Is American Family's DriveMyWay app worth it?

I keep hearing about American Family’s DriveMyWay program. Does it really lower my bill, or is it just another tracking app? Basically, I want to know if it's actually worth the potential savings if I have something beeping at me or tracking me all the time.

Yes, American Family’s telematics program, DriveMyWay, is an app that tracks your driving habits and can potentially save you money. It looks at things like how hard you brake, how quickly you accelerate, the time of day you’re usually on the road, and how many miles you drive.

If your habits are generally safe — for example, you don’t drive late at night and you tend to brake smoothly — you could see a discount on your premium. If your schedule or driving style is a little riskier, the savings might not be as high. That setup is pretty similar to what other insurers offer through their programs, like Progressive’s Snapshot or Allstate’s Drivewise.

One feature people appreciate about DriveMyWay is the feedback. Even if you don’t end up with a big discount, the app shows you patterns in your driving that could help you be safer behind the wheel. Keep in mind that if sounds are annoying to you, changing the notification settings in the app and/or your phone might be necessary (but shouldn't be hard).

I usually suggest programs like this to drivers who want a straightforward way to save without much extra effort. You typically get a discount just for signing up, and you can stop participating if it doesn’t feel like a fit. The main tradeoff is that your driving is monitored — if you’re comfortable with that, it can be a simple way to lower your bill.

It’s always smart to ask your agent about how DriveMyWay might apply to your specific policy. And if you’re a low-mileage driver, American Family also offers MilesMyWay , which could be another option worth exploring.