Root Insurance Offers Lower Rates for Safe Drivers, But Coverage Is Standard
Root Insurance is a mobile-first car insurance company owned by Rootstock Insurance Company. It charges premiums based partly on your actual driving behavior — tracked through a smartphone app — rather than only on demographic factors like age and location. If you drive safely and consistently, Root often quotes lower rates than traditional insurers. If you drive frequently, take sharp turns, brake hard, or drive at night, your rate may be higher than competitors offer.
Root's coverage options themselves are standard: liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection work the same way they do at State Farm or Geico. The difference is in how Root decides what to charge you, not in what you're buying. Whether Root is "good" depends on your driving patterns, how much you drive, and whether you're comfortable with an app monitoring your vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Root's rates are built on driving behavior tracked through a smartphone app, so safe, consistent drivers often pay less than they would elsewhere.
- The app monitors acceleration, braking, phone use while driving, and time of day, and you can see your score before you bind a policy.
- Root's coverage types and limits are the same as other insurers; the pricing model is what sets it apart.
- Root does not offer discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, which can make it more expensive for customers who want multiple policies.
- Customer service is app-based and phone-based; there are no local agents, which speeds up claims but removes face-to-face support.
How Root's Driving Score Affects Your Rate
Root's app runs in the background on your phone and records how you accelerate, brake, turn, and use your phone while driving. It also tracks what time of day you drive. The app generates a "driving score" on a scale, and Root uses that score — along with your age, location, and driving history — to set your rate. You can see your score before you commit to a policy, and you can retake the assessment if you think your driving has improved.
The scoring system rewards smooth acceleration and braking, minimal phone use, and daytime driving. It penalizes hard braking, rapid acceleration, sharp turns, and nighttime miles. If you drive a delivery route, work nights, or commute on congested highways where braking is frequent, your score will reflect that. Root does not hide the formula; you can watch your score change as you drive.
One practical limitation: the app needs your phone to be in your vehicle during every trip you want monitored. If you forget your phone or use a different vehicle, Root cannot track that driving. Some customers find this inconvenient; others see it as a way to exclude trips they'd rather not have scored.
Root's Coverage and Limits Compared to Standard Policies
Root offers the same types of coverage as any other car insurer: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist bodily injury, and uninsured motorist property damage. You choose your deductibles and limits the same way you would with Geico or Progressive. Root's minimum liability limits meet state requirements, and you can raise them if you want more protection.
Root does not offer some add-ons that other insurers provide. There is no roadside information bundled into policies, though you can add it. Root does not offer accident forgiveness, which waives a rate increase after your first at-fault accident. If you want those features, you'll need to buy them separately or choose a different insurer.
The coverage itself is backed by Rootstock Insurance Company, which is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best, a financial rating agency for insurers. That means Root has the financial strength to pay claims. Claims are filed through the app or by phone; there is no local claims office to visit.
When Root's Pricing Works in Your Favor
Root's model rewards specific driving patterns. If you drive during daylight hours, take highways rather than city streets, accelerate and brake smoothly, and keep your phone off while driving, Root's app will score you highly. High scores translate to lower rates. Drivers who fit this profile — typically people with predictable commutes, low annual mileage, or rural routes — often see quotes from Root that are 20 to 40 percent lower than quotes from traditional insurers.
Root also works well if you want to see real-time feedback on your driving. The app shows you exactly which behaviors are costing you points, so you can adjust. Some drivers find this motivating and use it to become safer drivers overall. If you're already a cautious driver and want that behavior reflected in your rate, Root's transparency is an advantage.
Young drivers with clean records sometimes find Root's rates competitive because Root does not rely as heavily on age-based pricing. A 19-year-old with a safe driving score may pay less at Root than at an insurer that charges high rates for all drivers under 25.
