Root Auto Insurance Review (2024)

We know auto insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. From wondering how auto insurance companies calculate your car insurance rate to picking the right  company, it’s complicated. But don’t worry, because you’ve come to the right place. What is Root auto insurance? We’ve got the answers to your questions.

Is Root a real insurance company? Who owns Root Insurance? Can you get affordable Root auto insurance? What are average Root auto insurance rates? Can you call Root Insurance?

Take a few minutes to read through our Root auto insurance review for the information you need to make an informed decision. But before we get started, use your ZIP code in our rate comparison tool to get free auto insurance quotes from top companies in your area.

What are average auto insurance rates from Root Insurance?

Auto insurance rates from Root Insurance are specific to your driving habits and behaviors, so we don’t have average rates for the company. However, Root promises fair and affordable rates. You may be able to save up to $75 per month (or $900 per year) on your auto insurance rates when you switch.

Keep reading to find out where you can buy Root auto insurance.

Where can you buy Root Insurance?

So what states have Root Insurance coverage? Currently, Root Insurance is available in over 30 states across the country. Take a look at this table to find out whether Root offers coverage where you live.

While Root isn’t available in every state, the company is expanding. If it’s not available where you live, you can sign up to receive an email when Root starts selling policies in your area.

What are average company ratings for Root Insurance?

We know your auto insurance rates and how they fit your budget are probably among your primary concerns. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding on an insurance company. Information like financial stability and customer satisfaction can help narrow down your search for the right policy.

Root has an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, the BBB notes that the company receives a higher-than-average number of complaints, and customer reviews rate Root at 1.29 out of five stars.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint data supports the information provided by the BBB regarding complaint rates for the company as well. Take a look at this table to see what we mean.

The NAIC collects company complaint data across the insurance industry and calculates the average number of complaints companies receive. The industry average is represented by the number one.

When comparing the industry average to individual company complaint index rates, a complaint index of higher than one is higher than average. In contrast, a complaint index of less than one indicates a company receives fewer than the average number of complaints.

So what does this mean for Root? The NAIC complaint index for Root Insurance indicates that the company receives significantly more complaints than average. However, on a positive note, the complaint index decreased from 4.55 to 4 from 2019 to 2020.

Finally, we don’t have a financial rating for Root because A.M. Best hasn’t yet rated Root Insurance.

A.M. Best is a financial rating company that reviews companies across the insurance industry to assess financial stability. A.M. Best assigns companies a credit rating that indicates how likely it is that a company will be unable to pay out on any outstanding obligations.

What coverage options does Root Insurance offer?

Root Insurance offers standard coverage options, including:

• Liability coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage

Root also automatically adds roadside assistance coverage to every policy at no cost to you. During each policy term, you’ll get up to $100 of coverage per incident for three incidents with Root’s roadside assistance protection.

You also have the option of adding rental reimbursement to your policy. If your vehicle is in the shop after a covered accident, you can use this rental reimbursement to pay for a rental car or Lyft rides. When you add this coverage to your policy, you’ll select a per-day maximum cost and a maximum total cost per incident from the options offered by the company.

Finally, under the right circumstances, you can get an SR-22 form through the company app.

Are there any discounts or other perks available with a Root Insurance policy?

If you have multiple policies with Root Insurance, you may qualify for a multi-policy discount. Additionally, Root Insurance offers a discount for drivers who pay for their policies upfront and in full at each term. You won’t find many other options for discounts because Root already calculates your rates based on your driving data.

In addition to these discounts, you may qualify for Lyft credits that can be used on certain holidays. However, this perk is only available in some states, so you’ll need to speak with Root to find out if it’s an option where you live. You can also earn cash when you refer your friends and family to Root.

How do you buy and manage a Root Insurance policy?

Part of the Root insurance difference is the company’s approach to quoting insurance rates. The company tailors quotes to your unique driving habits rather than using traditional statistics to generate your quote in just a few minutes.

Root will direct you to download the Root app and sign up for a test drive when you request a quote. You will need to opt into connecting the app to your phone’s GPS so Root can track your driving behavior. The test drive will last three to four weeks to ensure Root has enough data to calculate a quote effectively.

During the test drive, the company app will track behaviors like your speed, your braking, and your turning patterns. Once you complete your test drive, Root will determine whether or not you’re eligible.

What if you’re ineligible? Root has a reputation for refusing to cover high-risk drivers. If your test drive data indicates that you have high-risk driving behavior, the company may refuse to sell you a policy.

