Alternatives to Root

Gabi

Gabi does not provide insurance policies. Instead, it’s an insurance aggregator that lets you get quotes from different insurance companies all in one place. It is associated with the two big names in the insurance sector (such as In all the countries and Progressive) as well as small businesses. The easy-to-use platform also allows you to get bundled quotes to see what you might be paying if you bundle home, renters, car, and other types of insurance together.

Like all aggregators, the biggest drawback of Gabi is that it does not work with all available insurance companies. You might end up finding a better policy from a company that isn’t on Gabi by asking for quotes directly.

Allstate

Allstate offers almost any type of coverage, rebate, or insurance package you could possibly want. You will also likely be able to find a local agent in your area. Working with a local agent could make it easier to process claims, gain coverage, or receive discounts, as you are able to build a personal relationship with your agent.

However, not everyone wants or needs a traditional insurance experience. Although you may be eligible for Allstate discounts, you may not want to use different discounts to get the best price.

Metromile

Metromile is a unique type of insurance that could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in auto insurance – if you don’t drive a lot. Metromile policies work on a pay-per-kilometer program, which means you pay a certain amount for each kilometer driven in addition to a base premium. If you work from home or don’t drive a lot, this could be a great option.

Of course, you have to live in one of the eight states where Metromile is available. If you are located outside of California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Arizona, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey, you will not be able to purchase payment insurance by mile from Metromile.

Who is Root for?

Root auto insurance is best for confident, tech-savvy drivers looking for affordable basic coverage. It is ideal for someone who doesn’t drive a lot, as less time on the road means less chance of logging dangerous driving behaviors in the app.

What others are saying about Root

Root has a BBB rating of A + and has been BBB accredited since 2017. However, there are more than 275 complaints on the Root BBB profile. The good news is that each of these complaints has been resolved – which could indicate that the company is following up on the complaints and doing their best to get things right for the customer.

I took a look at the reviews on Root’s BBB profile to get a better idea of ​​what real customers were saying:

“I received a $ 600 policy over 6 months after receiving a good driving score on their app. He had good coverage, not great. After maintaining a perfect 10/10 driving score in their app for 6 months, they quoted my renewal cost as $ 980 for the same policy! They had no explanation for this increase, and when I asked the question they said it was a combination of weather conditions and risk in my area. I haven’t significantly moved or changed my driving habits, and the weather certainly doesn’t justify a 60% cost increase. It’s a classic bait and change, so I cancel and move on to a more reputable and established insurance company. “- William M via BBB 05/12/2020

“I really liked having my insurance through this company. My rate has gone down, never gone up. I like being able to see how hard I drive and what I could work on. They have always been easy to contact. I really have nothing bad to say about this company. I wish I had changed earlier. – Mona C via BBB 08/22/2020

My recommendation

As mentioned above, I do not live in the Root service area, but was able to request a quote online using a friend’s address. One of the downsides to the registration process was the amount of outdated information Root seemed to be pulling from unknown public sources.

After entering my name, the program requested my driver’s license number and vehicle information. This is pretty standard, except that Root automatically fills my information with stale data. It included my driver’s license from an old address in an entirely different state. He also suggested that I add every driver in my house – which included my parents, myself (as an extra person), my aunt and uncle. I have never lived with my aunt and uncle and I have not lived with my parents for over 5 years. When it was time to add my vehicles, Root suggested my parents’ current vehicles, but not my vehicle.

This incorrect data made me wonder where Root was getting customer data – and what it does with the data it collects in its app. Its privacy policy states that it will not sell your data to third parties, but I would contact customer service and ask questions about the collection and use of customer data before signing up.

Even with these concerns, I would recommend Root to drivers who want basic coverage and a hassle-free approach to insurance. I wouldn’t recommend Root if you’re looking for high levels of coverage or personalized support.

How I marked Root

I have marked Root insurance based on my personal experience signing up for a quote, information on the Root website, and customer reviews and complaints from the BBB. I made sure to take into account that most people will leave a negative review after a bad experience, but not a positive review if they have had a good experience. Some reviews must have been ignored because they came from someone who was confused by their auto insurance policy, not because Root had done something wrong.

Conclusion: is Racine insurance right for you?

Root appears to be experiencing growth difficulties, particularly related to price increases after the initial insurance terms. It will probably have to tackle this problem to become a major player in the insurance market. However, Root’s driving habits-based insurance pricing model could be beneficial for many drivers. If you are looking for affordable auto insurance and only need basic coverage, I suggest you take a test drive and see if you qualify.