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This auto insurer is a good fit for: People with a good driving record and responsible driving behavior.
Pricing
Root's rates are generally more affordable than many of its competitors. This is because the company monitors driving behavior and only insures those who demonstrate safe habits behind the wheel.
Discounts
Root's auto insurance premiums are based on a driver's behavior. Driving safely can result in lower premiums. But the company doesn't offer many standard auto insurance discounts, like saving for having certain vehicle safety features.
Perks
Those who are comfortable sharing their personal driving data with Root could find an affordable rate with the company.
Customer service
Root doesn't appear in large auto insurance satisfaction surveys, like those conducted by J.D. Power, so it's tough to say how its service stacks up to its competitors. Online reviews appear to be mixed.
Root figures out a driver's monthly premium costs with their special app and driving test. Here's how it happens:
The company explains it by calling their system "fair," saying that good drivers should not have to pay more to cover the expenses of bad drivers.
Because it insures good to excellent drivers, Roots rates tend to be lower (sometimes considerably lower) than its competitors.
Coverage options:
A driver's premium is based specifically on their driving behavior, so a motorist can adjust that behavior to snag the lowest rates.
An individual's rates are determined by Root's driving test. With most other insurers, a driver pays a higher premium to protect against the losses incurred by poor drivers.
Root's promise to save a motorist up to $900 a year on auto insurance means more money to save and invest.
Root bases its initial premium quote on a driving test, and its app tracks a person's driving behavior day in and day out, unless they shut it off. That means Root knows where a user is whenever they're in the car.
When it's time for a policy to renew, Root looks at the motorist's driving record for the previous six months. If their driving slipped for any reason, their rates could increase.
If you want to file claims from your phone without having your driving tracked: Progressive stands out from the crowd. Progressive's app lets you do everything, including file claims and make payments, right from your smartphone. In addition, Progressive's discounts can save a driver an average of $130 per year. Progressive also provides one of the most competitive rates for drivers with a single DUI.
If you're looking for a company with deep discounts: Check out Geico. In addition to low rates, Geico offers some of the best customer service in the business which makes Geico customers a happy bunch. In fact, 88% of Geico customers say they would recommend the car insurer to a friend.
There is no specific set premium. But because Root appeals to drivers with good driving records, the average rates are lower than competitors.
Drivers can save money with Root a few ways:
Currently, the only vehicles Root insures are automobiles. But the company also offers renters and homeowners insurance for those hoping to bundle their policies with the same provider.
While the Better Business Bureau gives Root an A+ rating, customers seem less pleased. With a few hundred reviews, visitors to the BBB site give the company 1.27 out of 5 stars. The majority of complaints involve raised rates and dropped policies.
The insurer hasn't featured in any large-scale customer satisfaction surveys, like those conducted by J.D. Power, so it's a little difficult to estimate how its service stacks up to its competitors.
Root auto insurance is best suited for people who:
Root readily admits that it's "not for everybody," but for drivers who work with it, there are savings to be had. If you're looking for a better fit, check out our list of the best car insurance companies.
Our Insurance Expert
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