Allstate Drivewise is a popular telematics program designed to reward safe drivers with discounts on their car insurance premiums. But how much can you really save? And what's involved in getting those savings? Let's dive deep into the world of Allstate Drivewise!
Unlocking Savings: How Much is the Allstate Drivewise Discount?
Hey there, curious driver! Are you tired of paying high car insurance premiums and looking for a way to put more money back in your pocket? If so, Allstate Drivewise might be exactly what you need. This program aims to personalize your insurance rates based on your actual driving habits, offering potential discounts that can make a real difference.
While Allstate doesn't always publicly advertise a fixed "maximum discount" anymore, they have previously stated that drivers could save up to 40% based on their driving behavior. It's important to understand that this is a potential maximum, and individual savings will vary. Some sources indicate an initial enrollment discount of around 10%, with actual performance-based discounts often falling in the 20-25% range for good drivers. In some states, the maximum discount might even be lower, for example, 15%. However, the great news is that your rates won't increase due to poor driving with Drivewise – they can only stay the same or go down!
Let's break down how to understand and maximize your Allstate Drivewise discount step-by-step.
Step 1: Understanding What Allstate Drivewise Tracks
Before you can start saving, it's crucial to know what driving behaviors Allstate Drivewise monitors. Think of it like a report card for your driving! The program primarily uses the Allstate mobile app (and in some cases, a plug-in device) to collect data on:
- Speeding: How often you exceed a certain speed limit (typically 80 mph). Consistently staying within legal speed limits is a cornerstone of safe driving and will positively impact your score.
- Hard Braking: The frequency of sudden or abrupt stops. This often indicates following too closely or reacting late to traffic. Smooth, gradual braking is key.
- Time of Day Driven: Driving during high-risk hours (e.g., late at night, typically between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekends) can negatively affect your score, as accident rates are generally higher during these times. If possible, limit unnecessary late-night drives.
- Phone Activity: Using your phone while driving, including hands-free calling in some instances, can be tracked. Distracted driving is a major safety concern and will reduce your potential discount.
Sub-heading: How Your Data is Used Allstate uses this collected data to generate a "driving score" or "performance rating" over a review period, typically six months. This score then determines the personalized discount applied at your policy renewal. The more safely you drive, the higher your score, and the greater your potential savings!
Step 2: Eligibility and Enrollment – Getting Started with Drivewise
Ready to see if Drivewise is for you? The good news is that it's generally very accessible!
Sub-heading: Who is Eligible? Most Allstate policyholders are eligible for Drivewise. In fact, even non-Allstate customers can sign up for Drivewise to qualify for certain rewards, though the primary benefit for existing customers is the insurance discount. It's important to note that Drivewise is not available in California, Alaska, and Arkansas.
Sub-heading: Simple Steps to Enroll Enrolling in Drivewise is straightforward, primarily through the Allstate mobile app:
- Download the Allstate Mobile App: Search for "Allstate" in your smartphone's app store (available for Apple iOS 13.0+ and Android 8.0+).
- Log In or Create an Account: If you're an existing Allstate customer, log in with your My Account credentials. If not, you can create an account.
- Accept Terms of Service and Permissions: The app will prompt you to accept the Drivewise Terms of Service. You'll also need to grant permissions for "Motion & Fitness" and "Location Services" to be set to "Always On". This is crucial for the app to accurately track your trips.
- Enroll All Drivers (Recommended): To maximize potential savings, Allstate recommends enrolling all drivers on your policy in Drivewise. The collective driving behavior of all enrolled drivers impacts the overall policy discount.
- Start Driving! Once activated, simply drive as you normally would. The app will automatically begin recording your trips.
Important Note: To qualify for any discount, you typically need to take at least 50 trips during each six-month policy period. If you don't meet this minimum, you might not receive a performance-based discount.
Step 3: Maximizing Your Drivewise Discount – Drive Smarter, Save More!
This is where your everyday driving habits come into play. The better you drive, the more you can save.
Sub-heading: Key Driving Behaviors to Master
- Maintain Safe Speeds: Avoid driving over 80 mph. Consistently adhering to speed limits is one of the most impactful ways to improve your score.
