In a comprehensive analysis of data gathered from more than 120 insurance providers, our team of experts ranked Root Insurance 21st when compared to car insurance companies of similar size and popularity.

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Updated on Apr 1, 2024

R.E. Fulton

Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer

Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations

Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations

What's on this page?

Comprehensive Root Car Insurance Review
So, is Root a good insurance company?
Root car insurance reviews
Root Insurance pros and cons
Is Root the right insurance company for you?
Is Root car insurance expensive?
Will Root raise your rates?
Does Root resolve claims fast?
Does Root have good customer service?
Root car insurance discounts
Root coverage options
Root’s additional tools and services
FAQs
Read all Root Car Insurance Reviews
Methodology
Meet Our Experts

Load full table of contents

Comprehensive Root Car Insurance Review

Founded in 2015 in Columbus, Ohio, Root is one of the newer auto insurance companies that prides itself on offering some of the lowest rates in the industry by only insuring good drivers. Auto insurance rates through Root Insurance are largely dependent on having a

clean driving record

Here’s a breakdown of how our verified Root policyholders ranked their insurance provider:

3.9

226 Reviews

5 Stars

43.36%

4 Stars

21.24%

3 Stars

20.8%

2 Stars

8.41%

1 Star

6.19%

How do we know this?

Jerry

experts conducted one of the nation's most extensive car insurance reviews to collect information over 18 months. We surveyed over 18,000 policyholders from all 50 states, asking them about their experience with their insurance company’s customer service, renewal process, claims handling, and more.

After reviewing the data from over 120 insurance providers, our experts ranked Root Insurance 21st overall compared to similar-sized and popular car insurance companies.

So, is Root a good insurance company?

As a newer company, it’s hard to tell—but rates tend to be lower than other insurers.

Our experts analyzed nearly 100 real customer reviews from Root Insurance customers. They found that of those reviews, 60.5% of respondents had positive things to say about Root, while just 16.9% were negative—22.5% didn’t mention their satisfaction with the company.

Compared to the national average of 64% positive and 18.54% negative reviews, Root falls slightly below, suggesting customers find the company about average, but there may be some room for improvement.

The good: Positive reviews of Root mentioned ease of use for the Root app, the inclusion of roadside assistance with policies, and having an auto insurance rate that focuses solely on driving habits—not other demographics that can skew prices. Customers also enjoyed:

Quick service

Mobile app payments

Low rates, especially for

full coverage car insurance

The other side: Negative reviews, however, tended to focus on unexpected rate increases and lack of policy cost transparency.

Jump to:

Root Car Insurance Reviews

Root Pros and Cons

So, we asked policyholders to rate Root on its affordability, claims experience, customer service, and renewal process. See how Root’s ratings compared to the national average of all companies surveyed below:

Criteria	Root's Rating	Industry Average
Overall	3.7	4.1
Cost / Price	3.3	3.8
Claim Experience	4.1	3.5
Customer Service	4	4
Renewal Experience	4	4

While Root may be a newer company, drivers looking for a cheap insurance policy that isn’t calculated based on several external factors—age, location, vehicle make, etc.—may find a policy through Root helpful.

When evaluating Root’s strengths and weaknesses, we wanted to check out how other industry leaders rated them on top of our survey data from real drivers. Here’s how Root Insurance ranks against the national average for other insurance companies in the US:

Critera	Root	Score Out Of
BBB Rating	A+	A+
IOS App Store Rating	4.7	5
Google Play Store Rating	3.4	5

Root car insurance reviews

We asked policyholders to rate Root in several specific categories we were interested in, and we also wanted to hear what they had to say about their insurer! Keep reading for actual reviews from Roots auto insurance customers:

Root Insurance pros and cons

Based on our analysis of both our national insurance customer satisfaction survey and the public third-party ratings available for Root, here’s a breakdown of some of the pros and cons of buying a car insurance policy through them:

Pros

Low auto insurance policy rates

Rewards drivers with safe driving habits (usage-based insurance)

Mobile app accessibility

Homeowners insurance

and

renters insurance

are available to customers with an auto insurance policy

Cons

Unexpected policy increases upon renewal

Lack of transparency

NAIC Complaint Index of 3.20 suggests Root receives more customer complaints

Policy availability is limited to certain states

Does not offer

SR-22

rideshare

, or

gap insurance

Does not offer

new car replacement coverage

or vanishing deductibles

Is Root the right insurance company for you?

