ROOT

Financial Services

Root, Inc. · Insurance - Property & Casualty · $800M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
48.1
Below Average

Root, Inc. scores 48.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
ROOT
48.1
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Root, Inc.?

Root, Inc. is a technology-driven insurance company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Operating primarily through mobile applications, Root has built a direct-to-consumer model that sets it apart from traditional insurance carriers.

Root generates revenue by underwriting automobile, homeowners, and renters insurance policies sold directly to consumers. Rather than relying on traditional agent networks, Root reaches customers through its mobile app, website, digital media, referral channels, and select distribution partners. This lean distribution approach is designed to reduce acquisition costs and improve the customer experience. The company uses technology to assess risk and price policies, targeting a more efficient underwriting process than legacy insurers.

Root was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Automobile insurance via mobile-first platform
  • Homeowners insurance for direct-to-consumer buyers
  • Renters insurance through app and web channels
  • Digital and referral-based distribution partnerships

Is ROOT a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ROOT as Good overall, reflecting a mixed but improving picture across its five quality pillars.

Root's Growth and Risk pillars both carry Good ratings, suggesting the business is expanding at a meaningful pace while managing its risk profile better than many small-cap insurance peers. The Valuation pillar also reads as Good, indicating the market may not be pricing in excessive optimism at current levels.

The Quality pillar sits at Neutral and the Moat pillar is rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive insulation and a business model still working toward durable profitability.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ROOT pay dividends?

No — Root, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

Root does not currently pay a dividend. As a growth-stage insurer focused on scaling its technology platform and expanding its policyholder base, the company reinvests available capital into operations rather than returning cash to shareholders. Investors drawn to ROOT are typically seeking capital appreciation rather than income.

When does ROOT report earnings?

Root, Inc. reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Root's recent reporting periods have reflected the company's ongoing transition toward improved underwriting discipline and reduced losses. Progress on loss ratios and operating efficiency has been a recurring theme, though the path to sustained profitability remains a key focus for the market.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Root, Inc.'s investor relations page directly.

ROOT Price History

-67.1% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Root, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$3,026
That's a -69.7% total return, or -21.3% annualized.

Based on Root, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ROOT Long-term Outlook

Root's Good Growth pillar suggests the business is on an upward trajectory, supported by continued adoption of its mobile-first insurance model and expanding distribution partnerships. The Good Risk rating indicates the company has made meaningful strides in managing underwriting exposure. However, the Weak Moat pillar is a reminder that the insurance market is highly competitive and barriers to imitation remain low.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of mobile and digital distribution channels
  • Improving underwriting efficiency through technology-driven risk assessment
  • Growing demand for direct-to-consumer insurance alternatives

Key risks

  • Limited competitive moat in a crowded personal lines insurance market
  • Execution risk as the company scales toward consistent profitability
  • Valuation sensitivity to shifts in loss ratios or macroeconomic conditions

ROOT vs Peers

Root competes in the personal lines insurance space alongside both technology-forward and traditional regional carriers.

BOWROOT scores lower
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.

Bowhead focuses on specialty insurance lines, targeting a more niche commercial market rather than Root's consumer-facing personal lines approach.

HRTGROOT scores lower
Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Heritage operates as a regional property insurer with a more traditional agent-driven distribution model, contrasting with Root's app-first strategy.

DGICASimilar UQS
Donegal Group Inc.

Donegal is an established regional carrier with a longer profitability track record and a dividend-paying history, unlike growth-stage Root.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Root, Inc. do?

Root provides automobile, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers through a mobile application and website. The company uses technology to assess driver behavior and risk, aiming to offer more personalized pricing than traditional insurers. Its direct distribution model bypasses the conventional agent network.

Does ROOT pay dividends?

Root does not pay a dividend. The company is in a growth phase and prioritizes reinvesting capital into its technology platform and customer acquisition efforts. Investors in ROOT are generally focused on long-term capital appreciation rather than income.

When does ROOT report earnings?

Root reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US public company requirements. For exact dates and the most recent earnings releases, check Root's official investor relations page.

Is ROOT a good stock to buy?

ROOT carries a Good overall UQS Score, with particularly positive readings on Growth, Risk, and Valuation pillars. However, the Weak Moat and Neutral Quality ratings highlight real concerns about competitive durability. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is ROOT overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for ROOT is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear significantly overpriced relative to its fundamentals at current levels. That said, valuation for growth-stage insurers can shift quickly with changes in underwriting performance. The detailed valuation metrics are available inside the full UQS report.

How does ROOT compare to its competitors?

Root differentiates itself through its mobile-first, direct-to-consumer model, which contrasts with more traditional regional carriers like Heritage Insurance and Donegal Group. Bowhead Specialty focuses on commercial specialty lines rather than personal insurance. Root's technology-driven approach targets a different customer segment and cost structure than these peers.

What is ROOT's market cap bracket?

Root, Inc. is classified as a small-cap company. This means it carries higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large or mega-cap insurers, but may also offer more room for growth if the business model continues to scale effectively.

Who founded Root, Inc.?

Root was founded by Alex Timm and Dan Manges. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founding details are widely available through public sources and Root's own corporate history.

Is ROOT a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality perspective, ROOT's Good Growth and Risk pillar ratings are encouraging signs of operational progress. However, the Weak Moat rating suggests the company has not yet established strong competitive barriers. Long-term quality investors should weigh these factors carefully. The complete UQS analysis is available to Pro members.

What is the main competitive advantage of Root, Inc.?

Root's primary differentiator is its technology-driven, mobile-first distribution model, which allows it to reach customers directly and assess risk using behavioral data. This approach can lower acquisition costs compared to agent-based models. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting how easily competitors can adopt similar digital strategies.

What sector does ROOT belong to?

Root, Inc. operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically within the personal lines insurance industry. It competes with both traditional regional insurers and newer technology-driven insurance platforms targeting direct-to-consumer distribution.

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Pro Analysis

ROOT — Score History

4045505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 13 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202648.149.521.068.436.575.6-0.1
May 20, 202648.249.521.068.436.576.20.0
May 19, 202648.249.521.068.436.576.1-0.6
May 14, 202648.849.521.071.136.576.8-0.4
May 12, 202649.249.521.072.836.577.0-3.6
May 3, 202652.843.021.077.564.577.3+0.2
Apr 26, 202652.643.021.077.564.576.1-0.2
Apr 19, 202652.843.021.077.564.577.5-0.6
Apr 18, 202653.443.021.076.564.582.4+0.7
Apr 14, 202652.743.021.076.564.578.0-1.7

ROOT — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

49.5/100 (25%)

Root, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

68.4/100 (20%)

Root, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendStrong

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthModerate

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

36.5/100 (15%)

Root, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

75.8/100 (15%)

Root, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioModerate

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

21/100 (25%)

Root, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ROOT.

Score Composition

Quality
49.5×25%12.4
Growth
68.4×20%13.7
Risk
36.5×15%5.5
Valuation
75.8×15%11.4
Moat
21.0×25%5.3
Total
48.1Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ROOT UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Root, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Root, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Root, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.