BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Consolidation —The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Root, Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. To conform to the current year presentation, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified. Use of Estimates —The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates reflected in our consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense, premium write-offs, intangible asset impairment and valuation allowance for income taxes. COVID-19 —In December 2019, COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China and in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. The global pandemic has severely impacted businesses worldwide, including within the insurance industry. We have been impacted by certain individual state bulletins that outline COVID-19 premium relief efforts, including restrictions on the ability to cancel policies for non-payment, requirements to defer insurance premium payments for up to 60 days and restrictions on increasing policy premiums. COVID-19 has impacted and may further impact the broader economic environment, including negatively impacting unemployment levels, economic growth, the proper functioning of financial and capital markets and interest rates. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, there is uncertainty around the severity and duration of the pandemic and the pandemic’s potential impact on our business and our financial performance. Deferred Offering Costs —Deferred offering costs, which primarily consist of legal, accounting, and other third-party fees directly related to our IPO and concurrent private placement, are capitalized as incurred. Upon consummation of the IPO, these deferred offering costs were offset against the IPO and concurrent private placement proceeds. Asset Acquisition —In November 2020, we acquired all of the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of Catlin Indemnity Company, renamed Root Property & Casualty, for $22.8 million, which included cash, cash equivalents, and accrued investment income of $14.4 million and insurance license indefinite-lived intangible assets of $8.4 million. The transaction costs associated with this acquisition were $0.5 million and were allocated to the insurance license indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired. This acquisition will expand our ability to sell personal auto insurance in 48 states and the District of Columbia. We accounted for the acquisition of Root Property & Casualty as an asset acquisition because substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (the insurance licenses) and the acquisition of Root Property & Casualty did not include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs and therefore does not meet the definition of a business under GAAP. Accordingly, we recognized the acquired assets at fair value as of the acquisition date, with transaction costs allocated to the insurance license indefinite-lived intangible assets. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets —In connection with the acquisition of Root Property & Casualty, we recognized insurance licenses of $8.9 million, including transaction cost, as of December 31, 2020 in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We incur a minimal fee to renew each license. These intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or when indicators of impairment exist. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles involves first assessing qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If so, then a quantitative test is performed to compare the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the respective asset's carrying amount. The evaluation requires the use of estimates and significant judgments and considers the weight of evidence and significance of all identified events and circumstances and most relevant drivers of fair value, both positive and negative, in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Segment Information —Our chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer. The chief operating decision maker manages operations, allocates resources, and evaluates financial performance on a company-wide basis. We operate in one reporting segment providing direct-to-consumer insurance products to customers. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash —Cash consists of cash on deposit. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that mature within three months from the date of origination and are principally stated at amortized cost, which approximates their fair value. Restricted cash consists of amounts held in escrow by a financial institution to collateralize a portion of outstanding debt. Book Overdraft —If checks are issued in excess of the amount of cash on hand a book overdraft shall be reclassified to accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheets. When a check is issued whereby a disbursement account is used to write the check, but the account is not funded until the check is presented for payment this "negative cash" balance is included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets, if the funding account has sufficient funds. Investments —Investments in debt securities are classified as short-term and available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Declines in the fair value of debt securities below their cost deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in operations as realized losses. Management regularly reviews its securities for signs of other-than-temporary impairment, an assessment requiring significant management judgment. Among the criteria management considers are the financial condition of the issuer, including receipt of scheduled principal and interest cash flows, length of time of unrealized loss, maturity dates, current economic conditions and intent to sell, including if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery. When a debt security has been determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment, the impairment charge is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the amount related to non-credit factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. There were no other-than-temporary impairments recognized in 2020, 2019, or 2018. Fair Value Measurements —Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability on the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants. A three-tier hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair values are: Level 1 - Financial assets and liabilities for which inputs are observable and are obtained from reliable quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 - Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which values are based on similar assets and liabilities that are actively traded. This also includes pricing models for which the inputs are corroborated by market data. Level 3 - Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Premiums, Premiums