Finding car insurance that meets your needs can be tricky. If you’re in one of the following situations, an auto insurance policy through Root might be for you:

You’ve maintained a clean driving record

You want

cheap car insurance

You want digital accessibility for your policy

You’re a

young

new driver

You’re considered a

high-risk driver

Remember: If you’re looking for an insurance company with a good reputation for customer service and solid financial strength, Root might not be the right provider for you. While they do write low-cost insurance policies, they’re a relatively new company that doesn’t hold the same reputation as other providers like Progressive, State Farm, or GEICO.

Click on the buttons below to see the breakdown of our analysis of Root’s car insurance services.

Is Root car insurance expensive?

No—One of the main goals behind Root Insurance is to offer low-cost car insurance policies to good drivers. When calculating premiums, Root excludes factors that most insurers usually consider and focuses solely on good driving habits. By only insuring safe drivers, Root can keep their policy costs low.

According to our survey results, 48.9% of all surveyed Root reviews mentioned cost. Of those reviews, 61.4% had positive sentiments toward policy costs, while 29.5% were negative. While most customers found cheap policies through Root, some experienced unexpected rate increases upon renewal.

Compared to other insurance companies of a similar size, Root ranked 27th overall in terms of policy cost satisfaction and scored just 3.25 stars out of 5.0—lower than the national average of 3.81. Here’s how Root compared to the other companies in our study:

Root Policy Cost Rating	Ranking	Industry Average
3.3	27	3.8

Remember: Car insurance rates aren’t consistent between drivers—Root only uses driving habits to calculate rates, so safe drivers are rewarded with lower rates. All new customers are required to complete a test period with Root’s app tracking their driving. Once the test period is over, Root will determine if your application is declined or if they want to offer you a quote.

Take a look at the table below to see how Root’s cost trends in each state:

MORE:

The average cost of car insurance in 2023

Root cost reviews

See how real Jerry users rated Root based on cost below:

Will Root raise your rates?

Like all insurance providers, Root can only increase your car insurance premium when it’s

up for renewal

—and most drivers do see a rate increase.

Some reasons you may see an increase in your insurance rates with Root include the following:

Change in driving habits

New driving violations or tickets

New at-fault accidents

New location

New vehicle on a policy

New driver on a policy

Inflation

Age

According to our survey, 77.8% of drivers with an auto insurance policy through Root chose to renew at the end of their term.

Remember: Policy costs will fluctuate for the duration you’re with your insurance carrier. States allow providers to change how they price their policies, so it’s normal to see some variation over time—even if your driver profile hasn’t changed.

Does Root resolve claims fast?

Filing a claim with Root is a simple process that can be done within the insurance app, online, or by calling their claims department. Root doesn’t specify how long it takes to process a claim, but generally speaking, the length of time an insurance claim with Root Insurance takes depends on the details of your accident. The type of claim and extent of damages typically affect the timeline of most auto insurance claims.

That said, Root has received higher-than-average customer complaints, many of which tend to be about claim denials, unsatisfactory settlements, and delays.

Of the respondents in our survey, 77.8% reported having filed a claim with Root. They were ranked 3rd for claims processing compared to other insurance companies of similar size. They earned a 4.1 out of 5.0 rating for claims and resolutions, suggesting most customers are satisfied with the company’s claims processing.

Check out some of the reviews below to see how customers described their experience with Root’s claims process:

Root Claims Resolution Rating	Ranking	Industry Average
4.1	3	3.5

Root claims reviews

See how real Jerry users rated Root based on claims handling below:

Does Root have good customer service?

It’s too early to tell.

