Root Car Insurance Review: How the Test Drive Works & Is It Worth It?

How Root Car Insurance Works

Root is a digital-first auto insurer built around one core idea: your driving behavior should matter more than your demographics. Most traditional carriers rate you on age, marital status, credit score, ZIP code, and prior claims. Root pushes those factors to the back and puts your actual driving habits at the center.

To get a Root quote, you download the Root app, give it permission to run in the background, and drive normally for a few weeks. The app uses your phone's sensors and GPS to record trips automatically, so you don't have to open it every time you start the car. After the test drive period, Root combines that data with standard underwriting info to decide whether to insure you and at what rate.

What Root measures

During the test drive, Root looks at a wide range of behaviors, including:

• Smooth versus hard braking
• Acceleration patterns
• Speed and how you take turns
• Time of day you drive (late-night trips are riskier)
• Total miles and routes
• Phone distraction and handling while driving

Some reviews note that Root analyzes more than 270 individual driving signals before assigning you a score and a price.

The Root Test Drive Period Explained

The test drive is what makes Root different from almost every other insurer. You can't just buy a policy on the spot. Most drivers must complete a multi-week observation period first, and some don't qualify at all.

Recent 2026 reviews describe the test drive as roughly two to four weeks, with many customers reporting around a three-week window. Other sources say it can take up to 30 days, depending on how much you drive and how quickly Root collects enough trip data. Once the test drive ends, Root either offers you a policy at a price tied to your driving score or declines to insure you.

After your policy is active, Root's initial test-drive score is what mainly sets your premium, and ongoing tracking is generally less critical than that first evaluation window.

A newer option: skipping the test drive

In 2026, some independent agencies (particularly in parts of Texas) can write Root policies without a test drive. They generate a quote using your driving history and standard underwriting in the same day, and coverage can start almost immediately. If the multi-week wait is a dealbreaker, ask whether an independent agent in your state offers this option.

Root Availability and Average Rates

Root is not a 50-state insurer. As of 2026, it writes auto policies in 38 states plus Washington, D.C. It is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, or Wyoming.

Average Root rates reported by independent analysts in 2026:

Root's own marketing claims that customers save up to $900 per year, with an average reported savings of about $1,142 per year versus their prior insurer. Those numbers come from Root and only reflect customers who actually qualified for and switched to Root, so they skew toward safer drivers.

Behavior-Based Pricing: Who Saves the Most

Root's pricing engine rewards a very specific kind of driver. If you brake smoothly, take turns gently, keep your phone out of your hand, and avoid late-night driving, you are the customer Root wants.

The drivers who tend to save the most with Root include:

• Safe drivers who feel they're overpaying due to age, ZIP code, or credit score
• Low-mileage commuters who don't drive much at night
• Drivers with prior coverage gaps or non-claim history issues that traditional carriers penalize heavily
• People comfortable with smartphone-based monitoring

The Root Claims Process

Root keeps the claims experience inside the app. You can file a claim through the mobile app, online, or by phone. Root does not publish a specific claims response-time guarantee on its site, and most of the workflow is digital.

For straightforward claims (minor fender benders, glass, simple property damage), reviewers often say the app is fast and easy. Where things get rocky is with complex or contested claims. Many 2025 and 2026 reviews describe long delays, slow adjuster responses, and claim denials that customers feel were poorly explained.

Root vs Lemonade vs Traditional Insurers

Root competes with both other app-first carriers like Lemonade and traditional giants like State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate. The comparison shifts depending on what you value most.

Root vs traditional carriers

Compared to a traditional insurer like State Farm, Root often comes in cheaper for safe drivers. One 2026 head-to-head sample showed Root at roughly $47 per month for full coverage vs $98 per month for State Farm. The trade-off is reputation: State Farm scores higher on trust and customer service in third-party rankings, while Root sits around 2.9 out of 5 overall with claims handling rated 2.5 out of 5.

If price is your only priority and you're a safe driver, Root can be the cheapest option in your state. If you want stronger customer service, broader agent networks, or smoother claims experiences, a traditional carrier may still beat it.

Common Root Complaints

Customer reviews and BBB complaints surface a consistent set of problems with Root in 2026:

1. Slow claims handling. Customers report adjusters who don't return calls, vehicles left in tow yards for weeks, and missing-document requests that arrive late in the process.
2. Premium increases at renewal. Several reviewers describe renewal rate hikes of 30% or more with no tickets, accidents, or claims. Agents typically tell customers that the system sets rates and can't be adjusted manually.
3. Billing and cancellation issues. Some customers say Root charged them after cancellation or struggled to issue refunds promptly.
4. Inconsistent communication. Different reps giving different reasons for denials is a recurring theme in negative reviews.

Not every customer has a bad experience. Many reviewers praise the app, the quote process, and simple claims for being fast and clearly explained. The pattern in complaints, though, is that problems show up in the harder situations: serious accidents, total losses, and disputes.

Who Should and Shouldn't Choose Root

Root works well for some drivers and poorly for others. Use this quick guide to figure out where you fit.

Root may be a good fit if you:

• Are a confident, safe, low-mileage driver
• Live in a state where Root operates
• Feel traditional insurers overcharge you because of age, credit, or ZIP code
• Are comfortable being monitored by an app for a few weeks
• Want a fully digital experience and rarely need to call an agent

Root probably isn't right if you:

• Need coverage immediately and can't wait through a multi-week test drive
• Have a track record of hard braking, fast acceleration, or late-night driving
• Want broad bundling options with home, renters, or life insurance
• Value strong, traditional customer service for complex claims
• Live in one of the 12 states where Root isn't licensed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Root car insurance legit?

Yes, Root is a licensed insurance company that writes policies in 38 states and Washington, D.C. It's been operating for over a decade and is publicly traded. Customer experiences are mixed, but the company itself is legitimate, regulated, and pays out claims like any other auto insurer.

How long is the Root test drive?

The Root test drive typically lasts about two to four weeks, with many drivers reporting around three weeks. Some customers wait closer to 30 days before a final quote is issued. The exact length depends on how often you drive and how quickly Root collects enough data to score your habits.

Does Root tracking continue after the test drive?

The initial test drive is what mainly sets your rate, and Root usually allows you to turn off ongoing tracking once your policy is active. Some discounts or features may still depend on continued tracking, so it's worth confirming in the app before you switch it off. Your test-drive score remains the foundation of your premium.

Will my Root rate go up at renewal?

Many customers report rate increases at renewal even with clean driving records. Root sometimes attributes hikes to state filings or broader cost increases rather than your personal driving. It's smart to re-shop your auto insurance every renewal cycle to make sure Root is still competitive for your situation.

Is Root cheaper than Lemonade?

Both are usage-based insurers that can be very affordable for safe drivers, and neither has a universal price advantage. Lemonade currently has a lower complaint rate and stronger bundling, but it's only available in a handful of states for car insurance. If Lemonade isn't offered where you live, Root is often the closest behavior-based alternative.