Have you ever wondered if your safe driving habits could actually save you money on your car insurance? Well, with the Allstate Drivewise app, they absolutely can! This incredible app is designed to reward you for being a responsible driver, offering discounts and valuable feedback on your journeys. If you're an Allstate customer (or even considering becoming one!), downloading and setting up the Drivewise app is a smart move that could lead to significant savings and a better understanding of your driving behavior.
This lengthy guide will walk you through every single step of downloading, installing, and getting started with the Allstate Drivewise app. We'll cover everything from compatibility requirements to troubleshooting common issues, ensuring you have a smooth experience.
How to Download the Allstate Drivewise App: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Get Ready to Save! (Pre-Download Checklist)
Before we dive into the actual download, let's make sure your device is ready to roll. This initial check will prevent common issues and ensure a seamless setup process.
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1.1 Check Your Smartphone Compatibility:
- The Allstate Drivewise app is integrated within the main Allstate mobile app. To use it, you'll need a compatible smartphone.
- For Apple (iOS) users: Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 15.0 or higher.
- For Android users: Make sure your Android device is running Android 10.0 or higher.
- Why is this important? Older operating systems might not support the app's features or could lead to performance issues.
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1.2 Ensure You Have a Stable Internet Connection:
- Whether you're on Wi-Fi or cellular data, a stable internet connection is crucial for downloading the app and its initial setup. A strong signal will prevent interrupted downloads or installation errors.
- Pro Tip: If you're downloading a large app, Wi-Fi is generally preferred to avoid consuming too much of your mobile data plan.
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1.3 Free Up Storage Space (If Needed):
- While the Allstate app isn't excessively large, it's always a good idea to have some free storage on your device. This ensures the app can download and install without any hiccups.
- How to check storage:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Android: Go to Settings > Storage (this might vary slightly depending on your Android version).
Step 2: Finding and Downloading the Allstate Mobile App
The Drivewise feature is embedded within the main Allstate mobile application. You won't find a separate "Drivewise" app to download.
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2.1 Open Your Device's App Store:
- For Apple iPhone users: Tap the App Store icon on your home screen. It typically looks like a blue square with a white "A" in a circle.
- For Android users: Tap the Google Play Store icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. It typically looks like a colorful triangle.
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2.2 Search for "Allstate":
- Once in the App Store or Google Play Store, locate the search bar. This is usually at the bottom or top of the screen.
- Type "Allstate" into the search bar and tap the search icon (often a magnifying glass).
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2.3 Locate the Official Allstate Mobile App:
- You'll see a list of results. Look for the app published by "Allstate Insurance Co." or simply "Allstate". The official app usually has the Allstate logo.
- Be cautious: Ensure you're downloading the official app to protect your personal information.
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2.4 Initiate the Download:
- Tap the "Get" or "Install" button next to the Allstate mobile app.
- On iOS: You might need to confirm the download with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
- On Android: The download will usually start automatically. You might see a progress bar indicating the download status.
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2.5 Wait for Installation to Complete:
- The app will download and then automatically install on your device. The time this takes will depend on your internet speed.
- Once installed, the "Get" or "Install" button will change to "Open".
Step 3: Setting Up and Activating Drivewise within the App
Now that the Allstate mobile app is on your phone, it's time to set up and activate the Drivewise feature.
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3.1 Open the Allstate Mobile App:
- Tap the "Open" button from the app store, or find the Allstate icon on your home screen and tap it.
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3.2 Log In or Create an Account:
- If you already have an Allstate "My Account" (used for managing your policy online), simply log in with your credentials.
- If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one. Follow the on-screen prompts to register. This typically involves providing your name, policy details, and setting up a username and password.
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3.3 Accept Terms of Service and Permissions:
- Upon first opening or activating Drivewise, you'll be prompted to accept the Terms of Service. Read through them carefully to understand how your data will be used. You must scroll to the bottom to make the "I Accept" button clickable.
- The app will also request several important permissions. These are crucial for Drivewise to function correctly:
- Location Services: This is the most critical permission. Drivewise uses GPS to track your trips. You must set this to "Always Allow" for accurate trip detection and maximum savings.
- Motion & Fitness Activity (or Physical Activity): This helps the app determine if you're driving.
- Notifications: Allows the app to send you feedback on your trips and other important alerts.
