I’ve lived in the country my whole life but recently moved to an urban area with heavy traffic, lots of idling, the works. Is city driving considered severe driving?
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on the move! Here’s what you need to know about severe driving. Auto manufacturers have divided driving conditions into two categories, severe and normal, based on the environments’ effects on a vehicle’s longevity.
Severe driving refers to trips that cause excessive strain to a vehicle’s engine—like off-roading or heavy traffic. Some common examples are:
Significant amount of time idling (stop and go traffic)
Dusty, dirty, or gravel roads
Frequent towing or carrying heavy loads
Normal driving refers to everyday conditions and trips on roads with average speed limits.
Because every driver is different, it can be difficult to gauge the impact of frequent severe driving. Still, manufacturers often recommend those who drive under these conditions to schedule check-ups and
is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with over 50 insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.