- Practice Smooth Braking: Anticipate traffic and stops to avoid sudden, harsh braking. Gradual deceleration is a hallmark of a safe driver.
- Limit Nighttime Driving: If possible, reduce your driving during those high-risk late-night hours (e.g., 11 PM to 4-5 AM). This isn't always feasible for everyone, but if you have flexibility, it can help.
- Stay Off Your Phone: Minimize phone usage while driving. Even hands-free calling can sometimes be tracked, so prioritize focusing solely on the road. Many modern cars have features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto that allow for safer navigation and communication without directly interacting with your phone.
- Ensure All Drivers Participate: As mentioned, if multiple drivers are on your policy, all of them should actively participate in Drivewise and strive for safe driving. If only some drivers meet the trip minimums or maintain good scores, your overall discount could be reduced proportionally.
Sub-heading: Monitor Your Progress The Allstate mobile app provides a dashboard where you can track your estimated discount status, view driving summaries, and see details for each trip. This feedback is invaluable. Pay attention to your "report card" and identify areas where you can improve. The app may even offer challenges, like "drive three days without speeding," to encourage better habits.
Step 4: Renewal and Continued Savings
Your Drivewise discount isn't a one-time deal. It's re-evaluated at each policy renewal (typically every six months).
Sub-heading: How Discounts are Applied At the end of your monitoring period (usually six months), Allstate reviews your driving data. Based on your performance, a new personalized discount is applied to your premium for the next policy period. This means you need to continuously demonstrate safe driving habits to maintain or increase your savings.
Sub-heading: No Penalty for Poor Driving A significant benefit of Allstate Drivewise is that it's designed to only offer discounts. Your insurance rates will not increase due to poor driving habits recorded by Drivewise. This provides peace of mind, allowing you to try the program without fear of a penalty if your driving isn't perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Allstate Drivewise:
How to calculate my potential Allstate Drivewise discount?
Your exact discount is calculated by Allstate based on your driving data (speeding, braking, time of day, phone usage) over a six-month period. The app will show you an estimated discount, but the final amount is determined at your policy renewal.
How to maximize my Allstate Drivewise discount?
Maximize your discount by consistently driving safely: avoid speeding, brake smoothly, limit late-night driving, and refrain from phone use while driving. Ensure all drivers on your policy actively participate and maintain good driving habits.
How to enroll in Allstate Drivewise?
Download the Allstate mobile app, log in (or create an account), accept the Drivewise terms and permissions (especially "Location Services: Always On"), and then start driving.
How to check my Allstate Drivewise progress?
You can check your driving score, trip details, and estimated discount directly within the Allstate mobile app's Drivewise dashboard.
How to know if Allstate Drivewise is available in my state?
Allstate Drivewise is available in most U.S. states, but it is currently not available in California, Alaska, and Arkansas. You can confirm availability with an Allstate agent.
How to stop Allstate Drivewise from tracking my data?
You can unenroll from the Drivewise program through the Allstate app settings or by contacting Allstate customer service. If you simply delete the app without unenrolling, it might not stop tracking.
How to handle false trips recorded by Allstate Drivewise (e.g., as a passenger)?
The Drivewise app is designed to differentiate between driver and passenger trips. If it misclassifies a trip, you can usually correct it within the app's trip history by indicating you were a passenger.
How to get the initial Allstate Drivewise discount?
Many sources indicate you receive an initial discount (around 10% in some cases, though this can vary by state) simply for enrolling in the program and taking your first qualifying trips.
How to tell if Allstate Drivewise will increase my rates?
Allstate Drivewise is designed to only offer discounts for safe driving. It will not increase your rates based on your driving behavior recorded by the program. At worst, your discount might be minimal or zero if your driving isn't safe, but your premium won't go up due to Drivewise data.
How to know if Drivewise is worth it for me?
Drivewise is worth it if you consider yourself a safe driver, are comfortable sharing your driving data, and want to potentially save money on your car insurance. If you frequently engage in risky driving behaviors, you might not see significant savings, but there's no risk of a rate increase.