Root Insurance Review 2026: An Independent Agent's Honest Take
An independent agent's review of Root Insurance: how its non-telematics agent product works, how it differs from buying Root direct, and how it compares to Progressive, GEICO, and Liberty Mutual for auto insurance in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
We sell Root. Get your Root quote through Dragon. We quote Root side by side with the other carriers we write, so you see whether it is the best price for your car.
Root is the newest carrier on Dragon Insurance's panel. Most people know Root for its app-based pricing, where the company you buy from directly scores how you drive. Through independent agents like Dragon, Root offers something different: a non-telematics auto product built for agents, so we quote and bind your policy without an app test drive or ongoing tracking. This review is written from that independent-agent seat: what Root offers through Dragon, how it differs from buying Root direct, and how it compares to GEICO, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual.
One scope note up front, because it matters: Root is only available to Dragon clients in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is not an option in Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, or Maryland. Dragon's appointment with Root covers personal auto insurance. If you also need renters, home, or business coverage in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee, Dragon has you covered there too, through the other carriers on our panel, in the same call.
Key Takeaways
- 1.No app tracking when you buy through Dragon. Root describes its agent channel as a non-telematics product, so your Dragon quote does not depend on an app test drive or ongoing driving data.
- 2.Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee only. Root is not available anywhere else in Dragon's service area. If you move to Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, or Maryland, you will need a different carrier.
- 3.Auto insurance through Dragon. Dragon's appointment with Root covers personal auto insurance. For renters, home, or business coverage, we quote those through other carriers on our panel in the same call.
- 4.Different from buying Root direct. Root's direct app product scores habits like braking, turning, and phone use. The agent version Dragon quotes skips that step and is priced on the driver and vehicle details we submit.
- 5.Same price through Dragon. Buying Root through an independent agent costs the same as buying direct, and it means Root gets quoted head-to-head against Progressive, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and the rest of our panel in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Quick Answer
Is Root Insurance good in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee? Root is a solid extra price to check for Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee drivers, and through Dragon you get its agent version, which needs no app and no driving test. Dragon writes Root personal auto insurance only in these three states and quotes it on the same limits as GEICO, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual, so you see whether Root actually wins for your record and vehicle before you buy.
Root, quoted head to head
See what Root actually costs for you in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
Dragon runs your Root quote alongside Progressive, GEICO, and Liberty Mutual in the same call, with no app to install, so you get a real number on identical coverage.
What Is Root Insurance, and How Does Root Work Through an Agent?
Root Insurance is a publicly traded auto insurer (Nasdaq: ROOT) founded in 2015 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Its core idea is simple: most insurers price your policy heavily on demographics, credit-based insurance scores, and where you live. When you buy Root directly, it leans on telematics: its app scores habits such as safe hours, smooth braking, focused driving, and gentle turning.
Through an independent agent, Root works differently. Root describes its agent offering as a non-telematics product designed specifically for agents, quoted through the same comparative rating tools we use for the rest of our panel. In practice that means:
- No app to install and no driving test before your price is set
- Your quote is built from the driver, vehicle, and coverage details we submit, like any other carrier on our panel
- Root is priced on the same limits and deductibles as GEICO, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual, so the comparison is apples to apples
- A Dragon agent places the policy and stays your contact after you buy
Root's app-based savings claims apply to its direct product, so we do not quote them here. The only way to know whether Root beats your current rate is a real quote, which Dragon runs alongside the rest of our panel in one call.
What Root Insurance Covers
Root's auto policies include the standard coverages you would expect from any major carrier, on equal limits to what Dragon quotes elsewhere on our panel.
- Liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage), required in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee
- Collision coverage for your own vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault
- Comprehensive coverage for theft, weather damage, fire, and animal strikes
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection
- Medical payments coverage, and Kentucky-specific Personal Injury Protection where applicable
- Roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement as optional add-ons
Auto insurance through Dragon, everything else through our panel
Root also offers other products directly, but Dragon's current appointment with Root covers personal auto insurance in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. If you need renters, home, or business coverage alongside your auto policy, Dragon places those through other carriers on our panel, such as Safeco, Liberty Mutual, or biBerk, and can quote them for you in the same call as your Root auto quote.
Is Root Right for You?
Root fits Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee drivers who want one more strong price in their comparison without handing over driving data.
