Soccer Mom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The ability to blend into the suburban landscape has allowed the Grand Caravan to slip seamlessly to and from soccer games, the grocery store and at times, Mexican border crossings without detection.

19.) Chevrolet Impala
Price: $23,790
Cost To Insure: $959
Curb Weight: 3555 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 211
TQ: 214

Driver Stereotype: Vanilla ice cream-favoring used car salesmen

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Sharing its appearance with multitudes of non-descript cop cars causes the surrounding public to drive very, very carefully around the Impala lessening the likelihood for any direct accidents and adding to the overall value of driver safety.

18.) Mazda B-Series Truck
Price: $16,060
Cost To Insure: $957
Curb Weight: 2999 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 143
TQ: 154

Driver Stereotype: Has poor credit

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Based on the long-in-the-tooth Ford Ranger, the B-Series Truck shows its age with strong, virtually unbreakable bones.

17.) Lincoln Town Car
Price: $46,385
Cost To Insure: $955
Curb Weight: 4345 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.6 liter V8
HP: 239
TQ: 287

Driver Stereotype: Mafia fat cats

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Carefully driven due to multiple dead bodies in the trunk, the Town Car rarely sees an insurance claim except for the frequent bloody interior replacement. Typically these are burned to the ground near the docks without much concern for an insurance claim.

16.) Suzuki Forenza
Price: $11,134
Cost To Insure: $954
Curb Weight: 2756 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 127
TQ: 131

Driver Stereotype: Molly Maid employee

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Not much can happen to a car when it spends the majority of its life sitting outside of large Hollywood mansions all day.

15.) Honda Accord
Price: $20,905
Cost To Insure: $951
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 177
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Toyota

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The sedate Accord lulls drivers to a meditative state causing perfect driving habits and extreme awareness, lessening any sort of slip ups.

14.) Jeep Wrangler
Price: $20,710
Cost To Insure: $939
Curb Weight: 3782 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 202
TQ: 237

Driver Stereotype: Obnoxious Dave Matthews Band-listening, bandanna-wearing frat boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Wrangler was specifically built for douchebag frat boys and therefore features a virtually indestructible body and chassis making repairs all but non-existent.

13.) VW Passat
Price: $28,300
Cost To Insure: $936
Curb Weight: 3344 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 200
TQ: 207

Driver Stereotype: Grown Dub boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Considering the Passat never moves due to repetitive electrical problems it is never put in harms way, allowing for a much lower insurance premium.

12.) Mazda Mazda5
Price: $17,995
Cost To Insure: $929
Curb Weight: 3417 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 153
TQ: 148

Driver Stereotype: MX-5 driver's family car

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically driven by MX-5 drivers when they've got their kids in toe, the Zoom, Zoom nature of the Mazda5 allows for quick maneuvers to escape from the rest of the crazy drivers out there.

11.) Scion xB
Price: $15,750
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 3020 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter turbo inline-four
HP: 158
TQ: 162

Driver Stereotype: E-tards

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The typical driver of a Scion xB never really leaves the rave, instead spends hours upon hours upon delicious hours licking the glass repeating, "The snozberries taste like snozberries."

10.) Chrysler Town & Country
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Self fulfilling prophecy

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: A perceived level of luxury is exhibited by the typical Town & Country driver, causing them to drive even more carefully back and forth from their kids Montessori schools and cricket matches. See Caravan to see the lesser of the ChryCo minivan driver's habits.

9.) Mazda Tribute
Price: $19,730
Cost To Insure: $913
Curb Weight: 3276 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.5 liter inline-four
HP: 171
TQ: 171

Driver Stereotype: I haz no care for Zoom, Zoom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Tribute drivers lurk quietly in traffic with hardly anyone ever taking notice, not even enough to ram them from behind.

8.) Saturn Vue
Price: $23,280
Cost To Insure: $911
Curb Weight: 3689 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 169
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: I'm a new kind of car company

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Brought over as the Saturn version of the Opel Antara, most people avoid the Vue with the expectation that the Euro-wannabe driver won't speak English causing an annoying, pain-in-the-ass insurance swap.

7.) Smart ForTwo
Price: $11,990
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 2315 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.0 liter inline-three
HP: 70
TQ: 68

Driver Stereotype: Tries to out-smug a Prius driver

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Like the annoying fly that you just can't swat and kill, the ForTwo manages to avoid all conflict by being small and zippy, plus nobody seems to want manslaughter charges for when the driver gets squashed after a 10 mph accident.

6.) Honda Odyssey
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Does not drive for the thrill of driving

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Odyssey drivers are busy reaching around and smacking the shit out of their kids, leaving very little time for accidents, so they generally avoid them.

5.) Kia Rio5
Price: $13,325
Cost To Insure: $870
Curb Weight: 2438 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.6 liter inline-four
HP: 110
TQ: 107

Driver Stereotype: Typically doesn't care about cars

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Rio5 is so ugly that most drivers avoid any physical contact with them in fear that some of the ugly will rub off. Score one for Kia.

