Which is cheaper, The Hartford or Root Insurance?

Root Insurance is typically cheaper, averaging around $1,462/yr nationally vs $1,632/yr. Rates vary by ZIP, credit score, and driver profile — enter your ZIP above to see actual ranked rates for your area.

Is The Hartford or Root Insurance better for young drivers?

Root Insurance is better for young drivers. The Hartford adds +22% for drivers 18-24 while Root Insurance adds -4%. The difference compounds quickly on young-driver surcharges.

Which has a better complaint record, The Hartford or Root Insurance?

Root Insurance has fewer complaints — an NAIC ratio of 0.68 vs 0.78. An NAIC ratio below 1.0 means fewer complaints than the industry average.

The Hartford vs Root Insurance: which should I choose?

Choose The Hartford if you value drivers 50+ and aarp members. Choose Root Insurance if you value safe drivers penalized by traditional pricing. Enter your ZIP above to compare actual ranked rates for your specific location and driver profile.

The Hartford vs. Root Insurance (2026) — Which Is Cheaper?

Overall verdict

The Hartford wins 5–4 categories

The Hartford leads on more rate factors. Root Insurance may still win for specific profiles — see the table below.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	The Hartford	Root Insurance	Winner
Avg annual rate	~$1,632/yr	~$1,462/yr	✓ Root Insurance
NAIC complaint ratiolower = fewer complaints vs. industry avg	0.78 — good	0.68 — excellent	✓ Root Insurance
Credit: excellentrate change for excellent credit	-10%	-2%	✓ The Hartford
Credit: fair / poorrate change for fair credit	+22%	+8%	✓ Root Insurance
Young drivers · 18–24surcharge vs 35–54 baseline	+22%	-4%	✓ Root Insurance
Drivers 55+discount vs 35–54 baseline	-18%	+3%	✓ The Hartford
Homeowner discount	-7%	No change	✓ The Hartford
Multi-policy discount	-5%	-2%	✓ The Hartford
Lapsed coverage penaltysurcharge for coverage gap	+15%	+20%	✓ The Hartford
How to buy	Online + agent	Online / phone only	—
Telematics program	TrueLane	Root App (required)	—

Who wins by driver profile

See who ranks cheapest for your ZIP

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About The Hartford

Exclusive AARP partnership delivers meaningful 50+ discounts. One of the largest senior rate advantages of any carrier. In this comparison, The Hartford has the advantage on excellent-credit rate, 55+ rate, homeowner discount. Best for: Drivers 50+ and AARP members.

→ Full The Hartford review

About Root Insurance

Telematics-only carrier — your rate is based on how you drive, not your age or credit. Available in ~35 states. In this comparison, Root Insurance has the advantage on avg rate, complaints, fair-credit rate. Best for: Safe drivers penalized by traditional pricing.

→ Full Root Insurance review

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