February 28, 2019

Top 3 questions about Root’s test drive 

At Root Insurance, your car insurance rate is based primarily on how well you drive. 

Really. The better you drive, the more you could save.

The technology powering our test drive lets us know if you’re a good driver. We measure your behaviors behind the wheel through the Root app on your smartphone. Just drive like you normally would for a few weeks, and the app does the rest.

Unlike traditional car insurance companies, your driving score is the #1 factor that goes into your rate. And because Root only insures good drivers, we can keep our prices low.

Since this type of insurance pricing is new in the industry, we understand you might have questions.

1. What factors go into your driving score?

During the Root test drive, you can view your driver scorecard in the app and check your progress anytime. This tool shows where you need to improve before your test drive ends, in order to get the best rate.

Your driver scorecard shows how you’re doing on:

• Braking: how gently you stop

• Turning: if you ease into and out of turns

• Consistency: whether your overall driving is smooth (braking and accelerating)

• Safe hours: if you avoid driving late at night, especially on weekends

Once you’ve taken enough trips and driven enough miles, you’ll get an overall score up to 10. The app can even tell if you’re the driver or passenger. 

Your test drive score on your driver scorecard is the primary factor that determines your rate.

2. Do you have to take the test drive, and if so, how much time will it take?

The Root test drive (and app-based technology behind it) is what makes us different from traditional insurers. If we don’t know how well you drive, then we would have to base your rate only on factors like your age, ZIP code, and gender, as other insurers do. We don’t think that’s fair. A quick quote from other car insurers means you’re paying to cover bad drivers’ accidents. 

You can see how much time is left on your test drive when you open the Root app. The length of a test drive is usually a few weeks, but it depends on how often and how much you drive. For example, if you only drive a few miles a day, the test drive could take longer.

If your test drive gets stuck, make sure your app permissions—especially location services—are on. If these permissions are already on, and the app is still stuck, just delete it, restart your phone, and download the app again. The test drive will pick up where you left off. 

3. Why didn’t you get a final quote?

Root isn’t right for everyone, so we might not offer you a quote after your test drive. That means you could save money with another insurer, and we don’t want you to miss those savings. It’s probably worthwhile to compare other car insurance quotes.

Occasionally, people get a high score on the test drive but aren’t offered a final quote. This happens because there are other factors that still go into your auto insurance quote. 

While driving score is the primary component, it would be irresponsible for us to ignore standard predictions of risk. Those could include having too many prior accidents or owning a car that’s too luxurious (expensive).

After the test drive, drivers who get a quote can customize and purchase a policy in the Root app. 

Our app is simple—you can easily access your insurance card, make changes to your policy, and file claims. We can even help you cancel your previous policy.

Still have questions? Please check out our FAQ page to learn more.