Root Insurance is a relatively new insurance company, founded in 2015, that offers car insurance with a difference. Unlike traditional car insurance companies, Root sets its rates primarily based on driving behaviour, rather than demographics such as age, credit score, marital status, or homeownership. Root uses smartphone technology to track driving behaviour and offers a rate based on how safe drivers are behind the wheel. This means that good drivers can save up to $900 a year on their car insurance.
Root also offers other perks, such as roadside assistance included in every policy, a focused driving discount of up to 10%, and the ability to easily buy and manage policies in the Root app.
In addition to car insurance, Root also offers renters and homeowners insurance policies through its partner, Homesite. However, Root is not available in all states and has strict eligibility requirements – only drivers who pass the carrier's test drive will be offered a quote.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Insurance Type | Car, Home, Renters |
Insurance Coverage | Liability Coverage, Medical Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage, Collision Coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage, Car Coverage, Roadside Assistance, Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage, SR-22 |
Discounts | Safe Driver Discount, Usage-Based Discount, Bundling Discount, Paid-in-Full Discount, Focused Driving Discount |
App Features | Insurance Cards, Referral Program, Claims Filing, Policy Management |
Customer Service | Live Chat, Phone, Email |
Availability | Not available in AK, FL, HI, ID, ME, MA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, RI, SD, VT, WA, WY, or DC |
What You'll Learn
- Root Insurance offers a range of standard coverage options, including liability, bodily injury, property damage, collision, and comprehensive
- The company also provides additional coverages, such as rental car reimbursement and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
- Root's rates are primarily based on driving behaviour, with good drivers rewarded with lower premiums
- The Root app allows users to manage their policies, file claims, and access various perks, such as roadside assistance
- Root Insurance is currently available in 34 states and is continuously expanding its reach
Root Insurance offers a range of standard coverage options, including liability, bodily injury, property damage, collision, and comprehensive
Liability coverage, which is required by law, protects you financially if you are at fault in an accident. It covers the cost of injuries and property damage incurred by others in the accident. Bodily injury liability covers medical expenses, while property damage liability covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.
Collision coverage, on the other hand, pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage is also available to protect your vehicle from non-accident-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Root Insurance also offers protection against uninsured or underinsured motorists, ensuring that you are covered if the other driver involved in an accident does not have sufficient insurance to cover the costs.
These coverage options provide a comprehensive level of protection for Root Insurance customers, ensuring that they are financially protected in a variety of situations.
Auto Insurance: New Car, New Policy?
You may want to see also
The company also provides additional coverages, such as rental car reimbursement and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Root Insurance provides additional coverages, such as rental car reimbursement and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. The company also offers roadside assistance, which is included in every policy except in California and Nevada.
Rental car reimbursement coverage covers the cost of a rental car while the policyholder's vehicle is being repaired following an accident. Root Insurance also offers rental car reimbursement through Lyft rides. This coverage is usually paid at a flat rate per day.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection covers the cost of damages to the policyholder's vehicle if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. This coverage is required in 22 states and typically matches the policyholder's liability limits. Root Insurance also provides uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, which covers medical expenses for the policyholder and their passengers resulting from an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
In addition to these coverages, Root Insurance offers a referral program where new members can earn rewards for signing up using a referral code. The provider of the referral code will also receive a reward. Root Insurance also includes roadside assistance in every policy, except in California and Nevada, which covers expenses such as tow trucks, jump starts, and locksmith services. Policyholders are covered for up to three incidents per vehicle per six-month policy term, up to $100 per incident.
Auto Insurance: Navigating the Gray Area of Stupidity
You may want to see also
Root's rates are primarily based on driving behaviour, with good drivers rewarded with lower premiums
Root Insurance is a relatively new insurance company, founded in 2015. Unlike traditional car insurance companies, Root offers affordable car insurance by only insuring good drivers. This means that Root's rates are primarily based on driving behaviour, with good drivers rewarded with lower premiums.
The Root app uses mobile technology to measure and analyse driving habits and behaviours. The app tracks the number of hours driven, average speed, braking distance and pressure, mileage, and other factors. Root then uses this data to determine rates, with the best drivers saving up to $900 a year.
The app also has a feature called the Driver Scorecard, which allows users to keep track of their driving score and provides tips to improve it. Root does not insure high-risk drivers, and so the absence of high-risk drivers among its customers means that Root can pass on savings to its users in the form of lower premiums.
While driving behaviour is the main factor in determining rates, Root may also consider other factors, such as credit score, age, and marital status, although to a lesser extent than traditional insurance companies. Root has also committed to removing credit score from its pricing model by 2025.
State Farm Auto Insurance in California
You may want to see also
The Root app allows users to manage their policies, file claims, and access various perks, such as roadside assistance
The Root app is a highly-rated, easy-to-use app that allows users to manage their policies, file claims, and access various perks, such as roadside assistance.
The app has a 4.7 rating in the App Store and a 3.4 rating on Android devices. It allows users to earn achievements, improve their driving, and show off their skills to friends. The app uses mobile technology to measure driving habits and offers a rate based on how safe users are behind the wheel. It also has a Driver Scorecard feature that provides tips to improve driving and lower prices.
Root Insurance makes it easy to manage policies and file claims. Users can adjust their coverage and file claims in about 3 minutes through the app. The claims process is simple and can be completed by taking a few pictures through the app.
In addition to managing policies and filing claims, the Root app also offers various perks, such as roadside assistance. Roadside assistance is included in every policy, except in California and Nevada, where it can be added as separate coverage. This perk covers up to three incidents per six-month policy term, with a value of up to $100 per incident.
Mutual of Omaha: Gap Insurance Explained
You may want to see also
Root Insurance is currently available in 34 states and is continuously expanding its reach
Root Insurance is currently available in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Root Insurance is not yet available in the remaining 16 states and Washington, D.C., but it is actively working to expand its reach. The company's goal is to make car insurance more accessible and affordable for safe drivers across the country. Root's mobile app, which is highly rated on the App Store, allows users to easily manage their policies and has contributed to its growing popularity.
Full Insurance vs Gap Insurance: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Root offers auto and home insurance.
Root uses smartphone technology to measure driving behaviour and offers rates primarily based on how safe drivers are behind the wheel.
Root auto insurance rates are based on real-time driving behaviour and policies can be managed through a mobile app. However, the company has limited add-on coverage options and is not available in every state.
Root home insurance offers a variety of optional coverage types and is available online. However, it is only offered in 17 states and is underwritten by Homesite, not Root itself.
Root insurance claims can be filed through the mobile app, online, or by phone.