How To Set Up Drivewise Allstate

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Have you ever wondered if your safe driving habits could actually save you money on your car insurance? Well, with Allstate Drivewise, they absolutely can! This program rewards you for being a responsible driver, offering discounts and even cash back. It's a fantastic way to personalize your insurance rate based on your actual driving behavior.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of setting up Allstate Drivewise, ensuring you're ready to hit the road and start earning those rewards. Let's get started!

A Detailed Guide to Setting Up Allstate Drivewise

Step 1: Discovering Drivewise and Downloading the App

Before you even think about setting up, let's confirm you're eligible and ready to roll!

1.1 Check Your Eligibility: First things first, Drivewise is generally available to Allstate policyholders. It's a free, optional program designed to reward safe driving. While the program can significantly reduce your premiums, it's worth noting that in some states, high-risk driving could potentially lead to an increased rate. Be sure to confirm the specific terms in your state with Allstate or your agent.
1.2 Get the Allstate Mobile App: Drivewise operates entirely through the Allstate mobile app. You won't need a separate device to plug into your car anymore (as of November 2023, Allstate transitioned fully to the mobile app).
- For Apple iPhone users: Head to the App Store.
- For Google Android users: Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for "Allstate" and download the official Allstate mobile app. It's completely free!

Step 2: Account Setup and Initial Permissions

Now that you have the app, let's get you logged in and give Drivewise the permissions it needs to work its magic.

2.1 Log In or Create Your My Account:
- If you already have an Allstate My Account, simply open the app and log in using your existing credentials (username and password).
- Don't have an account yet? No worries! The app will guide you through the process of creating one. It's quick and easy. If you encounter any issues or forget your login details, look for a "Login Help" button within the app.
2.2 Accept Terms and Conditions: Upon your first login or after updating the app, you will be prompted to review and accept the Terms of Service and grant permissions for notifications. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the agreement for the buttons to become clickable. This is a crucial step to proceed.
2.3 Activate Drivewise and Grant Permissions:
- Once you're logged in, tap on the "Drivewise" section within the app. This is usually visible on the main dashboard or accessible through a dedicated tab.
- You'll then be prompted to activate Drivewise and accept a series of essential permissions. These permissions are vital for the app to accurately track your driving. Pay close attention to these:
  - Location Services: This is paramount. You must set your location services to "Always Allow" for the Allstate app. This ensures that all your trips are captured, maximizing your potential savings. Without this, Drivewise cannot collect trip information.
  - Motion & Fitness (Activity Recognition): On iPhones, this is referred to as "Activity Recognition." This permission allows the app to detect when you're moving and distinguish between driving and other activities.
  - Physical Activity (Android): For Android users, this is often "Allow Physical Activity."
  - Wi-Fi: While not strictly for tracking, keeping Wi-Fi on can help with battery optimization and ensure trip data uploads efficiently at the end of each journey.
2.4 Address Battery Optimization Settings (Android Users - Important!):
- Android devices often have aggressive battery optimization features that can prevent Drivewise from tracking properly. To avoid interruptions, you'll need to adjust these settings:
  - Go to your phone's 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."
  - Turn off "Remove permissions if app is unused."
  - For older Android OS versions (like OS 11), you might need to go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps > Allstate Mobile > Advanced > Battery and set battery optimization to "Not Optimized." Also, turn off battery saver in your main battery settings.
2.5 iOS Specific Battery Settings:
- While iOS is generally less restrictive, it's good to be aware. You can review your battery usage by app in Settings > Battery. Ensure the Allstate app isn't being unduly restricted.

Step 3: Enrolling Additional Drivers

To maximize your rewards, it's highly recommended to enroll all eligible drivers on your policy.