When Root's Pricing Works Against You
If you drive frequently at night, in heavy traffic, or in urban areas with frequent stops, your driving score will be lower, and your rate will reflect that. Root's algorithm penalizes hard braking, which is unavoidable in congested traffic or when you're following safety rules. A delivery driver, rideshare driver, or someone with a long urban commute may find Root's rates higher than competitors' rates, even with a clean driving record.
Root also does not offer multi-policy discounts. If you bundle auto and home insurance at State Farm or Allstate, you might save 15 to 25 percent on your auto policy. Root does not participate in bundling, so if you need home insurance, you'll buy it elsewhere and lose that discount opportunity. For a household with multiple policies, this can make Root more expensive overall.
Drivers with accidents or violations on their record will not see the same rate reductions that safe drivers do. Root's algorithm accounts for driving history, so a poor record limits how much your current safe driving can lower your rate. In those cases, traditional insurers with accident forgiveness or forgiveness programs may offer better value.
Root's Customer Service and Claims Process
Root operates entirely through its app and phone line. There are no local agents, no walk-in offices, and no in-person claims adjusters. For some customers, this is efficient: you can file a claim, upload photos, and track progress from your phone. For others, the lack of human interaction is a drawback.
Claims are typically handled within days. Root uses a network of repair shops and can arrange a rental car if your vehicle is in the shop. You can choose your own repair shop or use Root's network. The app lets you track the status of your claim in real time.
Customer service is available by phone during business hours and through the app 24/7. Response times are generally fast, but you cannot schedule an appointment with a specific agent or build a relationship with someone who knows your account history. If you prefer working with the same person over time, Root's model will feel impersonal.
How Root Compares to Other Insurers on Price and Features
| Feature | Root | Traditional Insurers (State Farm, Allstate) | Digital Competitors (Geico, Progressive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate based on driving behavior | Yes, via app | No | No |
| Multi-policy discount | No | Yes, 15–25% | Limited |
| Local agent | No | Yes | No |
| Roadside information included | No | Yes | No |
| Accident forgiveness | No | Yes | Optional add-on |
| Claims filed via app | Yes | No | Yes |
Root's main advantage is its driving-based pricing. If you drive safely and consistently, you'll often pay less. Its main disadvantages are the lack of bundling discounts and the absence of some standard add-ons like roadside information and accident forgiveness.
Traditional insurers like State Farm and Allstate charge more upfront but offer bundling discounts and local agents. Digital competitors like Geico and Progressive fall between Root and traditional insurers: they offer app-based claims and lower rates than traditional insurers, but they don't monitor your driving behavior the way Root does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Root's app drain my phone battery?
Root's app runs in the background and uses minimal battery. Most users report no noticeable impact on battery life. The app does require location services to be on, which uses more power than the app itself, but the combined drain is typically less than 2 to 3 percent per hour of driving.
Can I get a lower rate if I improve my driving score?
Yes. Root recalculates your rate based on your driving score, and you can request a rate review after you've driven for a period of time. If your score improves, your rate may drop. Some customers see rate reductions after 30 to 60 days of safe driving, though the exact timing depends on Root's underwriting process.
What happens if I don't use the app for a few weeks?
Root's app only tracks trips when it's running in your vehicle. If you don't drive or don't have your phone with you, the app doesn't collect data. Your rate is based on the data Root has, so gaps in driving don't automatically lower or raise your rate. However, if you stop driving entirely, you may want to pause or cancel your policy.
Does Root report accidents to other insurers?
Yes. Root reports claims and accidents to the same insurance databases that all insurers use. If you file a claim with Root, that claim will appear on your driving record and may affect rates at other insurers. This is standard across the insurance industry and is not specific to Root.
Can I switch to Root if I have a recent accident on my record?
Yes, you can get a quote from Root even with an accident or violation on your record. Root's algorithm accounts for driving history, so your rate will be higher than it would be for a clean record. However, Root may still offer competitive rates if your current driving score is high, because Root weights recent behavior alongside history.