Ready to unlock potential savings on your Allstate car insurance? The Allstate Drivewise app is a fantastic way to do just that by rewarding you for your safe driving habits. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of getting the Drivewise app installed, set up, and ready to help you save.
Are you excited to start saving on your car insurance? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Prepare Your Smartphone for Drivewise Success
Before you even touch that "Install" button, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure a smooth Drivewise experience. Think of it as tuning up your phone for optimal performance!
Sub-heading: Check for Compatibility
First and foremost, you need to ensure your smartphone is compatible with the Allstate Drivewise app.
- Operating System: The Allstate Drivewise app is compatible with both Apple iOS and Android devices. Make sure your phone's operating system is up-to-date.
- For Apple users: Go to your Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- For Android users: Go to your phone's Settings app, tap System (or About Phone), then Advanced, and finally System Update (or Software Update).
- Storage Space: The app itself isn't huge, but ensure you have enough free space for the app and its data. A few hundred MBs should be more than sufficient.
- Data Plan: Drivewise uses your phone's data to transmit driving information. While it's generally efficient (around 3MB per 30km driven daily, which translates to about 90MB per month for average use), you'll need a data package to ensure continuous tracking.
- Battery Life: Drivewise relies on your phone's sensors and location services, which can impact battery life. While Allstate states that location services turn off after a trip to minimize consumption, it's a good practice to keep your phone adequately charged, ideally above 25% during trips.
Sub-heading: Optimize Your Phone Settings (Crucial for Tracking!)
These settings are absolutely vital for the Drivewise app to accurately track your trips and award you for safe driving.
- Location Services: This is perhaps the most important setting. Drivewise uses GPS to determine your mileage and driving behavior.
- For both iOS and Android: Navigate to your phone's Settings, then Location. Ensure Location Services are turned on.
- Crucially, for the Allstate app specifically, set its location permission to "Always Allow" (or "Allow all the time" on Android). This ensures trips are captured even when the app isn't actively open.
- For Android users (especially Samsung and Pixel): You might need to go a step further.
- Samsung (OS 13): Go to Settings > Location > Location services > Google Location Accuracy and turn on "Improve location accuracy." Also, check Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits and turn off "Put unused apps to sleep." Scroll to "More battery settings" and turn off "Adaptive battery." Finally, in Settings > Apps > Allstate Mobile > App info, turn off "Pause app activity if unused" and "Remove permissions if app is unused."
- Pixel Phones (OS 13): Go to Settings > Location > Location Services > Google Location Accuracy and turn on "Improve Location Accuracy." Then go to Battery > Adaptive preference and turn off "Adaptive Battery." Finally, go to App > Allstate Mobile > App Info and turn off "Pause app activity if unused."
- Motion & Fitness/Physical Activity Permissions: Drivewise utilizes your phone's accelerometer and other sensors to detect harsh braking, acceleration, and other driving behaviors.
- When prompted during the app setup, allow permissions for motion and fitness or physical activity.
- Notifications: While not strictly necessary for tracking, allowing notifications will keep you informed about your driving feedback, tips, and any app updates.
Step 2: Download and Install the Allstate Mobile App
With your phone prepped, it's time to get the app!
Sub-heading: Find the App in Your App Store
The Allstate Drivewise program is integrated within the main Allstate mobile app.
- Open your app store:
- For Apple devices, tap the App Store icon.
- For Android devices, tap the Google Play Store icon.
- Search for "Allstate": Use the search bar at the top of the screen and type in "Allstate."
- Locate the official app: Look for the app published by "Allstate Insurance Company" (or "Allstate Insurance Company of Canada" if you're in Canada). It usually has the familiar Allstate logo.
- Tap "Install" or "Get": Once you've found the correct app, tap the Install (Android) or Get (iOS) button. The app is free to download.
Sub-heading: Initial App Launch and Permissions
After the download is complete, the app will install on your device.
- Open the Allstate app: Tap the Allstate app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
- Accept Terms and Conditions: Upon the first launch, you'll likely be presented with the Allstate Mobile app's Terms and Conditions. Read through them carefully and then tap to Accept to proceed.
