National General SmartDrive (DynamicDrive) Review – How Much Can You Save?
Last Updated on January 8, 2026
National General offers a usage-based (telematics) program often referred to as SmartDrive—currently marketed on National General’s site as DynamicDrive. The program uses a smartphone app to measure driving habits and can provide an upfront participation discount, with your renewal rate later adjusted based on the driving data collected.
SmartDrive/DynamicDrive can be worth it for drivers who avoid phone handling, harsh braking, and high-speed driving. However, because the score can also add a surcharge at renewal, it’s not a “guaranteed savings” program for every driver.
Our Rating of National General SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
3.6
out of 5
★★★★☆
Summary
Bottom line: National General’s SmartDrive/DynamicDrive can be a fit for low-distraction drivers who want their rate adjusted using real driving data, but it carries the possibility of a surcharge at renewal.
SmartDrive (marketed as DynamicDrive) is National General’s usage-based telematics program that uses a smartphone app to track driving behavior and produce a score that may adjust your renewal pricing up or down. Enrollment is typically handled through an agent or National General, followed by app activation using an activation code, with trip tracking running in the background to capture events like hard braking, high-speed driving, phone handling, time of day, and mileage. The program commonly includes an upfront participation discount (often up to 10%) for enrolling and meeting minimum participation requirements, with the more significant pricing impact generally occurring at the first renewal after enough data is collected.
Best for
- Drivers who rarely handle their phone while driving
- People who generally avoid harsh braking and high-speed driving
- Households that want visibility into driving patterns across drivers
Not ideal for
- Drivers who want a guaranteed discount at renewal
- People who frequently drive late at night or at higher speeds
- Anyone uncomfortable enabling location and motion permissions for ongoing trip tracking
- Our Rating of National General SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
- About SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
- How SmartDrive Works
- Which App Does SmartDrive Use?
- What SmartDrive Tracks
- How Much Can You Save With SmartDrive?
- Can SmartDrive Increase Your Rate?
- Eligibility and Participation Requirements
- Other Reasons Drivers Use SmartDrive
- Pros and Cons of National General’s SmartDrive Program
- Final Word on National General’s SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
- FAQs on National General SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
About SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
National General’s SmartDrive-style program is a telematics driver tracking program that uses your smartphone to capture driving behavior. Insurers use this information to better match your premium to how, when, and how often you drive.
In National General’s terms, enrolling can trigger a participation discount right away. At the first renewal after activation, the insurer may apply a driving score that can result in a discount for safer drivers—or a surcharge for riskier driving patterns.
How SmartDrive Works
Enrollment is typically handled through your agent or National General, followed by app activation on your phone. The general process looks like this:
- Step 1: Contact your independent agent or call National General customer service and ask to enroll in the program.
- Step 2: Receive an activation code (often sent by email) for each participating driver.
- Step 3: Download the program’s smartphone app and enter your activation code.
- Step 4: Complete at least one trip to finalize sign-up and begin data collection.
- Step 5: Keep driving normally while the app records driving events and produces a driver score used at renewal.
Quick tip: If savings are the only goal, avoid enrolling right before a period of unusual driving (long road trips, heavy commuting, or lots of night driving). Telematics programs score patterns over time, not just “best-behavior” days.
Which App Does SmartDrive Use?
National General’s current program information describes a DynamicDrive smartphone app (powered by a telematics provider). The app uses your phone’s location services and motion sensors to identify trips and measure driving events.
In practice, drivers can typically review trip details, see where driving events occurred, and monitor month-to-month summaries. The app may run in the background during trips and uploads trip data at the end of the drive.
