Ready to hit the road and save some money on your auto insurance? The USAA SafePilot program is designed to reward you for your safe driving habits, potentially lowering your premiums. It uses a smartphone app (called USAA DriveSafe) to track your driving behavior, and the better you drive, the more you can save!
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to turn on USAA SafePilot and start earning those discounts.
How to Turn On USAA SafePilot: Your Complete Guide to Driving Smarter and Saving More!
Turning on USAA SafePilot is a straightforward process, primarily revolving around downloading and properly configuring the USAA DriveSafe app on your smartphone. Follow these steps to get started:
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| How To Turn On Usaa Safepilot |
Step 1: Are You Eligible? Let's Confirm!
Before we go further, let's make sure you're eligible for the USAA SafePilot program. Are you a USAA member with an active auto insurance policy? Great! That's the primary requirement. SafePilot is generally available in most U.S. states, though there are a few exceptions (like California, Delaware, and New Jersey, at the time of this writing).
- Check Your Eligibility: The easiest way to confirm your eligibility and enroll your policy is through the USAA website or the main USAA mobile app. Look for the "SafePilot" or "DriveSafe" section within your auto policy summary. If you're not yet enrolled, you can do so from there. It's crucial that all eligible drivers on your policy participate to maximize your discount.
Step 2: Download the USAA DriveSafe App
This is where the magic begins! The USAA SafePilot program operates through a dedicated smartphone application.
Sub-heading: Finding the Right App
It can be a little confusing, but the app you need to download for USAA SafePilot is actually called USAA DriveSafe.
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
- For iOS (Apple) Devices: Open the App Store on your iPhone. Search for "USAA DriveSafe."
- For Android Devices: Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone. Search for "USAA DriveSafe."
Look for the app with the official USAA branding. Once you find it, tap "Install" or "Get" to download it to your device.
Step 3: Setting Up the USAA DriveSafe App
Once the app is downloaded, it's time to set it up. This involves a few crucial steps to ensure the app can accurately track your driving and help you earn discounts.
Sub-heading: Initial App Launch and Verification
- Open the USAA DriveSafe App: Find the app icon on your phone's home screen or app drawer and tap to open it.
- Tap "Get Started": You'll likely see a welcome screen.
- Enter Your Mobile Phone Number: The app will prompt you to enter the mobile phone number associated with your USAA account and SafePilot enrollment. Make sure it's the same number you used when enrolling in the program. Tap "Submit."
- Enter the Activation Code: USAA will send a text message with an activation code to the phone number you provided. Enter this code into the app and tap "Submit." If you don't receive the code within a few minutes, you can tap "Send another code" or text "START," "UNSTOP," or "YES" to 855-242-6088.
Sub-heading: Granting Essential Permissions
This is arguably the most critical part of the setup. The USAA DriveSafe app requires specific permissions to function correctly and accurately collect your driving data. Without these permissions, the app cannot track your trips, and you won't be able to earn your discounts.
For iOS Devices:
- Location Permissions:
- The app will explain that it needs your location to understand your trip history. Tap "Next."
- At the prompt, select "Allow While Using App."
- You'll then be prompted to "Change to Always Allow." It's highly recommended to select "Change to Always Allow" for seamless, automatic trip tracking.
- Motion & Fitness Activity Permissions:
- The app needs access to your motion and fitness activity to determine when you're driving and handling your phone. Tap "Next."
- At the prompt, select "Allow."
- Notifications:
- Allow notifications to receive advice and updates from the app. Tap "Next" and then "Allow."
For Android Devices:
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
- Location Permissions:
- The app will explain its need for location data. Tap "Next."
- At the prompt, tap "Precise" and then select "Allow only while using the app."
- You'll then need to tap "Open settings" to go to your phone's Location settings. Select "Allow all the time" and ensure "Use precise location" is turned on. This ensures automatic trip recording.
- Tap the back arrow to return to the app.
- Physical Activity Permissions:
- The app uses this to detect phone handling while driving. Tap "Next."
- Tap "Allow" to grant access.
- Phone Permissions (Important!):
- This permission allows the app to understand when you're making or receiving calls while driving. Tap "Next."
- Tap "Allow" to grant access. Rest assured, USAA states they do not log, listen to, or store anything about your calls.
- Stop Optimizing Battery Usage:
- The app may prompt you to disable battery optimization for it. This is crucial as battery optimization can prevent the app from running in the background and tracking trips. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
- Notifications (Android 13 and 14):
- Allow notifications for updates and insights.
Sub-heading: Program Overview and Learning Period
After granting permissions, you'll likely see a program overview. Read through it to understand how SafePilot works, what data it collects, and how it calculates your discount.
