Root Car Insurance Review (2024)
Root car insurance is about $65 a month, but you must maintain good driving habits as it's usage-based. Root provides basic car insurance coverage options, but the company also offers rideshare reimbursement coverage and SR-22 certification. Currently, Root auto insurance is available in 31 states with plans for expansion.
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Brad Larsen
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right cheap car insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare cheap car insurance quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right cheap car insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare cheap car insurance quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- You can’t get Root car insurance quotes until you pass a test phase
- Root car insurance rates are around $65/month
- Driving less results in more affordable Root car insurance rates
- Root also provides homeowners insurance
- Root’s home insurance has an “A” rating with A.M. Best
Did you know drivers who use Root auto insurance save hundreds of dollars per year? Root car insurance is cheaper than some of the best car insurance companies in the United States.
But how do you get affordable Root car insurance? Don’t worry – we’re here to help.
Our guide explains how to get cheap Root auto insurance quotes, what factors affect monthly rates at Root Inc., and how you can get the best discounts.
Continue reading to learn everything about Root car insurance. Use our free online quote tool if you’re ready to start comparing multiple insurance quotes in your area.
What is Root car insurance?
Root Inc. is an insurance company that provides car and home insurance through a mobile app you can download from Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Root Insurance is known for its usage-based auto insurance program, but it’s performed well in its home insurance sector.
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How does car insurance work at Root?
You can get Root auto insurance by downloading the company mobile app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
After you download the Root Inc. app, you’ll need to sign up. This requires you to put in some personal information.
When you’re done, the Root Insurance mobile app activates its test driving phase.
How long does the Root Insurance test drive phase last?
Root Insurance’s test drive phase lasts for three weeks. After three weeks, Root gives you a score based on how you drive.
What determines my Root Insurance score?
Root examines a few factors to determine your eligibility for a Root car insurance policy.
Here are the characteristics that Root Insurance monitors.
- Hard braking
- Hands-free driving
- Distracted driving
- Night driving
- Overall driving speed
- Turning speed
- The number of miles you drive
If you minimize hard braking, practice hands-free driving, and maintain a safe driving speed, you’ll qualify for a Root auto insurance policy.
These factors are also used to determine Root car insurance quotes.
How much is Root car insurance?
On average, Root auto insurance is about $65 a month. However, your rates are based on your overall driving habits.
Good driving behavior is the best way to secure affordable Root car insurance. Meanwhile, bad driving habits can drive up Root car insurance rates.
In addition, Root also looks at factors such as how much you drive, your driving record, and your credit score.
Can I get cheaper Root car insurance rates by driving less?
Yes, you can. Drivers can reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10% when they drive around 6,000 miles per year.
But how much can you pay if you drive 12,000 miles or more each year? Here’s an example of how much Root car insurance can increase if you drive more.
- Average Root car insurance rate – $65/month
- Root car insurance rates with 6,000 or less annual miles – $59/month
- Root car insurance rates with 12,000 or more annual miles – $73/month
Driving 12,000 miles or more per year raises Root auto insurance rates by 13% on average.
You can minimize your risk of getting into an accident when you spend less time on the road. However, this might not be an option for you if you have a long commute. Fortunately, Root car insurance rates are still low for people who drive more.
Are Root car insurance rates more affordable if you have good credit?
The answer is yes. Because they represent a lower risk, insurance companies provide cheaper rates to customers who have good to excellent credit scores.
Good credit correlates to a low risk of filing claims. Therefore, auto insurance companies like Root offer lower rates to customers with high credit scores.
But how much are Root Insurance rates based on credit? Let’s examine a few estimates.
- Excellent Credit – $58/month
- Good Credit – $69/month
- Fair Credit – $79/month
- Poor Credit – $96/month
- Bad Credit – $114/month
Bad credit scores can increase rates by $49 at Root. But if you drive less, you can cut the price hike by 10%.
Be sure to alert Root Insurance when your credit score improves, so you can get access to cheaper rates.
Does my driving record affect Root car insurance quotes?
Before you buy Root car insurance, you’ll notice that Root Inc. looks at your overall driving record in addition to the test driving phase.
The secret behind Root’s affordable rates is that it provides auto insurance only to drivers with good and fair driving records.
An accident or speeding ticket won’t disqualify you from a policy, but your rates would be more expensive.
Let’s see how different infractions affect Root auto insurance per month. Also, we’ll compare Root to the top insurance companies in the nation.
Root Car Insurance Rates by Driving Record and Company
Companies | Monthly Rates with a Clean Driving Record | Monthly Rates w/ One Speeding Violation | Monthly Rates w/ One Accident | Monthly Rates w/ One DUI Conviction |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $318 | $374 | $416 | $522 |
American Family | $224 | $252 | $310 | $361 |
Farmers | $288 | $340 | $377 | $393 |
Geico | $179 | $220 | $266 | $406 |
Liberty Mutual | $398 | $475 | $517 | $634 |
Nationwide | $229 | $259 | $283 | $379 |
Progressive | $283 | $334 | $398 | $331 |
Root Inc. | $65 | $75 | $81 | $89 |
State Farm | $235 | $266 | $283 | $303 |
Travelers | $287 | $355 | $357 | $478 |
USAA | $161 | $183 | $210 | $292 |
A clean driving record is the fastest road to affordable car insurance regardless of the company. But Root Insurance is the cheapest insurance company on the list.
DUI convictions and accidents mean the most expensive rates, while speeding violations have the least effect on auto insurance.