- Grant Initial Permissions: The app will ask for basic permissions, such as notifications. It's recommended to allow these for a better user experience.
Step 3: Log In or Create Your My Account
To activate Drivewise, you'll need to link the app to your Allstate policy. This requires an Allstate "My Account."
Sub-heading: Existing Allstate Customers
If you already have an Allstate My Account (which you might if you manage your policy online):
- Tap "Log In": On the app's main screen, you'll see an option to Log In.
- Enter your My Account credentials: Input your username and password.
- Troubleshooting Login: If you've forgotten your username or password, tap the "Login Help" or "Forgot Username/Password" link and follow the prompts to recover your credentials.
Sub-heading: New to My Account? Create One!
If you've never set up an Allstate My Account online:
- Tap "Create Account" or "Sign Up": This option should be visible on the login screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions: You'll typically need your Allstate policy number, your name, date of birth, and an email address to create your account. You'll also set up a new username and password. Make sure to choose a strong, unique password for security.
- Verify your account: You might receive an email or text message to verify your new account. Complete this step to finalize your registration.
Important Note: Each person in your household who manages the account and wants to participate in Drivewise will need to log in using their own My Account password on their respective devices. This is crucial for accurate individual tracking and potential savings.
Step 4: Activate Drivewise within the App
You're almost there! Now it's time to switch on the Drivewise feature.
Sub-heading: Navigate to the Drivewise Dashboard
Once you're logged into the Allstate mobile app:
- Locate the Drivewise section: You might see a prominent "Drivewise" tile or a navigation option directly on the main dashboard. If not, look for a "Dashboard" or "Menu" icon, and then select "Drivewise."
- Tap to Activate: If Drivewise isn't already active, you'll see a prompt or button to "Activate Drivewise" or "Setup." Tap on it.
Sub-heading: Grant Remaining Permissions
This is where you confirm the crucial permissions discussed in Step 1.
- Review and Accept Permissions: The app will guide you through granting necessary permissions, such as:
- Location Services (again): Reconfirm "Always Allow" if prompted.
- Motion & Fitness/Physical Activity: Confirm you allow the app to access this data.
- Enroll Drivers (if applicable): The app might prompt you to enroll other drivers on your policy into Drivewise. To maximize your rewards, it's highly recommended to enroll all eligible drivers in your household. Each additional enrolled driver will need to download the app on their smartphone, log in with their My Account credentials, and activate Drivewise on their device, granting the necessary permissions.
Step 5: Start Driving and Earning!
Congratulations! The Allstate Drivewise app is now installed and activated. The final and most enjoyable step is to simply drive!
Sub-heading: The First Trip and Ongoing Monitoring
- Take a Trip: Drivewise will start tracking your trips automatically as long as your phone has cellular service and the app is running in the background (which it should be if you've set permissions correctly). Take a short drive, perhaps to the store or a friend's house, to ensure everything is working.
- No Need to Open Before Driving: You do not need to open the app every time you start driving. As long as the app is running in the background and permissions are set correctly, it will detect trips.
- What Drivewise Tracks: The app monitors various aspects of your driving, including:
- Safe Speed: Rewards you for driving below excessive speeds (typically under 80 mph).
- Safe Stops: Focuses on minimizing hard braking events.
- Time of Day: Considers the risk associated with driving during certain hours (e.g., late-night driving is generally considered higher risk).
- Personalized Feedback: After your trips, you'll receive feedback on your driving habits within the app. This can include alerts for unsafe behaviors and tips to improve your driving score.
- Manage Your Trips: If you're a passenger, or if the app incorrectly records a trip, you can manage and edit trips within the app.
- Log in to the Allstate mobile app.
- Select Dashboard under Drivewise.
- Select View All Trips under My Trips.
- Select Driver to edit the trip and update the trip method (e.g., mark it as a passenger trip). You usually have up to 30 days to edit trips.
