)
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
)
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
User Reviews | 3.7 |
---|---|
Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.2 /5 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $92/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $163/mo |
Customers appreciate the pleasant customer service and AARP discounts but dislike the frequent price increases and complex payment process.
Customers appreciate the pleasant customer service and AARP discounts but dislike the frequent price increases and complex payment process.
Linda
February 5, 2025
Everything is Good, But Costs Too Much
Lori
February 5, 2025
Easy to Deal With
Pastorscotty
February 4, 2025
Twice this year, they increased my rate by $10 a month, raising my annual payment by $240! Every month, it's very difficult to make a payment as the requirements to log in and pay change regularly. Constant password changes are a hassle.
Known for financial stability and excellent customer service, The Hartford provides comprehensive coverage options for all types of drivers. But many reviews mention claims handling shortcomings, with some customers switching to competitors for potential savings.
Cheaper-than-average rates
Many available coverage options
High customer satisfaction ratings
More expensive than some competitors
Long purchase process
Low customer claims satisfaction
The Hartford’s TrueLane telematics program can help you save on your car insurance bill if you practice safe driving habits. The safest drivers can save as much as 25% on their premiums, but privacy concerns and an occasionally buggy app mean it’s not necessarily the best fit for all drivers.
Keep reading to see if TrueLane by The Hartford is the right driving program for you.
What is Hartford TrueLane?
TrueLane is a usage-based car insurance program that can help you save on your premiums when you practice safe driving habits. You can immediately save 12% on car insurance for the first six months by signing up for TrueLane. At renewal, your savings can go up or down depending on your driving habits, with a the maximum amount of 25%.
Telematics have become a popular way for insurers to gather additional driving information from their policyholders, allowing them to more intelligently calculate rates. Nearly all the big-name insurers have a program of their own, and The Hartford is no different.
Other well-known telematics programs include:
How Does TrueLane Work?
Most companies calculate car insurance premiums based on numerous factors like age, gender, and ZIP code. Telematics programs like TrueLane provide insurers with additional information about your driving habits, and they typically reward you with discounts based on how you drive.
To take advantage of TrueLane’s discounts, download the mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. After signing up, you’ll automatically receive a 12% discount. The app tracks your driving, and, based on your performance, you can save up to 25% on your policy when you renew. The TrueLane app also provides helpful tips to help you earn more discounts and stay safe on the road.
For TrueLane to collect your driving data, you’ll need to remember to bring your smartphone in the car every time you drive. While drivers using previous versions of TrueLane used a plug-in
device to monitor customers driving, the current version only uses the smartphone app, which runs automatically in the background.
Let’s take a closer look at the things TrueLane tracks and how it knows who’s driving.
What does TrueLane track?
To determine your driving habits, performance, and overall discount, TrueLane tracks the following metrics:
Acceleration: How quickly you accelerate from a stop, such as at a traffic light or stop sign.
Braking: How hard and how quickly you come to a stop. This includes any hard braking or other potentially dangerous braking habits.
Cornering: How fast you’re moving around turns — whether on twisty roads, on-ramps, or simply turning from one street onto another.
Phone distraction: How often you use your phone while behind the wheel. This includes hands-free calling, texting, or using mobile apps while the vehicle is in motion.
Speed: How fast you drive and how often you disobey the posted speed limit.
How does TrueLane know who’s driving?
TrueLane uses your smartphone to detect when you’re in your vehicle. The TrueLane app works in the background using sensors in your phone to monitor your driving behaviors. This way, it doesn’t distract you while you’re driving.
When you’re not driving, customers report that you have to go into the TrueLane app to mark yourself as the passenger. For instance, if someone else is driving and TrueLane assigns you points for the trip, you can use the “Edit My Trips” button on your account dashboard to change your trip status to “passenger.” This way, you won’t get points taken off of your driving score if you weren’t the one driving. And if you have trouble editing your trip, you can reach out to a customer service agent.
How Much Can You Save With Hartford TrueLane?
You can immediately save 12% on your car insurance by signing up for TrueLane. And based on how you drive, you can save up to 25% when you renew your policy. If you have multiple people on your policy, this provides more potential to save. Average savings amounts will vary between drivers.
If you decide you no longer want to use TrueLane, you can stop using the app at any time, but keep in mind that you’ll lose your discount.
Hartford TrueLane vs. the competition
Telematics programs have become incredibly popular among auto insurers, and many throughout the industry expect them to become more commonplace in the coming years. This technology benefits insurers by helping them make more data-driven predictions. It also helps drivers identify bad habits and make improvements.
With so many options, you’re probably wondering how The Hartford stacks up to similar programs.
The table below provides discount information for some of the most popular telematics programs available.
Program | Initial Discount | Maximum Discount |
---|---|---|
The Hartford TrueLane | 12% | 25% |
Allstate Drivewise | Varies by state | Varies by state |
American Family KnowYourDrive | 10% | 20% |
Chubb SafeLane | 10% | 20% |
Direct Auto DynamicDrive | 10% | Not disclosed |
Farmers Signal | 5% | 15% |
Liberty Mutual RightTrack | 10% | 30% |
Nationwide SmartRide | 10% | 40% |
Progressive Snapshot | Varies by state Average discount of $94 | Varies by state Average discount of $231 |
Safeco RightTrack | 10% | 30% |
State Farm Drive Safe & Save | 5% | 30% (May exceed 30% in some states) |
Travelers IntelliDrive | 10% | 30% (Up to 40% in Nevada) |
USAA SafePilot | 10% | 30% |
While Hartford’s TrueLane offers one of the largest initial discounts, at 12%, other insurers offer higher maximum discounts of 30%–40%. If your goal is to find the biggest discount possible, you might consider other car insurance companies.
