Auto-Owners vs Root Insurance
Last updated September 2026
Auto-Owners
The 'no problem' people
Advantages
- Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction
- Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness available on eligible policies
- Green Deductible waives up to $250 of your deductible for a claim-free year
- Strong bundling discounts with home, life, and umbrella policies
- Available in 26 states across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic
Drawbacks
- Quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase
- Not available on the West Coast or in the Northeast
- Digital tools trail Progressive and Geico for on-the-go management
Root Insurance
Fair rates based on how you drive
Advantages
- Rates are primarily based on your actual driving behavior, not demographics
- Entirely app-based experience with fast quotes and digital ID cards
- No upfront commitment, test drive the app before buying a policy
- Discounts stack quickly for consistently safe drivers
- Roadside assistance available as an affordable add-on
- Behavior-based rate access is also available through partner platforms such as Jerry
- The Zebra integration can deliver personalized quotes and let eligible shoppers bind in as little as three minutes
- Hugo partnership offers flexible payments to eligible drivers in 16 states
- Florida rates are down an average of 15%, saving about $21 million annually for more than 52,000 policyholders
Drawbacks
- Available in 37 states, including New Jersey, covering more than 80% of the U.S. population
- No local agent network for in-person support
- Limited bundling options compared to full-line carriers
- Risky or new drivers may get higher quotes than expected
Auto-Owners and Root Insurance both play in auto insurance, but they're aimed at different buyers. Auto-Owners is built for drivers in Auto-Owners' 26 states who want elite service and don't mind an agent-only process. Root Insurance is built for safe drivers who want their habits rewarded with lower premiums. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Auto-Owners | Root Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Monthly Cost | Avg $115-$170/mo before bundling | Varies by driving score; avg $80-$140/mo |
| Quote Process | Independent agent only | The Zebra comparison search can bind eligible policies in as little as 3 minutes; the app remains the path for behavior-based pricing |
| Available Discounts | Multi-policy, safe driver, diminishing deductible, paid-in-full, good student | Safe driving, multi-policy, homeowner |
| Claims Experience | 24/7 phone, agent-assisted, app for basic submission | In-app filing, digital estimates |
| Customer Support | Independent agents, phone | In-app chat, phone, email |
| Coverage Options | Liability, collision, comprehensive, gap, roadside, rideshare in some states | Liability, comprehensive, collision, roadside |
| Mobile App Quality | Basic, ID cards, payments, simple claim start | Excellent, core product is app-first |
| Bundling Options | Auto, home, life, umbrella, business, boat | Renters only |
| Current Availability | -- | Available in 37 states, including New Jersey, covering more than 80% of the U.S. population |
| Partner Distribution | -- | Jerry behavior-based rates; The Zebra personalized quote integration |
| Flexible Payment Option | -- | Hugo partnership for eligible drivers in 16 states |
| Florida Rate Update | -- | Average rate reduction of 15%; about $21M annualized savings for 52,000+ policyholders |
Auto-Owners Wins
Auto-Owners takes it overall (9/10 vs 7/10), but Root Insurance is still the sharper pick for safe drivers who want their habits rewarded with lower premiums.
Auto-Owners's standout strength: Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction. Its biggest drawback (quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase) is easier to live with than Root Insurance's (a 37-state footprint including New Jersey). Root Insurance isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is rates are primarily based on your actual driving behavior, not demographics. If you fit the profile of safe drivers who want their habits rewarded with lower premiums, that alone can flip the decision. Root now operates in 37 states, including New Jersey, reaching more than 80% of the U.S. population.
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