Unlocking Savings: Your Complete Guide to Activating Drivewise on the Allstate App
Hey there, fellow driver! Are you ready to potentially save some serious cash on your car insurance just by driving safely? If you're an Allstate policyholder, then you're in luck! Allstate's Drivewise program is designed to reward you for your good driving habits, and activating it on the Allstate mobile app is simpler than you might think. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every single step, ensuring you're set up for savings in no time.
Let's dive in and get you started on your path to smarter, safer, and more affordable driving!
Step 1: Get the Allstate Mobile App (If You Haven't Already!)
First things first, you need the Allstate Mobile app. This is your gateway to activating Drivewise and managing your policy on the go.
Sub-heading: Downloading the App
- For iPhone Users: Open the App Store on your iPhone. In the search bar, type "Allstate" and hit search. Look for the official "Allstate Mobile" app (usually with the familiar Allstate logo). Tap "Get" and then "Install." You might need to verify with your Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password.
- For Android Users: Open the Google Play Store on your Android device. In the search bar, type "Allstate" and hit search. Find the official "Allstate Mobile" app. Tap "Install."
Sub-heading: Accepting Initial Terms
Once the app is downloaded, open it. You'll likely be presented with initial Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to review. Make sure to read through them carefully, and if you agree, tap "Accept" or "Continue" to proceed. You might also be prompted to allow notifications – it's a good idea to enable these for important updates from Drivewise.
Step 2: Log In or Create Your Allstate Account
This step connects your app to your Allstate policy.
Sub-heading: Existing Allstate My Account Users
If you already have an Allstate "My Account" for managing your policy online:
- Tap on "Log In" within the app.
- Enter your existing My Account username and password.
- Tap "Log In" again.
Sub-heading: New to Allstate Online Accounts? No Problem!
If you haven't set up an Allstate "My Account" before:
- Tap on "Create Account" or "New User? Create Account."
- You'll be asked to provide some information to link your policy, such as your name (ensure it matches your policy), cell phone number, and a valid email address.
- Allstate will send a 6-digit verification code to your phone number (or email, if you choose that option). Enter this code into the app to complete the registration.
- You'll then create your username and password for future logins. Keep these secure!
Step 3: Activating Drivewise within the App
This is the core step to get Drivewise up and running.
Sub-heading: Navigating to Drivewise
Once you're logged into the Allstate Mobile app:
- Look for the "Drivewise" section. It might be prominently displayed on your dashboard, or you may need to navigate to a specific tab like "Dashboard" or "Programs."
- Tap on the "Drivewise" tile or option.
Sub-heading: Granting Essential Permissions
For Drivewise to work effectively and track your driving, it needs certain permissions from your smartphone. This is crucial, so pay close attention!
- Location Services: You'll be prompted to allow Allstate Mobile to access your location. Select "Always Allow" (or "Allow all the time" on some Android versions). Drivewise relies on continuous location data to accurately monitor your trips and provide feedback. If you don't allow "Always," your trips might not be collected, and you could miss out on savings.
- Motion & Fitness (iOS) / Physical Activity (Android): The app also needs permission to access your Motion & Fitness data (for iPhones) or Physical Activity data (for Androids). This helps the app understand when you're in a moving vehicle versus just walking around. Enable this permission.
- Power Savings Mode (Android specific): For Android users, it's often recommended to turn off "Power savings mode" or "Adaptive Battery" for the Allstate app to ensure uninterrupted trip tracking. You can usually find these settings under your phone's "Battery" or "Device Care" settings. Ensure "Precise Location" is also turned on for Android OS 12 and above.
Sub-heading: Enrolling Drivers on Your Policy
To maximize your potential savings, Allstate recommends enrolling all drivers on your policy in Drivewise. Each additional enrolled driver must:
- Download the Allstate Mobile app.
- Log in using their own My Account credentials.
- Tap on Drivewise to activate and accept all requested permissions.
- Take trips to start earning rewards.
Step 4: Your First Trip and Beyond!
Congratulations! You've activated Drivewise! Now, it's time to start driving and letting the app do its work.
Sub-heading: Taking Your Initial Trip
- The app will typically detect a trip when your vehicle travels at least 15 mph for at least 1 minute.
- You do NOT need to open the app before you start driving. As long as the app is installed, permissions are granted, and you have adequate cellular service, it will detect trips in the background.
Sub-heading: Understanding How Drivewise Tracks Your Driving
Drivewise monitors several key driving behaviors to provide you with a personalized rate and potential discounts:
- Speed: Aim to keep your speed under 80 mph.
