What Root Car Insurance Covers and How It Works

Root's coverage and pricing model

Root is a car insurance company that uses a mobile app to track your driving behavior and adjust your rate based on how you actually drive, rather than just your age, location, and driving history. The company offers standard coverage types — liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist — but the main difference is that your premium can drop if the app records safe driving habits like smooth acceleration, gentle braking, and driving during low-risk hours.

Root does not require a minimum coverage amount or force you into bundled policies. You choose your deductible, liability limits, and optional coverages the same way you would with any other insurer. The tracking period typically lasts 30 to 60 days before your first discount kicks in, and discounts can reach 30 to 50 percent depending on your driving data — though some drivers see smaller reductions or no discount at all.

The company operates in most U.S. states but not all. Root does not write policies in New Hampshire, which has no mandatory auto insurance requirement, and availability varies in a few other states. You can check whether Root operates in your state on their website before downloading the app.

Key Takeaways

• Root's main feature is a mobile app that monitors your driving and can lower your rate if you drive smoothly and avoid high-risk times, though not all drivers see meaningful discounts.
• You get the same standard coverage options as traditional insurers — liability, collision, comprehensive — and you choose your own deductible and limits.
• The tracking period lasts 30 to 60 days before discounts begin, and you can delete your driving data at any time if you decide Root is not right for you.
• Root's rates are competitive for safe drivers but may be higher than other companies for drivers with accidents, tickets, or poor driving patterns.
• Root does not offer roadside information, rental car coverage, or accident forgiveness as standard features, so compare what you get against other insurers' base offerings.

How the driving app actually works

Root's app runs in the background on your phone and uses GPS, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensors to measure how hard you brake, how quickly you accelerate, and how fast you take turns. It also tracks the time of day you drive — driving between midnight and 4 a.m. counts as higher risk. The app does not monitor your speed directly or whether you use your phone while driving, though it does record if you drive during severe weather.

You can see your driving score in the app in real time. Root assigns a number from 0 to 100, and the company uses this score to calculate your discount. A higher score means safer driving patterns and a bigger potential discount. You can also pause the app before a trip if you know you will be driving aggressively or during a risky time — paused trips do not count against your score.

The app does use your phone's location, so it needs location permission to run. If you are uncomfortable with continuous location tracking, Root is not the right fit. You can delete all your driving data and cancel your policy at any time, but the tracking data itself is what makes the discount possible.

When Root's pricing makes sense

Root tends to offer the best rates for drivers who have a clean driving record, drive during normal daytime hours, and drive smoothly without hard braking or rapid acceleration. If you commute on highways at predictable times and have not had accidents or tickets in the past three to five years, Root's discount structure may beat what you pay elsewhere.

Root can also work well if you drive very little. The app tracks actual miles and driving patterns, so a driver who uses their car only on weekends or for short trips may see a lower rate than a traditional insurer would charge, since traditional rates are based partly on estimated annual mileage.

Root is less competitive if you drive frequently at night, have a recent accident or ticket, or live in an area with heavy traffic and frequent hard braking. The app will record these patterns, and your discount will be smaller or nonexistent. In these cases, a traditional insurer or a company that does not use telematics may offer a better rate.

What Root does not include

Root's base policies do not come with roadside information, rental car reimbursement, or accident forgiveness. These are add-ons you can purchase separately, but they cost extra. If you rely on roadside information or want coverage for a rental car while yours is being repaired, check Root's add-on prices against what other insurers include in their standard policies.

Root also does not offer discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, which many traditional insurers do. If you have homeowners or renters insurance elsewhere, you may save more money by moving both policies to a company that offers a multi-policy discount.

The company does not have local agents. All customer service is handled by phone or through the app. If you prefer to work with an agent in person or over video, Root will not meet that need.

How Root compares to other telematics insurers

Root is not the only company that uses a driving app to set rates. Allstate Drivewise, State Farm Drive Safe & Save, and Metromile all offer similar programs. The main differences are in how much data they collect, how much discount they offer, and whether the tracking is optional or required.

Allstate Drivewise and State Farm's program are optional add-ons to an existing policy, so you can get a quote and start coverage without the app, then add it later if you want. Root requires the app from the start. Metromile charges by the mile instead of offering a flat rate, which works best for drivers who put very few miles on their car each year.

Root's discounts tend to be competitive, but the actual rate you receive depends on your driving record, location, and the specific coverage you choose. Getting quotes from Root and at least one traditional insurer will show you whether the discount is worth the trade-off of continuous tracking.

Privacy and data security concerns

Root collects detailed location and driving behavior data continuously while the app is active. The company says it does not sell this data to third parties and uses it only to calculate your rate and prevent fraud. However, the data is stored on Root's servers, and like any company, Root could face a data breach.

If you are uncomfortable with an insurance company knowing where you drive, when you drive, and how you drive, Root is not the right choice. The app cannot be disabled without pausing your policy, and there is no way to use Root without sharing this data. Some drivers find the privacy trade-off worth the discount; others do not.

Root is owned by Alphabet (Google's parent company), which has raised privacy concerns for some customers. If you have concerns about data collection by large tech companies, research Root's privacy policy directly before signing up.

Getting a quote and testing the app

Root lets you read the app and see your driving score before you commit to a policy. You can drive for the full 30 to 60 day monitoring period, see what discount you would receive, and then decide whether to buy a policy or delete the app. This trial period is useful because it shows you exactly what your rate would be based on your actual driving patterns.

To get a quote, you read the Root app, enter your personal and vehicle information, and let the app monitor your driving. After the monitoring period, Root shows you the rate you would pay. You can accept the quote and purchase a policy, or you can decline and delete the app without any obligation.

When you compare Root to other insurers, get quotes from at least two traditional companies as well. This shows you whether Root's discount is genuinely better than what you would pay elsewhere, or whether a traditional insurer's base rate is already lower for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Root if I have an accident or ticket on my record?

Yes, Root will insure you, but your rate will be higher than it would be for a clean driving record. Root uses your driving history as a starting point, then adjusts based on the app data. If you have recent accidents or tickets, the discount from safe driving behavior may not bring your rate below what other insurers charge.

What happens to my discount if I get a ticket while using Root?

Root will update your rate at your next renewal to reflect the ticket. Your driving app score may also drop if the ticket was for a violation the app can detect, like speeding. The discount you earned before the ticket does not disappear when ready, but your next bill will reflect the new information.

Does Root work if I share my car with someone else?

Root tracks whoever is driving the phone, not the car. If you share a vehicle, you can pause the app before handing the car to someone else, or the other driver can use their own phone with their own Root account. If you do not pause the app, their driving will count toward your score, which could lower your discount.

Can I cancel Root anytime if I do not like it?

Yes, you can cancel your policy at any time. There is no long-term contract or cancellation fee. If you decide Root is not right for you after the monitoring period or after a few months of coverage, you can switch to another insurer without penalty.

How much can I save with Root?

Discounts vary widely based on your driving patterns, location, and driving history. Some drivers see 30 to 50 percent discounts, while others see 10 percent or less, and some see no discount at all. The only way to know your actual discount is to complete the monitoring period and see the quote Root provides.