Is Root a Good Insurance Company Overall

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Root is a good insurance company overall, with a unique approach to car insurance that focuses on safe driving habits.

Their mobile app, which is required to use the service, allows users to track their driving habits and receive discounts for safe driving.

Root's pricing model is based on individual driving habits, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

This means that users who drive safely and responsibly can save money on their premiums, while those who engage in riskier behavior may pay more.

Pros and Cons

Root is a good insurance company for some people, but it's not perfect. One of the main advantages of Root is that it offers premiums based on driving behaviors, which can be a game-changer for high-risk drivers.

Root's ease of obtaining a quote is another plus, thanks to its high-tech solutions that allow applicants to easily get an initial quote and download the app for monitoring driving. This makes the process much more convenient than traditional insurance companies.

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Root's completely app-based system is also a major perk, allowing policyholders to view their policies and ID cards, pay bills, submit and monitor claims, call for roadside assistance, and manage all other aspects of their policy. This level of accessibility is hard to beat.

Some potential drawbacks to consider include the fact that Root coverage is not offered in all states, currently only available in 31 states. This can be a major inconvenience for people who live in areas where Root is not available.

Root's limited coverage options and lack of policy customization options are also worth noting. Unlike larger insurers, Root does not offer a wide array of policy customization options and discounts for specific needs.

Pros

The Root insurance platform has some fantastic features that make it stand out. One of the biggest advantages is that premiums are based on your current driving behaviors, not just your past history.

This means that high-risk drivers may be able to escape some of the costs associated with their past driving record. I can imagine how stressful it must be to have a high premium due to past mistakes, so this is a big relief.

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You can easily obtain a quote and download the Root app to start monitoring your driving. It's a high-tech solution that makes the process smooth and hassle-free.

Root also offers referral rewards, which is a great way to earn some extra cash by referring friends and family to the platform. In most states, you'll receive cash payments for successful referrals.

The Root app is completely app-based, which means you can manage all aspects of your policy from your phone. This includes viewing your policies and ID cards, paying bills, submitting and monitoring claims, and even calling for roadside assistance.

Cons

Root auto insurance may not be available in every state. In fact, coverage is currently only offered in 31 states.

One of the main cons of Root auto insurance is the lack of gap insurance. This means that policyholders will have to look elsewhere for additional coverage in case their vehicle is totaled or stolen.

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Root auto insurance has some limitations when it comes to coverage options. Unlike larger insurers, they do not offer a wide array of policy customization options and discounts for specific needs.

It's also worth noting that Root's financial stability is still uncertain. While business growth has been impressive, third-party ratings have not yet predicted long-term profitability.

Lowering Costs

Root's pricing is lower than average for full coverage car insurance, costing customers an average of $984 per year.

You can save up to $900 a year by driving safely and using the Root app to gather your driving data.

To save money with Root, you should download the app, drive, and let it gather your data, then get a quote, which will be discounted if you drive safely.

Root offers discounts for bundling auto insurance with renters or homeowners insurance, and for paying your policy in full rather than monthly.

You'll save on each policy by bundling your auto insurance with renters or homeowners insurance.

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Paying your policy in full can also save you money.

Root's biggest strength is its ability to lower rates with good driving, but its biggest drawbacks are its claims process and limited coverage options.

Root's pricing is lower than average for full coverage car insurance, costing customers an average of $984 per year, while its minimum coverage is slightly higher than average at $702 per year.

Root can offer additional savings on your policy when you bundle your auto insurance with home, renters, or condo insurance.

You can potentially save money with Root if you're a good driver with some high-risk indicators, such as a young driver or someone with bad credit.

However, your rate is highly personalized and unique to you, so it may not necessarily be the cheapest option for you.

Here are some other insurance companies that offer driving behavior discounts:

Getting a Quote and Policy

To get a quote from Root, you can either go through the online quote process or download the app and conduct a two- to three-week test drive. The test drive is the most effective way to save money, with good drivers potentially saving up to $900 a year.

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You'll need to provide some basic information such as your name, address, birth date, and marital status, as well as add your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and information about your driving history. This process usually takes around two minutes.