Sub-heading: Earning Your Savings and Benefits
- Participation Discount: You typically receive an initial discount just for participating in Drivewise and recording trips.
- Personalized Rate at Renewal: The real savings come at your policy renewal. Based on your safe driving habits tracked by Drivewise, you could earn a significant personalized discount. The safer you drive, the more you could save!
- Additional Features: Drivewise also offers other helpful features like a parking reminder and even crash detection (which uses your phone's sensors to detect major collisions and can offer help).
Troubleshooting Common Drivewise Issues
Even with a perfect setup, sometimes things go awry. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
- App not collecting trips:
- Check for app updates: Ensure your Allstate app is the latest version.
- Check phone OS updates: Make sure your phone's operating system is up-to-date.
- Verify permissions: Double-check that Location Services are set to "Always Allow" for the Allstate app, and that motion/fitness permissions are granted.
- App Diagnostics: Within the Drivewise dashboard, look for an "App Diagnostics" page or section in settings. This can often highlight issues.
- Battery Charge: Ensure your phone battery is sufficiently charged (above 25%).
- Cell Service: Ensure you have adequate cellular service during your trips.
- Restart the app/phone: Fully close the Allstate app and reopen it. If that doesn't work, restart your entire phone.
- Reinstall the app: As a last resort, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Allstate app.
- App crashing or system error messages:
- Close the app and reopen.
- Restart your device.
- Check for software updates on your phone.
- Check for Allstate app updates.
- Reinstall the app.
- New policy not showing in the app: If you've recently purchased a policy (within 24-48 hours) or it has a future effective date, it might still be processing. If it persists, contact your Allstate agent or customer service.
- Concerns about battery drain: While Drivewise is designed to be efficient, constant use of location services can impact battery. Keep your phone charged, and remember the app minimizes battery consumption when not actively detecting a trip.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my Allstate Drivewise app is activated?
You can check the Allstate mobile app; within the Drivewise section or dashboard, it will typically show a status like "Activated" or "Setup needed."
How to ensure my Allstate Drivewise app is tracking all my trips?
Make sure your smartphone's location services for the Allstate app are set to "Always Allow" (or "Allow all the time") and that your phone's operating system and the Allstate app are updated to their latest versions.
How to manage trips if I was a passenger and not the driver in the Allstate Drivewise app?
Log in to the Allstate mobile app, go to the Drivewise Dashboard, select "View All Trips," and then choose the specific trip to edit it and mark it as a passenger trip. You usually have 30 days to make these edits.
How to troubleshoot if my Allstate Drivewise app isn't collecting trips?
First, check for app and phone operating system updates. Then, verify that location and motion permissions are enabled for the Allstate app, especially "Always Allow" for location. Ensure your battery is charged and you have good cell service. If issues persist, try restarting the app or your phone, or reinstalling the app.
How to turn off (pause) Drivewise tracking temporarily?
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 frame.
How to re-enroll in the Allstate Drivewise program?
You can rejoin Drivewise at any time directly through the Allstate app. Simply navigate to the Drivewise section and follow the prompts to reactivate.
How to contact Allstate Drivewise support for technical issues?
You can contact Allstate customer service directly through the app's help center or by calling their support team. For technical issues specifically with Drivewise, you might be directed to a specialized Drivewise support number (often 877-431-7670).
How to understand the factors that influence my Drivewise discount?
Drivewise primarily considers your driving speed (avoiding excessive speed), braking habits (minimizing harsh stops), and the time of day you drive (driving during lower-risk hours).
How to ensure all drivers on my policy are contributing to Drivewise savings?
Each driver on your policy who wants to participate in Drivewise must download the Allstate mobile app on their own smartphone, log in with their own My Account credentials, and activate Drivewise, ensuring all necessary permissions are granted.
How to know if my phone is compatible with the Allstate Drivewise app?
The Allstate Drivewise app is compatible with most modern Apple (iOS) and Android smartphones. Ensure your operating system is up-to-date. You can also check the app's description in your respective app store for specific OS requirements.
