Root vs State Farm: Which is Better for You?
Root or State Farm: Which company is best for you?
Root and State Farm each offer an array of car and home insurance options. Use our in-depth comparison of the two carriers to decide between the two.
Root car insurance
One of the early adopters of telematics technology, Root was among the first insurance companies to assign rates based on driving habits in place of traditional rating factors. The company's long-term aim is to discontinue the use of credit scores in policy pricing by the year 2025. Root car insurance could be a solid option for those with a clean driving history or those who drive infrequently.Â
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State Farm car insurance
State Farm is one of the country's largest insurance companies, offering auto coverage across the nation. State Farm is known for its network of local agents, which has led to solid ratings from reputable third-party sources, including some glowing reviews of the company's customer service.Â
State Farm car insurance discounts and coverage options are comparable to those offered by other large companies. However, those seeking a wide range of add-ons could be found wanting.
As a bonus, State Farm's average car insurance rates were lower than those of many of its competitors.Â
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Which company comes out on top?
State Farm
While Root provides a unique value proposition for those interested in telematics-powered car insurance (especially beneficial for low-mileage drivers), State Farm's winning combination of positive customer reviews and solid rates take the carrier to the next level.
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Ratings comparison: Root vs. State Farm
We gathered ratings and reviews from leading third-party publications, measuring Root's and State Farm's claims satisfaction, customer complaint totals and other factors. See below a collection of these ratings to provide perspective on the two companies' offerings.
| Ratings comparison | Root | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Not Rated | Excellent |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Not Rated | Above average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Not Rated | Above average |
| NAIC rating | Below Average | Above average |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | Not Rated | 4.5/5 |
Which company scores best?
State Farm
State Farm earned evaluations from more entities than did Root, and the company received above-average or better marks in every category. State Farm also performed well in The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey, scoring 4.5 out of 5.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology
Methodology:
These results are based on a survey of 2,722 U.S. insurance policyholders assessing satisfaction with their car and homeowners insurance providers. The survey was conducted using Survey Monkey and designed by our in-house team. It aimed to collect detailed insights from a census-balanced sample reflecting age, gender, and region.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire included demographic questions about age and gender identification and detailed inquiries into insurance experiences. Key topics:
- Duration with insurance provider and coverage specifics, including teen drivers.
- Claim filing experiences and satisfaction with claims handling.
- Customer service interactions, trust in providers, and likelihood of recommending their insurance.
- Use and satisfaction with digital tools and usage-based insurance programs.
Respondents rated their satisfaction on a Likert scale from 1 to 10 and provided qualitative feedback.
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to identify satisfaction trends and demographic impacts. Data cleaning and weighting were applied to ensure accuracy, alongside strict confidentiality protocols to protect data security.
Root vs. State Farm: discount comparison
See below a head-to-head comparison of the companies'Â discount options for car insurance.
Telematics options: Root vs. State Farm
Each of these companies provides high-quality insurance policies for drivers looking for usage-based insurance. Telematics-powered insurance represents Root's primary value proposition and underpins the carrier's entire pricing strategy. State Farm's telematics program is also well-regarded, leading to savings of up to 30% for some customers.Â
Root is among the most popular telematics insurance companies. Root uses its telematics app to gather information and calculate customer premiums. Rates are then set based on the driver's actions behind the wheel and total mileage, rather than on factors such as demographic information and credit score.
State Farm Drive Safe & Save is a popular telematics-based insurance program. The product is available in most states, collecting data on customers' mileage and driving habits to calculate savings. The company claims to save customers up to 30% on premiums. This may vary by location.
Zebra Tip: Root is known for telematics for a reason
Root represents the cutting edge of car insurance technology. Its modern app and usage-based approach to pricing separate it from traditional companies (even those offering telematics programs).
Roadside assistance: Root vs. State Farm
Find below summaries of the roadside assistance packages offered by Root and State Farm.
Root
Every Root policy includes roadside assistance, helping drivers in the event of car trouble. One of the few extra coverages available from Root is rental car coverage. If you purchase this coverage, Root will reimburse costs up to a specific amount for a rental car until your vehicle is fixed or replaced after a collision. Root also reimburses its customers for rides through Lyft.Â
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State Farm
State Farm's Emergency Road Service offers the following:
- Mechanical labor at the place of breakdown
- Towing of your vehicle to a repair facility,
- Removal of a stuck vehicle
- Delivery of gas or oil
- Assistance with changing a tire or a jumpstart
- Locksmith services
Root vs. State Farm: home insurance
Both of these carriers offer homeowners insurance policies. Read the in-depth comparison below to learn which company is the best fit for you.
Root homeowners insurance review
Root allows its auto insurance customers to add homeowners insurance bundles through a partnership with Homesite. Root home insurance is not available as a standalone insurance policy: a customer must be enrolled in Root's car insurance program to be eligible. Root claims customers who bundle home and auto policies receive 10% discounts on their home insurance premiums.Â
Based on Root's middling home insurance customer satisfaction scores, homeowners looking for top-notch customer satisfaction may want to find a policy with a more established carrier.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated: Root’s home insurance partner, Homesite, is currently unrated by J.D. Power.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated
- Financial strength — Excellent: Homesite’s financial outlook is considered stable by AM Best.
- NAIC Rating — Above average: Homesite received more customer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
State Farm homeowners review
State Farm is one of the nation's most popular home insurance providers, carrying with it some definite pros and cons.
Our assessment found that State Farm's average rates are on the higher side, and there are only four discounts for home insurance. In short, while this company's home insurance has the backing of favorable ratings, those looking for an average, no-frills home insurance policy without specialized endorsements could get a cheaper rate by looking for an alternative.
In The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey of 15 popular homeowners insurance companies, State Farm finished in fifth place.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.4/5: State Farm was given an above-average rating among the top 15 home insurance providers surveyed.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: J.D. Power's most recent study rated State Farm as just shy of the industry average for property claims satisfaction.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Above average: State Farm was awarded an above-average rating for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's Home Insurance Study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: A.M. Best rated State Farm as having excellent financial viability, signaling its ability to pay for claims.
- NAIC Rating — Average: State Farm's home insurance received an average amount of complaints as logged by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Which company comes out on top?
State Farm
State Farm's home insurance product earns consistently high marks from top reviewers and The Zebra's own customer satisfaction survey. Root home insurance — offered through Homesite — could hold some appeal for existing customers, thanks to the 10% discount.Â
Root vs. State Farm: homeowners discount comparison
Each company offers home insurance discounts. Reference these discounts side-by-side below.
| Discount comparison | Root | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ||
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | ✓ |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New home construction | ✓ |
Zebra Tip: Look into discounts when choosing an insurance company
Both State Farm and Root offer a strong collection of home insurance discounts. Be sure to do your due diligence to ensure you take advantage of as many of these clauses as possible when signing your contract.
Other insurance products and bundling options
Root and State Farm offer a variety of insurance products, along with the option to bundle policies for extra savings. Compare product offerings from the two companies:
| Other products | Root | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | |
| Umbrella | ✓ | |
| ATV insurance | ✓ | |
| Pet insurance | ✓ | |
| Commercial insurance | ✓ |
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.