Root Insurance has quickly gained attention as a tech-driven car insurance company that promises fairer rates based on how you actually drive. But is it really worth switching to Root? In this review, we’ll dive into the key features, benefits, drawbacks, and customer experiences to help you decide if Root is the right fit for your auto insurance needs.
Founded in 2015, Root Insurance offers a fresh approach to auto insurance by using smartphone technology to monitor driving habits and provide personalized coverage rates. Unlike traditional insurers that rely heavily on demographics and credit scores, Root bases its pricing primarily on your actual driving behavior, tracked through their highly-rated Root app.
Root serves over 1.5 million drivers across most US states and has expanded its offerings to include renters insurance and homeowners insurance. The company manages policies, claims, and customer service mostly through its mobile app, aiming to make car insurance easy, affordable, and transparent.
OCHO gives many drivers access to $0 down payments, making it easier to get insured without a big upfront hit. Root doesn’t offer this level of payment flexibility.
With OCHO, you can pay in smaller chunks, line payments up with payday, or even request a short extension when life happens. This makes OCHO especially friendly for drivers with irregular or tight budgets.
OCHO automatically checks for a second quote that could be cheaper. You see both options side-by-side — no guesswork, no need to shop around on multiple sites.
OCHO focuses on transparency. What you see is what you pay. Pricing is clear from the start, so you’re not hit with unexpected fees later.
OCHO is built to help people who might not have perfect credit or spare cash lying around. You can still get coverage without being penalized by a huge deposit.
Whether you need basic liability or full coverage, OCHO lets you start where you’re comfortable and add more protection later. No pressure, just options.
If you want an insurer that helps you start coverage with little upfront cost, keeps payments flexible, and actively checks for better pricing, OCHO usually comes out ahead.
If you’re a perfect driver and don’t mind being tracked, Root might offer a lower rate, but it’s not guaranteed, and those rates can change fast.
Root Insurance enjoys strong positive feedback for its competitive pricing and user-friendly app. Many customers appreciate finally having insurance that rewards their perfect driving record rather than penalizing them for factors outside their control. The streamlined claims process and fast responses are also frequently praised.
However, some users express frustration with the continuous monitoring aspect and the challenge of contacting customer service by phone. There are occasional complaints about rate increases following accidents or violations, although this is common across the industry.
Compared to traditional insurance companies like Geico or Progressive, Root offers a more personalized and fair pricing model for good drivers. Its reliance on powerful tech and data analytics sets it apart by focusing on actual driving behavior rather than assumptions. However, if you have a history of risky driving or prefer more direct customer service, other insurers might be a better fit.
Root Insurance is an excellent option for drivers with safe driving habits who want affordable, transparent coverage managed through a modern app. Its innovative approach to pricing and claims processing can lead to significant savings and convenience. However, the test drive requirement and limited customer service options may not suit everyone.
If you have a perfect driving record and are comfortable with app-based insurance management, Root could be the insurance good drivers deserve. For those seeking broader coverage availability or more traditional support, it’s worth comparing quotes from multiple providers.
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Traditional car insurance often feels like a rigged game where your rates depend more on your zip code, credit score, and age than how safely you actually drive. Root Insurance is changing that narrative entirely.
Root Insurance is a technology-driven insurance company founded to provide fairer car insurance pricing based on actual driving behavior. Unlike traditional insurers that rely heavily on credit scores and demographics, Root primarily uses smartphone data to assess driving risk through their innovative root app. This approach represents a fundamental shift toward what they call “insurance good drivers deserve.”
The company operates as a digital-first insurer, managing policies, claims, and customer service primarily through their mobile app. Since launching in 2015 in Columbus, Ohio, root insurance company has grown to serve over 1.5 million drivers and has collected data from more than 20 billion miles of driving. Root is backed by prominent investors and has established partnerships with major companies like Carvana, indicating strong industry recognition and growth potential.
Root has expanded beyond auto insurance to offer renters insurance and homeowners insurance with similar technology-driven approaches. Their renters insurance starting at just $6 per month demonstrates their commitment to affordable coverage across multiple insurance products.
Getting root car insurance involves a unique process that puts your driving skills front and center. Here’s exactly how it works:
Download and Setup: Start by downloading the root app today and creating an account with basic personal and vehicle information. The setup process is surprisingly straightforward and takes just a few minutes.
Test Drive Period: Complete a test drive period lasting several weeks where the app monitors your driving behavior using smartphone sensors. This isn’t just tracking your location – it’s analyzing acceleration patterns, braking habits, phone usage while driving, and overall mileage to build your personalized driving profile.
Data Analysis: The app tracks factors including speed relative to traffic conditions, harsh braking events, rapid acceleration, phone usage while driving, and total miles driven. Root’s algorithms process this information alongside their database of over 20 billion miles of driving data to assess your risk level.
Personalized Quote: After the test drive period, Root analyzes your driving data and provides a personalized insurance quote. Your test drive score directly influences your premium rate – safe drivers receive lower rates while risky drivers may be declined coverage entirely or offered higher premiums.
