Root car insurance review

What we think of Root car insurance

Founded in 2015, Root Insurance is a legitimate pay-as-you-go insurance company accredited by the BBB and backed by state insurance funds, just like national insurers.

What we like about Root is that its prices are weighted heavily on your test drive. This means that you get the chance to prove you’re a safe driver, even if traditional insurers lump you in high-risk groups based on your age, gender or credit score.

We also like that Root reportedly saves many customers hundreds of dollars a month with wider coverage than they had previously.

On the other hand, if your driving’s not up to snuff, Root will decline to offer you a policy after your test drive. The same goes for your driving over time — if you start braking hard, speeding or you get in a car accident, expect your rates to jump up. And the insurer doesn’t always have the best claims experience.

If you’re a safe driver who’s looking for bottom-dollar rates and wide coverage, it’s worth going through the test drive to get a quote for free.

finder.com's rating: 3.5 / 5

★★★★★

How to get a free quote for Root car insurance

Since Root is an app-based insurance company, you’ll get started through its intuitive app, which monitors your driving and offers insights while you’re waiting for your quote. Follow this step-by-step process to start your test drive.

1. Download the app. Sign up for a test drive through the app, unless you live in California. You can go to the Root site and choose Download the app now to send a download link to your phone.
2. Set up the app. Log in and enable your location, motion and notifications. Scan your driver’s license and fill in any details.
3. Take your test drive. Root’s app will monitor your driving for two to three weeks, though the test period can range from one to four weeks.
4. Keep track of your score. Track how you’re doing with the app’s Driver scorecard, which rates how well you brake, turn and maneuver. The app also suggests ways to improve your driving.
5. See your score. After you’ve logged enough trips, Root rates your driving on a scale of 1 to 10. If it’s lower than you’d like, use the remaining time in your test drive to improve your score.
6. Get your custom rate. If your score meets Root’s application standards, the app calculates an auto insurance quote and recommends your coverage.

What discounts can I get with Root?

Root’s premise is rewarding good drivers with low rates, so it doesn’t offer the same discounts as other car insurers, like for good students. But you can get a few discounts if you qualify.

• Referral. Invite your friends to sign up through a personalized referral link and save $10 to $100 for each successful referral, except in California.
• Tesla autopilot. Use Autosteer during the test drive in your Tesla and save based on how many highway miles you drive using autopilot.

What does the Root app look like?

Root customer reviews and complaints

Overall, Root sees mixed customer reviews about drivers’ experience with the company, though it also has a high number of customer complaints. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the company an A+ rating and accreditation that suggest it’s dealt properly with negative complaints.

However, Root holds a 4 score on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index. The national standard is 1.00, and anything above that shows complaints are higher than normal.

Specifically, many online reviewers say that they’ve saved as much as $100 a month or over $1,000 a year, with dramatic savings and robust coverage that’s much higher than they had with past companies. But a number of customers see their rates rise after a few months or experience unexpected billing charges or hard-to-reach customer service during the claims process.

Our star rating for Root, explained

Our car insurance experts rate Root slightly above average because of its wide coverage, offering rental car reimbursement and including roadside assistance for free in most states. We also like that Root holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, showing that it handles complaints in a timely manner. But Root’s low to average customer ratings hurt its overall score.

Compare Root auto insurance to other companies

Root isn’t the only telematics insurance company available — you can see discounts up to 40% if you go with Allstate Drivewise. If you’re looking for the cheapest rates overall with wide coverage, Progressive Snapshot is worth a quote.

But if you want to focus on the steepest savings for low mileage, a pay-per-mile policy with Metromile might be your best bet.

These days, most major insurers offer some sort of telematics discount. Consider your options and select Get quotes to see your customized coverage and rates.

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What coverage can I get from Root?

Many drivers who switch to Root report increased coverage limits for a lower cost than their previous insurance, according to several Reddit threads. And the free roadside assistance is a perk that you’d typically pay for with other insurers.

The only caveat: Root currently doesn’t offer gap insurance, which protects you if your car is totaled and your claim check is less than your car loan balance.

• Collision. Covers damage to your vehicle caused by an accident.
• Comprehensive. Pays for damage to your vehicle caused by anything other than an accident.
• Full coverage. Get full coverage with Root — this term means that you have liability, comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy. But full coverage doesn’t include other types of coverage.
• Liability. Covers injuries to others or property damage from an accident you caused. Choose a limit up to $250,000 per accident.
• Medical payments. Pays for your medical bills after an accident.
• Personal injury protection. Covers medical expenses, lost wages and other indirect costs for you and your passengers after an accident.
• Rental car reimbursement. Pays for a rental car while your car’s in the shop after an accident. You can use Lyft instead of a rental, a unique option not available from most insurers.
• Roadside assistance. Included free except in California, for up to three incidents per car for every six-month policy. Covers any roadside service under $100, including towing, battery jumps and emergency assistance.
• Underinsured motorist. Pays for your car repairs if another driver causes an accident but doesn’t have enough insurance.

Can I bundle insurance policies with Root?

Yes, Root offers renters insurance and home policies in a select number of states. You get 5% off renters insurance premiums if you bundle car and renters insurance, or 10% off your home insurance by bundling car and home policies.

However, before buying Root home insurance, you have to start a car insurance policy with the company first.

What affects my rates with Root?

Your test drive is the largest factor that Root considers when putting together your policy and price, except in California where telematics-based rates are illegal.

To a lesser extent, Root also considers your driving record, certain demographics and your overall credit history — factors that more traditional insurers use. However, Root has nixed including occupation and education in your score, and it plans to cut credit score from its rating factors by 2025.

If your driving doesn’t meet Root’s requirements, Root won’t offer a price or let you open a policy. You can’t retake your test drive to sign up, a letdown if you don’t have another car insurance option lined up.

Am I covered while I take the test drive?

That depends. Most drivers can’t get instant coverage. If you’re insured but are considering options, stick with your current insurer until you complete the test drive, which could take up to 30 days.

Some qualifying drivers will get 60 days of temporary coverage while they complete the test drive. If you like your final rate and experience with Root, you can cancel your current insurance and let your lender know you’ve switched directly through the Root app.

How long does the test drive take?

You typically complete your test drive in two to four weeks, and the app estimates how much time you have left in the test period. Some drivers report getting a quote after a week or two, while others go as long as six weeks. The average is three weeks, depending on how much you drive.