What Drive Safe and Save actually does
Drive Safe and Save is Allstate's usage-based insurance program that monitors how you drive and adjusts your rate based on what the data shows. You install a mobile app or a small device in your car's OBD-II port (the diagnostic connector under your steering wheel), and it tracks your speed, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and the time of day you drive. If the data shows safe driving habits, you get a discount on your premium. If it shows risky behavior, your rate may not decrease or could stay the same.
The program is optional—you don't have to enroll to keep your Allstate policy. But if you do, Allstate uses the driving data to recalculate your rate every 30 days. The discount typically starts small and can grow over time if your driving stays safe. The maximum discount varies by state, but Allstate advertises it can reach 30 percent in some places.
Key Takeaways
- Drive Safe and Save tracks your actual driving through an app or plug-in device and recalculates your rate every 30 days based on what it finds.
- The program rewards safe driving with discounts but does not penalize you for occasional hard braking or speeding—it looks at patterns over time.
- You can use either the mobile app (which works on most smartphones) or the plug-in device, and you can switch between them.
- Enrollment is free and optional, and you can cancel anytime without losing your Allstate coverage.
- The discount you receive depends on your state, your driving habits, and how long you stay in the program.
How the tracking device or app collects data
If you choose the plug-in device, it connects to your car's OBD-II port and communicates with Allstate's servers over cellular. The device is about the size of a car air freshener and stays in your car. It records your speed relative to the posted limit, how hard you brake, how quickly you accelerate, and what time of day you're driving. It does not track your location or where you go—Allstate says it only records the metrics that relate to driving safety.
The mobile app alternative uses your phone's GPS and motion sensors to collect the same data. You keep your phone in the car while driving, and the app runs in the background. Some drivers prefer the app because there's nothing to install in the car; others prefer the device because it doesn't drain their phone battery. You can use both at the same time, and Allstate will use whichever one has the most complete data for that trip.
What counts as safe driving in the program
Allstate's algorithm looks for patterns, not isolated incidents. A single instance of hard braking or speeding does not automatically lower your discount or trigger a penalty. The system is designed to measure your overall driving behavior over weeks and months. Safe driving in the program means keeping your speed within reasonable limits, avoiding hard braking, accelerating smoothly, and driving during daylight hours when possible.
Driving late at night (typically between midnight and 4 a.m.) counts against your score because statistically, more accidents happen during those hours. The program also weighs frequent hard braking more heavily than occasional braking—the system distinguishes between emergency stops and a pattern of aggressive braking. If your data shows you're consistently speeding by 10 mph or more, or braking hard multiple times per trip, your discount will be smaller or may not grow.
How your discount is calculated and when it changes
Allstate recalculates your rate every 30 days based on the driving data collected since your last update. Your first discount usually appears after 30 days of enrollment, though it may be modest. The discount grows as you accumulate more data showing safe habits. If you drive less frequently, it takes longer to build a strong discount because the algorithm needs enough trips to establish a reliable pattern.
Your discount is not may provide to increase every month. If your driving habits change—for example, if you start speeding more or braking harder—your discount may stay flat or decrease. Allstate does not publicly disclose the exact formula it uses to calculate the discount, so you won't know precisely how much each behavior affects your rate. You can see your driving score and estimated discount in the Allstate mobile app at any time.
Privacy and data security considerations
Allstate collects detailed information about when and how you drive, but the company says it does not sell this data to third parties or share it with law enforcement without a warrant. The data is encrypted in transit and at rest on Allstate's servers. However, you should understand that enrolling in Drive Safe and Save means Allstate has access to a continuous record of your driving behavior—something that does not happen with a standard policy.
If you cancel the program, Allstate stops collecting new data, but the historical data from your time in the program remains in your policy file. You can request to see what data Allstate has collected about you under most state privacy laws, though the process varies by state. If privacy is a concern, the mobile app version may feel less intrusive than the plug-in device because you control when your phone is in the car.
When Drive Safe and Save makes financial sense
The program works best for drivers who already drive safely and want to see that reflected in their rate. If you have a clean driving record and consistent, predictable habits, you're likely to see a discount within the first few months. Young drivers and those with recent accidents or violations may see smaller discounts because the algorithm accounts for risk profile—a 19-year-old will typically get a smaller discount than a 45-year-old with the same driving data.
If you drive very little—fewer than 500 miles per month—the discount may not be worth the privacy trade-off because you won't accumulate enough data to build a meaningful rate reduction. Similarly, if you have a long commute with heavy traffic and frequent hard braking, or if you work night shifts, the program may not reward your driving as much as it would for someone with a smoother, daytime commute. Compare the potential discount against your current premium and your actual driving patterns before enrolling.
How to enroll and what happens if you cancel
Enrollment is free and takes about 10 minutes. You read the Allstate mobile app, create an account, and either set up the app-based tracking or request a plug-in device to be mailed to you. If you choose the device, it arrives within a few business days. Once it's installed or the app is running, data collection begins when ready, and your first discount calculation happens 30 days later.
You can cancel Drive Safe and Save anytime by logging into the app or calling Allstate. Cancellation does not affect your policy—you keep your coverage at whatever rate you had before enrollment. If you cancel, Allstate stops collecting new data, but your policy reverts to a standard rate calculation based on your age, driving record, and other traditional factors. You can re-enroll later if you change your mind, though you'll start the 30-day waiting period over again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hard braking one time ruin my discount?
No. Allstate looks at patterns over time, not individual events. One hard brake or one instance of speeding does not affect your discount. The system is designed to measure your overall driving behavior across weeks and months, so occasional incidents are filtered out of the calculation.
Can Allstate see where I drive or who I'm with?
The plug-in device does not track location. The mobile app uses GPS to measure speed and acceleration, but Allstate says it does not store or use location data for rating purposes. However, the app does know what time you're driving, which is used in the calculation because late-night driving is statistically riskier.
What if I share my car with another driver?
If you use the plug-in device, it tracks all driving in that car regardless of who's behind the wheel. If you use the mobile app, only trips where your phone is in the car are recorded. If another household member drives frequently, their habits will affect your overall score. Some families handle this by having each driver use their own phone with the app.
How much discount can I actually expect?
Allstate advertises discounts up to 30 percent in some states, but most drivers see smaller reductions—typically 10 to 15 percent after several months of safe driving. Your actual discount depends on your state, your current rate, your age, your driving record, and your driving habits. The only way to know is to enroll and check your app after 30 days.
Does the discount explore to all drivers on my policy?
No. The discount applies only to the vehicle and driver enrolled in the program. If you have multiple drivers or vehicles on your policy, only the one with the tracking device or app gets the discount. Other vehicles and drivers stay on your standard rate.