What SmartDrive Tracks
While scoring models vary by insurer and state, National General’s program materials focus on a handful of driving behaviors that correlate with loss risk. Here’s what’s commonly measured.
| Driving Factor | What It Means in Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Hard braking / sudden stops | Rapid deceleration events during a trip (often tied to close following or inattention). | Frequent events can signal higher crash likelihood. See how hard braking can affect rates. |
| High-speed driving | Speeding events at very high thresholds (often 80+ mph depending on program rules). | Higher speeds increase severity and stopping distance. |
| Phone handling / distracted driving | Phone interaction during trips (depending on phone permissions and sensors). | Distraction is a major crash driver and can heavily influence a telematics score. |
| Time of day | When trips occur (daytime vs. late night/early morning). | Night driving is often associated with higher claim frequency and severity. |
| Mileage and frequency | Total distance traveled and how often trips occur. | More exposure generally increases risk. Learn how mileage impacts rates. |
Insurers typically keep the exact scoring formula proprietary. What matters most is understanding the categories being measured and whether those patterns reflect how the vehicle is usually driven.
How Much Can You Save With SmartDrive?
Discounts vary by state, company, and driving score. National General’s program materials commonly advertise an upfront participation discount (often up to 10%) for enrolling and meeting minimum participation requirements. Additional changes—up or down—are generally applied at renewal once enough driving data is collected.
For many drivers, this can complement other savings opportunities, especially when paired with carrier-specific discounts. (See National General’s discount options for additional ways to lower premiums.)
Drivers who maintain low-risk habits may also stack telematics savings with other strategies to reduce premiums over time—like adjusting deductibles, reviewing mileage assumptions, and shopping at renewal. A practical guide: ways to save on auto insurance.
Can SmartDrive Increase Your Rate?
Yes. SmartDrive/DynamicDrive is designed to personalize pricing, and that can cut both ways. If the driving score indicates higher risk—such as frequent phone handling, repeated hard braking, or high-speed events—the renewal adjustment can offset the participation discount and may lead to a higher premium.
Program terms also matter: drivers can typically opt out within a limited window (often the first 30 days). After that, deleting the app may stop future data collection, but data already collected may still be used for scoring and future rating.
Eligibility and Participation Requirements
Usage-based programs often have eligibility rules and minimum activity requirements to keep a participation discount. National General’s program materials commonly include requirements like being a rated driver, having a compatible smartphone, and meeting minimum trip activity during the policy term.
| Requirement | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Compatible smartphone + app permissions | Typically requires iPhone or Android with location/motion permissions enabled so trips can be detected. |
| Activation code entry | Activation is usually required within a short window after the code is issued to keep the participation discount. |
| Minimum driving history for a score | Programs commonly require roughly a month of driving and a meaningful number of trips to generate a rating score for renewal. |
| Ongoing participation | Extended inactivity (for example, going 30 days without a trip) or too few trips in a term can remove the participation discount. |
Once enough data is collected, the score is typically applied at your next renewal period and may remain in effect for future renewals until a new score is produced.
Other Reasons Drivers Use SmartDrive
Cost is a major reason to enroll, but it’s not the only one. Some households use telematics reporting to help coach new drivers—especially teen drivers—by reviewing driving summaries and encouraging safer habits.
Others use the program to build better routines, like reducing phone use behind the wheel, smoothing braking, and limiting late-night driving. For drivers already earning a good driver discount, telematics can sometimes reinforce (or challenge) the insurer’s risk assumptions with real driving behavior.
Pros and Cons of National General’s SmartDrive Program
| Potential Pros | Potential Cons |
|---|---|
| Upfront participation discount may apply just for enrolling and meeting minimum requirements. | Your renewal rate can increase if the driving score indicates higher risk behavior. |
| Encourages safer driving habits by making driving events visible. | Requires app permissions (location/motion) and ongoing trip tracking. |
| Useful for households that want visibility into driving patterns across drivers. | Opt-out rules may limit your ability to “undo” early data collection after a set period. |
| No vehicle hardware required—smartphone-based setup is usually straightforward. | Battery and background activity can be a concern on older phones. |
Final Word on National General’s SmartDrive (DynamicDrive)
National General’s SmartDrive-style program is a usage-based insurance option that uses a smartphone app to measure driving behavior and adjust pricing over time. Safe, low-distraction driving habits can translate into meaningful savings, while riskier driving patterns can reduce or reverse the discount at renewal.
For the most current program details and app instructions, visit National General’s DynamicDrive site at DynamicDrive.NationalGeneral.com or contact your agent.
