Telematics and Usage-Based Car Insurance Programs by Insurer

Most large car insurers now offer a program that prices part of your policy on how you drive, usually through a phone app. The programs look similar, but they differ on what they track, how they record trips, and whether bad driving can raise your price. Here is how the main programs compare and how to decide if one fits you.

Quick answer

What it is: An optional program that uses an app or device to record driving and adjust your price.
What is tracked: Typically braking, acceleration, speed, phone use, time of day, and mileage.
Biggest difference: Some programs can raise your rate for risky driving; others are described as discount only.
Best fit: Lower-mileage, daytime drivers who rarely brake hard or handle the phone.

By the InsuranceNew.org Editorial Team. Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. How we research carriers

How telematics car insurance works

Telematics, also called usage-based insurance, prices part of your policy on how you actually drive. A phone app (or, at some companies, a small device or beacon in the car) records trips. Insurers commonly look at hard braking, fast acceleration, sharp cornering, speed, phone handling while driving, time of day, and how much you drive. The insurer turns that into a score or a rating factor that is applied at renewal.

Most programs have two parts: a participation discount for enrolling, then a personalized adjustment once enough driving has been recorded. The second part is where programs differ most, because some can only lower the price while others can also raise it.

Telematics programs by insurer

Telematics programs by insurance company
Insurer	Program	How it records driving	Can the price go up?
Progressive	Snapshot	Mobile app or plug-in device (device where the app is not available)	Yes. Progressive says high-risk driving can raise the rate, though most drivers save
Allstate	Drivewise	Allstate mobile app	Yes, riskier driving could increase the rate (Allstate notes an exception for New York)
State Farm	Drive Safe & Save	State Farm app plus a small Bluetooth beacon	The adjustment is recalculated at renewal and may go up or down; not offered in every state
GEICO	DriveEasy	GEICO Mobile app	Rate is tied to a safe-driving score; GEICO lists a few states where it is not offered
USAA	SafePilot	USAA DriveSafe app	USAA says the driving score is used for a discount, but its disclosures note some newer policies may get a renewal adjustment; check your terms
Farmers	Signal	Signal app	Yes. Farmers says riskier driving could increase the renewal premium; not offered in every state
The Hartford	TrueLane	TrueLane app	Yes. The Hartford says riskier driving habits may result in a higher premium

Esurance policies are now handled through Allstate, so ask about Drivewise if you are quoting with Esurance. Program names, state availability, and rules change, so confirm the details in the enrollment terms before you sign up.

Can a telematics program raise your rate?

It depends on the program and your state. Several large programs say plainly that risky driving can lead to a higher renewal price. Others describe the score as a discount only. State rules can also limit how driving data is used. Ask two direct questions before you enroll: whether the program can increase your premium, and what happens to your price if you leave the program later.

Who usually benefits, and who may not

Often a good fit: drivers with modest mileage, mostly daytime trips, smooth braking, and the discipline to leave the phone alone.
Think twice: late-night shift workers, heavy stop-and-go city commuters, households where several people share one car, or anyone who often rides as a passenger with the app running (most apps let you mark those trips, but it takes attention).
Teen drivers: feedback can help a new driver, but a rough first few months can weigh on the score.

Privacy and your data

Read the program's privacy notice. Typical questions: whether location is collected, who can see trip details, whether data is shared with affiliates or vendors, and whether it can be used in a claim. For example, USAA says SafePilot data may be used when you file a claim after an accident, and Allstate says its Drivewise data is collected by an affiliate. You can usually leave a program, but check whether leaving affects a discount you already earned.

How to try one without guessing

Get quotes with and without the program from the same companies, using the same coverages. Our why quotes differ guide explains why an "enrolled" price is not comparable to a regular price.
Ask how long the monitoring period is and when the personalized price starts.
Watch your score in the app for a few weeks and decide whether your normal driving fits the program.

Frequently asked questions

These questions cover devices, location tracking, and leaving a program.

Do I need a device in my car?

Usually not. Most current programs run on a smartphone app. Progressive offers a plug-in device where its app is not available, and State Farm pairs its app with a small Bluetooth beacon.

Does a telematics app track my location?

Most apps use your phone's location and motion sensors to record trips. Check each program's privacy notice for what is stored, who can see it, and whether it is shared.

Can I quit a telematics program?

Generally yes, but ask first whether leaving removes a participation discount or affects the price you earned. Rules differ by company and state.

Compare car insurance quotes by ZIP Code

Enter your ZIP Code to compare quotes. Ask each company how its telematics program would change the price. The form continues to a partner site, not to any carrier named on this page.

Car insurance quotes

Sources

Checked on October 20, 2026 on each insurer's official program page: Progressive Snapshot, Allstate Drivewise, State Farm Drive Safe & Save, GEICO DriveEasy, USAA SafePilot, Farmers Signal and The Hartford TrueLane. Program terms change and vary by state; the enrollment terms you accept are what count.

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