3.1 Each Driver Needs the App: Every driver on your policy who wishes to participate in Drivewise must download the Allstate mobile app onto their own smartphone.
3.2 Individual Logins: Each additional enrolled driver needs their own Allstate My Account credentials to log in.
3.3 Repeat Permissions: Just like the primary policyholder, each additional driver will need to tap on Drivewise within their app, activate it, and accept all the requested permissions, especially "Always Allow" for Location Services.
3.4 Activation Code for Non-Policyholders (e.g., Teenagers): If an additional driver is not a policyholder (e.g., a teenager on your policy), the policyholder might need to request an activation code for them through the app. This code can sometimes take a few hours to be received. Once entered, the app may not have a direct "log out" option for these users; clearing app data or reinstalling might be necessary if they need to log out.

Step 4: Your First Trip and Ongoing Usage

You're almost there! Now it's time to put Drivewise to the test and start earning.

4.1 Take Your First Trip: The final step to activate monitoring and start seeing your trip details is to simply take a trip. Drivewise will automatically detect when you start and end a journey. A "trip" is generally defined as traveling at least 15 mph for at least 1 minute.
4.2 No Need to Open the App Every Time: One of the great things about Drivewise is that you don't need to open the app every time you drive. As long as the app is installed, active, and has the necessary permissions, it will detect trips in the background, provided you have adequate cellular service.
4.3 Understanding Trip Detection (Passenger vs. Driver): Drivewise relies on your smartphone's sensors. This means it can sometimes detect trips even when you're a passenger in another vehicle (e.g., Uber, bus, friend's car). The app is designed to differentiate between driver and passenger trips, and only driver trips will count toward your participation and scoring.
- If the app incorrectly identifies you as the driver when you were a passenger, you can easily correct this within the app:
  - Log in to the Allstate® mobile app.
  - Select Dashboard under Drivewise.
  - Select View All Trips under My Trips.
  - Select the specific trip.
  - Select Driver to edit trip and update the trip method to "Passenger."

Step 5: Monitoring Your Driving and Savings

Once you're actively using Drivewise, here's how to keep track of your progress.

5.1 The Drivewise Dashboard: This is your central hub for all things Drivewise. You'll find it within the Allstate mobile app. The dashboard provides:
- Real-time safe driving feedback: See how you're doing on key metrics.
- Recent trip info: Review details of your latest journeys.
- Performance cash rewards balance: Track your potential earnings.
5.2 Driving Insights & Trip Summaries:
- The "My Trips" section lets you view your last 50 trips, review your driving behavior (speed, braking, time of day), and make corrections if needed (e.g., changing a passenger trip to a driver trip).
- The "My Driving" tab provides a deeper dive into your trends, offering tips to improve your habits.
- You can also see your parking location from within the app, which is a neat bonus feature!
5.3 Earning Your Discount and Cash Back:
- You typically receive a participation discount just for signing up and staying active in Drivewise (this varies by state, e.g., 3% generally, but 7% in Florida and 5% in New Jersey for initial terms).
- Performance-based savings come after you've recorded a certain amount of driving data (often 50 trips or after 30 days). These savings are primarily based on:
  - Safe Speeds: Keeping your speed below 80 mph.
  - Safe Stops: Limiting sudden or hard braking events (defined as slowing down more than 10 mph within a short timeframe).
  - Safe Hours: Limiting late-night trips (typically 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekends).
- You can also earn Allstate Rewards points by completing safe driving challenges, which can be redeemed for gift cards, daily deals, and sweepstakes.

Step 6: Advanced Features and Troubleshooting

Beyond the basics, Drivewise offers some additional functionalities and solutions if you encounter issues.

