Root is a telematics-first auto insurer that prices almost entirely on how you actually drive. Before it will quote you, it asks you to complete a Test Drive: a few weeks in which its app scores your braking, acceleration, cornering, speed, and phone handling. That can beat conventional pricing for drivers penalised by their age or their credit tier, but Root carries no financial-strength rating from either AM Best or Demotech. Here is an independent look at Root auto insurance, its estimated rates, and how it compares in 2026.
Root, Inc. was founded in 2015, is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker ROOT. Its model inverts the usual one: rather than pricing chiefly on demographics, credit, and record, Root asks prospective customers to complete a Test Drive, letting its mobile app measure braking, acceleration, cornering, speed, and phone use for a few weeks before it issues a quote. Drivers who score well can be priced below what a conventional carrier would offer, and Root has moved away from credit-based pricing, which helps applicants in lower credit tiers. The trade-offs are substantial. Root holds no AM Best financial-strength rating and Demotech lists it as NR (Not Rated), state regulators receive far more complaints than expected for a carrier its size, and it writes in roughly 35 states. It reached profitability for the first time in 2024, posting $31 million of net income.
Independent market estimates based on NAIC rate filings and state insurance department data. Not provided by or endorsed by Root. Actual rates vary by state, ZIP, and individual profile.
| Driver profile | Est. annual premium | vs. market avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record, 30–45 | ~$1,180/yr | Below avg. | Only after a strong Test Drive score |
| Single accident (3 yrs) | ~$1,740/yr | Near avg. | A good score can outweigh the record |
| DUI on record | ~$3,200/yr | Above avg. | Often declined; SR-22 support varies by state |
| Young driver (18–24) | ~$2,290/yr | Below avg. | Driving score can beat age-based pricing |
| Senior driver (65+) | ~$1,320/yr | Near avg. | No senior or defensive-driving discount |
| Lower credit tier | ~$1,880/yr | Below avg. | Root has moved away from credit-based pricing |
ⓘ Source: NAIC filings and state regulatory data. Not quotes from Root. Verify pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent.
Root's premise is that how you drive predicts risk better than who you are, and for two groups that premise pays. Young drivers and applicants in lower credit tiers are the ones conventional rating penalises hardest, and a strong Test Drive score can move them below what a traditional carrier would charge. Root has also moved away from credit-based pricing, which is a genuine differentiator rather than a marketing line, and the company reached profitability for the first time in 2024 after years of heavy losses. The concerns are not small. Root carries no AM Best financial-strength rating and Demotech lists it NR, so there is no independent read on its ability to pay claims in a bad year. State regulators receive far more complaints than expected for a carrier its size, which is the single clearest warning sign in its file. The Test Drive itself is a real barrier, because you cannot get a bindable quote in one sitting, and a weak score can end in a high price or a decline. It writes in roughly 35 states.
Root is worth a look if you are a confident, low-risk driver whose rate is being set by your age or your credit rather than your record, and you are willing to spend a few weeks on a Test Drive to prove it. It is a poor fit if you need coverage today, want a financially rated carrier, or have a DUI on your record. Comparing Root against other carriers in your area will show whether its driving-based pricing actually beats a conventional quote for you.
Disclaimer: RateWire is an independent lead generation and comparison service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to Root. All carrier names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners used solely for informational and comparison purposes. Rate figures are independent market estimates from publicly available NAIC and state regulatory data — not quotes from Root. By submitting your ZIP code, you may be connected with licensed insurance agents or carriers who will provide actual quotes based on your individual profile. Always verify coverage terms and pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent before purchasing.