Want to potentially save money on your car insurance just by driving safely? State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program with the Beacon device might be exactly what you're looking for! This innovative program uses a small, discreet device and your smartphone to track your driving habits, offering you discounts for good behavior. Let's get you set up and on your way to potential savings!
Turning On Your State Farm Beacon: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drive Safe & Save
Getting your State Farm Beacon up and running is a straightforward process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your driving data is collected accurately and you start earning those discounts!
Step 1: Get Ready – Your Essentials Before You Begin
Before you even touch that Beacon, let's make sure you have everything you need. This will make the activation process smooth and hassle-free.
Your State Farm Beacon Device: You should have received this small, often rectangular device in the mail after enrolling in the Drive Safe & Save program. It's usually a few inches long and has a small button on it. Don't lose it!
Your Smartphone: The State Farm Drive Safe & Save program relies heavily on the State Farm mobile app. Make sure your smartphone is charged and ready.
The State Farm App:
Is it downloaded? If not, head to the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iPhone) and search for "State Farm." Download the official State Farm app. Note that the Drive Safe & Save features have been integrated into the main State Farm app, so you likely won't need a separate "Drive Safe & Save" app anymore.
Are you logged in? Use your statefarm.com user ID and password. If you don't have one, you'll need to create an account first.
Your Vehicle: Naturally, you'll need the car for which you've enrolled in the Drive Safe & Save program.
Step 2: Prepare Your Smartphone for Tracking
For the Beacon and app to work together seamlessly, your phone needs the right permissions enabled. This is crucial for accurate trip recording.
Sub-heading: Location Services – Always On for Accurate Tracking
The app needs to know where you're driving to calculate your discount.
For iPhone users: After you open the app for the first time, or after an update, you'll likely see a prompt about location services. Tap "Always Allow" for the State Farm app. This ensures it can track your trips even when the app isn't actively open in the foreground.
For Android users: Go to your phone's settings, then find "Apps" or "Applications," locate the "State Farm" app, and go into its "Permissions." Ensure "Location" is set to Always Allow or Allow all the time.
Sub-heading: Bluetooth – Your Beacon's Best Friend
The Beacon communicates with your phone via Bluetooth.
Go to your phone's settings and ensure Bluetooth is turned ON.
The State Farm app will typically prompt you to enable Bluetooth if it's off, but it's good to double-check.
Sub-heading: Background App Refresh (iPhone) & Battery Optimization (Android)
These settings help the app record trips in the background without interruptions.
iPhone: In your phone's settings, go to "General" > "Background App Refresh" and make sure it's enabled for the State Farm app.
Android: Go to your phone's settings, then "Apps" or "Applications," find the "State Farm" app, go to "Battery," and ensure Battery Optimization is turned OFF for the app. This prevents your phone from putting the app to "sleep" and stopping trip recording.
Step 3: Initiate Beacon Pairing within the State Farm App
Now that your phone is ready, let's connect it to your Beacon!
Open the State Farm App: Log in if you aren't already.
Navigate to the Drive Safe & Save Section: Look for a tab or section usually labeled "Safe & Save" or "Drive Safe & Save" within the app. This is typically found at the bottom of the screen or in a "More" menu.
Start the Setup Process: You should see an option to "Complete Setup" or "Pair Beacon" for your enrolled vehicle. Tap on it. The app will guide you through the remaining steps.
Step 4: Pair Your Beacon – The Physical Connection
This is where the Beacon device itself comes into play.
Bring the Beacon and Your Phone to Your Car: It's best to do this inside the vehicle you're enrolling.
Activate the Beacon: Press and hold down the button on the Beacon device. It might take a few seconds, possibly up to 8, but you'll see a light on the Beacon illuminate briefly when it's activated. This indicates it's ready to pair.
Select Your Beacon ID in the App: While the Beacon is active, your phone will start searching for it. On your app screen, you should see a list of available Beacon IDs. Each Beacon has a unique ID printed on its side. Carefully select the Beacon ID in the app that matches the one printed on your physical Beacon.
Confirm Pairing: The app will then confirm that the Beacon has been successfully paired with your vehicle. You'll likely see a message like "Beacon Paired!"
Step 5: Mount Your Beacon for Optimal Performance
Once paired, the Beacon needs a good spot in your car to work effectively.