- Why these permissions? Drivewise needs access to your phone's sensors and location data to accurately monitor your driving behavior (speed, braking, time of day, phone distraction) and calculate your potential discount.
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3.4 Enroll Drivers (If Applicable):
- To maximize your savings, Allstate encourages all drivers on your policy to enroll in Drivewise. If there are other drivers in your household, they will also need to download the Allstate mobile app on their smartphones, log in, and activate Drivewise, accepting the necessary permissions.
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3.5 Take Your First Trip!
- Once everything is set up and permissions are granted, the best way to ensure Drivewise is working is to take a short drive.
- The app should automatically start tracking your trips. You can then review your trip details and feedback within the Drivewise dashboard of the Allstate app.
- Important Note: You won't see your estimated discount immediately. Allstate typically requires about 30 days of driving data (or a minimum number of trips, often 50) before they can calculate your personalized discount.
Step 4: Optimizing and Troubleshooting Drivewise
Sometimes, things don't go perfectly. Here's how to optimize your experience and troubleshoot common issues.
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4.1 Optimize Battery Usage:
- Since Drivewise uses location services, it can impact your phone's battery life.
- For Android users:
- Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits. Turn off "Put unused apps to sleep."
- Scroll to "More battery settings"
and turn off "Adaptive battery." - Go to Settings > Apps > Allstate Mobile > App info. Turn off "Pause app activity if unused" and "Remove permissions if app is unused."
- Consider charging your smartphone while driving for longer trips.
- For iOS users:
- Go to Settings > Battery. Review battery usage by app. While there isn't a direct "optimize" setting like Android, ensuring "Low Power Mode" is off when driving can help.
- Remember: The Allstate mobile app uses similar battery levels as other navigation apps.
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4.2 Managing Trips (Passenger vs. Driver):
- Drivewise follows the person, not the vehicle. This means it can detect trips even when you're a passenger in another car, bus, or train.
- The app usually predicts whether you were the driver or passenger. Only driver trips count towards your participation and score.
- If the app incorrectly identifies you as the driver when you were a passenger:
- Log in to the Allstate mobile app.
- Select Dashboard under Drivewise.
- Select View All Trips under My Trips.
- Select the specific trip and choose to edit trip to update the trip method (e.g., change from "Driver" to "Passenger").
- It's crucial to correct these to ensure your driving score accurately reflects your habits.
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4.3 What if the App Isn't Collecting My Trips?
- This is a common concern. Here are some troubleshooting steps:
- Check for App Updates: Go to your device's app store and see if there's an update available for the Allstate mobile app. Keeping the app updated is essential for optimal performance.
- Check Operating System Updates: Ensure your phone's operating system (iOS or Android) is up to date.
- iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update.
- Android: Settings > System > Advanced > System Update (or similar, depending on your device).
- Verify Permissions: Double-check that Location Services are set to "Always Allow" for the Allstate app. Also, ensure Motion & Fitness Activity is enabled.
- Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches.
- Fully Exit and Reopen the App: Close the Allstate app completely (swipe it away from recent apps) and then reopen it.
- Reinstall the App: As a last resort, uninstall the Allstate mobile app and then reinstall it from the app store. You'll need to log in and set up Drivewise again.
- Check App Diagnostic Page: Within the Drivewise dashboard, there might be a "Settings" or "Help" section with an app diagnostic page that can highlight issues.
- Ensure Good Cell Service: Drivewise relies on cellular service for accurate trip collection. If you're in an area with poor signal, trips might not be recorded correctly.
- This is a common concern. Here are some troubleshooting steps:
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4.4 Temporarily Pause Trip Reporting (Sleep Mode):
- If you don't want Drivewise to record trips for a period (e.g., if someone else is using your phone, or you're taking public transport), you can activate "sleep" mode:
- Open the Allstate® mobile app.
- Select Profile, then Settings.
- Select Drivewise to visit your Drivewise settings screen.
- Toggle Drivewise from "Active" to "Off".
- You can set an auto-restart time frame, or you'll need to manually turn it back on when you're ready.
- If you don't want Drivewise to record trips for a period (e.g., if someone else is using your phone, or you're taking public transport), you can activate "sleep" mode:
Step 5: Understanding Your Drivewise Benefits and Data
Now that you're all set up, let's look at what Drivewise offers and how it uses your data.
