What Motion Auto Insurance Is
Motion auto insurance is a type of car insurance sold by Motion, a company that uses an app to track your driving habits and adjust your rate based on how safely you drive. Instead of a fixed premium based only on your age, location, and driving record, Motion monitors things like how hard you brake, how fast you accelerate, and how often you speed. Safer driving can lower your monthly cost; riskier driving can raise it.
The core idea is that insurance companies have traditionally charged everyone in a demographic group the same rate, even though some drivers in that group are genuinely safer than others. Motion's model tries to reward the safer drivers by letting them pay less. You read the Motion app, it runs in the background on your phone while you drive, and the company uses that data to recalculate your rate periodically.
This is different from traditional insurance, where your rate is set when you buy the policy and stays the same until your renewal date. With Motion, your rate can change more frequently based on your actual driving behavior.
Key Takeaways
- Motion tracks your driving through a smartphone app and adjusts your insurance rate based on how safely you drive, rather than using only demographic information.
- The app monitors braking, acceleration, speeding, and phone use while driving, and sends that data to Motion's servers to calculate your rate.
- You can see your driving score in the app and understand which behaviors are raising or lowering your rate.
- Motion's coverage options include liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection, similar to standard auto insurance policies.
- Your rate can change monthly or quarterly depending on your driving data, so safer habits can lower your cost over time.
How the Driving Monitoring Works
When you sign up with Motion, you read their mobile app and give it permission to access your phone's GPS and motion sensors. The app runs passively in the background while you drive and collects data on several specific behaviors: how quickly you accelerate, how hard you brake, whether you exceed the speed limit, and whether you use your phone while driving.
The app does not record video or audio, and it does not track your location history in a way that Motion can see where you go. It only measures the dynamics of how you drive. That data is encrypted and sent to Motion's servers, where it is processed into a driving score. Motion then uses that score, along with traditional underwriting factors like your age, location, and claims history, to set or adjust your rate.
You can open the Motion app anytime and see your current driving score, which is usually a number between 0 and 100. The app also breaks down which specific behaviors are helping or hurting your score, so you get feedback on what to change if you want to lower your rate.
What Coverage Motion Offers
Motion sells standard auto insurance coverage types: liability (which pays for damage you cause to other people's cars or property), collision (which pays for damage to your own car from a crash), comprehensive (which covers theft, weather, and other non-collision damage), and uninsured motorist protection (which covers you if you are hit by someone without insurance).
You choose your deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage, just as you would with any other insurance company. A higher deductible means a lower monthly premium but more money out of your pocket if you have a claim. Motion does not offer unique coverage types; the difference is in how they price what they do offer.
Motion is available in most U.S. states, but not all. Before you sign up, you should check whether Motion operates in your state and whether they insure the type of vehicle you drive.
How Your Rate Changes Over Time
Unlike traditional insurance, where your rate is locked in for six or twelve months, Motion can adjust your rate based on your driving data. The frequency of rate changes varies—some customers see updates monthly, others quarterly. Motion uses your recent driving history to recalculate, so a few months of safe driving can lower your rate, and a few months of risky driving can raise it.
This means your insurance cost is not fixed. If you improve your driving habits, you may see your premium drop. If your driving becomes riskier, you may see it increase. Motion sends you a notification when your rate changes, so you are not surprised at renewal or when you check your bill.
The amount your rate can change is not unlimited. Motion operates within state insurance regulations, which set rules on how much an insurer can adjust rates based on driving behavior. You should review Motion's rate adjustment policy for your state to understand the potential range.
Privacy and Data Security Concerns
Because Motion collects driving data through your phone, privacy is a legitimate question. Motion encrypts the data it collects and does not sell it to third parties. The company uses it only to calculate your rate and improve its app. However, you are sharing real-time driving information with a private company, and you should understand what that means before you sign up.
You can turn off the app or uninstall it at any time, which stops the data collection. If you do, Motion will no longer have current driving data to use for rate adjustments, so your rate may not decrease further or may revert to a standard rate. You should review Motion's privacy policy directly to understand exactly what data is collected, how long it is kept, and what happens to it.
Motion's app requires location permission to work, but the company states it does not track where you go—only how you drive. If you are uncomfortable with any level of app-based monitoring, Motion is not the right choice for you, and traditional insurance companies that do not use telematics are available instead.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Motion
Potential advantages: If you are a safe driver, Motion can reward you with lower rates than you might get elsewhere. The app gives you real-time feedback on your driving, which can help you become an even safer driver. There are no hidden fees or surprise rate hikes unrelated to your driving—your cost is directly tied to your behavior. If you drive infrequently, Motion may also offer lower rates because you are on the road less.
Potential disadvantages: If you are a new driver, an aggressive driver, or someone who drives in heavy traffic where hard braking is common, your score may be low and your rate may not be competitive. The app requires your phone to be with you every time you drive, and it uses battery and data. If you value privacy and do not want an insurance company monitoring your driving, the trade-off is not worth it. Some people also find the constant feedback stressful rather than helpful.
Motion is best suited for drivers who are confident in their driving habits, want to see their insurance cost reflect their actual behavior, and are willing to share driving data in exchange for potentially lower rates.
How Motion Compares to Other Telematics Insurance
Motion is not the only insurance company that uses driving data to set rates. Competitors include Allstate's Drivewise, State Farm's Drive Safe & Save, and Metromile (which charges per mile driven). Each program works slightly differently and may be available in different states.
Allstate's Drivewise and State Farm's Drive Safe & Save also use apps or plug-in devices to track driving and offer discounts for safe behavior. Metromile is different—it charges a base rate plus a per-mile fee, so it is most useful if you drive very little. Motion's main distinction is that it focuses on real-time driving dynamics rather than just mileage or occasional snapshots of driving behavior.
If you are considering Motion, it is worth getting quotes from at least one or two competitors to see which offers the best rate for your situation. The "best" option depends on your driving habits, how much you drive, and how comfortable you are with monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Motion work if I do not have a smartphone?
No. Motion's system requires a smartphone with the Motion app installed. If you do not have a smartphone or do not want to use one for insurance purposes, Motion is not an option for you. You would need to look at traditional insurance companies or other telematics programs that use plug-in devices instead of apps.
Can Motion see where I drive or where I go?
Motion uses GPS to measure your driving dynamics but does not track your location history or see where you go. The company collects data on how you accelerate, brake, and speed, not on your destinations or routes. You should review Motion's privacy policy to confirm this matches your comfort level.
What happens to my rate if I have an accident?
An accident will likely raise your rate, just as it would with any insurance company. Motion will use both the accident itself and your driving data leading up to it when recalculating your rate. Safe driving after an accident can help bring your rate back down over time.
Can I pause the app if I am not driving?
Yes. The Motion app can be turned off or paused when you are not driving. However, Motion needs consistent driving data to calculate your rate accurately, so if you turn it off frequently, your rate adjustments may be limited or you may not see the discounts that safe drivers typically receive.
Is Motion cheaper than traditional insurance?
It depends on your driving habits and your location. For safe drivers, Motion can be significantly cheaper. For new drivers or those with traffic violations, Motion may not offer better rates than traditional companies. The only way to know is to get a quote from Motion and compare it to quotes from at least two other insurers.