Metromile vs. Root: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Root offers significantly more affordable rates than Metromile
• Root offers cheaper average premiums for residents of urban areas
• Root offers more affordable prices for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

Metromile vs. Root: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Metromile or Root, but which one has less expensive rates for car insurance?

As you can see, Metromile is quite a bit more expensive than Root, with premiums averaging $150 per month compared to just $65 with Root when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean Root will necessarily be cheaper than Metromile for every driver. Car insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among a lot of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of Metromile or Root is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each carrier broken down by several different rate factors.

Metromile or Root: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Both Metromile and Root only offer auto insurance in Arizona, so you'll see that the average figures here will mirror the ones we mentioned above. For Arizona residents, Root offers insurance for $65 per month on average. Metromile's average rates come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $150 monthly.

Typically, where you live will play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance, but since both companies only do business in Arizona, a variety of other factors will come into play when you compare Metromile and Root. Continue reading to see how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance prices of any other group of drivers. That's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

That being said, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance premiums. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Root for their car insurance pay nearly $200 less than those who use Metromile.

However, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower prices once you turn 25. Root offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying less than a third of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Metromile's average premiums lower almost 65% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the most affordable rates you'll ever find.

So, which company offers the best premiums to retired drivers? Root gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $57 a month compared to Metromile's $129.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance prices are usually more affordable for married drivers than they are for single drivers? This usually boils down to married couples having multiple cars on their policy -- something quite a few car insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Root is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $98 a month less expensive than Metromile, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with Root is also obvious, where drivers save nearly $70 per month.

Metromile vs. Root: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding, which means they'll typically end up paying more for insurance than women.

Surprisingly, men normally pay about 3% less a month than women with Metromile, and around 3% with Root.

Looking at overall affordability, Root comes out on top for both men and women, with average premiums $82 less for men and $88 cheaper for women.

Metromile or Root: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

For most people, auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different terms and coverages that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Root generally offers significantly cheaper prices of $46 compared to Metromile's $99. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Root again has the edge, with policies about $100 per month less expensive than Metromile, on average.

Is Metromile or Root Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is Metromile or Root more affordable for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Metromile policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $33 a month if they get a ticket, while Root normally raises premiums around $10 per month, on average.

But Root has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are 50% and 55% more affordable, respectively, compared to Metromile.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Metromile drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices rise by over $55, while those who have insurance through Root will see about a $20 increase.

Overall, the less expensive rates come from Root, with monthly prices averaging $79 compared to Metromile's $171.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly auto insurance bill -- generally a lot more than a collision or speeding ticket. On average, Metromile will raise your premiums around 31% after a DUI, while Root's average rates increase by 0%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Root tends to be the much cheaper option with average premiums of $57 per month compared to $167 from Metromile.

How does Credit Score Impact Metromile and Root Rates?

Did you know that many insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Car insurance companies argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking specifically at Metromile and Root, which carrier has the best rates for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Root. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 55% compared to Metromile, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $77 or 56% less expensive every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Root typically offers lower premiums than Metromile when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $90 a month less with Root compared to Metromile, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $110 a month.

Is Metromile or Root Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on your monthly auto insurance bill. Typically, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

In this case, neither Metromile or Root report increasing prices for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, Root comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car annually, with average rates of $65 per month for both.

Metromile vs. Root: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Usually, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the road in those areas, which reduces the chances of an accident.

Root boasts the lowest average premiums for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable prices from both carriers, but Root comes out on top with average rates around $58 monthly. Root also has more affordable average premiums for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $132 and $61 a month respective difference when compared to Metromile drivers in similar areas.

Metromile vs. Root Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to find all the ones you're eligible for or to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Metromile and Root offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Root comes out ahead with five discounts to Metromile's four.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like discounts for being a good driver and paperless discounts. Root also offers auto-steer discounts, homeowner discounts, and paid in full discounts that Metromile does not.

On the flip side, Metromile has a couple unique discounts of its own -- multi-policy discounts and online quote discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Metromile or Root Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which company is the best fit for you?

Root might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your car insurance after an accident.
• Your credit score is high.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

Metromile might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Metromile and Root. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Metromile and Root. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Metromile vs. Root FAQs

Is Metromile or Root cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Root is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $65 per month compared to $150 for Metromile. Even so, Root won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for each policyholder, since there are a range of different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Metromile or Root?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do Metromile and Root offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the prices they charge policyholders. Variables like gender, age, where you park your car, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Metromile and Root calculate premiums using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

How do I know if Metromile or Root is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Metromile or Root at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.