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5.1 How Drivewise Tracks Your Driving:
- The app primarily tracks:
- Speed: Keeping under 80 mph is generally considered safe.
- Braking: Limiting sudden, harsh stops.
- Night Driving: Reducing trips during higher-risk hours (typically 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekends).
- Phone Distraction: Minimizing phone use while the car is in motion.
- Mileage (in some states): The total miles driven.
- Note: In some states, Drivewise can increase your rates if your driving behavior is consistently risky. Always understand the program's specifics for your state.
- The app primarily tracks:
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5.2 Earning Discounts:
- You can often earn an initial discount just for enrolling in Drivewise.
- Your actual savings are determined at your policy renewal based on your driving behavior over the monitoring period. The safer you drive, the more you can save, potentially up to 40% in some cases.
- Maximum Savings: To achieve max savings, all enrolled drivers on your policy typically need to complete a certain number of trips (e.g., 50 trips within a 6-month period).
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5.3 Crash Detection Feature:
- A valuable safety feature, the Allstate mobile app with Drivewise includes Crash Detection. If the app detects a major collision (generally speeds over 25 mph), it can send you a notification to offer help, including connecting you with emergency services or roadside assistance. This is a free feature.
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5.4 Data Privacy Considerations:
- When you use Drivewise, Allstate collects your geolocation data and other driving behavior data. This data is primarily used to calculate your insurance discount and provide driving feedback.
- Allstate's privacy statement outlines how they collect, use, and share this information. It's important to be aware that they may share data with third parties involved in business transactions, authorized agents, law enforcement, and service providers.
- The trip route map in the app is typically seen only by you, the app user.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my phone is compatible with the Drivewise app?
You can check compatibility by looking at your phone's operating system version. For Apple iPhones, you need iOS 15.0 or higher. For Android devices, you need Android 10.0 or higher. You can find this information in your phone's settings under "About Phone" or "General."
How to ensure my Drivewise app is tracking trips correctly?
First, verify that "Location Services" for the Allstate app is set to "Always Allow" in your phone's settings. Also, ensure your "Motion & Fitness Activity" (Android) or "Physical Activity" (iOS) permission is enabled. Take a short test drive to see if trips appear in the app's Drivewise dashboard.
How to change a trip from "driver" to "passenger" in Drivewise?
Open the Allstate mobile app, go to the Drivewise Dashboard, select "View All Trips" under "My Trips," choose the specific trip, and then you should see an option to edit the trip method (e.g., change from "Driver" to "Passenger").
How to stop Drivewise from tracking my trips temporarily?
You can activate "sleep" mode in the app. Open the Allstate mobile app, go to "Profile," then "Settings," select "Drivewise," and toggle Drivewise from "Active" to "Off." You can set an auto-restart time or manually turn it back on later.
How to maximize my savings with the Drivewise app?
To maximize savings, ensure all eligible drivers on your policy enroll in Drivewise and consistently exhibit safe driving habits, including limiting speeding, harsh braking, nighttime driving, and phone distraction. Completing the required number of trips (often 50 within a monitoring period) for all enrolled drivers is also key.
How to troubleshoot if the Drivewise app is draining my phone battery?
Drivewise, like other navigation apps, uses battery. For Android, adjust battery optimization settings to prevent the app from being put to sleep (refer to Step 4.1). For both iOS and Android, consider charging your phone while driving, especially on longer trips.
How to update the Allstate Drivewise app?
You update the Drivewise app by updating the main Allstate mobile app through your device's app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android). Search for "Allstate" and tap "Update" if available.
How to contact Allstate support for Drivewise issues?
You can usually find support options within the Allstate mobile app itself, often under a "Help Center" or "Contact Us" section. Alternatively, you can visit the Allstate website or call their customer service line for assistance with Drivewise.
How to know if Drivewise will increase my insurance rates?
In some states, participation in Drivewise can lead to higher rates if your driving behavior is consistently risky. Allstate will usually disclose this when you enroll. It's important to understand the program's specifics for your particular state to know the potential impact on your rates.
How to understand the data collected by Drivewise and my privacy?
Allstate collects geolocation and driving behavior data (speed, braking, etc.) to calculate your discount and provide feedback. They outline their data collection and sharing practices in their online privacy statement and the Drivewise Terms of Service. Reviewing these documents will give you a clear understanding of your data's usage.
