It appears you're looking to discontinue your participation in State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program. Perhaps you've found the monitoring a bit intrusive, or maybe your driving habits haven't yielded the discounts you hoped for. Whatever your reason, taking off Drive Safe & Save is a straightforward process, and this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step.
How to Take Off State Farm Drive Safe & Save: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understand Why You're Taking It Off - Let's Reflect Together!
Before we dive into the "how-to," take a moment to consider why you want to discontinue Drive Safe & Save. Is it the privacy concerns? The battery drain on your phone? The feeling of being constantly monitored? Or perhaps you're simply not seeing the savings you expected. Understanding your motivation can help you articulate your reasons clearly to your State Farm agent, should they ask. This isn't strictly necessary for cancellation, but it can be helpful for your own clarity and for future insurance decisions.
Step 2: Identify Your State Farm Drive Safe & Save Method
State Farm offers Drive Safe & Save through two primary methods:
Drive Safe & Save Mobile (App-Based): This is the most common method, where you download the State Farm app and it uses your phone's sensors (GPS, accelerometer, Bluetooth) to track your driving. A small Bluetooth beacon is usually sent to you to pair with your vehicle.
Drive Safe & Save Connected Car: For eligible Ford/Lincoln vehicles (2020 or newer, with FordPass™ or Lincoln Way™ accounts), your car's built-in telematics system sends driving data directly to State Farm.
The method you use will slightly influence how you "take it off."
Step 3: Contact Your State Farm Agent - Your Primary Point of Contact
Your dedicated State Farm agent is your best and most direct route for discontinuing Drive Safe & Save. They are equipped to handle these requests efficiently.
Sub-heading: Methods to Contact Your Agent
By Phone: This is often the quickest way to get things done. Have your policy number readily available. Explain clearly that you wish to discontinue participation in the Drive Safe & Save program.
Tip: You can find your agent's phone number on your insurance ID card, policy documents, or by using the "Find an Agent" tool on the State Farm website.
In Person: If you prefer a face-to-face interaction, you can visit your local State Farm agent's office. This allows for direct conversation and ensures all your questions are answered. Bring your policy information with you.
By Email: While less immediate, you can also send an email to your agent requesting to be removed from the program. Be sure to include your policy number and a clear statement of your request. Follow up with a phone call if you don't hear back within a reasonable timeframe.
Sub-heading: What to Expect During the Conversation
When you speak with your agent, they may:
Confirm your identity: They'll ask for your name, date of birth, and policy number.
Ask for your reason: You don't have to provide a detailed explanation, but you can state your reasons if you wish (e.g., "I'm no longer interested in participating," or "The program doesn't align with my driving habits").
Explain potential premium changes: While Drive Safe & Save is designed to offer discounts, your premium might slightly increase once you stop participating, as you'll no longer receive the enrollment discount or any earned safe driving discounts. State Farm generally states that Drive Safe & Save will not increase your premiums, but rather remove the discount you were receiving. It's important to clarify this with your agent.
Confirm the effective date of removal: They will let you know when your participation in the program will officially end.
Step 4: Disabling or Removing the Tracking Mechanism
Once you've informed your agent, the next step depends on whether you were using the mobile app or a connected car.
Sub-heading: For Drive Safe & Save Mobile (App Users)
Uninstall the App: The simplest way to stop the tracking is to uninstall the State Farm app from your smartphone. This will prevent it from collecting any further driving data.
Disable Permissions (if you wish to keep the app for other purposes): If you want to keep the main State Farm app for other features (like viewing your policy or making payments), you can go into your phone's settings and revoke the app's permissions for Location Services and Bluetooth. This will effectively stop it from tracking your driving without fully uninstalling the app.
For iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Find the State Farm app and change its location access to "Never." You can also go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it off for the app, though simply disabling location will usually suffice for stopping trip tracking.
For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > State Farm > Permissions. Turn off "Location" and potentially "Nearby devices" (Bluetooth).
Remove the Bluetooth Beacon (if applicable): If you received a small Bluetooth beacon to place in your car, you can simply remove it from your windshield. It will no longer serve any purpose once you've discontinued the program. You can dispose of it responsibly.
Sub-heading: For Drive Safe & Save Connected Car Users
Inform your Agent: Your agent will likely handle the discontinuation process directly with State Farm's system.
Check your FordPass™ or Lincoln Way™ Account: You might need to confirm within your vehicle's connected car app (FordPass or Lincoln Way) that the data sharing with State Farm has been disabled. Your State Farm agent should guide you on this specific step.
Step 5: Verify Discontinuation
It's always a good practice to confirm that your request has been processed and you are no longer enrolled in Drive Safe & Save.
Check Your State Farm Account Online/App: Log into your State Farm online account or the State Farm app (if you kept it) after the stated effective date. Look for any section related to Drive Safe & Save. It should indicate that you are no longer enrolled or that the program is inactive for your policy.
Review Your Next Policy Renewal Documents: When your policy renews, check your premium and policy details carefully. The Drive Safe & Save discount should no longer be applied, and your premium will reflect the standard rate for your coverage.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my current Drive Safe & Save discount?
You can typically check your current Drive Safe & Save discount by logging into the State Farm app or your My Accounts page on statefarm.com®. This information is usually updated at each auto policy renewal.
How to know if Drive Safe & Save is right for me?
Drive Safe & Save is generally a good fit for drivers with consistent safe driving habits (smooth acceleration, gentle braking, no phone distraction, adherence to speed limits) and potentially lower annual mileage. It's less ideal if you frequently engage in habits that the program flags as risky or if you prefer not to have your driving monitored.
How to re-enroll in Drive Safe & Save after taking it off?
To re-enroll in Drive Safe & Save, you would typically need to contact your State Farm agent and express your interest. They will guide you through the re-enrollment process, which may involve redownloading the app and pairing a new beacon.
How to ensure my privacy if I decide to keep Drive Safe & Save?
State Farm states that they do not sell your data collected through Drive Safe & Save. However, if privacy is a concern, you can ensure location services and Bluetooth are only active on your phone when you are actually driving, though this may require manually enabling and disabling them for each trip.
How to improve my Drive Safe & Save score if I change my mind?
To improve your Drive Safe & Save score, focus on smooth acceleration, gentle braking, avoiding sharp turns, maintaining appropriate speeds, and refraining from phone use while driving. The app often provides feedback on these metrics.
How to deal with a faulty Drive Safe & Save beacon or app?
If you're experiencing issues with the Drive Safe & Save beacon or app (e.g., not recording trips, inaccurate data), first try troubleshooting steps like restarting your phone, ensuring Bluetooth and location are enabled, and checking for app updates. If issues persist, contact State Farm's customer service or your agent for assistance.
How to understand if cancelling Drive Safe & Save will increase my premium?
Canceling Drive Safe & Save will remove any discounts you were receiving through the program. While State Farm generally states it won't surcharge your policy for unsafe driving, your premium might appear to increase as you will no longer receive the discount for participation and safe driving habits.
How to find my State Farm policy number quickly?
Your State Farm policy number can typically be found on your insurance ID card, your policy declaration pages, or by logging into your State Farm online account or mobile app.
How to contact State Farm customer service directly for Drive Safe & Save issues?
For specific Drive Safe & Save questions or technical issues, you can often find dedicated customer service numbers within the State Farm app's help section or on the State Farm website's FAQ pages related to Drive Safe & Save.
How to explore other State Farm discounts if Drive Safe & Save wasn't a good fit?
Your State Farm agent can help you explore other potential discounts you might qualify for, such as multi-policy discounts (bundling auto and home insurance), good student discounts, vehicle safety feature discounts, or defensive driving course discounts.