What Root Insurance Is
Root Insurance is a car insurance company that uses a mobile app to track your driving behavior and adjust your rates based on how you actually drive, rather than just your age, location, or driving record. The app monitors things like hard braking, rapid acceleration, phone use while driving, and the times of day you drive. If you drive safely, you can earn a discount; if you drive riskily, your rate may stay higher or increase.
Root is a licensed insurance company that sells standard car insurance policies — liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage — just like any other insurer. The main difference is how they price it. Instead of using only historical data about you, they collect real-time data about your driving habits through their app.
This model appeals to people who feel confident in their driving skills and want a way to prove it, or who drive infrequently and want rates that reflect that. It can also appeal to younger drivers or those with less-than-perfect driving records who want a path to lower premiums.
Key Takeaways
- Root's app tracks your driving behavior in real time and uses that data to set or adjust your insurance rate, separate from your driving history or age.
- You must read the Root app, grant it permission to access your phone's location and motion sensors, and drive with it active to get a rate quote or maintain your policy.
- Root offers the same types of coverage as traditional insurers — liability, collision, comprehensive — and you choose your deductible and coverage limits when you buy a policy.
- Discounts are possible if the app detects safe driving patterns, but rates can also increase if the app detects risky behavior like hard braking or speeding.
- Root does not insure commercial vehicles, rideshare drivers, or drivers under 18, and the app requires a smartphone with specific operating systems.
How the Root App Measures Your Driving
The Root app uses your phone's GPS, accelerometer, and gyroscope to track specific driving behaviors. It records hard braking events (sudden stops), rapid acceleration, speeding, phone use while driving, and the time of day you drive. The app runs in the background while you drive, so you do not have to actively use it — just keep your phone in the car.
Root does not track every mile you drive forever. Instead, it uses a rating period to assess your driving. During this period (typically the first 30 to 50 days after you read the app), Root collects data to generate an initial rate quote. After you buy a policy, Root continues to monitor your driving and may adjust your rate at renewal or during your policy term, depending on what the app detects.
The app also tracks when you drive. Driving late at night or during rush hour may affect your rate differently than driving during off-peak hours, because accident risk varies by time of day. Root's algorithm weighs all these factors together to produce a single rate.
What Coverage Root Offers and How to Choose It
Root sells the same basic types of car insurance that traditional insurers do. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else; collision coverage pays for damage to your own car from a crash; comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, or vandalism. You also have the option to add uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you if someone without insurance hits you.
When you get a quote from Root, you choose your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) and your coverage limits (the maximum the insurance will pay). Higher deductibles lower your premium; lower deductibles raise it. The same is true for coverage limits — choosing higher limits costs more but protects you more if you cause a serious accident.
Root does not offer add-ons like roadside information, rental car reimbursement, or gap insurance through their main product. Some of these may be available through third-party partners, but you would need to check Root's website or call them directly to see what is currently offered in your state.
Getting a Quote and What Happens During the Rating Period
To get a quote from Root, you read the app, create an account, and provide basic information: your name, address, driver's license number, vehicle details, and the coverage you want. Root then asks you to grant the app permission to access your phone's location and motion sensors. Without these permissions, the app cannot measure your driving.
Once you grant permission, the app begins collecting data. Root uses this data to generate an initial rate quote, which typically takes 30 to 50 days of driving. During this time, you are not yet a customer — you are in the rating period. Root recommends driving normally during this time so the app can get an accurate picture of your habits. If you drive very cautiously during the rating period and then drive differently after you buy the policy, Root may adjust your rate at renewal.
After the rating period ends, Root gives you a quote. If you accept it and buy a policy, your coverage begins. If you decline, you can delete the app and try another insurer. Some people use Root's rating period to test their driving habits and see what quote they get, without committing to buy.
How Rates Can Change After You Buy a Policy
Once you are a Root customer, the app continues to monitor your driving. Root may adjust your rate during your policy term if the app detects a significant change in your driving behavior — for example, if you start speeding frequently or have multiple hard braking events. However, Root does not adjust rates daily or weekly; changes typically happen at renewal or during scheduled reviews.
If your driving improves, your rate may go down at renewal. If your driving worsens, your rate may go up. Root also considers traditional factors like accidents, tickets, and claims on your driving record, just like other insurers do. A ticket or accident will likely raise your rate regardless of what the app shows.
You can also lower your rate by maintaining safe driving habits over time. Some Root customers report that their rates drop significantly after a year or more of clean driving data. However, this is not may provide — the final rate depends on Root's algorithm, which weighs many factors together.
Who Root Does and Does Not Insure
Root insures drivers who own or lease a personal vehicle and drive it for personal use. The company does not insure commercial vehicles, rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft), or drivers under 18. If you use your car for business purposes beyond commuting to work, Root may not cover you.
You also need a smartphone with a recent version of iOS or Android to use the Root app. If your phone is too old or does not support the required operating system, you cannot use Root. Additionally, Root is not available in all states; coverage varies by location, so you should check Root's website to see if they operate in your state.
Root also has restrictions on the types of vehicles it insures. Very old vehicles, high-performance cars, or vehicles with salvage titles may not be may be able to access. When you enter your vehicle information during the quote process, Root will tell you whether your car qualifies.
Privacy and Data Security Concerns
Because Root's app collects location data and motion sensor data continuously, privacy is a legitimate concern. Root states that it does not sell your driving data to third parties and that the data is encrypted. However, the app does require broad permissions to your phone's sensors, and you should understand what you are sharing before you read it.
You can turn off the app at any time by uninstalling it or disabling its permissions. However, if you do this while you are a Root customer, Root may not be able to monitor your driving, which could affect your rate or your ability to renew. If you are uncomfortable with the level of data collection, Root may not be the right choice for you, and a traditional insurer might be a better fit.
Root's privacy policy and terms of service explain exactly what data is collected and how it is used. You should read these documents before downloading the app or buying a policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Root quote without letting the app track my driving?
No. Root's entire business model depends on collecting driving data through the app. You must grant the app permission to access your location and motion sensors to get a quote. If you do not want to share this data, you would need to choose a different insurance company.
What if I have a bad driving record — can Root still insure me?
Root can insure drivers with accidents or tickets on their record, but your rate will reflect that history. Root's app may help you demonstrate safer driving over time, which could lower your rate at renewal. However, Root does have limits on how many violations or accidents it will accept, so you should get a quote to see if you may have access to.
Does Root charge a cancellation fee if I want to switch insurers?
Root does not charge a cancellation fee, but you are responsible for paying your premium through the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-month, you may receive a refund for the unused portion of your premium, depending on your state's laws. Check your policy documents or contact Root directly for details.
What happens to my rate if I do not drive for a while?
If you stop driving, the app will not collect new data. At renewal, Root may use your historical driving data and the time since your last drive to calculate your rate. Some insurers offer low-mileage discounts if you drive very little, but you should ask Root whether this is available in your state.
Can I use Root if I share my car with family members?
Root's app tracks whoever is driving the phone's car, so if family members drive the car, their driving behavior will be recorded under your policy. This could affect your rate. If multiple people regularly drive the car, you should discuss this with Root before buying a policy, as it may impact how your rate is calculated.