Root Insurance offers drivers a promise most others don’t: auto insurance rates based primarily on how you drive. To get an auto insurance quote from Root, you first take a “Test Drive,” where you let the company’s app track your driving behavior for a few weeks. The better your driving, the better the quote. Show You may especially benefit from this type of pricing if you’re a safe driver but have high car insurance rates, like teens and young adults. Drivers with poor credit may also want to consider Root, or a company offering a similar pricing structure. Although most other insurers use your credit as a pricing factor when calculating your rates, Root has promised to eliminate credit scores from its pricing model by 2025. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington don’t allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates. Root may offer you lower rates if you ace the Test Drive, but the company has a high number of complaints compared with many insurers. » MORE: Best auto insurance companies How Root auto insurance worksMost companies rely heavily on your demographic information, credit and driving history to set rates. Root does, too, but it factors in that data to a lesser extent so that more of your quote is based on how you drive during your two- to three-week Test Drive.
» MORE: Pay-per-mile and usage-based insurance Root auto insurance coverageWhen you’re shopping for car insurance, it’s important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. Most states require car insurance in order to drive a vehicle. Although minimum coverage requirements vary from state to state, they generally include liability insurance and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Full coverage isn’t a specific policy type; it's a combination of coverage types, like liability, collision and comprehensive insurance. Check out the most common types of car insurance coverage below to see how they work:
Root offers these standard types of coverage, as well as: Roadside assistance, included in Root policies at no additional charge. While most insurers offer roadside assistance for a monthly or per-use fee, Root covers up to three incidents per six-month policy term, up to $100 per incident. Rideshare option for rental coverage. Most auto insurers offer rental reimbursement coverage, which pays for a rental while your car is in the shop due to a covered wreck. Root has the same coverage but is a little more flexible, allowing customers to instead be reimbursed for rides from Lyft. With each claim, the option is the customer’s, but Root says it can help you decide. Lyft on Us offers policyholders free Lyft rides on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Independence Day. This program isn't available in North Dakota. SR-22 availability. You can get an SR-22 form, a certificate you file with your state that proves coverage, from Root Insurance. Like most interactions with Root, you do this through the app. Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. ZIP Code GET MY RATES Get started on Insure.com » MORE: Compare car insurance rates Auto insurance discountsRoot doesn’t offer many discounts. However, rates are based on your driving behavior, which essentially gives you a safe driver discount. Other discounts available include:
Auto insurance buying guideBefore you compare car insurance companies, you’ll need to collect some basic information. This includes the driving history of everyone who will be on the policy, as well as facts about your car, such as safety features and annual mileage driven. You’ll also want to determine which types of coverage you need. For example, do you want only the bare minimum insurance that your state requires, or do you need more extensive coverage, such as gap insurance or rideshare coverage? Check that each company you’re considering has the options you want. When comparing rates among insurers, make sure each is offering the same coverage limits and deductibles. You may not want to make your decision based on price alone. Look at how many consumer complaints each company has, as a high number of complaints could be a red flag about the quality of service you'll receive. Depending on which company you choose, you may be able to buy insurance online, over the phone or through an agent. For more guidance, see how to get car insurance. ComplaintsRoot Insurance had more than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. More about Root auto insuranceWebsite: Root has an intuitive website with an extensive FAQ, a blog and other informational material. You can sign up and start a quote online, but everyone who wants a quote takes the Test Drive, so you’ll finish the process on your smartphone. App: Root policies are entirely app-based, so you can view your policy documents and ID cards, pay bills, file and track claims, summon roadside assistance and more with your smartphone. You can even request an SR-22 or change your policy from the app, available on both Apple and Android devices. Other insurance from Root InsuranceIn addition to auto insurance, Root also offers: |