State Farm Drive Safe and Save review

State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program delivers exactly what its name promises: the safer you drive, the more you can save. While some other insurers may raise rates for risky driving, Drive Safe and Save focuses only on rewarding good driving habits. So, even if your driving isn’t perfect, the worst outcome is simply missing out on a discount. Backed by innovative tech features and mostly positive user feedback, this State Farm Drive Safe and Save review shows why it may be a compelling choice among many telematics programs on the market.

What is State Farm Drive Safe and Save?

For drivers with State Farm car insurance, the Drive Safe and Save program could be a good opportunity to save money on car insurance. Like most telematics programs, Drive Safe and Save is an optional program that allows State Farm to collect data about your driving and offer discounts for safe behaviors. State Farm reports that drivers can receive an initial discount just by signing up and save up to 30 percent by participating. To get started, drivers can download State Farm’s mobile app or use the Connected Car feature if you have a 2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln vehicle.

The Drive Safe and Save app was recently integrated directly into the State Farm app, but the old, standalone app got fairly good reviews, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 on the App Store and 4.1 out of 5.0 from Google Play. Most Drive Safe and Save reviews noted that the app is easy to use and helps them stay on top of their driving habits. However, on both platforms, users complained that the app sometimes incorrectly scored their driving, especially if they had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Ostensibly, the functionality of the program within State Farm’s main app hasn’t changed much, but we’ll update you if we find otherwise.

Whether you use the app or the Connected Car option, State Farm will monitor your driving habits to determine how much you could save on your car insurance. You can even connect Amazon Alexa to the program to check the status and amount of the Drive Safe and Save discount. The program is optional, and drivers who aren’t able to earn a discount because of their driving habits will not be surcharged on their car insurance policy after the program period.

How does State Farm Drive Safe and Save work?

If you want to simply drive and save, State Farm may make it easy. The company designed a car insurance telematics program that tracks certain driving behaviors and rewards you with a discount based on how safely you drive. The Drive Safe and Save app was recently integrated directly into the State Farm app, so there is no need to download a separate app anymore.

Once you install the State Farm app on your phone, you’ll likely need to grant it the required permissions to use your phone for tracking and reporting driving patterns. This will require keeping both your Bluetooth and location settings active while driving.

Connected Car

If you drive a 2020 or newer Ford or Lincoln, you could skip the app and use State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save Connected Car option to enroll in the program:

• Add your vehicle to the “Garage” in either the FordPass or Lincoln Way app (depending on the make of your car).
• Let your State Farm agent know you want to enroll in Drive Safe and Save.
• The next time you turn on your car, you should see an in-vehicle agreement pop up. Complete the form and you’ll be enrolled!

What does Drive Safe and Save track?

State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program, encompassing both telematics and usage-based components, monitors various aspects of your driving behavior and the distance you travel. This data collection is facilitated either through the State Farm app or the Connected Car system. Here’s what the program specifically tracks:

• Acceleration: Rapid acceleration can reduce vehicle control, heightening the risk of accidents. The program assesses how often and how severely you accelerate.
• Annual mileage: The distance you drive annually is also monitored. Generally, less driving can lead to lower risk and potentially larger discounts. Note that some states exclude mileage and odometer readings from the program.
• Braking: Harsh braking might indicate risky driving practices. Gradual and controlled braking, achieved by maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, is preferred.
• Cornering: The program evaluates instances of making quick or sharp turns, which can be signs of unsafe driving. Smooth and controlled cornering is indicative of safer driving habits.
• Speed: Adhering to speed limits is crucial for road safety. Speeding increases both the likelihood and severity of accidents. The Drive Safe and Save program tracks your speed to encourage compliance with speed limits. Specifically, the app shows you when you’ve gone over the speed limit by 8 mph or more.
• Phone use: Using a mobile phone while driving is a significant hazard. The program detects phone usage during driving, which can negatively impact the discount you receive.

State Farm uses the data from these tracking points to evaluate your driving patterns. Safe driving behaviors, such as avoiding harsh braking and obeying speed limits, might help lead to substantial discounts on your auto insurance through the Drive Safe and Save program.

How do you save with State Farm Drive Safe and Save?

With State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program, savings on your auto insurance are calculated at the time of your policy renewal. The program reviews your driving data, focusing on key factors such as acceleration and braking habits. Depending on how safely you’ve driven according to these metrics, State Farm may apply a discount to your policy, which can reach up to 30 percent.

How long do I have to use State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save?

It’s up to you how long you want to participate in the program. However, you must currently be participating in Drive Safe and Save in order to keep the discount. As soon as you disenroll, you’ll lose your discount.

Is the Drive Safe and Save program right for me?

Determining whether State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program aligns with your driving habits and preferences is essential for making an informed decision. By adhering to safe driving patterns, you may reap the benefits of program discounts reflected in your premium.

Furthermore, the Drive Safe and Save program could be an attractive option for those aiming to improve their driving habits. One of the key advantages is that participating in the program carries no risk of premium increases. It focuses on promoting safer driving practices rather than penalizing mistakes, as it does not track incidents like tickets or traffic stops. This aspect makes it a supportive tool for drivers seeking to enhance their on-road behaviors without the concern of potential car insurance rate hikes.

However, it’s important to consider certain aspects that might affect how well the program fits your individual needs and circumstances:

• State availability: Drive Safe and Save is not available in every state. States like California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, along with certain circumstances in North Carolina, are excluded from the program​​.
• Distance traveled: The program requires participants to provide odometer readings, and high annual mileage could limit the maximum discount achievable. This might be a significant consideration for those with long commutes or frequent long-distance travel​​.

Given these considerations, along with the State Farm Drive Safe and Save reviews, the program may be most beneficial for drivers who consistently exhibit safe driving behaviors, have moderate to low annual mileage and reside in states where the program is available.

What are people saying about State Farm Drive Safe and Save?

According to the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, State Farm received an average rating for its usage-based insurance. This aligns with our findings on Reddit and Google Play, which revealed a mix of positive and negative first-hand experiences with the Drive Safe and Save program. Some users praise the savings potential, while others raise concerns that State Farm Drive Safe and Save cheats them out of discounts by inaccurately tracking contextual driving behaviors.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Frequently asked questions

• How do telematics work?

• Can your rates go up with Drive Safe and Save?

• Are all cars in a household required to participate?

• Can I turn off State Farm Drive Safe and Save?

• What is a good Drive Safe and Save score?