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Insurance · head to head

Metromile vs Root Insurance

Metromile logo

Metromile

Insurance

Pay-per-mile car insurance

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Root Insurance logo

Root Insurance

Insurance

Car insurance priced primarily on driving behavior measured through an app test drive

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Metromile the Internet Archive's capture of Metromile's homepage on 2 January 2021 stated rates start at $29/month plus a few cents per mile driven, with all miles over 250 per day (150 in New Jersey) free of charge; example given was $29 base plus 450 miles at 6 cents equaling $56.; Root Insurance no specific pricing rates published on website
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Metromile and Root Insurance actually diverge.

Attributes where Metromile and Root Insurance differ
AttributeMetromileRoot Insurance
Pricing modelusage-basedquote
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Insurance).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Metromile

  • Usage-based pricing
  • Per-mile tracking
  • Digital policy management
  • Mobile app
  • Safe driving rewards
  • Quick claims
  • Online support
  • Policy customization

Only in Root Insurance

Nothing recorded that Metromile does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Metromile

  • Low-mileage drivingnot Root Insurance

Root Insurance

  • Obtaining lower premiums through telematics-based driving behavior assessmentnot Metromile
  • Stabilizing insurance costs for budget-conscious and single-parent driversnot Metromile
  • Filing claims through mobile app within three minutesnot Metromile
  • Accessing roadside assistance for towing and emergency lockout servicesnot Metromile
  • Earning referral rewards by recommending to other driversnot Metromile

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Metromile

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Metromile's homepage on 2 January 2021 stated rates start at $29/month plus a few cents per mile driven, with all miles over 250 per day (150 in New Jersey) free of charge; example given was $29 base plus 450 miles at 6 cents equaling $56.

Root Insurance

  • No specific pricing rates published on website
  • Quote-based model requires app download and test drive completion
  • Rates calculated primarily on driving habits with telematics data
  • Geographic restrictions apply (California and Maryland residents cannot use telematics-based pricing)

Pricing, plan by plan

Metromile

On request
  • Standard Coverage$undefined/month
    • Per-mile pricing
    • Base monthly fee
    • Liability coverage

Root Insurance

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Root Insurance review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Metromile if

  • You need usage-based pricing.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want per-mile tracking.
Metromile review

Choose Root Insurance if

Nothing in the data separates Root Insurance from Metromile on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Root Insurance review

Questions people ask

Is Metromile or Root Insurance better?
Neither clearly leads. Metromile starts at On request and Root Insurance at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Metromile or Root Insurance?
Metromile starts at On request and Root Insurance at On request.
Does Metromile or Root Insurance run on more platforms?
Metromile runs on Web, Ios, Android. Root Insurance runs on Web.
What is Metromile best used for?
Metromile is most often used for low-mileage driving. Of those, low-mileage driving is not what Root Insurance is typically brought in for.
What can Metromile do that Root Insurance cannot?
Metromile covers Usage-based pricing, Per-mile tracking, Digital policy management, Mobile app.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Root Insurance: How much does Root Insurance cost?

Root Insurance does not publish specific rates. Customers receive personalized quotes after completing a test drive period (several weeks) in the Root app. Savings up to $1,300 per year mentioned for best drivers.

Source
Root Insurance: How does Root determine insurance rates?

Root primarily bases rates on driving habits analyzed through smartphone sensor data and telematics collected during the app-based test drive period. Safe drivers receive lower personalized quotes.

Source
Root Insurance: What is the Root Insurance pricing model?

Root uses a quote-based model where customers download the app, complete a test drive, and receive a personalized insurance quote. Rates vary by individual driving behavior and geographic location.

Source
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