Orlando Harmon
Root Insurance is a car insurance company that bases its rates on driving behaviour, rather than demographics. The company uses a test drive measured by a smartphone app to assess driving skills and habits, such as braking, speed of turns, driving times, route consistency, phone use while driving, and more. Root Insurance then offers a quote based on the driver's behaviour, which can result in significant savings for good drivers. The app also allows users to customise and purchase their policy, find their insurance card, make changes to their policy, and file a claim. While Root Insurance is not available in all states, the company is working to expand its reach nationwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cars | Up to six cars can be insured under one policy |
| Number of Drivers | All family members who will drive the cars need to be listed on the policy |
| Driving Behaviour | Driving behaviour is measured through a smartphone app, which tracks braking, speed of turns, driving times, route consistency, phone usage, etc. |
| Demographic Factors | Root does not base rates on demographic factors like age, but some demographic factors are still considered, such as credit score |
| Policy Customisation | Policies can be customised and purchased through the app |
| Payment Options | Root accepts credit cards and Apple Pay, with the option to pay monthly or every six months |
| Test Drive | A test drive is required to determine the final rate, which is calculated based on driving behaviour |
| Availability | Root is available in over 30 states and is working to expand nationwide |
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What You'll Learn
Root Insurance app
The Root Insurance app is a mobile application that uses technology to measure driving behaviour and determine insurance rates. The app can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices. It uses smartphone technology to track driving habits such as braking, speed of turns, driving times, route consistency, phone use while driving, and more. This data is then used to calculate a driving score, which is the primary factor in determining insurance rates. Root Insurance claims to offer fair rates by basing them on driving behaviour rather than solely on demographics. The app provides a test drive feature, where users can drive with the app running in the background for a few weeks to receive a quote based on their driving score. Root Insurance also offers the convenience of managing insurance policies entirely through the app, including purchasing, customising, finding insurance cards, making changes, and filing claims.
The Root Insurance app has received mixed reviews from users. Some customers have praised the app for offering lower rates, especially for teenagers and good drivers, and for providing the convenience of managing policies through the app. However, other users have expressed concerns about unexpected rate increases after the test drive period, even with perfect driving scores. Root Insurance explains that rates may increase due to various factors, including driving habits, credit score, and driving history.
The app offers a range of features to its users. It allows users to request their SR-22 form directly through the app by navigating to Auto Policy, followed by Document Requests, and then SR-22. The app also enables users to customise their insurance policies to include additional coverages as needed. Root Insurance ensures that users have the legal amount of coverage required by their state and provides the option to adjust coverage levels based on their family's needs. For families with multiple cars, Root offers the convenience of a multi-car insurance policy, where all insurance cards for family members can be easily accessed through the app.
Root Insurance also provides roadside assistance with every policy as an extra layer of protection. The company was founded on the principle of fairness, striving to offer good drivers fair rates. The app is highly rated in the App Store, with 4.7 out of 5 stars at the time of writing. Root Insurance is currently available in over 30 states and is working to expand its reach across the nation.
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Test drive
The Root test drive is what sets Root Insurance apart from traditional insurers. Root Insurance uses an app to monitor your driving behaviour and, hopefully, offer you a better auto insurance quote. The safer you are as a driver, the more you could save as a policyholder. Root Insurance claims that it is not right for everyone, so you might not be offered a quote after your test drive. This is because there are other factors that go into your auto insurance quote, such as standard predictions of risk, including having too many prior accidents or owning a car that is too luxurious.
To take the Root test drive, you must first download the free app for iOS or Android. Then, you sign up for the service via Google, Facebook, or email, and scan the back of your driver's license. The app will then monitor your driving behaviour through your smartphone for up to four weeks, although the average is three weeks. You can check how much time is left on your test drive within the app. The app measures things like braking, turning, the time of day you are behind the wheel, your average speed, braking distance and pressure, and mileage.
During the test drive, you can view your driver scorecard in the app and check your progress at any time. This tool shows you where you need to improve before your test drive ends so that you can get the best rate. Your test drive score on your driver scorecard is the primary factor that determines your rate. Root Insurance also claims that it can tell whether you are the driver or a passenger.
After you complete the test drive, Root will either decline coverage or provide you with a quote. Root does not cover high-risk or "bad" drivers, and denied coverage is one of the biggest complaints about the company. If you are offered a quote, you will have up to 30 days to accept it. When you receive your quote, it is a good idea to compare the rate against other insurance providers with similar coverage.
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Cost of Root Insurance
The cost of Root Insurance depends on a number of factors, including driving behaviour, age, and location. Root Insurance is currently available in 34 US states, with plans to expand further. The company uses an app to monitor driving behaviour and determine insurance rates, rather than relying solely on demographics. This means that good drivers, including teenagers, can benefit from lower rates than they might find with traditional insurance companies. Root Insurance offers a test drive period, during which the app gathers data on driving behaviour, including braking, speed of turns, driving times, and route consistency. After the test drive, Root provides a quote based on this data. The company claims that customers can save up to $900 per year by switching to Root Insurance.