- Braking: Minimize sudden or hard braking events.
- Time of Day: Driving during "safer" hours (typically avoiding late nights between 11:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. on weekends) can positively impact your score.
- Phone Distraction: The app may also track phone handling while driving.
- Cornering: Sharp turns might also be factored in.
Sub-heading: Monitoring Your Progress and Savings
- You can view your driving feedback, trip details, and progress within the Drivewise dashboard in the Allstate Mobile app.
- You typically won't see an estimated discount immediately. Allstate generally requires a certain number of trips (often 50) within a six-month policy period to accurately assess your driving and apply discounts at your next policy renewal.
- The more safely you drive, and the more trips recorded by all enrolled drivers on your policy, the greater your potential for savings.
Step 5: Troubleshooting and Optimizing
Sometimes, technology needs a little nudge. Here's what to do if Drivewise isn't tracking properly.
Sub-heading: Common Troubleshooting Tips
- Update the App: Ensure your Allstate Mobile app is always updated to the latest version. Check your phone's app store for any available updates.
- Update Your Phone's OS: Make sure your smartphone's operating system (iOS or Android) is also up to date.
- Check App Diagnostics: Within the Allstate app, navigate to Drivewise Dashboard > Settings > App Diagnostics. This section can highlight any issues requiring your attention.
- Battery Optimization: Ensure battery optimization settings on your phone aren't overly restricting the Allstate app from running in the background. (Refer to your phone's specific settings for "Battery" or "App usage.")
- Restart the App: Sometimes, simply fully closing the Allstate app and reopening it can resolve minor tracking issues.
- Check Cellular Service: Drivewise needs adequate cellular service to transmit trip data.
Sub-heading: Managing Incorrectly Tagged Trips (Passenger vs. Driver)
Drivewise has sophisticated technology to differentiate between a driver and a passenger. However, it's not always 100% perfect.
- If the app incorrectly identifies you as the driver when you were a passenger, you can manually edit the trip within the Allstate Mobile app.
- Navigate to Drivewise Dashboard > My Trips > View All Trips. Select the incorrect trip and update the "Trip Method" to "Passenger." Only driver trips count towards your savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Drivewise, with quick answers:
How to check my Drivewise discount?
Your Drivewise discount is typically applied at your policy renewal based on your driving performance over the monitoring period (usually six months). You can see your personalized rate and potential savings in your policy documents or within the Allstate app as your renewal approaches.
How to ensure all drivers on my policy are enrolled in Drivewise?
Each driver on your policy needs to download the Allstate Mobile app, log in with their individual My Account credentials, and activate Drivewise by accepting all necessary permissions.
How to improve my Drivewise score?
To improve your Drivewise score, focus on safe driving habits: maintain safe speeds, avoid hard braking, limit driving during high-risk hours (late nights), and minimize phone distraction while driving.
How to manage trip details if I was a passenger?
Open the Allstate Mobile app, go to the Drivewise Dashboard, select "View All Trips" under "My Trips," find the incorrect trip, and then select "Driver" to edit the trip method to "Passenger."
How to turn off Drivewise temporarily?
You can put Drivewise in "sleep" mode by opening the Allstate Mobile app, going to "Profile," then "Settings," selecting "Drivewise," and toggling it from "Active" to "Off." You can also set an auto-restart time frame.
How to know if Drivewise is actively tracking my trips?
You can verify if Drivewise is tracking by checking your "My Trips" section within the Drivewise dashboard in the Allstate Mobile app after a drive. If trips are appearing, it's working!
How to update the Allstate Mobile app?
Go to your phone's app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android), search for "Allstate Mobile," and if an update is available, tap the "Update" button.
How to contact Allstate Drivewise support?
You can usually find contact information within the Allstate Mobile app's "Help Center" or visit the Allstate website for Drivewise FAQs and support numbers. You can call their support team at 877-431-7670.
How to re-activate Drivewise if I previously turned it off?
Simply open the Allstate Mobile app, navigate to the Drivewise settings (Profile > Settings > Drivewise), and toggle it back to "Active." You may need to re-verify permissions.
How to ensure my phone's settings are optimized for Drivewise?
For iOS, ensure "Motion & Fitness" is enabled and "Location" is set to "Always" with "Precise Location" on. For Android, allow "Physical Activity," set "Location" to "Always" with "Precise Location" on, and disable "Power saving mode" or "Adaptive Battery" for the Allstate app.