State Farm Drive Safe & Save Review for 2026: Savings, Pros & Cons

State Farm Drive Safe & Save rewards safe driving with auto insurance savings of up to 30% based on your driving habits.

This usage-based auto insurance program monitors and grades your driving style using telematics technology. On This Topic: State Farm Insurance Review

It stands out most for rate protection, broad availability, and solid savings. The program also gives drivers helpful trip feedback, though the app setup and Bluetooth beacon can take some getting used to.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save Program Ratings

This Drive Safe & Save State Farm review explains everything you should know about the program, including its pros and cons. You’ll also learn how the program tracks your driving and what can affect your potential savings.

See how drivers cut their insurance bill in half with Drive Safe by entering your ZIP code into our quote tool.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save Explained

State Farm Drive Safe & Save is a usage-based insurance program that rewards policyholders for practicing safe driving habits. Instead of relying only on traditional rating factors such as your age, location, vehicle, and driving record, State Farm uses telematics data to see how and how much you actually drive.

Drivers get a 10% discount after enrolling and completing the State Farm Drive Safe & Save setup. After the company collects driving data, customers can save up to 30% for safe driving.

Discounts can exceed 30% depending on the state, while New York caps the discount at 30%. Savings are reviewed at renewal, usually every six months.

So, the amount can change over time based on how and how much you drive. The maximum discount is not guaranteed, and actual savings can vary by state, vehicle, mileage, and individual driving behavior.

For State Farm customers, Drive Safe & Save may be worth considering if you consistently practice safe habits and don’t mind having your trips monitored.

Low-mileage drivers may also benefit because spending less time on the road can mean less exposure to accidents. That means you may have a better chance of earning a bigger discount.

Driving fewer miles may help reduce both your risk and overall insurance costs. Check Out Our Guide: How Annual Mileage Affects Your Auto Insurance Rates

How State Farm Drive Safe & Save Works

So, how does the Drive Safe and Save app work? The State Farm Drive Safe and Save app evaluates your driving performance, offering savings of up to 30% for safe driving practices, and it’s completely free.

See how your Drive Safe & Save score impacts State Farm liability insurance rates. Drivers with higher scores may have a better chance of earning a bigger discount and paying less for liability coverage, while lower scores may result in smaller savings.

Drive Safe & Save Score: Impact on Monthly Liability Auto Insurance Cost

The program monitors your driving habits via a mobile app, Bluetooth device, or OnStar, and then assigns you a driving score percentage based on your performance.

You might also be wondering whether State Farm Drive Safe penalizes you for poor driving. So, does State Farm Drive Safe penalize you?

The Drive Safe and Save program is unavailable to State Farm customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or California. Instead, these drivers must look into additional State Farm auto insurance discounts or choose a different usage-based auto insurance program from another company to lower their rates.

Availability can also be restricted in North Carolina depending on the policyholder’s circumstances. State Farm says that customers could save up to 30%, although discounts vary by state and may exceed 30% in some states.

In addition, some states may not offer the 30% maximum discount, while New York caps the discount at 30%.

Driving Behaviors That State Farm Drive Safe and Save Tracks

What does State Farm Drive Safe and Save track? Drive Safe and Save is a usage-based telematics service that tracks your driving patterns and mileage through the State Farm safe driving app.

The connected car program or the Drive Safe and Save app will monitor a number of aspects of your driving, including:

• Acceleration: If you accelerate too quickly, you may lose control of your vehicle and risk getting in an accident.
• Braking: Frequent hard braking may suggest that you’re driving too fast or following other vehicles too closely.
• Cornering: Telematics can monitor quick, sharp corners, which are typically not considered to be safe driving practices.
• Mileage: Driving fewer miles generally means less time on the road and potentially less accident exposure.
• Phone Use: Using a phone hands-free while driving can increase your State Farm Drive Safe and Save discount while making the roads safer for everyone.
• Speed: Speeding can result in more frequent and serious accidents. By obeying the speed limit, you can get a bigger discount.

State Farm compiles all these elements, incorporates them into your State Farm Drive Safe and Save grades, and determines your discount percentage.

See how much each driving factor may affect your Drive Safe & Save score. At 25%, distracted driving or phone use has the highest impact, followed by speeding at 22% and hard braking at 18%.

Taking sharp turns, accelerating too quickly, and spending more time on the road may also affect your results, but only slightly. Take in mind that these percentages are only estimates and may not reflect how your actual discount is calculated.

Still, you can reduce your auto insurance rates significantly if you drive carefully and steer clear of dangers like forceful braking and speeding.

Always look around online for State Farm Drive Safe & Save reviews from policyholders to see if the program is a good fit for you.

Pay attention to feedback about how accurately the app tracks trips, how easy the State Farm Bluetooth beacon is to use, and whether drivers actually see meaningful savings at renewal.