4.) Kia Sedona
Price: $21,245
Cost To Insure: $857
Curb Weight: 4365 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: This thing is so boring that they should have named it the Kia Sedative. It rarely leaves the driveway unless absolutely necessary, dramatically reducing its potential for road carnage.

3.) Hyundai Entourage
Price: $23,995
Cost To Insure: $848
Curb Weight: 4400 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey/Sedona

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Should be renamed to Hyundai Ento...zzzzz. See Kia Sedona.

2.) Kia Sportage
Price: $16,695
Cost To Insure: $840
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 140
TQ: 136

Driver Stereotype: High school band geek

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically the Sportage is doing exactly the opposite of what its name implies, instead it spends its life carting tubas and other brass instruments between Mom's house and band practice which coincidentally is just down the street. Also, the lack of party invites virtually eliminates any sort of under-the-influence driving.

1.) Hyundai Santa Fe
Price: $21,695
Cost To Insure: $832
Curb Weight: 3727 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.7 liter V6
HP: 185
TQ: 183

Driver Stereotype: Not concerned with brand image

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Santa Fe, while having an unbelievably ridiculous name, is actually quite attractive limiting surrounding driver's desire to crash repeatedly into it. For complete opposite, see Kia Rio5.

The folks at Insure.com put together the following list of the most expensive cars to insure, and rather than just regurgitating that list, we've given each some analysis explaining why they cost so dang much to protect it and you from, you know, stuff.

[via thecarconnection, edmunds, insure.com]

20.) Mercedes SL-Class

Price: $98,500
Cost To Insure: $1,577
Curb Weight: 4220 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.5 liter V8
HP: 382
TQ: 391
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Country club golfing tycoon

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The amount of insurance claims every year have been on the rise with the Mercedes SL, the majority of which involve dented hoods by way of errantly swung golf clubs.

19.) BMW X6
Price: $66,650
Cost To Insure: $1,584
Curb Weight: 5269 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.4 liter V8
HP: 400
TQ: 450
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Stay-at-home soccer moms

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The ugly and confusing nature of the BMW X6 design has confused many a folk to think they need to kill it with fire, unfortunately at the expense of a much higher insurance premium. Bummer.

18. Honda S2000
Price: $34,995
Cost To Insure: $1,587
Curb Weight: 2864 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.2 liter inline-four
HP: 237
TQ: 162
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Track day / autocross rat or mid-life crisis'er

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: We've heard multiple claims of VtEc Yo! drove the price up on these nimble little guys especially when driven under anger at the track.

17. Cadillac Escalade EXT
Price: $61,130
Cost To Insure: $1,592
Curb Weight: 5990 lbs
Engine Displacement: 6.2 liter V8
HP: 403
TQ: 417
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Rap super star / drug-running thugs

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The desire to have an Escalade in hip-hop and rap videos has caused an unjust amount of claims due to shitty music permanently affixed to the interiors, resulting in a total loss.

16. Land Rover Range Rover
Price: $77,675
Cost To Insure: $1,603
Curb Weight: 5698 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.4 liter V8
HP: 305
TQ: 325
Top Speed: 121

Driver Stereotype: Bug eye sunglasses-wearing trophy wife

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Too many nose and breast enhancements have resulted in over swelling of the chest and face, blocking access to cell phones and ultimately causing a record number of single vehicle accidents in the Range Rover.

15. Audi R8
Price: $114,200
Cost To Insure: $1,637
Curb Weight: 3605 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.2 liter V8
HP: 420
TQ: 317
Top Speed: 187

Driver Stereotype: Modest Wall St. U.S. economy killer

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: When the economy collapsed, brokers rushed to trade in their Lamborghinis in order to pick up the less conspicuous Audi R8. When the public found out they had merely put a wolf in sheep's clothing, all hell broke loose resulting in AIG-crippling insurance claims.

14. Cadillac XLR
Price: $86,215
Cost To Insure: $1,694
Curb Weight: 3647 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.6 liter V8
HP: 320
TQ: 310
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Bought the crappy Alante, needed updated crappy Cadillac convertible

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Large amounts of owners have tried to show off the automatic folding roof in their garages causing both vehicle and residential claims. Tools.

13. BMW M3
Price: $57,850
Cost To Insure: $1,714
Curb Weight: 3704 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.0 liter V8
HP: 414
TQ: 295
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Typically a prick with an ego

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Excess amounts of hair gel, collar popping, orange skin and overly bright white teeth have caused many severe accidents due to the dry heaving by oncoming drivers and the subsequent loss of their bodily functions and vehicular control.

