root-insurancecar-insurancetelematicsapp-based-insurance

Is Root Insurance Legit? App-Based Car Insurance Review

Updated: January 2026

LEGIT

Root Insurance is 100% legitimate - they're an admitted insurance carrier regulated by states.

Claims are covered by state guaranty funds if they fail. Can save $100-$200/month if you drive under 12,000 miles/year. The catch: they track ALL your driving via smartphone app (GPS, braking, acceleration). Great for low-mileage urban drivers. Privacy trade-off is significant - you're giving Root constant access to your location and driving habits.

Key Findings

What It Is

Legitimate admitted insurance company

Main Risk

Requires constant location tracking and data transmission

Best Action

Only consider if you drive under 12,000 miles/year

The Pattern

→Legitimate admitted insurance company
→Uses smartphone app to track driving (no plug-in device)
→2-4 week test period to get quote
→Focuses on low-mileage, safe drivers
→Quotes can be 50-70% cheaper than traditional insurers
→Algorithm weighs miles driven most heavily (80%)
→Tracks GPS location, hard braking, acceleration, phone use
→Continues monitoring after you get policy

Red Flags

Warning: Requires constant location tracking and data transmission
Warning: App tracks you even as passenger in Uber/other cars
Warning: Must keep app running for high % of trips to maintain rate
Warning: Privacy concerns - they know everywhere you drive
Warning: Penalizes normal city driving (lots of stops/starts)
Warning: Company had operating losses initially (underwriting strategy unproven)
Warning: May not detect difference between you driving and passenger
Warning: Continuous monitoring after policy starts affects renewals
Warning: Off-roading or bad driving day could impact rates

What To Do

1Only consider if you drive under 12,000 miles/year
2Compare identical coverage limits (not just price)
3Check deductibles match your current policy
4Drive normally during test period - don't game it
5Keep phone in same spot every trip for consistency
6Review privacy policy - decide if tracking is worth savings
7Ask if monitoring continues after policy starts
8Use if you're urban driver with short, infrequent trips

What NOT To Do

✕Don't sign up if you value location privacy
✕Don't expect savings if you drive 15,000+ miles/year
✕Don't try to game the system (leave phone at home, etc.)
✕Don't assume quote stays same - they keep monitoring
✕Don't accept lower coverage limits just for cheaper price
✕Don't use if you have long commute or road trip frequently
✕Don't forget app tracks you in parking garages, drive-thrus, etc.

Copy-Paste Script

Policy [number]. Claim filed [date]. Issue: [describe]. Claim amount: $[X]. Request update within 48 hours. If denied unfairly, I escalate to state insurance commissioner with full documentation.

FAQ

Is Root Insurance a real insurance company?

Yes, 100% legitimate. Root is an admitted insurance carrier regulated by state insurance departments. If they go bankrupt, claims are covered by your state's guaranty fund. They're not a scam - they're a tech-focused insurer using smartphone data instead of traditional rating factors.

How does Root track my driving?

Via smartphone app that monitors: GPS location, speed, hard braking, rapid acceleration, phone use while driving, and trip frequency. The app runs constantly and tracks 80% miles driven, 20% driving behavior. They use machine learning to filter out when you're a passenger, but it's not perfect.

Can Root really save me $200/month?

Yes, if you're a low-mileage driver (under 10,000 miles/year). The algorithm heavily weights miles driven. Urban drivers who walk/bike/transit most days can save 50-70%. But if you commute 20 miles daily or drive 15,000+ miles/year, you won't save much or might pay more.

Does Root keep monitoring me after I get the policy?

Yes. The app continues tracking your driving to adjust rates at renewal. A few months of bad driving or increased mileage will raise your rate. You're under constant surveillance. This is the privacy trade-off for lower rates.

Should I switch to Root Insurance?

Switch if: (1) You drive under 12,000 miles/year, (2) You don't mind constant location tracking, (3) You're a safe, cautious driver, (4) You can save $100+/month. Don't switch if: you value privacy, drive a lot, take frequent road trips, or have inconsistent driving patterns. The savings are real but the privacy cost is high.

Explore Related Topics

Learn more about similar scams and consumer protection strategies