Receivable and Premium Write-offs —Premiums written are deferred and earned pro rata over the policy period. Unearned premium is established to cover the unexpired portion of premiums written. A premium deficiency, as measured on a direct basis, is recorded when the sum of expected losses, loss adjustment expenses, unamortized acquisition costs and maintenance costs exceed the recorded unearned premium reserve and anticipated investment income. A premium deficiency reserve is recognized as a reduction of deferred acquisition costs and, if necessary, by accruing an additional liability for the deficiency, with a corresponding charge to operations. We did not record a premium deficiency reserve in 2020, 2019, or 2018. Premiums receivable represents premiums written but not yet collected. Generally, premiums are collected prior to providing risk coverage, minimizing our exposure to credit risk. Due to a variety of factors, certain premiums billed may not be collected, for which we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of historical collection experience. Allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.5 million and $2.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 on the consolidated balance sheets. A policy is considered past due on the first day after its due date and policies greater than 90 days past due are written-off. We recognized bad debt expense of $23.6 million, $9.0 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Fee and Other Income —Fee income consists of the flat fee we charge to those policyholders who pay premiums on an installment basis. The fee relates to the additional administrative costs associated with processing more frequent billings. We recognize this fee income in the period in which we process each installment. Other income primarily comprises commissions earned for homeowners policies placed with third-party insurance companies where we have no exposure to the insured risk, recognized on the effective date of the associated policy, and sale of enterprise technology products to provide telematics-based data collection and trip tracking, recognized ratably as the service is performed. Sales and Marketing —Sales and marketing includes spend related to performance and partnership channels, channel media, advertising, branding, public relations, consumer insights and referral fees. These expenses also include related employee costs including salaries, health benefits, bonuses, employee retirement plan related expenses and share-based compensation expense, or Personnel Costs, and overhead allocated based on headcount, or Overhead. We incur sales and marketing activities for all product offerings. Sales and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. Other Insurance (Benefit) Expense —Other insurance (benefit) expense includes underwriting expenses, credit card and policy processing expenses, premium write-offs, insurance license expenses, and Personnel Costs and Overhead related to actuarial and certain data science activities. Other insurance (benefit) expense also includes amortization of deferred acquisition costs like premium taxes and report costs related to the successful acquisition of a policy. Other insurance (benefit) expense is expensed as incurred, except for costs related to deferred acquisition costs that are capitalized and subsequently amortized over the same period in which the related premiums are earned. These expenses are also recognized net of ceding commissions earned from our quota share reinsurance agreements. The ceding commission provides for reimbursement of both direct and other periodic acquisition costs, including certain underwriting and marketing costs, and is presented as a reduction of other insurance (benefit) expense. Technology and development —Technology and development consists of software development costs related to our mobile app and homegrown information technology systems; third-party services related to infrastructure support; Personnel Costs and Overhead for engineering, product, technology, and certain data science activities; and amortization of internally developed software. Technology and development is expensed as incurred, except for development and testing costs related to internally developed software that are capitalized and subsequently amortized over the expected useful life. General and Administrative —General and administrative expenses primarily relate to external professional service expenses; Personnel Costs and Overhead for corporate functions; and depreciation expense for computers, furniture and other fixed assets. General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred. Policy Acquisition Costs —Acquisition costs, consisting of premium taxes and certain marketing costs and underwriting expenses, net of ceding commissions, related to the successful acquisition or renewal business, are deferred and amortized over the same period in which the related premiums are earned. Ceding commissions relating to reinsurance agreements are recorded as a reimbursement for both deferrable and non-deferrable acquisition costs. The portion of the ceding commission that is equal to the pro rata share of acquisition costs based on quota share percentage is recorded as an offset to the direct deferred acquisition costs. Any portion of the ceding commission that exceeds the acquisition costs of the business ceded is recorded as excess ceding commission, a deferred liability, and amortized over the same period in which the related premiums are earned. We amortized deferred acquisition costs of $17.1 million, $12.2 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which are recognized in other insurance (benefit) expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves —Loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves include an amount determined using adjuster determined case-base estimates for reported claims and on actuarial unpaid claim estimates using past experience and historical emergence patterns for unreported losses and LAE. These reserves are established to cover the estimated ultimate cost to settle insured losses. The unpaid claim es timates consider loss cost trends, mix of business, and other risk factors impacting claims settlement. The method used to estimate unpaid LAE reserves is based on claims transaction data, including the relative cost of settling the range of claim types from express material damage claims to more complex injury cases. There is considerable uncertainty associated with the actuarial estimates, and therefore no assurance can be made that the ultimate unpaid claim liability will not vary materially from such estimates. These loss estimates are continually reviewed by management and adjusted as necessary; with adjustments included in the period determined and recorded in loss and LAE on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As such, loss and LAE reserves represent management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability related to reported and unreported claims. Our loss and LAE reserves are recorded gross of reinsurance and net of amounts expected to be received from salvage (the amount recovered from a total loss claims expense) and subrogation (the right to recover payments from third parties). Reinsurance —In the ordinary course of business, we cede a portion of our business written to reinsurers to limit the maximum net loss potential arising from large risks and catastrophes. These arrangements, known as treaties, provide for reinsurance coverage on quota-share and excess-of-loss basis. Although the ceding of reinsurance does not discharge us from our primary liability to the policyholder, the insurance company that assumes the coverage assumes the related liability. Amounts recoverable from and payable to reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured business. Reinsurance premiums, commissions and expense reimbursements related to reinsured business are accounted for on a basis consistent with the basis used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums ceded to other companies have been reported as a reduction of premiums earned and are recognized over the remaining policy period based on the reinsurance protection provided. Amounts applicable to reinsurance ceded for unearned premium reserves are reported as a prepaid reinsurance premiums asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and as reduction of unearned premiums in Note 6, “Reinsurance.” Ceding commissions received in connection with reinsurance ceded have been accounted for as a reduction of other insurance (benefit) expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Some of our reinsurance agreements provide for adjustment of commissions or amount of coverage based on loss experience. We recognize the asset or liability arising from these adjustable features in the period the adjustment occurs, which is calculated based on experience to-date under the agreement. In the event that all or any of the reinsuring companies might be unable to meet their obligations under existing reinsurance agreements, we would be liable for such defaulted amounts. We evaluate and monitor the financial condition associated with our reinsurers in order to minimize our exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. We obtain our reinsurance from a diverse group of reinsurers and monitor concentration as well as financial strength ratings of the reinsurers to minimize counterparty credit risk. All reinsurance contracts provide for indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk and have been accounted for as reinsurance. Income Taxes —For the 2020 tax year, Root, Inc. will file a consolidated federal income tax return with Caret Holdings, Inc., Root Insurance Company, Root Property & Casualty and Root Reinsurance Company, Ltd. The consolidated return also includes Root Insurance Agency, LLC and Root Enterprise, LLC, which are disregarded entities under Root Inc. for federal income tax purposes. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that there is sufficient positive evidence, as allowed under the Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, 740, Income Taxes, to support the recoverability of those deferred tax assets. We establish a valuation allowance to the extent that there is insufficient evidence to support the recoverability of the deferred tax asset under ASC 740. In making such a determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If it is determined that the deferred tax assets would be realizable in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment would be made to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance of $137.3 million and $76.8 million was established as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Further details are discussed in Note 9, "Income Taxes." We recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Interest and penalties on our reserve for uncertain tax positions are recognized as a component of tax expense. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Internally Developed Software —We review our software development activity and capitalize costs during the application development phase under ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a five-year period. Internally developed software costs are assessed for impairment at least quarterly to ensure assets are still in service. If there are assets identified as no longer in use, the remaining unamortized costs will be fully amortized. We amortized internally developed software of $2.4 million, $1.4 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, recorded as technology and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The capitalized cost and accumulated amortization of internally developed software at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: 2020 2019 (dollars in millions) Internally developed software $ 13.9 $ 8.5 Accumulated amortization (4.3) (1.9) Internally developed software, net $ 9.6 $ 6.6 Fixed Assets —Fixed Assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize purchases of fixed assets with costs greater than $1,000, including computers, furniture, and leasehold improvements. Depreciation on computers and furniture is recognized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of three years and five years, respectively. Depreciation on leasehold improvements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their useful life or the life of the lease. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment may be performed on the recoverability of the carrying amounts. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, depreciation expense was $3.1 million, $1.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The capitalized cost and accumulated depreciation of fixed assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: 2020 2019 (dollars in millions) Computers $ 4.5 $ 3.5 Furniture 3.4 2.9 Leasehold improvements 6.3 6.0 Total fixed assets, at cost $ 14.2 $ 12.4 Accumulated depreciation (5.3) (2.2) Fixed assets, net $ 8.9 $ 10.2 Share-Based Compensation —We award share-based compensation, including stock options with only a service condition, stock options with service and performance conditions, restricted stock units, or RSUs, and restricted stock, to our officers, directors, employees, and certain advisors through approval from the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of stock options is determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes Merton, or BSM, option-pricing model. The BSM option pricing model requires inputs based on certain subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the options, the risk-free interest rate for a period that approximates the expected term of the option, and our expected dividend yield. The fair value of restricted stock and RSUs granted before our IPO had historically been determined by our Board of Directors, with input from management, and