What happens if my partner drives with my Root app?

My partner drives my car, too. Do they have to use the Root app? What happens if they don’t want to be tracked?

If someone else regularly drives your car, Root wants them to download the app and be added to the policy. Root scores every driver on the policy, not just the person who signed up. If your partner doesn’t use the app, Root might assume unknown trips are risky driving and your rate could go up, or the policy could even be canceled for “incomplete driver data.”

Root is stricter than most companies when it comes to tracking participation, especially in multi-driver households. If everyone in the house isn’t comfortable being tracked, Root probably isn’t the easiest fit.

Here are a couple of alternatives that work better for shared cars:
✅ Progressive Snapshot: doesn’t require every listed driver to use the app
✅ Travelers IntelliDrive: allows multiple drivers but is less strict
✅ Nationwide SmartRide: usage-based but not as aggressive with data
✅ Standard policy (no tracking): sometimes cheaper overall once you compare

It's good to know that opting into a telematics program (the app) can get you a discount from most companies, and is fairly simple if you're okay with the technology tracking your habits behind the wheel. If you’re not sure whether to stick with Root or switch, The Zebra’s agents can compare options that work better for shared vehicles; no tracking required if you don’t want it.