Root Car Insurance Pricing

In addition to a person’s driving record, Root takes a person’s age, credit score, marital status, gender, ZIP code, and previous insurance when calculating auto insurance rates. Average annual premiums with Root range from $702 to $984. Of course, the cost for each driver depends on many factors, such as how much coverage they get:

• Minimum coverage: The average annual cost of minimum car insurance coverage is $702.
• Full coverage: Full coverage would cost around $984 per year.

Bundling

Root offers discounts to policyholders who purchase renters or homeowners insurance along with auto insurance.

Full Payment

Customers who pay their policies’ premiums in full with Root could receive a discount as well.

Safe Driving

Like many auto insurance companies, Root offers customers discounts for safe driving. It uses its mobile app to measure driving behavior and determine a policyholder’s driving habits.

Focused Driving

Policyholders could also receive a focused driving discount of up to an additional 10 percent off annual premiums. Root defines focused driving as drivers who ignore texts and keep their attention on the road.

Roadside Assistance

Root includes roadside assistance with every auto policy it sells. Customers can use the service for a jump-start, tow truck, or locked vehicle three times per vehicle during a six-month policy term, with a cap of $100 per incident. No states require roadside assistance, as it’s an add-on and not insurance coverage.

As of November 2022, Root is available in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Here are the states where Root is not available:

• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wyoming

Root customers who wish to cancel their policies can do so by visiting the Root app or by calling 866-980-9431. If a customer cancels their policy before the end of its term, the company will refund any amount on a daily prorated basis.

In 2015, Root began with the goal of changing the car insurance pricing model. While less than a decade old, Root has expanded throughout the U.S. rapidly, as well as added insurance options beyond auto policies.

• 2015: Root began offering car insurance in Ohio from its headquarters in Columbus.
• 2017: Root launched Lyft on Us and expanded into Arizona.
• 2018: Root added four new states to its coverage area: Kentucky, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
• 2019: The company moved into California and increased its insurance options to include renters policies.
• 2020: Root Home, its homeowners insurance, joined the Root portfolio in 13 states.
• 2021: Root partnered with Carvana to develop integrated auto insurance solutions for Carvana’s online car-buying platform.
• 2022: The company entered the car insurance market in Alabama and Florida.

You can reach the Root customer service team by phone, email, and online chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET:

• Call 866-980-9431.
• Email help@joinroot.com.
• Speak to an agent via live chat: https://www.joinroot.com/contact/.

File claims:

• Online: https://claims.joinroot.com/portal/fnol?_ga=2.26705784.49507576.1580850431-423594291.1580319025
• Via the Root app
• By phone: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Call 866-489-1985 for existing claims or 866-980-9431 for new claims.
• By mail:
  • Attn: Claims Department
  • 80 E Rich Street, Suite 500
  • Columbus, OH 43215

Root bases its auto premiums on each customer’s driving habits. The company utilizes technology through its app to rate drivers and complete policy paperwork. By focusing on how policyholders actually perform behind the wheel, Root helps customers save up to $900 annually on auto insurance premiums.