considering third-party valuations of our common stock. Because there had been no public market for our common stock, our board of directors had determined its fair value at the time of grant of the pre-IPO option by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including financing investment rounds, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of share capital and general and industry specific economic outlook, among other factors. Our Board of Directors determined the fair value of common stock based on valuations performed using the Option Pricing Method and the Probability Weighted Expected Return Method subject to relevant facts and circumstances. After our IPO, our common stock is now listed on the Nasdaq and we use these market prices for the fair value of our common shares. Stock options are exercisable for a period up to ten years from the grant date. We recognize forfeitures as they occur. Stock options with only a service condition generally vest over four years - 25% cliff vests after one year and approximately 2% vests each month over three years thereafter. Stock options with service and performance conditions generally vest ratably over a four-year period assuming achievement of the performance conditions. The compensation expense associated with nonvested stock options that have performance conditions is dependent on our periodic assessment of the probability of the performance conditions being achieved. If deemed probable, we recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. If a performance condition is no longer probable of achievement, any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed and no subsequent compensation expense is recognized until achievement is once again probable, at which point a cumulative catch-up is recognized. Restricted stocks units (RSUs) generally vest over four years - 25% cliff vests after one year and approximately 2% vests each month over three years thereafter. Certain other RSUs vest over four years - 25% cliff vests after one year and in equal increments quarterly over three years thereafter; vest over four years in equal quarterly increments; and fully cliff vest after one year. We generally recognize share-based compensation expense ratably over the respective vesting period. Before our IPO, the fair value of common stock underlying the options had historically been determined by our board of directors, with input from management, and considering third-party valuations of our common stock. Because there had been no public market for our common stock, our board of directors had determined its fair value at the time of grant of the pre-IPO option by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including financing investment rounds, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of share capital and general and industry specific economic outlook, among other factors. Our board of directors determined the fair value of common stock based on valuations performed using the Option Pricing Method and the Probability Weighted Expected Return Method subject to relevant facts and circumstances. After our IPO, our common stock is now listed on the Nasdaq and we use these market prices for the fair value of our common shares. For additional information refer to Note 11, “Share-Based Compensation.” Net Loss Per Share —Net loss per share results are a key indicator of the overall performance relative to each share of our outstanding common stock. Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares vested and outstanding during the period. Our warrants were included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, until they were exercised, because they have an insignificant exercise price of $0.0001 per share and are therefore considered outstanding common shares for computation of basic EPS. The calculation for Diluted net loss per share is similar to basic net loss per share discussed above except the conversion of dilutive securities is included in the denominator. Notable dilutive securities relevant to our operations are stock options, performance stock options, nonvested shares subject to repurchase, restricted stock units, warrants and redeemable convertible preferred stock. We have operated at a loss from operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Therefore, the conversion of potential shares from dilutive securities would increase the denominator of the earnings (loss) per share, or EPS, calculation and would create a lower loss per share. This means that the potentially dilutive securities are considered antidilutive as they increase our EPS. Due to these losses from operations, diluted EPS would be equal to basic EPS. Earnings are allocated equally between each class of common stock because they are entitled to the same liquidation and dividend rights. Adopted Accounting Pronouncement —In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement , to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. We early adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements or notes to financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in the update simplify the accounting for income taxes by, among other things, removing the exception to the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items like comprehensive income, and recognizing franchise tax that is partially based on income as an income-based tax. We early adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or notes to consolidated financial statements. Upcoming Accounting Pronouncements —We currently qualify as an "emerging growth company" under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, whereby we have the option to adopt new or revised accounting guidance within the same time periods as private companies. We have elected this option but may ultimately determine it is preferable to take advantage of early adoption provisions offered within the applicable guidance. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . The main provision of ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance also requires disclosures that meet the objective of enabling financial statement users to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The effective date of ASU 2016-02 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. We expect to elect the practical expedient which will allow us to not apply the amended lease accounting guidance to comparative periods that will be presented. The majority of our lease spend relates to real estate with the remaining lease spend primarily related to minor equipment. While we are finalizing the evaluation of the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements, we expect the adoption of this guidance will result in recognition of operating lease liabilities of approximately $16 million based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease commitments. We anticipate recognizing a corresponding right-of-use asset based on the operating lease liabilities adjusted for previousl |