Smart Ride Auto Insurance: How To Choose The Right Coverage

SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that rewards safe driving with discounts on insurance premiums. The program is optional and is offered by Nationwide to its auto insurance members. SmartRide is available in all 50 states and uses either a mobile app or a plug-in device to monitor driving behaviour. The program lasts four to six months and gives drivers an instant 10% discount upon signing up, with the potential to earn up to a 40% discount on renewal. The safer the driver, the higher the discount.

How does SmartRide work?

SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that rewards safe driving. It is a free, optional program for Nationwide members with auto insurance. The program lasts for four to six months, after which you can lock in your final discount at your next policy renewal.

SmartRide works by tracking your driving behaviour through a mobile app or a plug-in device. You can also use the data communication module (DCM) in your car if you have a connected car. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play. The plug-in device is mailed to you and is inserted into your vehicle's on-board diagnostics (OBD) port.

SmartRide measures four driving factors: miles driven, hard braking and acceleration, idle time, and nighttime driving. It does not track your location but uses GPS to monitor acceleration and braking. You will receive regular updates and feedback on your driving behaviour and your estimated discount.

SmartRide offers an instant 10% discount when you sign up, with the potential for up to a 40% discount at renewal, depending on your driving behaviour. The discount is calculated weekly during the program and is based on your driving data.

SmartRide is a good option if you want to improve your driving habits and earn a discount. It is also beneficial if you want to limit the amount of time your insurer monitors your driving behaviour.

What does SmartRide monitor?

SmartRide monitors four aspects of your driving behaviour that are commonly associated with your overall risk of getting in an accident. These include:

Miles Driven

Research shows that drivers who are on the road more are at a higher risk of getting into an accident. SmartRide tracks how many miles you drive and rewards those who drive shorter distances or don’t put as many miles on their vehicle.

Hard Braking and Acceleration

If you frequently slam on the brakes or accelerate at a rate greater than 7.7 mph, you might have aggressive driving tendencies. Monitoring these habits may reduce your discount.

Nighttime Driving

Nighttime drivers, especially those travelling between midnight and 5:00 AM, face the challenges of being tired or distracted, which could increase their risk of getting into an accident. To earn the highest possible discount, try to avoid driving between this window of time.

Idle Time

Measuring the amount of time your car sits while on but not moving can reveal if you’re often stuck in heavy traffic. Insurers tend to raise rates for drivers who travel in congested areas since they’re at a higher risk of getting into an accident. Don’t worry — SmartRide doesn’t count warming up your car in chilly weather as idle time.

Each week, you will get a report from SmartRide with a breakdown of each of the factors it tracks. You will know exactly how far you drove, how many times you braked or accelerated too quickly, how much time you spent driving at night, and how long you idled. These reports could help you make changes to your driving behaviour that might increase the chances of you getting a larger car insurance discount.

Who should sign up for SmartRide?

SmartRide is an optional program for Nationwide members who have auto insurance. It is a safe-driving rewards program that offers a discount of up to 40%. You get a 10% discount when you sign up, and the safer you drive, the higher the discount you can get.

SmartRide is best for those who are trying to improve their driving habits. It could help you be more aware of your sudden starting and stopping. It is also a good fit if you don't drive often or very far and rarely drive at night. If you are a low-mileage driver, you could benefit from SmartRide.

However, if you often drive overnight, commute long distances, drive in heavy traffic, or frequently find yourself driving aggressively, you might not see a discount. SmartRide is not ideal for high-mileage or regular nighttime drivers.

SmartRide is also a good option if you want to improve your driving habits and earn a discount for good driving. The program is free and cannot result in your premiums increasing.

How does SmartRide compare to other programs?

SmartRide is a safe-driving rewards program by Nationwide that offers a discount of up to 40% on your auto policy. It is a usage-based insurance program that uses telematics technology to track and reward safe drivers. The program is optional for Nationwide members who have auto insurance.

SmartRide is one of several telematics programs on the market today. Other insurers offer similar programs, like Allstate Drivewise, Progressive Snapshot, and State Farm Drive Safe & Save, among others. Each program varies slightly in terms of structure and available discounts.

SmartRide offers a 10% initial enrollment discount and a final discount of up to 40% for participants. The total potential discount of 50% is very generous by comparison to other programs. Several companies offer discounts of up to 30%, but the difference could save the safest drivers more than $75 at each policy renewal.

SmartRide is also unique in that it does not track your location or speed. The program uses GPS data to monitor acceleration and braking, but it does not log your location or movements. It also does not penalize you for phone usage.

SmartRide is a good fit if you struggle to keep your hands off your phone on the road. While other telematics programs penalize drivers for phone usage, SmartRide does not. It is also a good option if you are looking to limit the amount of time your insurer monitors you, as the program only runs for four to six months.

However, SmartRide may not be the best fit for city drivers or people who drive late at night. While your rates will not go up, you might be able to score a bigger discount with another telematics program that does not take these factors into account.

How do I activate SmartRide?

SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that rewards safe driving with discounted rates. It is available to all Nationwide members with auto insurance. The program lasts for four to six months and is completely free to use.

To activate SmartRide, follow these steps:

• Enrol in the program by calling 1-855-241-9720 or contacting your agent.
• Download and activate the SmartRide app on your smartphone. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Drive as you normally would, confirming the first few trips in the app.
• Check the app regularly to track your progress and view your estimated discount.
• After four to six months, your final discount will be locked in and applied at your next policy renewal.

It is important to note that you can also choose to participate in SmartRide using a plug-in device, although the app is recommended as the easiest method. If you opt for the device, it will be mailed to you with installation instructions.

SmartRide is a great way to save money on your auto insurance, especially if you are a safe driver.

Frequently asked questions