12. Jaguar XK
Price: $77,200
Cost To Insure: $1,717
Curb Weight: 3651 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.0 liter V8
HP: 300
TQ: 310
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Grey-haired Florida dweller

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The lack of vertical mobility that Grandpa exhibits seems to have gotten plenty like him stuck in the tight Jag, causing emergency crews to use the jaws of life to cut the roofs for extraction.

11. Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Price: $23,425
Cost To Insure: $1,762
Curb Weight: 2926 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter turbo inline-four
HP: 260
TQ: 260
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: GM faithful in need of SRT4 competitor

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Many a Cobalt SS has been lost by its owner, likely getting mixed in with the multitude of other base Cobalts that all look the same, never to be seen or heard from again.

10. Porsche 911
Price: $76,300
Cost To Insure: $1,819
Curb Weight: 3120 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.6 liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder
HP: 345
TQ: 288
Top Speed: 186

Driver Stereotype: Doctor, Lawyer, Deli Owner

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Insurance fraud is exceedingly becoming more and more prevalent since it's the only way owners will be able to afford the next iteration of the 911 that Porsche seems to release on a bi-annual basis.

9. Lexus IS-F
Price: $56,760
Cost To Insure: $1,881
Curb Weight: 3780 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.0 liter V8
HP: 416
TQ: 371
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Goes against the grain / hates German sports sedans

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Simply put; The beige Camry's are NOT happy with this car.

8. Hummer H2
Price: $63,090
Cost To Insure: $1,912
Curb Weight: 6614 lbs
Engine Displacement: 6.2 liter V8
HP: 393
TQ: 415
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Gas guzzling, global warming douche

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: While driving on the polar ice caps, many Hummers have fallen into the sea due to the rapidly melting ice, effectively causing a global climate change and heavily padding Al Gore's pockets.

7. BMW M5
Price: $85,500
Cost To Insure: $2,020
Curb Weight: 4012 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.0 liter V10
HP: 500
TQ: 383
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Bigger prick than M3 owner, but can afford to be

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: A BMW M3 owners father. See M3 analysis.

6. Audi S8
Price: $96,200
Cost To Insure: $2,071
Curb Weight: 4586 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.2 liter V10
HP: 450
TQ: 398
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Wealthy, but not ostentatious

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Too many drivers pretend they're Jason Statham in the Trasporter films. Need we say more?

5. Mercedes G-Class
Price: $100,250
Cost To Insure: $2,088
Curb Weight: 5510 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.5 liter V8
HP: 382
TQ: 391
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Urban jungle explorer / poser

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The U.S. military continues to mistake the G-Class as one with terrorist intent resulting in an overly large number of them being blown to smithereens by Homeland Security forces.

4. Ford Shelby GT500
Price: $43,125
Cost To Insure: $2,186
Curb Weight: 3920 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.4 liter supercharged V8
HP: 500
TQ: 480
Top Speed: n/a

Driver Stereotype: Redneck with lottery money

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Rednecks + High Power = Carnage. 'Nuff said.

3. BMW M6
Price: $102,100
Cost To Insure: $2,236
Curb Weight: 3909 lbs
Engine Displacement: 5.0 liter V10
HP: 500
TQ: 383
Top Speed: 155

Driver Stereotype: Gas station owner's fake bake tanned brother

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: A BMW M5 owners brother and M3 owners uncle. See both M3 and M5 analysis.

2. Dodge Viper SRT-10
Price: $88,590
Cost To Insure: $2,446
Curb Weight: 3430 lbs
Engine Displacement: 8.4 liter V10
HP: 600
TQ: 560
Top Speed: 200

Driver Stereotype: Compensation for the little things in life

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: When the women that get picked up in Vipers realize the owners "shortcomings" they've been known to swiftly and violently act out their revenge, usually with buckets of paint to the interior and a bouquet of keys to the exterior.

1. Nissan GT-R
Price: $79,090
Cost To Insure: $2,533
Curb Weight: 3814 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter turbo V6
HP: 480
TQ: 430
Top Speed: 193

Driver Stereotype: Gran Turismo-playing, web 2.0, dot com'er

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Massive damage and the loss of hundreds of GT-Rs have occurred when owners realized they could not in fact ride the walls around turns, drive through other cars or reset the game.

The details differ from company to company, but they all rely on modern on-board diagnostic systems. Progressive's original "TripSense" is plugged into you car's diagnostic port, every six months being removed to have the info uploaded and sent to the company. The new system, called "MyRate," uses a telematic device that wirelessly transmits the driver data over a cellphone network.

GMAC's program utilizes a car's existing OnStar system...which just happens to have GPS capabilites. They insist that GPS tracking is not used to monitor your every move — just your mileage. You know, because checking the odometer just isn't good enough. GMAC does admit "There is an opportunity to get other information, and as we do we will be able to correlate risk to actual driving behavior itself rather than more predictive factors." Of course, you'd still have to pay for the annual OnStar subscription, so you'll have to judge whether the insurance savings makes the OnStar spam you'll get each month worthwhile.
[WSJ]