May 20, 2024

State Farm is among the nation’s largest and [best-known car insurance brands](https://time.com/personal-finance/article/best-car-insurance-companies/). Its non-obligatory Drive Protected and Save program gives you the chance to get a reduced automotive insurance coverage premium in return for sharing information about the way you drive.

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What’s State Farm Drive Protected and Save?

Insurers acknowledge that folks with safer driving habits are at a decrease threat of moving into an accident and submitting a declare. That’s why many now provide usage-based insurance coverage (UBI) applications that use telematics know-how — which transmits information wirelessly to the corporate — to observe how their prospects drive. Decrease-risk prospects taking part in these applications can earn a decrease insurance coverage premium, normally as a reduction.

State Farm claims that opting into its Drive Protected and Save UBI program can earn you reductions of as much as 30%, primarily based in your mileage and “fundamental driving traits.” The corporate components the low cost into your premium when it sends you a renewal quote on the finish of your six-month coverage time period. To proceed receiving a reduction at every renewal, you should stay opted into this system.

How Drive Protected and Save works

With Drive Protected and Save, State Farm screens your driving habits by way of one in all two strategies.

Cellular app

Obtain the Drive Protected and Save app, which is obtainable for each iOS and Android, to your telephone. This app is paired with a Bluetooth beacon that you simply obtain within the mail from State Farm. The beacon, designed to stick to your windshield, and app work collectively to trace related driving information. The app additionally screens once you choose up your telephone, indicating potential distracted driving.

Linked Automotive

2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln automobiles embrace telematics know-how that lets you take part in Drive Protected and Save with out utilizing the app or beacon. State Farm notes that this selection just isn’t out there in all states and excludes some Ford and Lincoln fashions.

Drive Protected and Save is non-obligatory for State Farm prospects. As soon as you have determined to decide in and full enrollment, this system will monitor a wide range of your driving habits each time you drive and transmit that information to the corporate. State Farm will calculate a coverage low cost primarily based on the driving information on the finish of your six-month coverage time period. It would issue this low cost into your renewal premium. 

In keeping with the State Farm web site, Drive Protected and Save won’t ever end in a surcharge to your premium. Nonetheless, in case you presently obtain the corporate’s low cost for low estimated mileage, and Drive Protected and Save reveals you drive greater than the low cost’s 7,500 mile-per-year restrict, you might lose that low cost.

You may must hold taking part in this system to proceed incomes a reduction with every coverage renewal. Your low cost could enhance or lower at subsequent renewals, relying in your driving habits. When you cease taking part in this system, the low cost might be eliminated out of your coverage.

What does Drive Protected and Save observe?

State Farm tracks numerous habits to find out if a buyer is driving safely, together with:

  • Annual mileage.
  • Acceleration.
  • Exhausting braking.
  • Cornering.
  • Telephone use whereas behind the wheel.
  • Pace, relative to the velocity restrict.

How do you earn a reduction with Drive Protected and Save?

When you perceive what Drive Protected and Save tracks, you may take steps to maximise your program low cost. This may occasionally imply sustaining protected driving habits or working rigorously to develop them. Listed below are some suggestions:

  • Attempt to hold your velocity throughout the posted velocity restrict — be aware that the app reveals once you’ve exceeded the velocity restrict by 8 miles per hour or extra. Heed warning indicators, akin to people who advise you to decrease your velocity when cornering.
  • Keep away from onerous braking by sustaining a protected distance between you and the automotive in entrance of you. Use the three-second rule as a information.
  • Restrict your total mileage by combining journeys, carpooling, utilizing public transportation or going by foot.
  • Keep away from “jackrabbit begins” (sudden acceleration). This could additionally show you how to save gasoline.
  • Lastly, keep away from utilizing your telephone to make calls, textual content, or entry the web whereas driving.

In keeping with its description within the app retailer, the Drive Protected and Save cell app supplies interactive maps of every journey. These maps spotlight exact spots the place you speed up rapidly, brake onerous, take a nook too quick, velocity, or use your telephone. The app additionally supplies a driving rating so you will get a way total of the way you’re doing with this system. 

Drive Protected and Save cell possibility vs. Ford Linked Automotive

Collaborating in Drive Protected and Save utilizing the Linked Automotive possibility supplies a barely completely different expertise. Since you do not use the Drive Protected and Save app, you can’t entry a driving rating or interactive maps. This implies you gained’t get suggestions you need to use to enhance your driving habits.

It’s presumed that the Drive Protected and Save program tracks the identical driving data whether or not the client makes use of the cell app or the built-in telematics options on their Ford or Lincoln. Nonetheless, the State Farm web site solely confirms that the “low cost is predicated in your annual mileage and driving traits.”

The Linked Automotive possibility is maybe a bit extra handy for these with an eligible automobile. However these eager to benefit from the full advantages of Drive Save and Save ought to select the cell app. 

How to join Drive Protected and Save 

Comply with these steps to join Drive Protected and Save together with your smartphone.

  1. Obtain the cell app from the iOS App Retailer or Google Play. It’s also possible to textual content SAVE to 42407 to obtain a hyperlink to the app obtain.
  2. Comply with the prompts within the app to register for this system.
  3. Obtain the Bluetooth beacon within the U.S. mail; comply with the directions to pair it with the Drive Protected and Save app.

Comply with these steps to join Drive Protected and Save with an eligible 2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln automobile.

  1. Add your automotive to the Storage within the FordPass or LincolnWay app.
  2. Contact your State Farm agent and allow them to know you need to enroll in Drive Protected and Save.
  3. You’ll see an in-vehicle settlement for Drive Protected and Save displayed the subsequent time you flip in your automotive. Settle for the settlement to finish the setup. 

