Feeling that a "big brother" is always watching your driving habits? While State Farm Drive Safe & Save offers potential discounts, it's understandable if you've decided it's not the right fit for you anymore. Maybe you're tired of constantly checking your driving score, or perhaps you just prefer your privacy. Whatever your reason, turning off Drive Safe & Save is a straightforward process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth transition.
How to Turn Off State Farm Drive Safe & Save: A Comprehensive Guide
State Farm Drive Safe & Save is designed to reward safe driving habits with potential discounts on your auto insurance. However, if you've decided to discontinue your participation, there are a few key steps to follow. It's important to understand that simply deleting the app might not be enough to fully de-enroll from the program and stop data collection.
Step 1: Initiating the Deactivation Process – Your First Contact Point
So, you've made up your mind to part ways with Drive Safe & Save, right? The very first and most crucial step is to formally notify State Farm of your intention to discontinue the program. This ensures that your participation is officially ended and that your driving data is no longer collected for discount purposes.
Contact Your State Farm Agent Directly: This is generally the most effective and recommended method. Your local State Farm agent is your primary point of contact for all policy-related matters, including program enrollment and deactivation.
Why this is important: Your agent can directly process your request, confirm your unenrollment, and explain any potential changes to your premium (though Drive Safe & Save typically only lowers rates, not increases them). They can also clarify if any initial participation discounts will be removed.
How to reach them:
Call them: The quickest way to get things moving. Have your policy number handy.
Visit their office: If you prefer face-to-face communication, schedule a visit.
Email them: Send a formal email stating your intent to deactivate Drive Safe & Save for the specific vehicle(s) on your policy.
Call State Farm Customer Service: If you're unable to reach your agent, or prefer to speak with a general customer service representative, you can call the main State Farm customer service line.
Phone Number: Typically, 1-800-STATEFARM (1-800-782-8332) for auto policy inquiries. Be prepared to provide your policy details.
Step 2: Managing the Drive Safe & Save App on Your Smartphone
Once you've initiated the deactivation with State Farm, the next step involves managing the Drive Safe & Save app on your mobile device.
Sub-heading 2.1: Disabling Data Collection within the App (Optional but Recommended)
Even if you've contacted State Farm, it's a good practice to restrict the app's ability to collect data on your phone in the interim. This can be particularly useful while awaiting confirmation of your official unenrollment.
Turn Off Location Services for the App:
For iOS (iPhone) users:
Go to Settings.
Scroll down and find the State Farm app (or the standalone Drive Safe & Save app if you still have it).
Tap on it, then select Location.
Change the setting from "Always" or "While Using the App" to "Never."
For Android users:
Go to Settings.
Navigate to Apps & notifications (or similar, depending on your Android version).
Find and tap on the State Farm app (or Drive Safe & Save app).
Select Permissions, then tap Location.
Toggle off the location permission or select "Deny."
Disable Bluetooth for the App (if using a beacon):
If you have a physical Drive Safe & Save beacon, disabling Bluetooth for the app can prevent it from connecting to the beacon and collecting data.
Follow similar steps as above, but look for Bluetooth permissions and turn them off.
Sub-heading 2.2: Uninstalling the Drive Safe & Save App
After confirming your deactivation with State Farm and ideally disabling data collection, you can proceed to uninstall the app.
For iOS (iPhone) users:
On your Home screen, press and hold the State Farm app icon.
Tap Remove App, then Delete App, and finally Delete to confirm.
For Android users:
Press and hold the State Farm app icon on your Home screen or in your app drawer.
Drag the icon to the "Uninstall" option that appears (often at the top of the screen), or tap the "i" (info) icon and then select Uninstall.
Confirm the uninstallation.
Step 3: Handling the Drive Safe & Save Beacon (If Applicable)
If you received a physical beacon device for the Drive Safe & Save program, you might be wondering what to do with it.
No Return Required in Most Cases: According to various user experiences and State Farm information, you generally do not need to return the Drive Safe & Save beacon to State Farm.