Root will then use the data from your test drive to determine your driving score, which is a key factor in determining your quote. If you're approved, you can purchase your policy through the app using a credit card or Apple Pay, and customize your coverage as needed.

Getting a Quote

You can get a quote from Root by either going through their online quote process or by downloading the app and conducting a two- to three-week test drive.

Root will ask you some questions like your name, address, birth date, and marital status, and you'll need to add your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and information about your driving history. This process typically only takes about two minutes.

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You can also call Root's phone number to get a quote, but doing things online is a preferred option for many people.

The quote you receive will be based on your driving habits, location, prior insurance, age, and other factors, with a focus on your driving score.

You'll need to download the app and conduct a test drive to get a quote, which will track your driving behavior, including your braking and turning habits, adherence to speed limits, and route consistency.

If you want to add others to your Root policy, they don't need to take the test drive, but it's likely that your rates will be lower if they do.

Root only insures safe drivers, so some drivers may not get a quote after the test drive.

To give you a better idea of what to expect, here's a breakdown of the information Root will ask for during the online quote process:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Birth date
  • Whether you rent or own your home
  • Whether you've moved in the past six months
  • Marital status

Keep in mind that Root uses artificial intelligence to ensure that it only considers the times when you're in the driver's seat, not when you're a passenger or on a bus, for example.

Manage Your Policy Through Our App

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You can manage your policy entirely through Root's convenient app. It's a game-changer for those who want to avoid the hassle of dealing with paperwork and long phone calls.

The app allows you to purchase your policy right through it using a credit card or Apple Pay. This makes the process quick and easy, and you can even customize your coverage and add others to your policy all in one place.

You can choose to pay monthly or for a six-month period, whichever suits your budget best. If you pay monthly, your payment will be charged automatically, so you don't have to worry about late fees.

Your payment date can be flexible, too - you can request to pay up to five days early or five days late. This gives you some extra flexibility if you need it.

You can renew your policy with Root after six months through the app, and your premium could change at the point of renewal based on your driving record and market changes.

Auto Coverage and Options

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Root offers a range of standard car insurance coverages, including property damage and bodily injury liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Roadside assistance is a unique feature that comes with every policy, providing up to $100 per claim, with a maximum of three claims per vehicle in a six-month period. This service can give you a jumpstart, lockout services, or a tow whenever you need it.

You can also get reimbursed for a rental car and/or Lyft rides when your car is in the shop or totaled. This can be a huge relief if you're stuck without a vehicle.

Here are the key auto coverage options offered by Root:

  • Liability coverage (bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage)
  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Uninsured motorist property damage
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
  • Personal injury protection
  • Medical payments
  • Roadside assistance

Root does not offer some special coverages typically offered by large insurers, such as GAP insurance, new car replacement coverage, sound system coverage, or accident forgiveness.

Auto Coverage Options

Root offers a range of standard car insurance coverages, including property damage and bodily injury liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

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You can also get rental car coverage and roadside assistance with all of its packages, which is a unique feature that sets Root apart from other companies.

Roadside assistance will give you a jumpstart, lockout services, or tow whenever you need it, with up to $100 per incident and three incidents per vehicle in each six-month term.

Rental car coverage will reimburse you for either a rental car or a Lyft while your vehicle is being repaired.

Here are the standard car insurance coverages offered by Root:

  • Liability coverage (bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage)
  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Uninsured motorist property damage
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
  • Personal injury protection
  • Medical payments
  • Roadside assistance

Root also offers free roadside assistance with every policy, which is a great perk that you won't find with most other providers.

You can get reimbursed for a rental car and/or Lyft rides when your car is in the shop or totaled, which is a convenient option.

However, Root does not offer some special coverages typically offered by large insurers, such as GAP insurance, new car replacement coverage, sound system coverage, and accident forgiveness.

Auto Owners

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Auto Owners offers customized coverage and discounts through direct representative contact, allowing users to obtain affordable options.

With Auto Owners, customers can get personalized service and potentially save money by working directly with a representative.

Auto Owners provides a more traditional approach to auto insurance, where customers interact with a person to find the best coverage for their needs.

Customer Reviews and Satisfaction

Root's customer reviews and satisfaction are a mixed bag. The company has a high rating in the Google and Apple app stores, with over 33,000 reviewers giving the app an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 in Google Play, and over 54,000 reviewers giving it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 in the Apple App Store.

