Root Insurance, the nation’s first car insurance company to incorporate individual driving behavior in every rate, has announced plans to expand its operations in Columbus, creating 400 new jobs. Hiring for claims and customer service positions will begin immediately.
“We evaluated multiple markets in the Midwest and East Coast before making the decision to further expand our Columbus-based operations,” said Root Chief Corporate Development & Strategy Officer Kumi Walker. “The Columbus Region offers the high-quality talent pool and collaborative business environment we need to help our company thrive. Columbus 2020, the City of Columbus and JobsOhio have been invaluable partners for us as we’ve continued to grow.”
Root currently employs 550 employees at its headquarters on 80 E Rich Street in Columbus. The company’s investment will be used to expand into a new 65,000-square-foot customer service and claims center on 3435 Stelzer Road in Columbus. Root continues to experience significant growth as it expands into new markets and increases penetration in the auto insurance industry. This new facility will allow the company to hire additional claims and customer support staff to accommodate its ongoing success.
“Root’s expansion is an example of how innovative companies can effectively start and scale their operations in the Columbus Region,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The company’s continued investment and rapid expansion in Columbus has added to our business community immensely, and we look forward to helping them achieve ongoing success.”
Root is the nation’s first licensed insurance carrier powered entirely by mobile and founded on the principle that car insurance rates should be based on how you drive, not who you are. Through smartphone technology and data science, Root measures driving behavior, and uses it as the primary factor in determining rates.
“It’s important to the health and vitality of the City that we support homegrown businesses like Root Insurance that are growing and looking to expand,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy. “We want to prioritize companies that value living wage jobs and are committed to the City of Columbus. I am excited to witness their future success.”
Financial and insurance-related activities comprise the top sector of economic output in the Columbus Region. Root operates alongside other fintech and insurtech leaders in Columbus, ranging from Huntington and JPMorgan Chase to Alliance Data and State Farm.
“Root Insurance has exceeded growth expectations, and we welcome its continued confidence in the Columbus Region’s talent,” said JobsOhio Financial Services and Fintech Director Terry Gore. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Root as it plans to innovate and expand in the Columbus Region.”