The sign-up course of is pretty simple, and the Drive Protected and Save app has acquired pretty optimistic suggestions from customers.

Is Drive Protected and Save best for you?

Saving virtually one-third of your automotive insurance coverage premium is a pretty prospect. However earlier than you decide to State Farm’s Drive and Save program, make sure to perceive if it is best for you — and in case you’re proper for it.

Try to be comfy with the thought of sharing information together with your insurance coverage firm each time you drive. And you must follow good driving habits — akin to staying throughout the velocity restrict, retaining a protected following distance, and avoiding distractions akin to mobile phone use. You may even be extra more likely to profit in case you drive fewer miles than common.

Drivers with protected driving habits

Drivers with dangerous driving habits

Those that drive lower than common

Those that put plenty of miles on their automotive

These with poor credit score, who’re unable to get a low automotive insurance coverage premium with a normal coverage

Drivers who desire a constant low cost every coverage time period

Teen drivers, who are likely to pay the very best automotive insurance coverage premiums

Drivers who’ve a tough time placing down their telephone when behind the wheel

These with a late mannequin (2020 or newer) Ford or Lincoln

As with all UBI program, Drive Protected and Save might be not for everyone. The excellent news is that in case you resolve this system isn’t for you, State Farm gives many different automotive insurance coverage reductions.

Is Drive Protected and Save value it?

You’ll additionally desire a good understanding of the professionals and cons of Drive Protected and Save.

Steady monitoring could result in privateness issues

Danger-free: poor driving habits is not going to trigger your premium to extend

Steady monitoring could drain your telephone battery (location companies must be set to “at all times”)

App supplies maps of every journey, together with alerts for the place you could possibly enhance your driving habits

Use of the Bluetooth beacon (together with ready for it within the mail) could also be a problem for some drivers

A chance for teen drivers or these with poor credit score to economize on their automotive insurance coverage

You’ll lose your low cost in case you decide out of this system.

How we evaluated State Farm Drive Protected and Save

Drive Protected and Save reductions

Drive Protected and Save gives the chance to earn a reduction of as much as 30% primarily based in your driving. State Farm additionally says prospects earn a reduction for signing up however doesn’t disclose the scale of that low cost. This system is not going to surcharge your coverage, so you will not pay extra.

This compares favorably to rivals’ UBI program financial savings: Liberty Mutual RightTrack claims prospects can save 30% and get a ten% low cost for signing up, whereas Progressive Snapshot claims common financial savings of as much as $156, plus a $47 common low cost when enrolling.

Drive Protected and Save flexibility

State Farm prospects can take part in Drive Save and Save in a number of methods:

  • A cell app paired with a Bluetooth system.
  • Via the telematics options of a 2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln. 

Drive Protected and Save sign-up course of

The Drive Protected and Save sign-up course of is comparatively simple in case you’re an present State Farm buyer. Obtain the app, open it, after which comply with the prompts to finish the registration course of. You may obtain the Bluetooth beacon within the mail inside a couple of days, which you will pair with the app. Adhere the beacon to your windshield, and start driving.

When you have a 2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln, ensure your automotive is within the Storage of your FordPass or LincolnWay app. Then contact your State Farm agent. You may full the sign-up in your automobile’s show display. 

Drive Protected and Save ease of use

The necessity to obtain and pair the Bluetooth beacon with the app could possibly be a barrier for some Drive Protected and Save prospects. It’s a extra complicated course of than, as an illustration, Allstate’s Drivewise, which makes use of solely the app to trace your driving.

The app additionally requires location companies to be set to “at all times,” which can contribute to battery drain. 

Sustaining your Drive Protected and Save low cost

To take care of a Drive Protected and Save low cost, you should stay enrolled in this system for so long as you are a State Farm buyer. When you resolve in some unspecified time in the future to decide out, you will lose your low cost. This differs from some rivals, akin to Progressive, which usually requires monitoring for under a single coverage time period.

Ceaselessly requested questions: Drive Protected and Save 

Are you able to lose cash with Drive Protected and Save?

Drive Protected and Save is not going to surcharge your coverage, even in case you ceaselessly show unsafe driving habits. So this system is nearly risk-free.

There’s one exception: When you obtain State Farm’s low cost for low estimated mileage, and this system reveals you drive greater than the low cost’s 7,500 mile-per-year restrict, you might lose that low cost. 

What is an effective low cost proportion with Drive Protected and Save?

Even a fraction of the utmost 30% low cost may prevent tons of of {dollars}, contemplating the common full-coverage automotive insurance coverage coverage prices, as per Bankrate, greater than $2,000 yearly.

Is Drive Protected and Save out there with OnStar?

Drivers with Basic Motors’ OnStar service may decide into Drive Protected and Save and have their driving information transmitted to State Farm routinely. Nonetheless, new enrollees can not profit from this collaboration. 

Does Drive Protected and Save observe telephone use?

Drive Protected and Save tracks once you choose up and use your telephone whereas driving. To earn the utmost doable low cost, keep away from utilizing your telephone when behind the wheel. 

Is it doable to show off Drive Protected and Save?

You’ll be able to flip off Drive Protected and Save by uninstalling the app, however the firm warns that this might trigger you to forfeit your low cost.

Is the entire family required to take part in Drive Protected and Save?

No, the complete family just isn’t required to take part.

How does telematics work?

Telematics is the long-distance transmission of digital information. Telematics gadgets have develop into commonplace in industrial trucking, the place they’re used to observe truck/driver actions to make sure regulatory compliance and maximize effectivity.

A rising variety of private automotive insurance coverage corporations now provide usage-based insurance coverage (UBI). These applications generally use the capabilities of smartphones, together with GPS, accelerometers, and wi-fi transmission, to assemble and transmit information about their prospects’ driving habits.

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