6.1 Crash Detection: This is a fantastic safety feature! If the app detects a major collision (generally over 25 mph), it will send you a notification to offer help. You'll have options to call 911, get roadside assistance, or start an auto claim.
6.2 Phone Activity Monitoring: Drivewise can also provide insights into when and how often you use your phone while driving. Currently, these insights do not directly impact your policy rate but are meant to raise awareness and encourage safer habits.
6.3 "Sleep" Mode for Trip Reporting: If you need to temporarily pause trip reporting (e.g., you're a passenger on a long trip and don't want it recorded), 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 also set an auto-restart timeframe for it to turn back on automatically.
6.4 Troubleshooting Tips (If Trips Aren't Tracking):
- Check for App Updates: Always ensure your Allstate app is updated to the latest version via your phone's app store.
- Update Your Phone's Operating System: Keep your iOS or Android OS up to date.
- Review App Diagnostics: After activating Drivewise, go to the Drivewise Dashboard > Settings > App Diagnostics within the app to see if anything requires your attention (e.g., low phone charge, poor cell service).
- Restart the App/Device: Fully close the Allstate app and reopen it. If that doesn't work, try restarting your phone.
- Reinstall the App: As a last resort for persistent issues, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Allstate app. Be prepared to re-enable all permissions afterward.
- Ensure Adequate Battery: Your phone needs at least 5% battery to ensure the app can function throughout your trips.
- Contact Allstate Support: If you're still facing problems, reach out to Allstate's support team at 877-431-7670 or use the chat feature within the app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Check My Drivewise Savings?

You can check your estimated discount and current cash rewards balance directly on the Drivewise Dashboard within the Allstate mobile app. Your estimated discount will typically be visible after 30 days of driving data are recorded, and cash back is often issued after your first 50 trips and then every six months.

How to Edit a Trip in Drivewise?

To edit a trip (e.g., if you were a passenger but it recorded you as a driver):

Log in to the Allstate® mobile app.
Select Dashboard under Drivewise.
Select View All Trips under My Trips.
Select the specific trip you wish to edit.
Select Driver to change the trip method to "Passenger" or another applicable option.

How to Turn Off Drivewise Temporarily?

You can temporarily pause Drivewise tracking using "sleep mode":

Open the Allstate® mobile app.
Select Profile, then Settings.
Select Drivewise.
Toggle Drivewise from "Active" to "Off." You can also set a timeframe for it to automatically reactivate.

How to Ensure Drivewise Tracks All My Trips?

Ensure your phone's Location Services are set to "Always Allow" for the Allstate app. For Android users, also check and disable any battery optimization or power-saving modes that might restrict background app activity for Allstate. Keep your app and phone's operating system updated.

How to Add Another Driver to Drivewise?

Each additional driver on your policy needs to download the Allstate mobile app on their own smartphone, log in with their own Allstate My Account credentials, and then activate Drivewise within their app, granting all necessary permissions (especially "Always Allow" for Location Services). For non-policyholders, the primary policyholder may need to request an activation code for them.

How to Resolve Drivewise Not Recording Trips?

Check for app updates in your phone's app store.
Update your phone's operating system.
Go to Drivewise Dashboard > Settings > App Diagnostics in the app.
Restart the Allstate app or your phone.
Ensure Location Services are "Always Allow" and adjust battery optimization settings (especially for Android).
Ensure your phone has at least 5% battery.
If issues persist, contact Allstate customer support.

How to See My Driving Habits in Detail?

Within the Allstate mobile app, navigate to the Drivewise Dashboard. You can then access "My Trips" for individual trip details and "My Driving" for an overview of your trends related to speed, braking, and time of day.

How to Earn More Drivewise Rewards?

Focus on consistent safe driving habits:

Maintain safe speeds (below 80 mph).
Practice safe stops (avoid sudden or hard braking).
Limit late-night driving when possible.
Encourage all drivers on your policy to participate and drive safely.
Complete safe driving challenges in the app for Allstate Rewards points.

How to Understand Drivewise Data Privacy?

Allstate collects driving data (geolocation, speed, braking, time of day) through the app to assess driving behavior and determine potential discounts. This data is managed by Arity LLC, an Allstate affiliate. Allstate aims to be transparent about its privacy practices, and the trip route map is only visible to you. Information used for performance evaluation can be viewed by you, your agent, and customer service. You can review Allstate's Online Privacy Statement and Arity's Privacy Statement for full details on data collection, use, and sharing.

How to Contact Drivewise Support?

For any questions or troubleshooting not covered here, you can contact Allstate's support team directly by calling 877-431-7670 or by using the chat feature available within the Allstate mobile app.

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