How the State Farm Drive Safe & Save Telematics Program Works (2024)

You can qualify for auto insurance discounts based on safe driving habits and mileage with the State Farm Drive Safe & Save program.

Melanie Lockert
Written byMelanie Lockert
Melanie Lockert
Melanie Lockert
  • 10+ years writing on personal finance topics

  • Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast

Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated February 23, 2024

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Many car insurance companies now offer programs using telematics technology to gather data about driving behaviors and mileage. Companies with these telematics, or usage-based insurance (UBI), programs offer money-saving incentives based on how safely you drive.[1]

You automatically qualify for an initial discount by signing up for the State Farm Drive Safe & Save program, and you can even save more based on your driving. Typically, safe and low-mileage drivers can save the most with telematic programs. Drivers who do a lot of nighttime driving or have high annual mileage may not earn a significant discount.

Here’s what you need to know about the Drive Safe & Save program from State Farm.

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What is State Farm Drive Safe & Save?

You can opt into State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save telematics program to qualify for potential discounts, including an enrollment discount.

Text “SAVE” to 42407 to enroll. You can check your phone’s eligibility and download the smartphone app from the App Store or the Google Play Store. Once you enroll, State Farm will send you a Bluetooth beacon that works with the mobile app to track your driving habits. You must have your phone’s location services and Bluetooth on for this to work.

Some drivers with Ford or Lincoln vehicles from 2020 or later — and a FordPass or Lincoln Way account — qualify for the Drive Safe & Save Connected Car program, which tracks your driving data directly from your car.

Discounts can vary based on your driving behavior and where you live, but you could save up to 30%. State Farm applies any discount you qualify for during each policy renewal, which typically occurs every six months. Because the discount depends on your driving habits, it can increase or decrease.[2]

Guide to Car Insurance Discounts (2024)

Guide to Car Insurance Discounts (2024)

Should you enroll in the Drive Safe & Save program?

If you have a State Farm policy, you should definitely consider enrolling in the program because you can earn up to 30% off your premium. The best way to maximize your savings with this program is to drive less and practice safe driving habits. For this reason, this program may work better for some drivers than for others.

The drivers that benefit the most from telematics programs are people who drive fewer than 7,000 miles each year. For example, remote workers and retirees who don’t have daily in-person obligations likely drive less than people who drive to and from work five days a week or more.

The Drive Safe & Save program reviews your annual mileage in addition to your driving data. You may qualify for lower rates when you have reduced mileage because the chances of an accident decrease when you drive less.

Here are some pros and cons of the program to consider:

Pros
  • Save money based on mileage and driving habits

  • Get feedback on driving behaviors

  • Doesn’t penalize you for past driving record

Cons
  • Low-mileage discounts vary by state

  • Requires drivers to share data

  • May drain your phone battery

Drive Safe & Save customer reviews

Customer reviews for the Drive Safe & Save app vary, but the mobile app earned 4.6 out of 5 stars on the App Store and 4.0 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store. Despite the overall high ratings, many reviewers cite issues with the app’s sensitivity, lack of situational awareness, and effect on phone batteries.

Others claim to have saved money by using the program, even if the app does drain the phone battery.

Driving behaviors that Drive Safe & Save monitors

The Drive Safe & Save program by State Farm monitors your mileage and several driving factors to determine your savings. These factors include:

  • Acceleration: The app monitors how quickly you accelerate because accelerating too quickly can increase your chances of an incident.

  • Braking: Any hard braking can contribute to safety scores. Though it’s sometimes necessary, hard braking consistently can indicate that you’re driving at an unsafe speed or not leaving enough room between vehicles.

  • Cornering: Sharp turns typically occur when you don’t have enough time or space to proceed safely, which can increase the possibility of an accident.

  • Phone distraction: The program will track your phone use. Phone distraction is a major problem that takes your eyes off the road.

  • Speed: The app will alert you if you’ve gone 8 mph or more over the posted speed limit. Speeding can lead to accidents, as it takes longer to slow down.

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How to cancel State Farm Drive Safe & Save

State Farm’s website doesn’t provide specific directions for how to cancel the Drive Safe & Save program, but it does mention that drivers who wish to cancel can remove and recycle the Bluetooth beacon somewhere that accepts lithium-ion batteries.[3]

The best course of action to cancel the program is to call State Farm customer service at 1 (800) STATE-FARM. You may also talk to your State Farm agent about canceling the Drive Safe & Save program or contact the company via email at agentselection@statefarm.com.

State Farm Drive Safe & Save FAQs

The State Farm Drive Safe & Save program can help save you money if you have safe driving habits and low mileage. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

  • Is the Drive Safe & Save program worth it?

    The State Farm Drive Safe & Save program may be a good option for drivers looking to reduce auto insurance costs for safe driving habits. Low-mileage drivers, such as remote workers, may benefit the most from the program. How much you stand to save varies by driver and state.

  • Does Drive Safe & Save track your location?

    To use the Drive Safe & Save program, you must turn on your phone’s Bluetooth and location services to record your trips. The app uses your precise location to validate GPS and phone sensors that help track your driving. However, the Bluetooth beacon doesn’t come with GPS or track your location.

  • How can you enroll in the State Farm Drive Safe & Save program?

    For enrollment in the State Farm Drive Safe & Save program, text “SAVE” to 42407. From there, you can download the app and start the process if your phone has access to the App Store or Google Play Store.

  • How does the Drive Safe & Save program affect your insurance policy long-term?

    State Farm drivers can opt in to the Drive Safe & Save program to qualify for potential discounts based on annual mileage and safe driving habits. The program can lead to discounts on your auto insurance policy. You won’t face penalties for previous accidents or bad driving habits; it will only affect the amount of your discount.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-pay-as-you-drive-auto-insurance-telematics." Accessed February 15, 2024
  2. State Farm. "Be rewarded with Drive Safe & Save discounts." Accessed February 15, 2024
  3. State Farm. "Have Drive Safe & Save™ questions? We've got answers.." Accessed February 15, 2024
Melanie Lockert
Melanie Lockert

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, "Dear Debt." Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys jazz music, traveling, coffee, and spending time with her two cats and partner.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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