Root Insurance offers both liability-only and full-coverage policies. The average cost of Root Insurance is $64 per month for liability-only coverage and $113 per month for full coverage. These rates are significantly lower than the national average, which is $105 per month for liability-only coverage and $197 per month for full coverage. Root Insurance also offers various discounts and additional coverage options, such as rental vehicle coverage and roadside assistance.
Root Insurance allows customers to pay monthly or every six months, with the option to change the payment frequency. The first payment is processed on the date of purchasing the policy, even if the insurance start date is later. The second payment is typically processed one month after the policy start date, and subsequent payments are automatically withdrawn monthly. Root Insurance also offers a family car insurance plan, which allows customers to insure multiple cars and drivers on a single policy. This can be more convenient and cost-effective than having multiple insurance policies for different family members.
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Who can use Root Insurance?
Root Insurance is a car insurance company that bases its rates primarily on driving behaviour, rather than demographics. This means that good drivers of any age can benefit from fair rates. For example, teenagers who are good drivers can get much lower rates with Root than with traditional insurance companies, which tend to rate based on demographics.
Root Insurance is available in over 30 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and many others. The company is working to bring its services nationwide, creating different insurance models to fit the needs and laws of each state. Root Insurance offers a test drive where users can download the app and have their driving behaviour measured for a few weeks. After this period, Root Insurance will provide a quote based on how the user drives. Root Insurance is committed to fairness and does not insure bad drivers, which means that safer drivers can benefit from more affordable rates.
Root Insurance is also a good option for families, as multiple cars and drivers can be included on one policy. This makes it easy to manage insurance for the whole family, with each person's insurance card accessible through the app. Families can also adjust their levels of coverage as their circumstances change, for example, when a college student is added to the policy or when a new car is purchased.
While Root Insurance is a good option for good drivers seeking fair rates, it may not work for everyone. Some users have reported issues with rates increasing unexpectedly after the test drive period, despite maintaining good driving behaviour. Root Insurance also takes into account factors such as credit score and driving history, which may impact eligibility for some users.
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Root Insurance vs other insurance companies
Root Insurance is a car insurance company that offers lower prices than most other providers by primarily using an app to rate drivers based on their driving behaviour and history, rather than their age, gender, credit score, or other demographic information. The app uses smartphone technology to measure factors such as braking, speed of turns, driving times, route consistency, and mileage. Root Insurance also offers the standard car insurance coverages that every company offers, including property damage and bodily injury liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In addition, it includes 24-hour roadside assistance with all of its packages, as well as rental car coverage as an optional extra.
One of the biggest complaints about Root Insurance is that it refuses coverage to high-risk or "bad" drivers. This means that it may be more expensive for those who are not the safest drivers. Root Insurance is also not available in every state, although the company is working to expand its reach across the nation.
When comparing Root Insurance to other insurance companies, it is important to consider the different factors that influence rates. Traditional insurance companies typically use driving history, demographic information, and sometimes credit score to determine rates. This can result in higher rates for certain groups, such as teenagers and seniors. In contrast, Root Insurance primarily bases rates on driving behaviour and history, which can lead to significant savings for good drivers.
Another difference between Root Insurance and other insurance companies is the availability of multi-car insurance policies. Root allows families with multiple cars to put all their vehicles and drivers on a single policy, making it easier to manage insurance for multiple family members. This feature may not be offered by all insurance companies and could be a significant advantage for those with multiple vehicles.
In terms of customer experience, Root Insurance has received mixed reviews. While some users have praised the company for its easy-to-use website and app, others have complained about higher premiums due to the app gathering driving data even when they were passengers in the car. It is worth noting that this issue is not unique to Root and has been reported with other UBI apps as well. Overall, Root Insurance offers a unique approach to car insurance by focusing primarily on driving behaviour, which can result in significant savings for good drivers but may be more expensive for those with less safe driving habits.
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Frequently asked questions
Root Insurance bases its insurance rates primarily on driving behavior, rather than demographics. The company uses a mobile app to track driving behavior, including braking, speed of turns, driving times, route consistency, phone usage while driving, and more.
The test drive is a period where Root Insurance uses the app to monitor your driving behavior and calculate a driving score. The test drive typically lasts for a few weeks, after which you'll receive a quote based on your driving score.
Once the test drive is complete, Root Insurance will provide you with a quote based on your driving behavior. You'll have the option to purchase and customize your policy through the app. You'll also have the opportunity to accept or decline the offer within 30 days.
Root Insurance offers flexible payment options. You can choose to pay monthly or every six months. The payment will be automatically processed using the payment method in your profile.
Root Insurance is currently available in over 30 states and is working to expand nationwide. The availability varies by state due to different regulations. You can check the availability map on their website or app to see if Root Insurance is offered in your state.