If you are eligible, the company will send you a quote. If you decide to buy a policy, you can do so through the company app or the Root website.

Once you’re covered by Root, the app will continue to track your driving. You won’t be penalized if someone else is in the driver’s seat, because Root uses machine learning to differentiate between when you’re driving and when you aren’t.

What are the pros and cons of Root Insurance?

Root auto insurance company has its pros and cons, and to help you, we’ve summarized some of the significant ones here.

Root auto insurance pros include:

• You can obtain SR-22 auto insurance in some circumstances (if you haven’t been deemed too high risk)
• You can manage your policy almost entirely through the Root app
• Your rates accurately reflect your driving behavior because of the usage-based approach the company uses

Root auto insurance cons include:

• You can’t currently get Root Insurance in every state in the country
• High-risk drivers may not be able to buy coverage from Root
• The company has an exceptionally high number of customer service complaints

These are just a few pros and cons for the company. Depending on your specific needs, situation, etc., you may find others, or you may decide that your list of pros and cons differs from ours.

For example, while Root’s reputation for denying coverage to high-risk drivers may be a con for some, for others, this can be a benefit because it helps keep company base rates lower.

What else should you know about Root Insurance?

Alex Timm and Dan Manges founded Root Insurance in 2015 to offer fair insurance rates based on your driving behavior.

The company only offers Root auto insurance quotes to drivers who have completed the three-to-four-week test drive and have been deemed acceptable by the company.

A key element of Root Insurance’s usage-based approach is the Root app, which the company uses to track driving habits. Once you’re insured by Root, the app tracks your habits and allows you to manage nearly every aspect of your policy.

The Root app is available through both the Google Play store and the App Store and has a rating of 3.5 out of five stars.

Seamless Claims Process With Root Auto Insurance

Ease of Filing a Claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile Apps)

Root Auto Insurance offers a straightforward and convenient claims process for policyholders. You have the option to file a claim online through their website or mobile app, providing a user-friendly experience.

This digital approach allows you to initiate the claims process from the comfort of your own home or while on the go, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Additionally, you can also file a claim over the phone if you prefer speaking directly with a representative.

Average Claim Processing Time

Root Auto Insurance is committed to providing efficient claim processing. While the exact processing time may vary depending on the nature of the claim and other factors, the company strives to expedite the process to ensure that customers receive prompt assistance.

Policyholders can typically expect a timely resolution of their claims, but it’s essential to contact Root directly for specific information on claim processing times.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback plays a crucial role in evaluating an insurance company’s performance. Root Auto Insurance, however, has received mixed reviews regarding their claim resolutions and payouts.

Some customers have reported satisfactory experiences with fair settlements and prompt payments, while others have expressed concerns about delays or disputes during the claims process. It’s advisable to research and read customer reviews to gain insights into the overall satisfaction of policyholders with Root’s claim resolutions.

Exploring Root Auto Insurance Cutting-Edge Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Root Auto Insurance offers a mobile app with a range of features and functionalities designed to enhance the policyholder experience. The app allows you to manage your insurance policy conveniently from your smartphone.

You can access your policy details, view payment information, and even file claims directly through the app. Additionally, the app tracks your driving habits for potential rate adjustments based on your behavior, promoting safe driving practices.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Policyholders can take advantage of Root’s online account management capabilities, making it easy to access and manage their insurance policies. Through the company’s website, you can log in to your account, update personal information, make payments, and review your policy documents.

This online platform simplifies policy management and ensures that you have quick access to essential information whenever you need it.

Digital Tools and Resources

Root Auto Insurance provides policyholders with various digital tools and resources to support their insurance needs. These resources may include educational materials, guides, and FAQs to help customers better understand their policies and coverage options.

Additionally, the company’s online presence and digital communication channels allow for efficient customer support and assistance, ensuring that you can get the information you need with ease.

Root Auto Insurance: The Bottom Line

The Root Insurance company offers quotes to drivers with a usage-based approach. They use data collected during the mandatory three-to-four-week test drive. After the test drive is finished, drivers will either receive a quote or be told they are too high-risk to be covered by Root.

Root is currently available in more than 30 states, and the company’s goal is to expand to all 50 in the near future. With Root, you could see savings of up to $900 per year when you switch. The company also provides an easy-to-use app that enables customers to manage their policy, file claims, pay bills, review driving behavior data, and more.

Whether or not Root auto insurance is the right fit for you, you can save on rates from companies where you live today by entering your ZIP code in the tool on this page to get free quotes and start comparing.