The MAIF small driver bonus and the pay-per-kilometer auto insurance formulas meet a specific need: to adjust the insurance premium to the actual mileage driven. Between declared mileage packages, electronic devices, and pricing discounts, the mechanisms offered by MAIF differ in several ways. This article compares these systems to identify what distinguishes them concretely.
Data collected by the MAIF device: what the CNIL has changed
MAIF has evolved the scope of data captured by its connected devices following the recommendations from the CNIL regarding connected vehicles (deliberation n°2022-101 of March 10, 2022, updated in 2023). Detailed behavioral data, such as continuous geolocation or precise driving times, are now presented as optional.
Further reading : Everything You Need to Know About Transfer and Recruitment Rumors at ASM Clermont
In practice, the device is limited to counting the kilometers driven and a few driving indicators. This choice has pushed MAIF towards less intrusive models, where the driver retains control over what they share. This approach has a direct impact on pricing: fewer detailed data means a simpler premium calculation, based on the volume of kilometers rather than driving behavior.
For drivers looking for pay-per-kilometer insurance with MAIF, this regulatory restriction has clarified how the system works. The device is no longer used to rate driving but to measure mileage, simplifying the contractual relationship.
Related reading : Everything You Need to Know About Maaf Dog Insurance: Coverage, Prices, and Useful Tips
Kilometer package or pay-per-use MAIF: comparison table
MAIF offers two distinct approaches for occasional drivers. The differences lie in the counting method, the type of device, and the premium calculation.
| Criterion | Kilometer Package | Pay-per-use (auto by the minute) |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Annual mileage declared in advance | Billing based on actual usage via connected device |
| Device required | No (or simple verification device) | Yes (mandatory connected device) |
| Data collected | Declared mileage, verified at the end of the year | Kilometers, driving indicators (optional) |
| Flexibility | Adjustable package during the year | Automatic monthly adjustment |
| Target audience | Drivers with predictable mileage | Very occasional or irregular use |
The Insurance Argus noted in 2023 that pay-per-minute offers remain marginal compared to adjustable annual packages. MAIF has also refocused its communication on fixed kilometer packages, which are deemed more understandable for the general public.
MAIF small driver bonus: premium reduction mechanism
The small driver bonus works as a discount applied to the auto insurance premium when the vehicle travels a low annual mileage. This system differs from the classic bonus-malus (CRM), which is based on claims history. The two can be combined.
Specifically, the driver declares a package of annual kilometers when subscribing to or renewing the contract. If the actual mileage remains less than or equal to this package, the discount is maintained. An excess may lead to an adjustment.
- The small driver bonus applies to drivers whose annual mileage remains below a threshold defined by the MAIF contract
- The discount applies to the annual premium, regardless of the bonus-malus coefficient
- The electronic device, when installed, serves as proof for the declared mileage
- A vehicle used as a second vehicle in the household or for short trips (errands, occasional leisure) is the typical eligible profile
This mechanism benefits retirees, telecommuters, or households with multiple vehicles. The premium decreases because the statistical risk of an accident decreases with mileage.
Difference between small driver bonus and bonus-malus coefficient
The reduction-increase coefficient (CRM) changes each year based on reported claims. The small driver bonus, on the other hand, depends solely on the number of kilometers driven. A driver can have a CRM of 0.50 (maximum bonus) and also benefit from the small driver bonus, resulting in a double reduction effect on the premium.
Pay-per-kilometer insurance in 2026: MAIF’s positioning in the market
The pay-per-kilometer insurance market is evolving. The YouDrive offer, provided by a competing insurer, has surpassed 100,000 clients according to L’assurance en mouvement (April 2026). This figure illustrates the growth of the segment, even though very granular formulas (billing by the minute) struggle to become mainstream.
MAIF has made a different choice: prioritizing the simplicity of the kilometer package over technological sophistication. The gradual abandonment of the “auto by the minute” model in favor of adjustable packages reflects a trade-off between pricing precision and acceptability by policyholders.
For drivers covering less than a few thousand kilometers per year, the MAIF formula has an advantage: no constant behavioral monitoring, a device limited to counting, and coverage identical to traditional formulas (third party, extended third party, or all risks depending on the chosen formula). However, drivers with highly variable mileage from month to month may find more interest in billing based on actual usage, which other insurers offer with more refined models.
The MAIF small driver bonus remains a concrete reduction lever for low-mileage profiles. Its strength lies in its compatibility with the traditional bonus-malus and in a data collection framework governed by CNIL recommendations. For a driver who knows their annual mileage in advance, the declared package remains the most understandable and least constraining model on the market.