Root Car Insurance Review for 2024

Root auto insurance is usually cheaper than most insurance companies, but you must have good driving habits to keep your monthly rates low. That’s because Root car insurance is usage-based.

But what factors does Root look for to determine Root car insurance rates? Don’t worry – we’ll show you how you can get cheap Root car insurance quotes.

Our Root car insurance review shows how Root car insurance works, what creates affordable Root car insurance, and what customers say about Root Inc. 

Read this guide to learn everything about Root car insurance. If you’re ready to start comparing quotes from multiple companies, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool above. 

What is Root Insurance?

Root Inc. is an insurance company that provides home and auto insurance. However, you can only get coverage through the Root Insurance mobile app since it’s an online company. 

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You’ll need to download Root Insurance’s mobile app on your smartphone and sign up. But, you must go through a few more steps before you can use Root’s services. 

How does Root car insurance work?

Root Insurance provides usage-based car insurance. Root’s telematics system produces auto insurance rates based on driving behavior.

Root monitors your driving habits and generates a score that translates to a monthly rate. The better your driving behavior, the less you’ll pay for your car insurance. 

But before you buy Root car insurance, the company takes you through a test phase. The test phase lasts for three weeks.

After the test phase review period, Root determines whether you’re eligible for a policy based on your overall driving score. 

If your score meets Root’s standards, you’ll be offered a quote. However, a bad score may generate expensive rates or outright denial of a Root Insurance policy. 

What driving habits does Root Insurance monitor?

Root Inc. tracks these driving factors during the test phase and after you’ve been approved for a policy. 

• Hard braking
• Hands-free driving
• Distracted driving
• Night driving
• Overall driving speed
• Turning speed
• The number of miles 

Unsafe driving behaviors are picked up on the Root Insurance telematics, which reduces your score and hurts your chances of getting a Root Insurance policy. 

How much are Root car insurance rates?

Root auto insurance can be as little as $65 a month, but you must have good driving habits. But what comes with a Root car insurance policy? Let’s look at another summary for more details. 

Root provides high coverage limits at a low price. But your monthly car insurance cost depends on how well you drive every day. Also, Root Insurance looks at other factors that affect your overall risk.

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Does Root Insurance determine car insurance rates by credit history?

Root does consider your credit history when you get an insurance policy if it’s legal in your state. According to the Federal Trade Commission, car insurance companies use credit score (or credit history) to determine the driver’s risk. 

Higher risk correlates to drivers with bad credit, but good credit means a driver has a lower risk of filing an auto insurance claim. 

Let’s see how Root Insurance issues car insurance rates based on credit.

• Excellent – $58/month
• Good – $68/month
• Fair  – $79/month
• Poor – $96/month

Even with poor credit, Root Insurance customers pay less than some insurance companies in the nation. But don’t count your rates being the same. Root auto insurance varies for each driver.

Can my driving record affect Root car insurance rates?

Yes, it can. Your driving history is one of the main factors that determine your risk level.

Although Root Insurance monitors your driving to generate auto insurance rates, it still wants to know your driving record before you commit to its usage-based program. 

But how does your driving history impact Root’s monthly car insurance rates? Let’s compare Root Insurance rates based on driving history and compare it to the best car insurance companies in the United States.

All insurance companies increase rates when you have at least one traffic infraction or accident on your driving record. Multiple accidents and violations could raise your rates even more. 

For Root Inc. customers, auto insurance rates are usually more affordable regardless of your driving record. Too many accidents and traffic violations may disqualify you from a Root Insurance policy. 

 Read more:

• A Comprehensive Guide To Auto Insurance In Pennsylvania
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• How To Find The Best Auto Insurance Rates In Georgia
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Does Root Insurance have car insurance discounts?

Root Inc. doesn’t mention auto insurance discounts specifically on its website. But we’re willing to bet that you could save money when you bundle home insurance with your Root car insurance. 

You could also save money by setting up automatic payments. Automatic electronic payments usually have smaller savings, but it’s better than no savings at all. 

What are Root car insurance coverage options?

Root Insurance may not talk much about discounts, but it does show potential customers what they could get with a Root Insurance policy. 

Let’s look at a list of auto insurance coverage options you can get at Root Inc. 

• Bodily injury (BI) liability
• Collision car insurance
• Comprehensive car insurance
• Emergency roadside assistance
• Medical payments (MedPay)
• Personal injury protection (PIP)
• Property damage (PD) liability
• Rental car reimbursement
• Rideshare reimbursement
• SR-22 certification
• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage

Root Inc. provides standard liability coverage and other coverage options you may not find at regional insurance companies.

The rideshare reimbursement is uncommon among car insurance companies, but Root Insurance offers it to customers.

Where can you buy Root Insurance policies?

Root car insurance isn’t available in all 50 states. Root Inc. is limited to a few dozen states, but which areas have Root auto insurance?

Let’s examine Root’s availability in the United States. 

Root Inc. doesn’t provide insurance in 19 states. The other 31 states have Root Insurance policies. 

Root Insurance is at a significant disadvantage because of its limited availability. But, Root Inc. has the potential to expand. 

Read more:

• Maine Cheapest Car Insurance
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How do you cancel a Root Insurance policy?

You can cancel Root Insurance policies by calling 1-866-980-9431. Let the Root insurance agent know that you want to cancel your auto or home insurance policy.

If you don’t have time to talk to an agent, use your Root Insurance mobile app to cancel. And when the mobile app isn’t working, try sending an email to [email protected].

Be sure to include your name, address, and policy number in your cancellation request. 

How do you file a claim with Root?

If you need to file a claim, there are a few simple steps to follow.

1. Open the Root Insurance mobile app
2. Locate “File a claim or get roadside assistance,” which should be at the bottom 
3. Click on “File a claim” on the next page
4. Type in all the information you can when prompted
5. Take photos of any bodily injuries and damages to your car
6. Submit your insurance claim and wait for a Root Inc. agent to contact you

Auto insurance claims take a while to process. Minor fender benders don’t take as long as total loss accidents, but be prepared to wait ten days or more to get a claim resolved. (For more information, read our “Understanding Total Loss Auto Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide“).

Does Root Insurance have good customer reviews and financial strength ratings?

It depends on how you look at Root Inc. Root Insurance hasn’t received financial strength ratings for its auto insurance sector, but its home insurance department has managed to get an A from A.M. Best. 

But what about Root Insurance’s customer service reviews? Let’s review a summary. 

Root Insurance’s BBB rating is excellent, but customers gave Root Inc. 1.31 stars. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) also gave Root Inc. a below-average rating. 

However, Root Insurance has a strong customer review rating for its app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

What are the pros and cons of Root Insurance?

Root Insurance’s best advantages are its affordable auto insurance rates, unique coverage options, and flexibility with smart devices. You can even get SR-22 certification.

But you may encounter some drawbacks. One of the most significant hangups with Root is its limited availability.

Also, Root Insurance’s scoring system determines your rates. Any flaws within the app may drive up your rates.

Root Insurance has critical customer feedback and very few financial strength ratings. 

Root Car Insurance: The Bottom Line

Root provides cheap auto insurance if you maintain good driving habits. Driving less overall can lower your rates. Also, bundling your car insurance with home insurance can save you a little more. 

If you’re a high-risk driver before requesting a Root Insurance quote, you have a higher chance of getting your application denied. But it’s still worth a try to see if you could save.

Before you purchase Root car insurance, use our free online quote tool to compare multiple insurance companies near you.