Policy Management: Once approved, you can manage your entire root policy through the app, including making payments with easy payment setup, filing claims, and accessing your digital insurance cards.
This process ensures that your rates reflect your actual driving habits rather than assumptions based on demographic factors. The app continues monitoring your driving behavior even after you purchase coverage, which can affect future renewal rates.
Root offers comprehensive auto insurance coverage that meets or exceeds state requirements while providing customizable coverage options to fit your specific needs.
Auto Insurance Coverage: Their car insurance includes liability coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist protection, and personal injury protection where required by state law. You can also add rental coverage for situations when your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss.
Renters Insurance: Root renters insurance provides protection for personal belongings, liability coverage, and additional living expenses if your rental becomes uninhabitable. Even medical expenses related to accidents in your rental unit can be covered under certain circumstances.
Homeowners Insurance: Root home insurance offers customizable coverage levels for dwelling protection, personal property coverage, and liability protection. Their root home policy can be tailored to your specific property value and risk tolerance.
Optional Add-Ons: Additional coverage options include 24/7 roadside assistance covering towing, jump starts, lockout service, and emergency fuel delivery. Gap insurance is available for newer vehicles, and you can increase coverage levels beyond state minimums for better protection.
Bundling Options: Root offers discounts for customers who bundle multiple insurance products. Combining your auto insurance with renters insurance or root home insurance can result in actual savings that vary based on your specific coverage needs and location.
The company’s approach to coverage focuses on transparency and customization rather than one-size-fits-all packages. You can adjust deductibles, coverage limits, and optional features to create a policy that matches both your protection needs and budget constraints.
What sets Root apart from other insurers goes far beyond their technology-driven pricing model. Here are the key advantages that make customers choose root car insurance:
Transparent, Behavior-Based Pricing: Root’s pricing model rewards safe driving with lower premiums while eliminating many traditional rating factors that don’t reflect actual risk. This approach can particularly benefit younger drivers and those with limited credit history who might face higher rates from traditional insurers.
Highly-Rated Mobile App: The root app maintains a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 66,000 users, making car insurance easy to manage entirely from your smartphone. The app handles everything from policy management to claims filing, with most customers able to file a claim in under 3 minutes.
Fast Claims Processing: Root’s streamlined claims process leverages technology to speed up settlements and reduce paperwork. The app allows you to submit photos, track claim progress, and communicate with adjusters all in one place. Their goal is to make better car insurance through technology that actually works for customers.
24/7 Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance purchased through Root provides round-the-clock help including towing services, battery jump starts, lockout assistance, and emergency fuel delivery. This coverage gives you peace of mind whether you’re commuting to work or on a cross-country road trip.
Referral Program: Root’s referral program offers rewards when friends complete test drives and receive quotes. This program reflects their confidence in their product and provides actual customers with additional value for sharing their positive experiences.
Continuous Innovation: The company regularly releases performance updates and bug fixes to improve the user experience. Each week’s release often includes new features and smarter tech designed to make insurance more accessible and transparent.
The financial benefits of switching to Root can be substantial, particularly for drivers with good driving habits and clean records.
Savings for Safe Drivers: Top-performing safe drivers can save up to $900 annually compared to traditional insurance companies. These savings are primarily based on driving behavior rather than demographic factors or credit scores, creating opportunities for groups that traditionally face higher premiums.
Transparent Pricing Structure: Root’s pricing model eliminates many traditional rating factors that don’t correlate with actual accident risk. Instead of basing rates on factors like education level or occupation, they focus on how you actually drive. Actual savings vary by individual, but the company’s model consistently rewards careful, attentive driving.
Additional Discount Opportunities: Savings compared to other insurers can be enhanced through policy bundling discounts when you combine auto coverage with renters insurance or homeowners coverage. Annual payment discounts are also available for customers who pay their full premium upfront rather than monthly installments.
Cost Transparency: Unlike some competitors that offer initial low quotes only to increase premiums later, Root aims for consistent, fair pricing. Their resulting represented savings reflect genuine differences in risk assessment rather than promotional pricing that disappears after the first policy term.
However, it’s important to note that drivers with poor driving habits, multiple traffic violations, or high-risk behaviors may see higher rates or be declined coverage entirely. Root’s model works best for drivers who maintain good driving habits and want their premiums to reflect their actual risk level.
The technology behind Root represents some of the most advanced applications of telematics in the insurance industry.
Advanced Smartphone Integration: The root app uses sophisticated smartphone sensor technology to track driving patterns including acceleration, braking, cornering, and phone usage. This smarter tech goes beyond simple GPS tracking to analyze the quality and safety of your driving behavior in real-time.
Real-Time Feedback: The app provides immediate feedback on your driving performance, helping you understand how specific behaviors affect your insurance rates. This educational component helps users improve their driving habits while potentially lowering their premiums.
Comprehensive Policy Management: Beyond driving monitoring, the app handles complete policy management including coverage updates, payment processing, and document access. The easy payment setup allows for flexible billing options, and digital insurance cards eliminate the need for paper documents.
