Root Auto Insurance: Good Or Bad?

Root Insurance is a relatively new insurance company, founded in 2015, that offers affordable car insurance by only insuring good drivers. Unlike traditional car insurance companies, Root sets its rates primarily based on driving history and behaviour, rather than focusing on credit scores, driving history, and demographics.

Root uses technology to set rates based on driving habits. The GPS and accelerometer built into your smartphone are engaged during the test drive period, allowing the Root app to determine the number of hours you drive, your average speed, braking distance and pressure, mileage, and other factors. By only covering safe drivers, Root can offer more affordable insurance rates.

While Root Insurance may be a good option for some, it is important to note that the company has received mixed reviews. Root has a high number of customer complaints compared to other insurers, with many reviewers complaining about raised rates after the first six months of coverage. Root is also not yet available in all states.

Root Insurance's customer service

Root Insurance is a usage-based auto insurance company that bases its insurance rates on a person's driving habits. It was founded in 2015 and is currently available in 34 states. Root Insurance has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but a poor rating of 1.2 stars out of 5 from consumer reviews on the BBB.

Root Insurance has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have praised the company for its affordable rates, easy-to-use app, and excellent customer service, others have complained about raised rates after the first six months of coverage. Some customers have also reported instances where Root cancelled their coverage after the first accident.

Root Insurance offers 24/7 customer support by phone and email. The company aims to respond to all emails within 48 hours.

Root Insurance's app

Root Insurance is a relatively new insurance company, founded in 2015. It offers a personalised approach to car insurance by basing insurance rates mainly on driving behaviours instead of credit scores, driving history, and demographics.

The Root Insurance app is available on the App Store and Google Play. After downloading the app, you will need to give it access to your phone's GPS to allow it to monitor your driving behaviours for two to four weeks. This includes looking at braking, turning, speed, driving time, route consistency, and mileage. Root claims that the app can tell whether you are the driver or a passenger, so you won't be penalised for the behaviour of another driver.

The app has an easy quote process. After the test drive, Root will either send you a quote or notify you if it can't provide coverage. Root is very transparent about the fact that it doesn't cover bad or high-risk drivers, which allows it to minimise the risk of accidents and provide lower insurance premiums for those it insures.

The Root app has a high rating in both the Google and Apple app stores. On Apple, the app has a 4.7/5 star rating, while Android users give it a 3.4/5 star rating. However, Root has a below-average customer service reputation and has received complaints about claim delays, sudden drops in coverage, and raised rates.

Root Insurance's pricing and savings

Root Insurance is a usage-based insurance company that sets its rates primarily based on driving behaviour. This means that, unlike traditional car insurance companies, Root does not rely heavily on demographic information, credit scores, or driving history to set rates. Instead, it uses mobile technology to measure driving habits and behaviours such as braking, turning, speed, driving time, route consistency, and the time of day the customer drives. Root claims that its app can tell the difference between when the customer is driving and when they are a passenger, so customers are not penalised for the behaviour of other drivers.

After the initial test drive, Root will either send the customer a quote or notify them that they cannot be provided with coverage. Root is very clear about the fact that it does not cover bad or high-risk drivers, and this allows the company to minimise the risk of accidents and provide lower insurance premiums for those it does insure.

Root offers standard types of coverage, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, personal injury protection, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage. Root also includes roadside assistance in every policy, covering up to three incidents per vehicle per six-month policy term, up to $100 per incident.

Root does not offer many discounts, but its rates are based on the customer's driving behaviour, which essentially gives customers a safe driver discount. Customers can also save money by buying more than one insurance policy from Root or by paying for their policy upfront.

Root advertises that drivers can save up to $900 by switching to them from other insurance companies. Some customers have reported saving around $100 per month, or $60 per month, while others have said their previous car insurance rates were almost twice as much as what they're paying with Root for the same type of coverage.

Root Insurance's coverage options

Root Insurance offers a range of standard coverage options, as well as some additional benefits. The company's insurance rates are based primarily on driving behaviour, rather than credit scores, driving history, and demographics.

Standard Coverage Options

Root offers the following standard types of coverage:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers medical, funeral, and lost wages for other people when the policyholder causes an accident.
• Property damage liability: Covers damage to other vehicles or property when the policyholder causes an accident.
• Collision insurance: Covers damage to the policyholder's vehicle when they cause an accident, or when they are involved in a hit-and-run or are hit by an uninsured driver.
• Comprehensive insurance: Covers damage to the policyholder's vehicle from environmental factors such as floods and fires, as well as theft and vandalism.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for the policyholder and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
• Medical payments (MedPay): Covers medical expenses for the policyholder and their passengers in an accident.
• Uninsured motorist coverage (UM): Covers the policyholder when they are in an accident with an uninsured driver or in a hit-and-run (in some states).

Additional Coverage Options

Root Insurance also offers the following additional coverage options:

• Roadside assistance: Included in every policy, with up to three incidents covered per vehicle per six-month policy term, up to $100 per incident.
• Rental car coverage: Offers either a rental car or Lyft reimbursement when the policyholder's vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident.
• Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): Covers the policyholder's property when it is damaged by an uninsured driver, including in a hit-and-run.

Exclusions

Root Insurance does not provide coverage for motorcycles, ATVs, boats, RVs, or commercial vehicles.

Root Insurance's availability

Root Insurance is a relatively new company, founded in 2015, and is not yet available in all states. It is currently available in 34 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Root Insurance is not available in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Root Insurance is a usage-based insurance company, meaning it sets rates based on a person's driving behaviours. It uses technology to monitor driving habits, including the number of hours driven, average speed, braking distance and pressure, mileage, and other factors. Root Insurance is unique in that it does not rely heavily on demographic information, credit scores, or driving history to set rates, although these factors are considered to a lesser extent.

The company offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their policies, file and track claims, request roadside assistance, and more. Root Insurance also provides roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage at no additional cost.

While Root Insurance has received positive reviews for its low rates, easy-to-use app, and good customer service, it has also faced some criticism. Some customers have complained about rate increases after the first six months of coverage and sudden drops in coverage. Root Insurance has a high rate of customer complaints, with a near 1.2-star rating out of 5.0 from consumer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.

Overall, Root Insurance can be a good option for those looking for cost-effective, usage-based insurance, but it is important to compare rates and coverage options with other providers before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions