Hey there, safe driver! Are you ready to unlock potential savings on your car insurance while becoming an even better driver? If you've been curious about State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of how it works, what it tracks, and how you can maximize your discounts. Let's get started on the road to smarter savings!
Understanding State Farm Drive Safe & Save: Your Path to Lower Premiums
State Farm Drive Safe & Save is a voluntary telematics program designed to reward safe driving habits with discounts on your auto insurance. By monitoring how you drive, State Farm can offer personalized discounts based on your actual behavior, rather than just traditional factors. It's about putting you in the driver's seat of your insurance costs!
There are two primary ways to participate: through the Drive Safe & Save mobile app paired with a small Bluetooth beacon, or for newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles, through Connected Car technology built into your vehicle. Both methods aim to collect similar data to assess your driving safety.
Step 1: Getting Started - Enrolling in Drive Safe & Save
The very first step is to express your interest!
Sub-heading: Contacting Your State Farm Agent
The easiest way to begin is by reaching out to your local State Farm agent. They can confirm program availability in your state (as it's not offered everywhere, e.g., CA, MA, RI) and guide you through the initial enrollment process. They'll likely explain the program in detail and address any immediate questions you have.
Sub-heading: Initial Enrollment and App Download
Once enrolled by your agent, you'll receive a text message with a link to download the State Farm Drive Safe & Save app. This app is crucial for the program, especially if you're not using the Connected Car option.
Download the App: Head to the Google Play Store (for Android) or Apple App Store (for iOS) and download the "State Farm" app.
Log In: Log in using your statefarm.com user ID and password or your driver's license information.
Agree to Terms: You'll be prompted to agree to the End User License Agreement and State Farm's Privacy Policy. It's crucial to review these documents to understand how your data will be used.
Consent to SMS: You may need to consent to receive ongoing SMS text messages related to the program.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Tracking Method
Depending on your vehicle and preferences, you'll set up tracking via a beacon or your car's built-in technology.
Sub-heading: For Most Drivers: The Bluetooth Beacon
If you're not driving a compatible Ford or Lincoln vehicle with Connected Car features, you'll use the app in conjunction with a small Bluetooth beacon provided by State Farm.
Receiving the Beacon: After enrollment, State Farm will mail a small Bluetooth beacon to your registered address.
Pairing the Beacon:
Take your smartphone and the beacon to your vehicle.
Open the State Farm app and navigate to the "Drive Safe & Save" tab.
Select "Complete Setup" or "Pair Beacon."
Press and hold the button on the beacon until it lights up (this usually takes 5-8 seconds). The app will search for the beacon.
Once found, select the beacon ID that matches the number printed on the side of your beacon within the app.
The app will confirm when the beacon has been successfully paired.
Placing the Beacon: State Farm recommends adhering the beacon to your windshield behind your rearview mirror using the provided adhesive. If this isn't feasible due to local laws, sensors, or tinting, choose another sturdy, stationary location, ensuring it won't damage the surface. Avoid placing it in a glove box or console, as this can impact data accuracy.
Granting App Permissions:
Location Services: You must set your phone's location services for the State Farm app to "Always Allow" so it can track your trips even when the app isn't open.
Bluetooth: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and for the Drive Safe & Save app. This allows your phone to connect to the beacon and record trips.
Background App Refresh (iOS) / Activity Data & Battery Optimization (Android): It's highly recommended to enable background app refresh for iOS users and activity data (to differentiate between driving, walking, etc.) and disable battery optimization for Android users. These settings ensure trips are recorded accurately in the background.
Sub-heading: For Compatible Ford/Lincoln Vehicles: Connected Car
If you own a compatible Ford or Lincoln vehicle (typically 2020 or newer models), you might be eligible for the Connected Car option, which streamlines the process.
Add Vehicle to Manufacturer's App: Ensure your vehicle is added to the "Garage" in either the FordPass or Lincoln Way app (depending on your car's make).
Enroll with State Farm Agent: Let your State Farm agent know you want to enroll in Drive Safe & Save using the Connected Car option.
In-Vehicle Agreement: The next time you start your car, you should see an in-vehicle agreement pop up on your car's screen. Complete this form to enroll. Your car will then automatically send your driving behaviors and mileage to State Farm.
Step 3: Driving and Data Collection
Once set up, the program begins to monitor your driving behavior. The goal is to drive safely to earn discounts.
Sub-heading: What Data is Tracked?
State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program monitors several key aspects of your driving, either through the app/beacon combination or your connected car:
Acceleration: The program assesses how often and how severely you accelerate. Rapid acceleration can reduce vehicle control and increase accident risk. Smooth, gradual acceleration is preferred.
Braking: Harsh braking might indicate risky driving practices, such as following too closely or driving too fast for conditions. Gradual and controlled braking is key.
Cornering: The program evaluates instances of making quick or sharp turns. Smooth, controlled cornering indicates safer driving habits.
Speed: Adhering to speed limits is crucial. The app will show you when you've gone over the speed limit by 8 mph or more. Consistent, legal speeds are rewarded.
Phone Distraction: This is a significant factor. The app records phone usage when three things happen simultaneously: the vehicle is moving, your phone is moving within the vehicle, and the phone screen is on. This specifically targets handheld phone use while driving. Placing your phone in a holder before driving and using hands-free features can help avoid "distracted driving" penalties.
Annual Mileage: The distance you drive annually is also monitored, usually through periodic odometer readings requested via the app, statefarm.com, or your agent. Generally, less driving can lead to lower risk and potentially larger discounts. However, some states exclude mileage from the discount calculation.
Time of Day: While not always a direct discount factor, driving during higher-risk times (e.g., late at night, after 11 PM) can be considered in overall risk assessment by some telematics programs.
Sub-heading: How Data is Collected
Beacon + App: When your phone is in your enrolled vehicle and connected to the beacon via Bluetooth, the app records trip data. The beacon helps ensure that only trips taken in your car are recorded, preventing the app from tracking you as a passenger in another vehicle.
Connected Car: Your vehicle's built-in telematics system automatically transmits driving data to State Farm.
Step 4: Monitoring Your Progress and Receiving Feedback
The program isn't just about collecting data; it's also about helping you improve your driving.
In-App Feedback: The Drive Safe & Save app provides detailed feedback on your driving. You can review individual trips, see your scores for acceleration, braking, speed, cornering, and phone distraction, and track your overall driving performance.
Overall Score: The app often shows an overall driving score, which reflects your safe driving habits over time. This score directly influences your potential discount.
Identifying Areas for Improvement: Use the feedback to identify areas where you can improve your driving. For example, if you consistently get low scores for harsh braking, you might aim to increase your following distance.
Step 5: Discount Calculation and Renewal
This is where your safe driving truly pays off!
Initial Discount: Most participants receive an immediate initial discount just for enrolling in the program, typically around 5-10%. This is applied to your first policy period.
Renewal Discounts: The significant savings come at each policy renewal (usually every six months). State Farm reviews your accumulated driving data, focusing on the key behaviors tracked (acceleration, braking, speed, phone use, cornering, and mileage).
Discount Amount: Based on your safe driving habits, you could save up to 30% or even more on your auto insurance premiums. The discount can vary from term to term, increasing or decreasing based on your actual driving performance. Crucially, State Farm states that your rates will not increase due to poor driving data; you simply won't earn as large of a discount. However, if you previously received a low-mileage discount and the program shows you drive more than a certain annual mileage (e.g., 7,500 miles), your premium might adjust upwards to reflect your actual mileage.
Transparency: The app aims to be transparent about how much you're saving, providing updates on your progress towards a better discount.
Beyond the Discount: Additional Features
State Farm Drive Safe & Save offers more than just potential savings.
Accident Assistance: The app includes an option to opt into Accident Assistance. If the app detects a collision, it will send a notification asking if you've been in an accident. If you confirm, it can offer to connect you to emergency services or provide help with filing a claim and finding repair services. Note: Accident Assistance is not available in all states.
Trip Reclassification: If someone else was driving your car, or you were a passenger, you can manually reclassify trips within the app. This helps ensure accurate data collection for your driving habits.
Important Considerations and Potential Downsides
While Drive Safe & Save offers great benefits, it's essential to be aware of certain aspects:
Privacy Concerns: Participating in any telematics program means sharing your driving data with your insurer. State Farm states it does not sell your information and uses it primarily for discount calculation and safe driving feedback. However, their privacy policy indicates data may be shared with marketing partners and, in some cases, used in claims investigations (a recent update that some customers find concerning). Always read the privacy policy carefully.
Battery Drain: Keeping location services and Bluetooth on constantly can lead to increased phone battery drain.
App Sensitivity: Some users report the app being highly sensitive to what it considers "harsh" braking or acceleration, even in situations where a quick stop might be necessary for safety.
Odometer Readings: You'll periodically be asked to provide odometer readings, which can factor into your discount, especially if your mileage is higher than initially estimated for a low-mileage discount.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to enroll in State Farm Drive Safe & Save?
You can enroll by contacting your local State Farm agent, who will guide you through the initial setup and send you a link to download the State Farm app.
How to set up the State Farm Drive Safe & Save beacon?
Once you receive the beacon, open the State Farm app, go to the Drive Safe & Save section, and follow the on-screen prompts to pair it by holding down the beacon's button until it lights up. Then, attach it to your windshield behind the rearview mirror.
How to get the maximum discount with State Farm Drive Safe & Save?
To maximize your discount, focus on consistently safe driving habits: avoid harsh acceleration, hard braking, sharp cornering, speeding (especially 8+ mph over the limit), and any handheld phone use while driving. Lower annual mileage also generally contributes to a larger discount.
How to check my driving score in the Drive Safe & Save app?
Open the State Farm app, navigate to the Drive Safe & Save tab, and you'll find your overall driving score and detailed feedback on individual trips, including scores for acceleration, braking, speed, cornering, and phone distraction.
How to reclassify a trip in State Farm Drive Safe & Save if I wasn't driving?
In the Drive Safe & Save app, go to the "Trips" tab, select the specific trip, and look for an option to reclassify the driver (e.g., "I was the driver," "Passenger," or "Driver, but passenger used phone").
How to troubleshoot if my Drive Safe & Save app isn't recording trips?
Ensure your phone's Bluetooth is on and paired with the beacon, location services are set to "Always Allow" for the State Farm app, and background app refresh (iOS) or activity data/battery optimization (Android) settings are correct. Also, check the beacon's battery by pressing its button to see if the light turns on. If issues persist, contact State Farm technical support.
How to know what driving behaviors State Farm Drive Safe & Save tracks?
The program primarily tracks acceleration, braking, cornering, speeding (over 8 mph above the limit), and handheld phone usage while driving. Annual mileage is also a factor.
How to ensure my phone usage doesn't count as distracted driving with Drive Safe & Save?
To avoid penalties for phone distraction, ensure your phone is securely mounted in a holder before you start driving, and use hands-free features if you need to interact with your phone. The app specifically flags phone movement while the screen is on and the vehicle is moving.
How to cancel State Farm Drive Safe & Save?
To cancel your participation in the Drive Safe & Save program, you should contact your State Farm agent directly. They can remove you from the program.
How to understand the privacy policy for State Farm Drive Safe & Save?
You can review the full State Farm Privacy Policy on their website (statefarm.com) under the "Privacy & Security" section. It outlines how your data is collected, used, protected, and disclosed, including mentions of sharing with marketing partners and potential use in claims investigations.