When looking at satisfaction with insurance products and customer service, most people turn to third-party agencies like J.D. Power, AM Best, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Because Root is a relatively new agency, it hasn’t been rated in these areas.

That said, Survey respondents scored Root’s customer service with a 4.0 out of 5.0 but ranked them 17th compared to other insurance companies of similar size. Compared to the national average of 3.9 for customer service, Root is average in the customer service department.

Reviews about Root’s customer service suggest they have timely responses, are prompt to resolve problems, and continually treat customers like they’re important.

Keep reading to see how survey respondents rated Root’s customer service:

Root Customer Service Rating	Ranking	Industry Average
4	17	4

Root customer service reviews

Check out how real Jerry users rated Root based on customer service below:

Root car insurance discounts

Car insurance discounts

are one of the easiest ways to save on monthly car insurance payments.

Root doesn’t specifically offer additional auto insurance discounts. Instead, they’re automatically factored into your initial insurance quote using any relevant information that would qualify you for a discount at another insurer. This spares you the hassle of inquiring and applying for savings, allowing Root to continue offering affordable rates.

Remember: Only some discounts available through Root may be available in your state, so contact a Root sales representative to ask about which are available in your area.

Root coverage options

As with any insurer, Root sells a selection of auto insurance options to meet your needs and your state's

minimum car insurance requirements

. However, many larger insurers offer a better auto insurance coverage selection for drivers who want added protection.

Here’s a breakdown of Root’s offering to fulfill state minimum coverages:

Liability car insurance

: Liability insurance is broken down into

bodily injury liability

and

property damage liability

. The former covers the cost of injuries to the other party if you’re at fault in an accident, while the latter covers damage to physical/personal property up to your policy’s limit. Liability coverage is

legally required in most states

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

: Uninsured motorist insurance covers repair costs if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, while underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the other driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance to pay for your damages. UM/UIM are required in some states.

Medical Payments

(MedPay): Pays for medical expenses or funeral costs for you and your passengers, regardless of who was at fault.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

: Similar to MedPay, PIP covers medical expenses from an accident and additional costs like rehabilitation bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages. PIP is required coverage in

no-fault states

Root’s additional tools and services

For drivers who want more protection, you can find the following coverages from Root:

Collision insurance

: Collision coverage will pay for damages to your vehicle if you hit another car or stationary object.

Comprehensive insurance

: Pays for repair costs resulting from severe weather events, theft, wildlife, fire, flooding, and more. Comprehensive coverage usually covers most events collision insurance does not.

Rental car reimbursement

: If you were in an accident and your car is being repaired, this coverage helps cover the cost of a rental vehicle up to certain limits.

Roadside assistance: Having

towing and labor coverage

helps pay for vehicle troubles, such as tire changes, towing, and more. This coverage is included in every Root auto policy.

MORE:

Types of car insurance: Mandatory and optional coverages explained

FAQs

How do you file a claim with Root?

Root policyholders can file a claim or request roadside assistance through their mobile app. Once you’ve filed your claim, a representative will contact you to assess the claim and determine the next steps.

You can also file a claim by calling a Root claims expert at 866-980-9431 during business hours or through the website.

What type of insurance does Root offer?

Root offers the basic car insurance coverages to meet your state’s minimum requirements: liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, MedPay, and personal injury protection. For drivers wanting more protection, they also offer collision and comprehensive insurance, roadside assistance, and more.

You can also find home insurance and renters insurance through Root Insurance.

Does Root offer cheap car insurance?

Yes—Root Insurance tracks a customer's driving for several weeks and calculates rates based on their driving behavior during the test drive period. As such, safe drivers are offered the best rates, as factors like age, driving history, and credit score aren’t factored into insurance prices.

Read all Root Car Insurance Reviews

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 18,000 customers surveyed and 120 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record. For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

Meet Our Experts

R.E. Fulton

Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.

As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

Lina Zhang

Licensed Insurance Agent

Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC

Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.

Josh Damico

Head Of Insurance Operations

18+ Years Experience in Insurance

Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.