How to Set Up the State Farm Safe & Save App

Download the State Farm Drive Safe & Save app for free from the App Store or Google Play. The software tracks and receives information about your driving habits from your phone. So, you must keep Bluetooth and location services enabled while driving.

After enrolling, log in with your State Farm credentials and go to the Safe & Save section of the app. Once your email address is verified, State Farm will send your Bluetooth beacon.

Then, take your smartphone to your vehicle and follow these directions:

1. Select “Complete Setup” for the vehicle you enrolled.
2. Press and hold the button on the Bluetooth beacon until its light turns on.
3. Pick the beacon ID in the app that matches the ID printed on your beacon.
4. Once the beacon is paired, attach it to your windshield behind the rearview mirror.
5. Enter your vehicle’s odometer reading if required in your state.

You can skip the Drive Safe and Save app and sign up for the program using State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save Connected Car option if you have a Ford or Lincoln that is a 2020 model or newer.

Find out more about how State Farm stacks up vs. top competitors for the best auto insurance apps.

OnStar With State Farm Drive Safe & Save

With the OnStar option, State Farm collects driving data through OnStar instead of the standard Drive Safe & Save app and beacon.

OnStar, a division of General Motors, integrates telematics technology and other services into automobiles.

However, some automobiles can be fitted with OnStar telematics even if GM doesn’t produce them. Check out our GM auto insurance review for more details about OnStar.

Drive Safe & Save offers an OnStar version that works like the mobile app. You can use the app or your online account to sign up for the program, monitor your driving, and evaluate your performance.

We advise weighing the value of the other OnStar features against the cost of OnStar Drive Safe and Save before committing. Otherwise, using the State Farm Drive Safe and Save mobile app might be more advantageous, since it’s free.

Be sure to check out Drive Safe and Save app reviews to see if the mobile app is better for you.

Who State Farm Drive Safe & Save Works Best For

You should sign up for State Farm Drive Safe and Save if:

• You Want to Save: State Farm Drive Safe and Save monitors your driving and can reduce your auto insurance costs.
• You Only Have One Car: Drive Safe and Save doesn’t require you to enroll all vehicles and drivers covered by your insurance, though your discount will increase if you do.
• You Have OnStar: You can receive a State Farm driving discount by sharing your data through OnStar’s monitoring technology with State Farm Drive Safe and Save.
• You Drive Fewer Miles: If you don’t drive often, Drive Safe & Save may work for you because mileage is one of the factors used when calculating your discount.

You shouldn’t consider using State Farm Drive Safe and Save if:

• You Want a Steady Discount: Your discount may vary from term to term because State Farm adjusts it based on your performance each policy period.
• You Drive Late or in Rush-Hour Traffic: Our State Farm Drive Safe and Save review found that rush-hour and late driving are on the company’s list of monitored behaviors.
• You’re Wondering How to “Cheat” Drive Safe and Save: There is no State Farm Drive Safe and Save cheat since it could result in your policy’s termination.

Where you live should also factor into your decision. Rules, availability, and potential savings can vary by state, so check the program terms for your location rather than assuming every driver is scored or discounted the same way.

State Farm safe driver reviews may also reveal how drivers feel about app tracking, phone battery use, driving feedback, and whether their actual discounts matched their expectations.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save Pros and Cons

For drivers who don’t mind providing their driving information to save money on their insurance premiums, State Farm Drive Safe & Save is worth considering. You can earn discounts for safe driving and low mileage. However, it comes with a loss of privacy and requires constant monitoring.

Pros

• Up to 30% Savings: Safe driving habits can qualify you for a significant discount.
• Driving Feedback: The app shows how you perform on behaviors such as braking, acceleration, speed, and cornering.
• Low-Mileage Benefits: Driving fewer miles may help increase your savings in eligible states.
• Automatic Trip Tracking: Once set up, the app and beacon automatically record eligible trips.

Cons

• Privacy Concerns: The program collects driving and trip data through telematics.
  Savings can Decrease: Your discount may change at renewal based on your driving habits and mileage.
• Phone Permissions Required: Bluetooth, location services, and other permissions generally need to stay enabled for trips to record properly.

It is also worth comparing the program with other State Farm discounts before enrolling. Drivers eligible for discounts like the good student discount, multi-car, multi-policy discount, vehicle safety discount, and others can get reduced rates without constantly collecting driving data.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save vs. Popular Competitors

The pie chart shows five of the largest usage-based insurance providers and how they compare by market share. It gives drivers a quick look at which insurers have the strongest presence in the UBI market.

Progressive and State Farm make up the largest shares among these providers, followed by Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide.

These competitors offer similar discount programs but use different ways to monitor drivers’ behavior and offer different levels of savings.

State Farm Drive Safe and Save has key advantages, but how does it compare to other auto insurers’ usage-based programs? Check out how State Farm compares to its most popular competitors.

