What Drive Safe and Save Is
Drive Safe and Save is State Farm's usage-based insurance program that monitors how you drive and adjusts your rate based on actual driving behavior. Instead of paying a flat premium, you install a mobile app or a small device in your car that tracks metrics like hard braking, rapid acceleration, time of day you drive, and total miles. State Farm then uses that data to calculate a discount — or in some cases, a smaller adjustment — on your car insurance rate.
The program is optional. You do not have to enroll to buy a State Farm auto policy. But if you do, you may see a discount ranging from 10 to 30 percent, though the exact amount depends on your driving record, location, and how safely you drive during the monitoring period.
Key Takeaways
- Drive Safe and Save uses an app or plug-in device to track your driving habits, and State Farm uses that data to adjust your rate downward if you drive safely.
- You can choose between a mobile app (Milewise) or a small hardware device that plugs into your car's diagnostic port, and you can switch between them.
- The program requires a monitoring period of at least 30 days before State Farm calculates any discount, and discounts are recalculated every six months.
- Your data is encrypted and State Farm does not share it with third parties, though the company does use it to improve the program and for underwriting purposes.
- You can pause or cancel the program at any time without penalty, and doing so returns your rate to what it would have been without the program.
How the Monitoring Works
State Farm offers two ways to track your driving. The first is Milewise, a mobile app you read on your smartphone. It runs in the background and records your trips, speed, braking patterns, and the time of day you drive. You do not have to do anything after installation except drive normally — the app tracks automatically.
The second option is a small hardware device called a plug-in device that connects to your car's onboard diagnostic port (usually located under the steering wheel or dashboard). This device collects the same data as the app but does not require your phone to be in the car. You can switch between the app and the device at any time, and State Farm does not charge a fee to do so.
Both methods track the same metrics: hard braking events, rapid acceleration, the number of miles you drive, and the time of day you are on the road. Late-night driving (typically between midnight and 4 a.m.) may affect your discount because it correlates with higher accident risk. The program does not track your location, speed limit violations, or whether you were speeding — only how you accelerate and brake.
How Discounts Are Calculated
State Farm requires a minimum monitoring period of 30 days before it calculates your first discount. During that time, the company collects baseline data on your driving. After 30 days, State Farm reviews your habits and applies a discount to your rate if your driving meets their safety criteria.
The discount is not fixed. State Farm recalculates it every six months based on your most recent driving data. If your driving habits improve, your discount may increase. If you have hard braking events or rapid acceleration, your discount may decrease or stay the same. The program uses a range: most customers see discounts between 10 and 30 percent, but some see smaller adjustments or no discount at all if their baseline driving behavior is already considered high-risk.
Your existing driving record and claims history still matter. Drive Safe and Save is an add-on to your rate, not a replacement for it. If you have recent accidents or violations, your base rate will be higher, and the discount applies on top of that higher rate.
Privacy and Data Use
State Farm encrypts all data collected through Drive Safe and Save and does not sell it to third parties or share it with other insurance companies. The data stays within State Farm's systems and is used only for calculating your discount and improving the program itself.
However, State Farm does use the data for underwriting purposes — meaning it informs decisions about whether to renew your policy or adjust your rate at renewal. If you cancel the program, State Farm retains the data you generated while enrolled, but it no longer uses new data to adjust your rate.
You can request to see what data State Farm has collected about your driving by contacting State Farm directly. The company also allows you to delete your account and all associated data if you choose to leave the program.
Pausing or Canceling the Program
You can pause Drive Safe and Save temporarily or cancel it permanently at any time through the mobile app or by calling State Farm. There is no penalty for pausing or canceling. Your rate will return to what it would have been without the program — you will not be charged extra for leaving.
If you pause the program, State Farm stops collecting new data, but your existing discount remains in place until your next renewal. At renewal, if you have not resumed the program, State Farm recalculates your rate without the discount. If you resume the program after pausing, you will need another monitoring period (usually shorter than the initial 30 days) before a new discount is calculated.
Who Should Consider Drive Safe and Save
Drive Safe and Save makes the most sense if you are a safe driver with few hard braking events or rapid accelerations, drive mostly during daytime hours, and do not drive late at night. The program also works well if you drive fewer miles per week, because lower mileage correlates with lower accident risk and may improve your discount.
The program is less likely to benefit you if you have a recent accident or violation on your record, drive frequently between midnight and 4 a.m., or have a driving pattern that includes frequent hard braking or rapid acceleration. In those cases, your discount may be small or nonexistent, and you may be better off with a standard State Farm policy.
You can enroll in Drive Safe and Save when you first buy a policy or add it to an existing policy at any time. State Farm does not require you to commit for a set period, so you can test it for a few months and decide whether the discount is worth the monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Drive Safe and Save track my location?
No. The program tracks how you drive — acceleration, braking, and time of day — but not where you go. State Farm does not collect GPS data or know your routes, destinations, or address history.
What happens if I have a hard braking event?
One hard braking event does not automatically reduce your discount. State Farm looks at the overall pattern of your driving over the monitoring period. A single event is normal; frequent hard braking suggests unsafe driving and may lower your discount or prevent one from being applied.
Can I use Drive Safe and Save if I have multiple cars?
Yes. You can enroll each car separately and use the mobile app on your phone for all of them, or use a plug-in device in each vehicle. State Farm calculates discounts for each car based on how it is driven.
Will my discount go away if I get a ticket or accident while enrolled?
Your existing discount will remain until your next policy renewal. At renewal, State Farm recalculates your entire rate based on your driving record, claims history, and Drive Safe and Save data. A new ticket or accident will likely raise your base rate, which may offset or eliminate the discount.
What if I do not want to use the app or device anymore?
You can cancel or pause the program anytime through the app or by calling State Farm. Your rate will adjust back to what it would be without the program at your next renewal. There is no fee or penalty for canceling.