Root Insurance is a car insurance company that uses your driving behavior to set your rate

Root Insurance is a mobile-first auto insurance company that bases your premium partly on how you actually drive, rather than only on your age, location, and driving history. You read their app, let it monitor your driving for a period (usually two to three weeks), and Root uses that data to calculate a personalized rate. If you drive safely during that monitoring period, you may pay less than you would with a traditional insurer.

Root operates in most U.S. states and sells only auto insurance — not home, renters, or other coverage. The company is licensed and regulated like any other insurer, but its main difference is the telematics technology: the app watches acceleration, braking, phone use, and time of day you drive, then feeds that into the rate calculation.

Key Takeaways

  • Root uses a smartphone app to monitor your driving behavior for two to three weeks before quoting you a rate.
  • Your final premium depends on how safely you drive during the monitoring period, not just your age and history.
  • Root operates in most states but only sells auto insurance, not home or renters coverage.
  • You can cancel the monitoring app at any time without obligation, though Root will not quote you a rate until the monitoring period is complete.

How the Root monitoring app works

When you first contact Root, you read their mobile app and create an account. The app then runs in the background on your phone and collects data about your driving: how hard you accelerate, how quickly you brake, whether you use your phone while driving, what time of day you drive, and how many miles you cover.

Root's algorithm analyzes this data and assigns you a "driving score" based on safety metrics. The company does not publish the exact formula, but safe driving — smooth acceleration, gentle braking, no phone use, and driving during daylight hours — raises your score. Harsh braking, rapid acceleration, phone use, and nighttime driving lower it.

You do not have to keep the app running forever. Root requires the monitoring period to last at least two to three weeks so the company has enough data to calculate a rate. After that period ends, you can delete the app if you choose. If you do keep it, Root may offer discounts for continued safe driving, though the details vary by state.

What Root's rates actually look like

Root does not publish a standard rate card — your quote depends entirely on your driving data, location, age, vehicle, and coverage choices. Some drivers report saving 20 to 40 percent compared to what they paid before; others find Root's rates higher than competitors. The only way to know your specific quote is to go through the monitoring period and ask for one.

Root's rates are not locked in for life. When your policy renews, Root recalculates your premium based on your driving during the previous year. If your driving score improves, your rate may drop. If it worsens, your rate may rise. This is different from traditional insurers, which usually base renewal rates more heavily on claims history and market conditions.

Coverage options and what Root offers

Root sells the standard auto insurance coverage types: liability (which pays for damage you cause to others), collision (which covers damage to your car from a crash), comprehensive (which covers theft, weather, and vandalism), and uninsured motorist coverage. You choose your deductible and coverage limits the same way you would with any other insurer.

Root does not offer bundling with home or renters insurance, since it only sells auto coverage. If you need multiple types of insurance, you would buy auto from Root and home or renters from another company. Some drivers find this inconvenient; others prefer to shop each type separately.

Who Root works well for

Root tends to appeal to drivers who are confident in their driving habits and want to be rewarded for safe behavior. If you drive smoothly, avoid your phone, and do most of your driving during the day, Root's model may work in your favor. Young drivers with clean records but limited history sometimes find Root cheaper than traditional insurers, since the app-based data can offset the higher rates insurers normally charge for age.

Root is less appealing if you drive frequently at night, use your phone often, or have a long commute with heavy traffic. The monitoring period is also a commitment: you need to keep the app running for at least two to three weeks, and you cannot get a quote until that period is done. If you need insurance when ready, Root is not an option.

How Root compares to traditional insurers

Traditional insurers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive set rates based on your age, driving record, location, vehicle, and claims history. They do not monitor your actual driving. This means your rate is more predictable — it does not change based on how you drove last month — but it also means you cannot lower your rate by improving your driving habits.

Some traditional insurers now offer their own telematics programs (Progressive's Snapshot, for example), but these are usually optional add-ons that may lower your rate if you drive safely. Root's entire model is built around telematics, so it is the core of how they price, not an extra feature.

Root also operates entirely online and through its app. You cannot walk into an office or call a local agent. If you prefer to work with a person, or if you need to make changes to your policy quickly by phone, traditional insurers may be more convenient.

What happens if you decide Root is not for you

You can delete the Root app at any time during the monitoring period without penalty. Root will not quote you a rate, but you also will not owe anything. If you have already purchased a policy from Root and want to cancel, you can do so — most states allow you to cancel auto insurance at any time, though you may owe a prorated portion of the premium if you cancel mid-month.

If you cancel and later want to try Root again, you would need to go through the monitoring period a second time. Root does not carry over data from a previous monitoring period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Root's app drain my phone battery?

Root's app runs in the background and uses GPS and motion sensors, which do consume battery. Most users report a noticeable but not severe impact. If battery life is a concern, you can plug in your phone while driving or delete the app after the monitoring period ends.

Can I get a quote without going through the monitoring period?

No. Root requires the two to three week monitoring period before providing a rate quote. This is how the company collects the driving data it needs to calculate your personalized premium.

What if I have an accident during the monitoring period?

An accident during monitoring does not automatically disqualify you or void your quote. However, it will be recorded in your driving history and may affect your rate. Root will still provide a quote after the monitoring period ends, but the premium may reflect the accident.

Does Root report to credit agencies?

No. Root is an insurance company, not a lender. It does not report to credit bureaus or affect your credit score. However, if you miss a premium payment, Root may report that to collections agencies, which could affect your credit.

Can I use Root if I have a bad driving record?

Root operates in most states but reserves the right to decline coverage or charge higher rates based on your driving history. If you have multiple accidents or violations, Root may not offer you a quote, or the quote may be expensive. The only way to know is to go through the monitoring period and ask.