As the threat of virus transmission plagues public transport, demands for car ownership are on the rise. But cars offer more than just a COVID-19-secure way to get around: they're being reconceptualized as a space for relaxation and refuge away from the housebound lifestyles of 2020.

American drivers are becoming increasingly open to usage-based car insurance, with previous fears over data privacy decreasing once financial incentives and discounts are involved. With people feeling the pinch amid the pandemic, they are looking for discounts wherever they can find them.

Americans are driving 50% less on average as a result of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean the cost of their insurance premiums has been cut in half. Root Insurance uses data analysis to provide individualized car insurance premiums based on driving styles, rather than credit scores.

With COVID-19 creating concerns around using public transport, people are taking comfort in the safety offered by their cars. Offering a reliable way not just to travel, but also to socialize, relax, explore, and take part in fun activities, the car’s role in everyday life is changing.