- The 14-Day Learning Period: Once set up, the app enters a 14-day learning period. During this time, the app learns your driving behaviors, and trips do not count towards your score for discount calculation. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the app and its feedback.
Step 4: Start Driving and Earning!
With the app set up and permissions granted, you're ready to drive!
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- Automatic Trip Tracking: The beauty of USAA SafePilot is that the USAA DriveSafe app automatically detects when you're driving. You don't need to open the app or manually start a trip each time you get behind the wheel.
- Review Your Trips: Periodically, check the USAA DriveSafe app to review your recorded trips. The app provides insights into your driving habits, such as phone handling, harsh braking, and hand-held/hands-free calling.
- Identify Driver vs. Passenger: The app generally does a good job of determining if you were the driver or a passenger. However, it's important to review your trips and correctly identify yourself as a passenger if you weren't driving to avoid negatively impacting your score. You can usually edit trips within the app.
- Understand Your Score and Discount: Your driving score, which is influenced by factors like phone usage, harsh braking, and mileage, determines your potential discount. You'll receive an initial participation discount (up to 10%) just for enrolling. Your earned discount (up to 30% total) will be calculated based on your driving score closer to your policy renewal.
Step 5: Maintain and Optimize Your Driving Habits
To truly maximize your savings with USAA SafePilot, focus on improving your driving habits.
- Minimize Phone Use: This is one of the biggest factors impacting your score. Avoid touching your phone, texting, or making handheld calls while driving. Even hands-free calls can be tracked, so be mindful of potential distractions.
- Smooth Braking: Avoid sudden, harsh braking. Anticipate stops and maintain a safe following distance to allow for gradual deceleration.
- Regular Driving: Ensure you meet the minimum driving requirements (typically 325 miles and 16 hours) before your score "locks in" for the renewal period.
Congratulations! You've successfully turned on USAA SafePilot and are on your way to becoming a safer driver and saving money on your insurance!
10 Related FAQ Questions about USAA SafePilot
How to check my USAA SafePilot driving score?
You can check your USAA SafePilot driving score directly within the USAA DriveSafe app. The app typically displays your current score and provides a breakdown of how different driving behaviors (like phone handling and harsh braking) are affecting it.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
How to improve my USAA SafePilot score?
To improve your USAA SafePilot score, focus on minimizing phone handling while driving, avoiding harsh braking, and generally driving smoothly. The app provides personalized feedback and tips based on your driving data.
How to turn off USAA SafePilot temporarily?
While there isn't a direct "pause" button for the entire program, you can temporarily prevent the app from recording trips by signing out of the USAA DriveSafe app or turning off your phone's location services specifically for the app before you drive. Remember to sign back in or re-enable location when you want it to track your personal driving.
How to know if USAA SafePilot is tracking my trips?
You can verify if USAA SafePilot is tracking your trips by opening the USAA DriveSafe app and checking your "Trips" history. You should see recent journeys logged. Also, ensure all necessary app permissions (especially location and motion & fitness) are enabled and not restricted by battery optimization settings.
How to remove a driver from USAA SafePilot?
To remove a driver from the USAa SafePilot program, you would typically need to contact USAA directly or manage your policy online. Removing a driver from the program will likely impact your overall discount if other eligible drivers are still participating.
How to get the maximum discount with USAA SafePilot?
To get the maximum discount (up to 30%) with USAA SafePilot, ensure all eligible drivers on your policy are enrolled and actively participating in the program, and consistently maintain a high driving score by minimizing phone usage, avoiding harsh braking, and meeting the minimum driving requirements.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
How to handle false trip recordings in USAA SafePilot (e.g., as a passenger)?
If the USAA DriveSafe app incorrectly identifies you as the driver when you were a passenger, you can typically edit the trip within the app. Look for an option to "Mark as Passenger" or "Not a drive" in the trip details.
How to troubleshoot USAA SafePilot app issues?
For troubleshooting USAA SafePilot app issues, first ensure your app is updated to the latest version. Then, check all app permissions (Location, Motion & Fitness/Physical Activity, Phone, Background App Refresh/Battery Optimization) are correctly enabled. If issues persist, try force-closing and reopening the app, or uninstalling and reinstalling it. USAA's support website or customer service can also provide assistance.
How to know what USAA SafePilot tracks?
USAA SafePilot, through the DriveSafe app, tracks several aspects of your driving, including: location and time of day, whether you are the driver or passenger, phone handling (including handheld and hands-free calling), harsh braking, and annualized hours driven. It also has potential accident detection.
How to contact USAA SafePilot support?
You can contact USAA SafePilot support by calling USAA's main customer service number, which is generally 1-800-531-USAA (8722). You can also look for support options within the USAA DriveSafe app or on the USAA website.
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