Once you've unenrolled from the program, the beacon becomes inactive and serves no further purpose for data collection.
You can simply dispose of it responsibly or keep it if you wish, though it won't function for the program anymore.
Confirm with Your Agent if Unsure: While return is typically not required, it's always best to double-check with your State Farm agent when you're deactivating the program. They can provide the most current and accurate information based on your specific policy and state regulations.
Step 4: Verifying Your Deactivation and Policy Changes
This final step is crucial to ensure that your request has been processed correctly and that your policy reflects the change.
Review Your Policy Documents: After a few days or weeks (the processing time can vary), check your updated policy documents or statements. Look for any mention of the Drive Safe & Save program or related discounts. If the program is no longer listed, it's a good indication that your deactivation was successful.
Confirm with Your Agent: The most definitive way to confirm is to reach out to your State Farm agent again.
Ask them to confirm in writing (via email) that your vehicle(s) have been successfully unenrolled from the Drive Safe & Save program.
Inquire about any changes to your premium now that you are no longer participating. While the program typically only offers discounts, confirming your new premium amount is good practice.
By following these steps, you can effectively turn off State Farm Drive Safe & Save and regain your privacy on the road. Remember, clear communication with your State Farm agent is key throughout this process!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if State Farm Drive Safe & Save is active on my policy?
You can usually check the status of your Drive Safe & Save enrollment by logging into the State Farm mobile app or your account on the statefarm.com website. Look for a section related to "Drive Safe & Save" or "Discounts." Alternatively, contact your State Farm agent who can confirm your enrollment status.
How to uninstall the State Farm Drive Safe & Save app from my phone?
To uninstall, on iOS, press and hold the app icon, then select "Remove App" and "Delete App." On Android, press and hold the app icon, then drag it to the "Uninstall" option or tap the "i" (info) icon and select "Uninstall."
How to stop State Farm Drive Safe & Save from tracking my driving?
The most effective way is to officially unenroll from the program by contacting your State Farm agent. Additionally, you can disable location services and Bluetooth permissions for the State Farm app on your phone, which will prevent it from collecting driving data.
How to return the Drive Safe & Save beacon device?
In most cases, you do not need to return the Drive Safe & Save beacon device. Once you unenroll from the program, the beacon becomes inactive. You can dispose of it responsibly. Always confirm with your State Farm agent if you have any doubts.
How to know if turning off Drive Safe & Save will increase my insurance premium?
State Farm Drive Safe & Save typically offers a discount and does not increase your premium for poor driving habits. However, if you were receiving a discount for participating, that discount will be removed upon deactivation, potentially leading to a higher premium than what you were paying with the discount. Your agent can clarify the exact impact.
How to re-enroll in State Farm Drive Safe & Save after deactivation?
If you decide to rejoin the program, you will need to contact your State Farm agent again. They can guide you through the re-enrollment process, which may involve downloading the app again and potentially receiving a new beacon if your old one was disposed of.
How to get a refund for my insurance if I cancel Drive Safe & Save mid-term?
Canceling Drive Safe & Save is generally a program deactivation, not a policy cancellation. If your premium changes due to the removal of the discount and you have prepaid, any overpayment might be prorated as a credit or refund. Discuss this with your State Farm agent.
How to ensure all my data is deleted after turning off Drive Safe & Save?
When you formally unenroll, State Farm will cease collecting new data. Regarding previously collected data, you can inquire about their data retention policy by reviewing the State Farm Privacy Policy or by speaking with your agent.
How to deal with the app if it keeps trying to track my trips after uninstallation?
This is highly unlikely if you have successfully uninstalled the app and formally unenrolled. If you experience persistent issues, ensure the app is completely removed from your device and contact State Farm technical support for assistance.
How to find my State Farm agent's contact information?
You can find your State Farm agent's contact information on your insurance ID card, your policy documents, or by using the "Find an Agent" tool on the State Farm website (statefarm.com).