How do I get Root car insurance discounts?
Root doesn’t list any discounts on its website. But you may get a deal from Root Insurance when you bundle Root home insurance with auto insurance.
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What car insurance coverage does Root Insurance offer?
You can get up to 12 different types of coverage on your Root Insurance policy. Root Insurance has the same basic coverage options you can buy from other insurance companies.
Let’s review a summary from Root Insurance to see what’s available on a Root insurance policy.
Root Car Insurance Coverage Limit Summary
Summary | Coverage Limits |
---|---|
Price | $65/month |
Collision Deductible | $500 |
Comprehensive Deductible | $1,000 |
Bodily Injury Liability Limit | $100K for one person per accident $300K for multiple people per accident |
Property Damage Liability Limit | $100K per accident |
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Limit | $10K per person |
Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury Limit | $30K for one person per accident $60K for multiple people per accident |
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Limit | $50K per accident |
Rental Car Reimbursement Limit | $50 per day |
Roadside Assistance | Included |
The average Root car insurance policy is stacked with reliable coverage limits across the board.
In addition to basic coverage options, Root has rideshare reimbursement and SR-22 certification.
Which states have Root Insurance?
Root Inc. is limited to a few states in the nation. Root Insurance is likely to grow, but it only operates in 31 states. But which states?
Look at the table below to see if your state has Root Insurance.
Root Inc. Availability
States | Availability |
---|---|
Alabama | no |
Alaska | no |
Arizona | yes |
Arkansas | yes |
California | yes |
Colorado | yes |
Connecticut | yes |
Delaware | yes |
District of Columbia | no |
Florida | no |
Georgia | yes |
Hawaii | no |
Idaho | no |
Illinois | yes |
Indiana | yes |
Iowa | yes |
Kansas | no |
Kentucky | yes |
Louisiana | yes |
Maine | no |
Maryland | yes |
Massachusetts | no |
Michigan | no |
Minnesota | no |
Mississippi | yes |
Missouri | yes |
Montana | yes |
Nebraska | yes |
Nevada | yes |
New Hampshire | no |
New Jersey | no |
New Mexico | yes |
New York | no |
North Carolina | no |
North Dakota | yes |
Ohio | yes |
Oklahoma | yes |
Oregon | yes |
Pennsylvania | yes |
Rhode Island | no |
South Carolina | yes |
South Dakota | no |
Tennessee | yes |
Texas | yes |
Utah | yes |
Vermont | no |
Virginia | yes |
Washington | no |
West Virginia | yes |
Wisconsin | yes |
Wyoming | no |
Only 19 states in the United States don’t have Root However, availability could change in the future.
How do you cancel a car insurance policy at Root Insurance?
Canceling an auto insurance policy at Root Insurance is simple. Check out the steps below to learn how to cancel Root auto insurance.
- Call the Root Insurance customer service phone at 1-866-980-9431
- Let the Root Insurance agent know that you want to cancel your insurance
- Give out your name, address, and policy number
It may take a few days for your cancellation to go through. You can stay up-to-date on your cancellation status by emailing [email protected].
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How do you file a Root car insurance claim?
Learning how to file a Root Insurance claim is just as simple as canceling a policy. Here’s the step-by-step process of filing a Root claim.
- Go to your Root mobile app
- Select “File a claim or get roadside assistance” at the bottom
- On the next page, tap “File a claim”
- Put in all the required information
- Take pictures of damages and injuries
- Finally, send your car insurance claim to Root for processing
Major incidents, such as total loss accidents, may take a few weeks to resolve. But minor accidents may take only a few days.
Does Root Insurance have any good financial strength and customer reviews?
Root’s auto insurance program doesn’t have financial strength ratings or credit ratings. However, Root Insurance has an A.M. Best rating for its home insurance department.
But what about customer reviews? Let’s go over a few reviews to see where Root Inc. stands in the car insurance industry.
Root Inc. Financial Strength and Customer Review Ratings
Rating Agency | Ratings |
---|---|
A.M. Best Rating | A (for home insurance) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
BBB Customer Rating | 1.31 stars |
NAIC Complaint Index | 4 |
Google Play Rating | 4.7 stars |
Apple App Store Rating | 4.7 stars |
Root Insurance’s BBB rating is good, but customers gave Root Inc. 1.31 out of five stars.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reported that Root Inc. has more complaints from customers than the average company its size.
Meanwhile, the Google Play Store and Apple App Store have above-average ratings for the app itself.
Root Car Insurance: Summary
Before we wrap up the guide, let’s look at a summary of what we’ve learned about Root Insurance.
Root Inc. Summary
Summary | Stats |
---|---|
Founded | 2015 |
Founders | Alex Timms and Dan Manges |
Headquarters | 80 E. Rich Street, Suite 500, Columbus, OH 43215 |
Number of Employees | 901 |
Phone Number | 1-866-980-9431 |
Stock Symbol | ROOT |
Market Share | 0.15% |
[email protected] | |
Website | https://www.joinroot.com/ |
Root Insurance has been around for more than six years, and it appears to be growing.
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Root Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Root Insurance struggles with maintaining good customer reviews, but it’s one of the cheapest usage-based auto insurance companies in the United States.
You won’t be able to get Root car insurance quotes until you complete the Root test drive phase.
To get the most affordable Root Insurance rates, you’ll need to keep good driving habits.
Before you buy Root car insurance, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool below to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Brad Larsen
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.