Root Insurance has filed a Connecticut endorsement allowing a third-party sponsor to pay all or part of a customer’s auto insurance premium, describing a partnership with an unnamed top-five vehicle manufacturer.

In a November 6 response to regulators, Root said eligible customers would purchase a qualifying vehicle through a participating dealership and meet its standard underwriting guidelines. The manufacturer would pay the subsidy directly to Root, with no repayment obligation for the policyholder.

Root said policies would retain their filed rates and standard underwriting requirements. Customers would remain responsible for premiums exceeding the subsidy or increases resulting from policy changes. Any unused sponsor-funded premium would return to the sponsor if coverage is canceled or reduced.

Connecticut regulators asked Root to explain eligibility, customer savings and how the arrangement differs from premium financing. Root responded that customers incur no debt or interest charges and the sponsor receives no financing-related cancellation rights.

The department recorded the form effective as submitted on November 5, with a January 5, 2027 effective date for new and renewal business. The filing remains pending state action following Root’s response.

Root said the form had already been approved in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.