Find the Ideal Location: The recommended location is on your windshield, behind your rearview mirror. This spot generally provides the best signal and doesn't obstruct your view.
Clean the Surface: Before sticking it, make sure the area on your windshield is clean and dry. Use an alcohol wipe if necessary and let it air dry completely.
Adhere the Beacon: The Beacon comes with a sticker or adhesive on one side. Peel off the backing and firmly press the Beacon onto the chosen spot on your windshield. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.
Step 6: Enter Your Odometer Reading (If Required)
In some states, State Farm may require you to enter your car's exact odometer reading during the initial setup.
Follow App Prompts: The app will explicitly tell you if this step is required for you.
Accurate Reading: If prompted, carefully enter your vehicle's current odometer reading into the app.
Step 7: Drive and Save!
Congratulations! Your State Farm Beacon is now turned on and paired. Here's what to keep in mind as you start driving:
Keep Your Phone with You: Always bring your smartphone with you when you drive the enrolled vehicle.
Maintain Permissions: Ensure your phone's Bluetooth and Location Services remain enabled. If you turn them off, trips won't be recorded, and you might miss out on discounts.
Automatic Trip Recording: You don't need to manually start or stop trips. The Beacon, in conjunction with your phone's sensors, will automatically detect when you start driving and stop.
Monitor Your Driving Feedback: Regularly check the "Safe & Save" tab in the State Farm app. You'll get valuable feedback on your driving habits, including:
Acceleration: How smoothly you accelerate.
Braking: How often and how hard you brake.
Cornering: The smoothness of your turns.
Speeding: Instances where you exceed the speed limit by a significant margin.
Phone Distraction: How often your phone screen is active while driving (in some states/policies).
Review Your Discount: Your discount will be calculated and updated at each policy renewal, typically every six months, based on your driving data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Turning On Your State Farm Beacon
Here are 10 common questions related to turning on and using your State Farm Beacon, along with quick answers:
How to check if my phone is compatible with the State Farm Drive Safe & Save app?
You can generally text "SAVE" to 42407 to receive a link to download the State Farm app. If you're able to download it and navigate to the "Safe & Save" section, your phone is likely compatible.
How to re-pair my State Farm Beacon if it becomes disconnected?
Go to the "Safe & Save" tab in the State Farm app, then look for options related to "Vehicles and Beacons" or "Pair Beacon." Follow the on-screen prompts to reconnect it, usually by holding down the Beacon's button.
How to know if my State Farm Beacon is working and recording trips?
Check the "Trips" section within the "Safe & Save" tab of your State Farm app. You should see a record of your recent trips with driving feedback. If you're not seeing trips, double-check your phone's permissions (Bluetooth, Location Services, Background App Refresh/Battery Optimization).
How to get a replacement State Farm Beacon if mine is lost or damaged?
You can typically request a new Beacon by logging into your statefarm.com account or by contacting your State Farm agent or customer service.
How to interpret the lights on my State Farm Beacon?
Generally, a brief flash of light when you press the button indicates it's active and ready to pair. Beyond that, the Beacon itself doesn't have elaborate light indicators for daily use; its main function is to communicate with the app via Bluetooth.
How to ensure my driving data is accurately captured for the Drive Safe & Save discount?
Keep your smartphone with you in the enrolled vehicle, ensure Bluetooth and Location Services are always enabled for the State Farm app, and disable battery optimization (Android) or enable background app refresh (iPhone).
How to prevent the State Farm app from draining my phone's battery?
While the app uses location and Bluetooth, which can impact battery life, ensure battery optimization is off for the app (Android) or that low power mode isn't consistently enabled (iPhone) as these can interfere with background recording. Using an in-car charger for longer trips can also help.
How to see my current Drive Safe & Save discount?
Your current discount amount is typically visible within the "Safe & Save" tab of the State Farm app or on your My Accounts page on statefarm.com. It's usually updated at each policy renewal.
How to contact State Farm for technical support with the Beacon or app?
You can contact State Farm customer service at 1-800-782-8332 for assistance with the Drive Safe & Save program, Beacon, or app.
How to opt out of the State Farm Drive Safe & Save program?
To opt out, you generally need to contact your State Farm agent directly. They can guide you through the process of unenrolling from the program.