- Drivers who do not want an app tracking them. The agent version Dragon quotes is non-telematics, so there is no test drive and no ongoing tracking.
- Shoppers comparing several carriers at once. Root adds one more price next to GEICO, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual on identical coverage.
- Standard personal auto needs. Dragon's Root appointment covers personal auto, so cars and trucks for everyday driving are the fit.
We quote Root side by side with the other carriers we write, so you see whether it is the best price for your car before you buy.
Root Quote
See your Root rate next to the rest of our panel in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
Root Insurance Requirements in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee
Whichever carrier you choose, your policy has to meet your state's minimum coverage law. Here is what each of the three states where Root operates actually requires.
Ohio: 25/50/25, at-fault. Ohio requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25, $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability, under Ohio Revised Code Section 4509.01. Ohio is an at-fault state and does not require Personal Injury Protection or Uninsured Motorist coverage by law, though both are worth considering given that roughly 18.5 percent of Ohio drivers were estimated to carry no insurance at all. See our full Ohio auto insurance requirements guide.
Kentucky: 25/50/25 plus $10,000 PIP. Kentucky requires the same 25/50/25 liability minimums, plus $10,000 in basic Personal Injury Protection unless you reject it in writing. Kentucky is a choice no-fault state, meaning you elect at the time you buy your policy whether to keep the no-fault PIP option or waive it in writing to retain full tort rights to sue an at-fault driver. Ask your Dragon agent to confirm exactly how Root's Kentucky policy handles the PIP election before you bind. See our full Kentucky auto insurance requirements guide.
Tennessee: 25/50/25, at-fault. Tennessee also requires 25/50/25 minimum liability and is an at-fault state, meaning drivers can sue the at-fault party for damages rather than relying on a no-fault system. Adequate liability limits matter here in particular, since approximately 20 percent of Tennessee drivers are uninsured, one of the highest rates in the country. See our full Tennessee auto insurance requirements guide.
State minimums are the legal floor, not a coverage recommendation. Given how many drivers in all three states carry no insurance or the bare minimum, Dragon generally recommends higher liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage regardless of which carrier you choose. Call us to talk through the right limits for your situation.
Where Root Insurance Stands Out
No driving data required. Through Dragon, Root is quoted without a test drive or app tracking, which suits drivers who would rather not share trip-by-trip data with an insurer.
One more competitive price in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Every extra carrier in a comparison is another chance to beat your current rate, and Root is a newer option many drivers in these states have not priced yet.
Same agent, same call. Root is placed and serviced through Dragon, and any renters, home, or business coverage you need goes to another panel carrier in the same conversation.
Who Root Insurance Is Best For
| Driver Profile | Is Root a strong fit? |
|---|---|
| Shopping personal auto in OH, KY, or TN | Strong fit, worth comparing |
| Prefers not to share driving data with an insurer | Strong fit through Dragon (non-telematics) |
| Wants usage-based savings from an app | Ask about Progressive Snapshot instead |
| Needs renters, home, or business coverage too | Ask Dragon, we place that with another panel carrier |
| Lives in PA, TX, VA, or MD | Not available there, compare our other 30+ carriers |
Root vs. Progressive vs. GEICO vs. Liberty Mutual
All four of these are on Dragon's panel in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Here is how Root's approach compares to three carriers we have quoted for years.
| Category | Root | Progressive | GEICO | Liberty Mutual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary rating factor | Standard factors, no app tracking (agent version) | Traditional, plus optional Snapshot telematics | Traditional, plus optional telematics | Traditional, plus optional RightTrack telematics |
| AM Best rating | Not Published | A+ (Superior) | A++ (Superior) | A (Excellent) |
| Available in Dragon's states | OH, KY, TN only | Every state Dragon serves | Every state Dragon serves | Every state Dragon serves |
| Best for | OH, KY, and TN drivers adding one more price | High-risk, SR-22, non-standard drivers | Clean-record drivers wanting strong nationwide backing | Bundle seekers, clean records |
AM Best ratings per AM Best. Progressive and GEICO ratings apply to their primary auto underwriting companies and can vary by state and subsidiary.
Root vs. GEICO: Which Is Better in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee?