Streamlined Claims Experience: When you need to file a claim, the app guides you through the process with photo submission capabilities, real-time claim tracking, and direct communication with adjusters. Most users can complete the initial claims filing in under 3 minutes.
Privacy and Security: While the app collects extensive driving data, Root maintains privacy policies governing how this information is used and stored. The company uses this data primarily for rate calculation and risk assessment rather than detailed location tracking or commercial purposes.
Continuous Improvements: Regular app updates include both bug fixes and new features designed to improve the user experience. The development team consistently works on performance updates to ensure the app remains reliable and user-friendly.
Root insurance is available in most US states, with ongoing expansion to additional markets as regulatory approvals are obtained.
Geographic Coverage: Root currently operates in 35 states, with their largest customer concentrations in Texas, Georgia, and Colorado. Recent expansions have brought coverage to Washington, Oregon, California, and Minnesota, with more states expected to be added throughout 2024 and 2025.
Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for root car insurance, you must own a smartphone capable of running the Root app, complete the required test drive period, and meet the company’s driving safety standards. Some drivers may be declined coverage based on poor driving performance during the test drive or existing traffic violations on their record.
Vehicle Requirements: Coverage is available for most personal vehicles, though restrictions may apply based on vehicle age, type, and value. Commercial vehicles typically require separate coverage through specialized commercial insurance providers.
State-Specific Variations: While Root’s core technology and approach remain consistent across all markets, coverage options and pricing may vary by state due to different insurance regulations and minimum coverage requirements. Some states may have different rules regarding usage-based insurance and data privacy that influence how Root operates.
Licensing and Regulation: As a licensed insurance carrier, Root must comply with all state insurance regulations and maintain appropriate financial reserves. This regulatory oversight provides consumer protection and ensures the company can meet its claim obligations.
Root has built a strong reputation for customer service and innovative insurance solutions, earning recognition from both customers and industry publications.
Customer Satisfaction: Root maintains an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot and has been featured positively in major publications including Forbes, Fortune Magazine, and The Washington Post. Customers frequently praise the competitive rates, intuitive app interface, and fast claims processing.
App Store Ratings: With over 66,000 reviews contributing to a 4.7-out-of-5-star rating, the root app consistently ranks among the highest-rated insurance apps available. Users particularly appreciate the transparent pricing and the ability to manage their entire policy digitally.
Industry Recognition: The company has received coverage in publications like TechCrunch and Fortune Magazine, highlighting their innovative approach to insurance technology. Their partnerships with companies like Carvana demonstrate industry recognition and validate their business model.
Common Praise Points: Actual customers frequently highlight the personalized protection offered through Root’s driving-based pricing model. Many appreciate finally having car insurance that rewards their safe driving habits rather than penalizing them for demographic factors beyond their control.
Areas for Improvement: Some users report challenges with accessing customer service by phone, though app-based support is generally well-regarded. A few customers have expressed concerns about the continuous monitoring aspect, though most appreciate the transparency it provides in pricing.
Claims Experience: The company generally receives positive feedback for claims handling, with many customers noting faster resolution times compared to traditional insurers. The ability to submit and track claims entirely through the app is frequently mentioned as a major convenience factor.
The test drive period typically lasts 2-3 weeks, during which the root app continuously monitors your driving behavior using smartphone sensors. You must complete a minimum amount of driving during this period to generate enough data for an accurate quote. The app will notify you when you’ve completed sufficient driving to receive your personalized insurance quote. During this time, it’s important to drive normally and safely, as this data directly influences your potential premium rate.
Traffic violations or accidents may result in rate increases at your next policy renewal period, similar to traditional insurance companies. However, Root’s continuous monitoring means they may detect patterns of improved or deteriorating driving behavior between formal violations. Severe violations or claims may result in policy non-renewal, requiring you to find coverage elsewhere. The company evaluates each situation individually, considering your overall driving history and patterns rather than just isolated incidents.
No, the smartphone app is essential to Root’s business model as it provides the driving data used to calculate your rates. The app must remain installed and active throughout the test drive period and policy duration for the coverage to remain valid. Root’s technology-driven approach requires continuous app usage for policy management, rate determination, and claims processing. This requirement ensures that your premiums accurately reflect your current driving behavior rather than historical assumptions.
While Root’s core technology and approach remain consistent across all markets, coverage options and pricing may vary by state due to different insurance regulations and minimum coverage requirements. Some states may have different rules regarding usage-based insurance, data privacy, and required coverage types that affect available policy options. Additionally, state-specific factors like weather patterns, traffic density, and accident rates can influence overall pricing in different markets.
Root collects driving behavior data through smartphone sensors but maintains privacy policies governing how this information is used and stored. The company uses the data primarily for rate calculation and risk assessment rather than detailed location tracking or selling information to third parties. However, users should review Root’s complete privacy policy to understand what data is collected, how it may be shared, and their options for data management. The app requires certain permissions to function properly, but users maintain control over their privacy settings within legal and operational requirements.
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