Compare each insurer’s potential discount before deciding which program offers the best value.

Top Usage-Based Auto Insurance (UBI) Programs

Most programs offer feedback on your driving to help you save money and drive safer. If you use this information to improve your habits, you can get cheaper auto insurance regardless of the company you choose.

It’s important to evaluate insurance reviews of State Farm Drive Safe and Save to see if you would benefit from enrolling.

Read More:

• Allstate Drivewise Review
• Liberty Mutual RightTrack Review
• Nationwide SmartRide Review
• Progressive Snapshot Review

Comparing State Farm Car Insurance Premiums

State Farm is a solid option if you want usage-based insurance without paying a high starting rate. State Farm customers pay around $43 per month for minimum coverage and $124 per month for full coverage.

State Farm ties Erie Insurance for the lowest minimum-coverage rate at $43 per month. Geico is also relatively affordable, but its average rates are slightly higher at $47 for minimum coverage and $138 for full coverage.

Usage-Based Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level

State Farm offers extremely competitive prices on auto insurance for young adults, those with a history of accidents, and those with DUI convictions. If you fall into one of these groups, it is worth comparing a State Farm quote with a few competitors to see how much you could save.

If you are convicted of a DUI, you can expect car 🚘insurance rates to rise by 74% or more. https://t.co/27f1xf1ARb has created a guide📑 with ways you can save. Check it out here👉: https://t.co/BN5jVydqXx pic.twitter.com/iahiepCvnX

— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) August 15, 2023

However, it may be worth investigating alternative auto insurance companies for drivers with bad credit. State Farm is the cheapest insurer at every credit level among the companies compared. Drivers with excellent credit pay about $58 per month with State Farm, while those with poor credit pay about $116.

State Farm vs. Competitors: Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score

While credit can have a noticeable impact on State Farm auto insurance rates, it is only one factor that determines what you pay. Your driving habits can also affect your costs, especially if you enroll in a usage-based program like Drive Safe & Save.

Since insurers weigh credit differently, comparing a few quotes could help you find a much better deal.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save Reviews & Complaints

Drive Safe & Save is now managed through the main State Farm mobile app, where users can view recent trips, driving events, scores, and premium adjustments. So, what do customers think about State Farm’s app?

See the Drive Safe app’s rating on the App Store and Google Play Store.

State Farm’s mobile app earns 4.8 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.6 stars on Google Play, demonstrating strong user satisfaction across both platforms.

State Farm App Store Ratings

However, overall app ratings don’t necessarily reflect customer experiences. Check out State Farm Drive Safe reviews to see whether the program is right for you. Shop Now: Best Auto Insurance Companies for Paying Claims

For example, one App Store reviewer explained that a sudden brake to avoid hitting an animal resulted in a penalty being charged. State Farm replied by explaining how the app records such instances, even though sudden braking sometimes seems necessary.

Meanwhile, Google Play reviews raised concerns about location access, notifications, and battery usage. State Farm clarified that notifications are not essential for the app to run.

We also recommend checking Drive Safe State Farm reviews on sites such as Reddit to learn more about the program. Drive Safe reviews on Reddit question whether the program has any downsides and whether the worst-case outcome is simply receiving no discount.

Reddit users explain that a big downside of the program is that you could eventually lose your low-mileage discount if you report incorrect mileage to State Farm when signing up. You might want to try pay-per-mile insurance if you drive infrequently and want your insurance costs to reflect how many miles you actually drive.

For example, if you claim to drive 5K miles a year and receive a low-mileage discount, you could lose it if your actual mileage reaches 10K miles.

Privacy is another important consideration. The app must be allowed to access precise location data in the background to record trips automatically, while the beacon connects the trip to an enrolled vehicle.

Is State Farm Drive Safe & Save Right for You?

State Farm Drive Safe and Save, also called Drive and Save, is a good option if you’re comfortable with continuous monitoring of your driving behavior.

Drive Safe & Save can help lower your State Farm auto insurance premiums, but the amount you save is not guaranteed. State Farm adjusts your savings at each renewal based on factors such as your driving characteristics and, in many states, your annual mileage.

State Farm Insurance Business Ratings & Consumer Reviews

That makes Drive Safe & Save a good fit for drivers who are comfortable being evaluated continuously rather than receiving a one-time discount for meeting eligibility requirements.

By allowing this, you could get even lower rates from State Farm, which already offers some of the most affordable auto insurance policies.

Consider a different telematics program if you’d prefer not to be under constant observation. For example, Progressive Snapshot and Liberty Mutual RightTrack only keep track of users for a short time before applying the savings you’ve accrued to subsequent policy renewals.

If you’re a low-risk driver looking for cheap Drive Safe insurance rates, use our free quote tool to compare multiple usage-based car insurance programs to find the best fit for you.