Neither wins for every driver, which is why Dragon quotes both on identical coverage and lets the price decide. GEICO holds an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best and is available in every state Dragon serves, so it is the steadier choice if you might move to Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, or Maryland. Root is available through Dragon only in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and its agent version is priced without an app. If you want usage-based savings, Progressive Snapshot is the optional telematics program we can add to the comparison instead. See our GEICO car insurance review for its ratings and discounts.
How Dragon Insurance Shops Root for You
The premium is the same whether you buy Root directly or through Dragon, because carriers pay independent agents at bind, not the other way around. The advantage of going through Dragon is that we run your Root auto quote alongside Progressive, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and the rest of our panel in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee, and tell you plainly which one actually wins for your situation. And if you also need renters, home, or business insurance, which are not part of Dragon's Root appointment, we place those with a different carrier on the same call instead of sending you somewhere else. To see every carrier we compare, see our full carrier lineup.
Same price, real comparison
Let Dragon run Root against Progressive, GEICO, and Liberty Mutual before you decide.
Buying Root through Dragon costs the same as buying direct, so there is no downside to having us quote all four side by side in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee and telling you plainly which one wins for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Root Insurance legit?
Yes. Root is a publicly traded insurer (Nasdaq: ROOT) that has been operating since 2015 and is licensed to sell insurance in 36 states, including Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is a real, regulated carrier now appointed with Dragon Insurance for auto coverage in those three states.
Is Root Insurance available in Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, or Maryland?
No. Root is only available to Dragon clients in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. If you live in Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, or Maryland, Dragon can still shop your auto insurance across the other 30-plus carriers on our panel, just not Root.
Does Dragon write Root's renters, home, or business insurance too?
Root also offers other products directly, but Dragon's current appointment with Root covers personal auto insurance only, in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. If you need renters, home, or business coverage, Dragon places that through other carriers on our panel, in the same call as your Root auto quote.
Does Root track my driving if I buy through Dragon?
No. Root describes its independent-agent offering as a non-telematics product, so a Root policy quoted through Dragon does not require an app test drive or ongoing driving data. Root's app-based scoring of braking, turning, and phone use applies when you buy Root directly.
Is Root or GEICO better in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee?
It depends on your record and vehicle. GEICO holds an A++ (Superior) AM Best rating and is available in every state Dragon serves, while Root is available through Dragon only in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Dragon quotes both on identical coverage so the lower price for your profile is clear.
How do I get a Root insurance quote in Ohio or Kentucky?
Call Dragon at 717-229-5115 or request a quote online. We start your quote on the call, price Root next to GEICO, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual on the same limits, and online requests get a reply within 1 hour on business days.
Is it cheaper to buy Root Insurance through an independent agent?
The premium is the same whether you buy Root directly or through Dragon, since carriers pay independent agents at bind, not out of your premium. The benefit of going through Dragon is a real side-by-side comparison against Progressive, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and the rest of our panel in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, on the same coverage limits.
Who should compare Root against Dragon's other carriers first?
Drivers outside Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee cannot get Root through Dragon. If you need renters, home, and auto coverage bundled with a single carrier, ask your Dragon agent to compare Root against Progressive, GEICO, or Liberty Mutual so you land on the best overall fit.
Want to see if Root is your best rate in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee?
Dragon Insurance now quotes Root alongside 30+ other carriers, and if you need renters, home, or business coverage too, we handle that in the same call. Get your quote online or call us at 717-229-5115.
Ratings referenced (AM Best) are independent assessments and can change over time. Coverage availability, discounts, and pricing vary by driver profile. This review reflects Dragon Insurance's independent quoting experience and is not endorsed by Root.
Related reading: Ohio Auto Insurance Requirements, Kentucky Auto Insurance Requirements, Tennessee Auto Insurance Requirements, Progressive Auto Insurance Review, and our best auto insurance companies of 2026 ranking.
Sources
- 1. Root Insurance, Insurance Availability by State product and state availability.
- 2. Root Insurance, Root for Agents non-telematics agent product, comparative rater availability, and personal lines auto appointments. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
- 3. Insurance Journal, With New Program, Indie Agents Can Start Selling Root Insurance in 24 Hours (2026).
- 4. AM Best financial strength ratings.
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About the Author
Bimal GurungCEO, Agency Principal & Licensed Insurance Agent
Bimal Gurung is CEO and Agency Principal of Dragon Insurance Services, an independent agency in Camp Hill, PA that compares 30+ carriers for clients across Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
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