However, Root's customer service reputation is a concern. The company has a higher-than-average complaint index score of 1.2, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), indicating that it receives more complaints than the national median for auto insurance.

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The most common complaints about Root are related to delays in claim handling, rate hikes, and having coverage dropped. Root also had a high home insurance complaint index in 2020, but this was largely due to the company's small market share and limited number of policyholders.

Here's a breakdown of Root's customer ratings and complaints:

Overall, while Root's customer reviews and satisfaction are generally positive, the company's customer service reputation is a concern.

Filing a Claim and Payments

Filing a Claim with Root can be done in a few minutes through the Root app, where you can answer questions and take pictures of damages directly in the app. You can also file a claim over the phone.

Unfortunately, Root's claims process may take longer than expected, with a response time of up to a week. This is reflected in their C rating in the 2024 CRASH Network Report, which is on-par with top-ten major insurance companies.

Root policies last for six months and can be paid in full or in monthly installments through the app, using a credit card or Apple Pay.

Filing a Claim

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Filing a claim with Root can be done through the app or over the phone, but not on a computer.

You can expect to answer a few quick questions and take pictures of the damages directly in the app, which most customers can do in a few minutes.

Root claims you should receive a response within a week.

However, Root's performance in claims satisfaction is not great, with a C rating in the 2024 CRASH Network Report.

This rating is not surprising, given the NAIC Complaint Index Score and low BBB customer rating.

In fact, a C rating is about on-par with the top-ten major insurance companies, none of whom scored higher than a C+.

Payments

Root Insurance offers flexible payment options for policyholders.

You can choose to pay your entire car insurance payment at once or spread it out over six months.

The app is where you'll make payments, and you can use either a credit card or Apple Pay.

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If you opt for monthly payments, you'll select a payment date in the app.

Root will mail you a separate insurance card, even if you have proof of insurance in the app.

You can change your payment frequency from monthly to full term or vice versa directly in the app.

Company Information and Legitimacy

Root is a legitimate insurance company with a strong reputation. It has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2017 and holds an A+ rating.

Root is a publicly-traded company, having gone public in April 2024. This means it's transparent about its financial dealings and is held accountable by the public.

Root collected $616 million in insurance premiums in 2020, demonstrating its ability to generate significant revenue.

Digital Platforms

Root's digital platforms are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Their website is easy to navigate, making it simple to find information about coverages and discounts.

The Root website is written in simple language, making it accessible to everyone. I found the information on how Root insurance works to be clear and concise.

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Root has mobile apps for both iPhone and Android devices. The iPhone app has a high rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, while the Android app has a lower rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Here's a comparison of the ratings:

Some Android users have complained that the app gathers driving data even when they're passengers in the car, resulting in higher premiums. However, Root's customer service team has been responsive to these complaints, offering help to those who need it.

Legitimate?

Root car insurance is a legitimate company that's been around since 2015. It's been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2017 and has an A+ rating.

Root is a publicly-traded company, which means it's transparent about its finances. As of April 2024, it's licensed in 34 states.

Root collected $616 million in insurance premiums in 2020, which is a significant amount. It also raised $724.4 million from its initial public offering that same year.

Root's financials are substantial, and it's clear that it's a company with some serious backing.

Where Available?

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Root Insurance is a relatively new company, founded in 2015. They have a limited presence in the US, offering their services in select states.

Root Insurance is available for car insurance in 26 states, including Alabama, Arizona, and California. Homeowners insurance is offered in 17 states, with Arizona and Colorado being two of them. Renters insurance is available in 9 states, with Arizona and Georgia being two of those states.

Here's a breakdown of the states where Root Insurance is available:

Root Insurance's limited presence in the US means that not everyone has access to their services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does root pay out claims?

Yes, Root pays out claims, and you can expect to receive payment within 1-2 weeks after evaluation.

James Hoeger-Bergnaum

Senior Assigning Editor

James Hoeger-Bergnaum is an experienced Assigning Editor with a proven track record of delivering high-quality content. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, James has curated articles that captivate and inform readers. His expertise spans a wide range of subjects, including in-depth explorations of the New York financial landscape.

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