January 29, 2018

How do we score your driving? It’s all in your test drive data.

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “How does the Root Insurance app know how safe I’m driving?”

Since how safe you drive during your test drive is the primary factor in determining your rate with Root, it makes sense that you’d want to know more about how the Root App determines driving safety.

The Root test drive starts with your smartphone

We measure your driving behavior through the Root test drive to help calculate the rate you deserve. 

After you download the Root app and begin to drive, you give us the required permissions so that we can collect high-frequency sensor data from instruments that already exist in your smartphone, such as:

Global positioning system (GPS)

GPS is used anytime you open Google Maps or other navigation apps. In addition to latitude and longitude, your GPS collects data including speed, altitude, and the direction you're heading.

Accelerometer

The accelerometer detects the acceleration of your phone. It shows if you’re accelerating too quickly or slamming the brakes abruptly—two of the main factors that determine your Root test drive score.

Gyroscope

You'll find gyroscopes in other technology, too, but the one in your phone helps collect your rotation rates. Basically, it monitors your phone’s orientation during movement. The gyroscope can tell whether your phone is flat on a table or angled upward like you’re holding it. The gyroscope helps us measure how smooth or sharp your turns are, which directly factors into your driving score.

Magnetometer

The magnetometer works with the accelerometer and gyroscope to detect your phone's orientation. Like a compass, it measures your phone’s relation to the Earth's magnetic field.

The big picture

All of the data collected through these instruments are put into an algorithm to help determine the motion of your phone and your vehicle. During the course of your Root test drive, the motion from your phone develops patterns, and these patterns help us make sense of the data. Once we’re confident with the measurements, your test drive ends.

The technology in our phones is finally smart enough to make car insurance more fair. And that’s why Root exists. See how much you could save with an auto insurance rate that’s based primarily on your driving.