When it comes to car and home insurance, Root Insurance has taken an unconventional route—basing rates primarily on real-time driving behavior. If you’re a confident driver who avoids hard braking and sudden lane changes, this could be a golden ticket to lower premiums. But is Root all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s break it down.
What Makes Root Insurance Stand Out?
Root is a digital-first insurance provider that operates through its mobile app. Unlike traditional insurance companies that rely heavily on demographics and credit scores, Root determines eligibility and pricing primarily through telematics—tracking your driving habits via a smartphone app.
Here’s a snapshot of what makes Root unique:
✅ Usage-Based Pricing – Your rate is based on how you drive, not just who you are.
✅ App-Based Policy Management – Claims, policy adjustments, and payments can all be handled in the Root app.
✅ Roadside Assistance Included – Comes standard with every policy (except in California and Nevada).
✅ Bundling Options – Auto and home insurance can be combined for potential savings.
❌ Strict Eligibility Requirements – Not all drivers qualify; you must pass the test drive first.
❌ Limited Add-On Coverages – Fewer customization options compared to larger insurers.
❌ Not Available Nationwide – Only offered in 34 states.
How Root Car Insurance Works
Root’s eligibility process isn’t as simple as filling out an online quote form. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Download the Root App – The app will track your driving for a few weeks.
- Take the Test Drive – Your driving habits are analyzed, focusing on braking, speed, and cornering.
- Get a Quote – If you pass the test, you’ll receive a personalized insurance rate.
This approach can be great for safe drivers looking for lower premiums, but if your test results aren’t favorable, you might not get an offer at all.
🚨 Big news: Root has announced plans to eliminate credit scores from its rating factors by 2025—a move that could make car insurance fairer for many drivers.
Root Car Insurance Coverage Options
Root offers standard coverage types, including:
- Liability Insurance (Bodily Injury & Property Damage)
- Collision & Comprehensive
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
- Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- Rental Reimbursement
However, compared to legacy providers like Allstate or State Farm, Root lacks extensive add-ons, such as accident forgiveness or vanishing deductibles.
Cost of Root Car Insurance
Root doesn’t publicly disclose average rates, but here’s how it stacks up against the national average cost of car insurance:
- Minimum Coverage: $740 per year
- Full Coverage: $2,542 per year
Your final rate will depend on driving behavior, location, vehicle type, and coverage level. For an accurate quote, you’ll need to complete the test drive.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about Root, compare quotes from multiple insurers through NerdWallet or Bankrate.
Root Home Insurance: A Secondary Offering
Unlike its car insurance, Root does not underwrite its own home insurance policies. Instead, it partners with Homesite to offer homeowners, renters, and condo insurance. While you can bundle home and auto, Root’s involvement is limited.
What’s Covered?
- Dwelling – Protects the structure of your home.
- Personal Property – Covers belongings inside your home.
- Liability – Provides legal protection if someone gets injured on your property.
- Loss of Use – Helps with living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable.
🔎 Root Home Insurance is only available in 17 states. If you want full control over your homeowners policy, you may prefer providers like Lemonade or Hippo, which specialize in digital-first home insurance.
Root Insurance Customer Reviews: What Real Users Say
While Root’s app-based approach is innovative, customer feedback is mixed. We analyzed user opinions from Reddit and Quora, where real customers share their experiences.
Positive Reviews:
💬 “Root lowered my premium significantly! The process was simple, and I love managing everything in the app.” – Reddit user
💬 “Their customer service was surprisingly good. I actually got to talk to a real person without waiting forever.” – Quora user
Negative Reviews:
😡 “The test drive is a joke. It logged me as the driver when I was just a passenger in an Uber!” – Reddit user
😡 “They canceled my policy out of nowhere, leaving me scrambling for a new insurer.” – Quora user
Takeaway? If you’re a safe driver who embraces app-based insurance, you might love Root. But if you value traditional customer service and stability, it might not be your best bet.
How Root Compares to Other Insurers
| Feature | Root Insurance | Lemonade | Allstate | Clearcover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | 34 states | 7 states | Nationwide | Limited |
| Rating Method | Telematics | AI-driven | Traditional | Digital-first |
| Home Insurance | Partnered | In-house | In-house | Partnered |
| AM Best Rating | Not Rated | A (Excellent) | A+ (Superior) | Not Rated |
📌 Want more options? Check out our Lemonade Insurance Review or Allstate Insurance Review for alternatives.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Root Insurance?
✅ Best for:
✔️ Safe drivers looking for lower premiums
✔️ Tech-savvy individuals who prefer app-based management
✔️ People who don’t mind going through a test-drive phase
❌ Not ideal for:
❌ Drivers who frequently use rideshare or public transportation (risk of false driving logs)
❌ People looking for extensive add-on coverages
❌ Those who prefer traditional customer service
Final Verdict: Is Root Insurance Worth It?
Root is disrupting the insurance industry with its usage-based pricing and app-driven approach. If you’re a careful driver who values fair pricing based on real behavior, this could be a solid option. However, strict eligibility requirements, mixed customer reviews, and lack of financial strength ratings could make some hesitant.
For those open to an alternative, it’s always smart to compare multiple providers before making a final decision. Use a free quote comparison tool like The Zebra or Policygenius to see if Root is your best bet.
🔍 Looking for more insurance insights? Stay informed with expert reviews and comparisons at Bankrate and NerdWallet.