How to maximize your TrueLane discount
If you’re aiming for the maximum discount with TrueLane, focus on driving as safely as possible. Use these tips to improve your score and maximize your savings:
Avoid fast accelerations: Ease on the accelerator when leaving a stop sign or traffic light and speed up gradually instead.
Don’t slam on your brakes: Stay focused and be aware of when cars in front of you are slowing down. And when you approach a traffic light or stop sign, don’t wait until the last minute to apply the brakes.
Make safe, slow turns: Watch your speed around curves, on-ramps, and when turning onto another road.
Follow the posted speed limit: Avoid speeding as much as possible. Even if other drivers are speeding, driving over the posted speed limit could hurt your overall score and negatively affect your savings.
Don’t use your phone while driving: Distracted driving isn’t only dangerous, but it could put a big hamper on your potential savings. Avoid hands-free calling, texting, or using mobile apps when you’re behind the wheel if you want to maximize your discount.
Can your rates go up with Hartford TrueLane?
It’s not clear if The Hartford will increase your car insurance rates if you don’t practice safe driving, but the company says your discount can fluctuate over time based on how you drive. When you sign up for Hartford TrueLane, you get a 12% discount on your car insurance rate for the first six months. When you go to renew, your discount can go up or down depending on your driving history. The minimum amount you can save ranges from 0% up to 25% for excellent driving patterns.
For instance, you can expect your discount to drop at renewal if you get a speeding ticket or are in a car accident.
But if you practice safe driving behaviors, you might get the best deal at 20% or 25%, resulting in lower rates.
Is TrueLane Worth It? What Real Customers Are Saying
Whether TrueLane is worth it depends on what you expect from the program (or those like it). Looking at online customer reviews from real TrueLane users, some customers think it’s a great app and use the feedback to correct bad habits and become safer drivers.
Other customer reviews claim the TrueLane app penalizes them for things that are out of their control, such as braking for another car. Several customers — like the one in the below review — also appear frustrated by the app’s functionality.
Some even complain that the app mistakes rides on public transportation for their driving trips. For example, the users featured in the two reviews below claim the app tracks their driving when they’re a passenger in another vehicle — even when they’re on a train.
Finally, some customers were concerned with their privacy. They felt the app required them to turn on more permissions on their phone than necessary, including requesting access to their location and photo gallery.
How to Sign Up for Hartford TrueLane
If you’re interested in signing up for The Hartford’s TrueLane, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
1. Get an auto insurance quote with The Hartford
As a new Hartford customer, you can speak with a customer service representative to get a car insurance quote or request one online. If you want to move forward, you’ll have to sign up for an insurance policy that includes TrueLane.
As soon as you sign up, you can take advantage of an automatic 12% discount.
2. Download the TrueLane mobile app
After signing up, you’ll receive a text with a link to download the free TrueLane app for either Apple IOS or Android.
3. Complete the registration process
The app will ask you to fill in some information and enable permissions on your phone in order to begin tracking your driving behavior.
4. Drive safely
Now you can take a drive with your smartphone in the car. The TrueLane app will note your driving behaviors throughout the monitoring period.
To get the largest discount on renewal, avoid behaviors like hard braking, fast acceleration, and using your phone while driving.
5. Monitor your progress
Using the TrueLane dashboard, you can view your driving performance and score. Your score indicates how safely you drive that day — the higher you score, the more you can save.
6. Collect your discount
You’ll receive an initial 12% discount for participating in Hartford’s TrueLane program, and if you achieve high ratings for good driving behaviors, you can get an additional discount on renewal (after your six-month policy term ends).
Depending on where you live, you could save as much as 25% on your policy.
Hartford TrueLane FAQs
Still have a question about the TrueLane telemetrics program? Check out the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Hartford TrueLane to learn more.
Is Hartford TrueLane worth it?
It depends. Some drivers find Hartford’s TrueLane telematics program easy to use, helpful for improving their driving behaviors, and worth it for the discount. Others feel the app still has some functional issues and have chosen to stop using Hartford TrueLane.
What data does Hartford TrueLane collect?
Hartford TrueLane uses your phone to collect data related to how hard you brake, how fast you accelerate, how safely you turn, how fast you drive, and how often you use your phone while driving.
How much is the TrueLane discount?
It depends. TrueLane offers auto insurance policyholders an initial 12% discount for signing up for the program. You can also earn a discount of up to 25% when you renew your insurance, based on your driving habits and where you live (total discount varies by state).
Is The Hartford a good insurance company?
Yes. If you’re an AARP member who values a long company history and access to a variety of insurance products — including auto, small business, and home insurance — you may find The Hartford to be a good fit for your specific needs.
The Hartford has high customer satisfaction ratings — specifically in the Northwest region, according to J.D. Power — and an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior).
Sources:
Google Play Store, “TrueLane by the Hartford,” accessed April 4, 2024.
Insurance Business, “How telematics is “reshaping” the insurance industry,” accessed April 4, 2024.
J.D. Power, “Auto insurance customer satisfaction plummets as rates continue to surge,” accessed April 5, 2024.
AM Best, “AM Best affirms credit ratings of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries,” accessed April 5, 2024.
Related articles
)
The Best Car Insurance Apps (2024)
)
How Car Insurance Telematics is Transforming the Industry
)
How Car Insurance Monitoring Can Save You Money
)
Root Insurance Review: A Good Choice for You?
)
Metromile Review: Is Metromile Legit?

Usage-Based Insurance: Should You Use It?
)
GEICO DriveEasy Review: Is It Legit?
)
Liberty Mutual RightTrack: Is It Worth It?
)
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
)
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.