Based on firsthand reviews carefully examined by Jerry's research team, Direct Auto emerges as a moderately-sized auto insurance provider, providing competitive pricing options to its clientele.

Here’s a breakdown of how our verified Direct Auto policyholders ranked the company:

3.5

55 Reviews

5 Stars

14.55%

4 Stars

40%

3 Stars

30.91%

2 Stars

10.91%

1 Star

3.64%

Jerry

experts conducted one of the nation's most extensive reviews to collect car insurance information over 18 months. We surveyed over 18,000 policyholders from all 50 states, asking them about their experience with their insurance company’s customer service, renewal process, claims handling, and more.

So, is Direct Auto a good insurance company?

Direct Auto customers were generally satisfied with the company, except when it came to processing claims.

Among the many verified customer reviews we analyzed for Direct Auto, 66% were overwhelmingly positive, while only 11% were negative.

As compared with competitors of similar size, Direct Auto isn't doing any better or worse in terms of reviews.

The good: Direct Auto scored best in terms of buying experience, followed by average results in cost and customer service.

Easy free quotes and policy purchases through Jerry

Reasonable rates for drivers of all credit scores

Decent customer service department

On the other hand: Direct Auto's parent company, National General, scored a D+ on the CRASH Network's claim report card for 2023. Our survey results corroborate the findings, which surveyed over 1,000 auto body shops nationwide about how different insurers processed claims.

Jump to:

Direct Auto Car Insurance Reviews

DIrect Auto Pros and Cons

Direct Auto policyholders were asked to rate its cost, customer service, claims process, purchase, renewal, and overall satisfaction.

Below are Direct Auto's ratings compared to the national average of all companies surveyed:

Criteria	DirectAuto's Rating	Industry Average
Overall	4	4.1
Cost / Price	3.4	3.8
Claim Experience	3.5	3.5
Customer Service	3.9	4
Renewal Experience	3.6	4

We thought it was important to compare Direct Auto's strengths and weaknesses against car insurance companies of a similar size. Here’s how industry leaders like the BBB, NAIC, and AM Best rated Direct Auto and its peers:

Criteria	Direct Auto	Score Out Of
BBB Rating	A+	A+
NAIC Rating	3.44	6
Clearsurance	4.24	5
A.M. Best Rating	A+	A++
IOS App Store Rating	2.8	5
Google Play Store Rating	3.2	5

Please note* that a greater NAIC score indicates increased risk.

Direct Auto car insurance reviews

We didn’t only ask real insurance policyholders to rate Direct Auto by the numbers—we also wanted to hear what they had to say! Take a look at some real reviews from Direct Auto insurance policy customers below:

Direct Auto pros and cons

Based on our analysis of our national insurance customer satisfaction survey and Direct Auto's public third-party rankings, we think Direct Auto offers great pricing for non-standard drivers. However, its customer service and claims process could be improved. Here are the pros and cons to purchasing a plan from Direct Auto:

Pros

Great rates for high-risk, non-standard drivers

A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and AM Best

More discounts compared to other mid-size companies

Cons

A large number of customer complaints

Customers and car repair shops reported low claims satisfaction

Is Direct Auto the right insurance company for you?

Direct Auto is one of the best car insurance companies for:

Drivers who want minimum liability insurance coverage and nothing else

Drivers with bad credit scores

High-risk drivers with at-fault accidents and major and minor traffic offenses on their driving records

Homeowners who

bundle home and auto insurance

Keep in mind: According to Direct Auto’s policyholders, the company doesn’t provide much in the way of customer support.

Direct Auto is a mid-size subsidiary of National General, the 17th-largest auto insurance company in America. It operates in 18 states, including

Florida

and

Virginia

, and is headquartered in

Nashville, Tennessee

As a mid-size company, Direct Auto doesn’t offer many specialty products, but its claims service department operates 24/7. As for customer service, you’ll have to call on Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM CST, or Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST.

The company’s list of products includes:

Auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance

Health insurance

Mexico auto insurance

Motorcycle insurance

Renters insurance

Roadside assistance

Term life insurance

Travel insurance

Click on the buttons below to see how we rate Direct Auto’s car insurance services.

Is Direct Auto car insurance expensive?

Direct Auto car insurance is an excellent deal for non-standard drivers and homeowners.

About 56% of Direct Auto policyholders directly mentioned cost in their reviews. Of those, 61% were positive and 22% were negative.

Direct Auto is the perfect company for non-standard customers, such as high-risk motorists and those with poor credit, who struggle to find a competitive rate. They also offer a nice homeowners discount.

Compared with other insurance companies of similar size, Direct Auto ranked 24th overall in the category of auto insurance policy cost satisfaction. Customers rated Direct Auto 3.3 out of 5.0, slightly below the national average of 3.81.

Here’s how Direct Auto stacked up against its competitors in other areas of our study:

DirectAuto Policy Cost Rating	Ranking	Industry Average
3.4	24	3.8

Keep in mind: Car insurance quotes are highly personal. Two customers from the same city could receive quotes that vary by hundreds of dollars.

Like every other auto insurance company, Direct Auto uses a complicated formula to

calculate its car insurance rates

. The list of factors includes:

Age and demographic

Driving record

Experience level

Household members of driving age (and

whoever you add to your policy

)

Policy coverage limits

Policy coverage type

Prior coverage history

Vehicle make, model, and year

ZIP code

Every provider uses a different formula for insurance premiums, but the data shows some pricing trends across states.

Direct Auto

Check out how real Jerry users rated Direct Auto based on cost below:

Will Direct Auto raise your rates?

Yep! You'll likely pay a little more every time you

renew your car insurance

at Direct Auto (or any other auto insurance company).

Direct Auto may increase your rates a tad extra if:

The inflation rate rises

You add a new driver to your policy

You add a new vehicle to your policy

You change your address

You’re involved in a car accident

You receive a traffic ticket

Policyholders ranked Direct Auto 14th place in terms of renewal.

Does Direct Auto resolve claims fast?

In regards to Direct Auto's policy terms and claims, customers reported a lack of transparency and communication.

After you

file a car insurance claim

, your provider should assign your case to an adjuster as soon as possible. Based on the relevant policy terms and limits, the adjuster investigates the claim, assesses any injuries and damages, and decides whether to approve or deny it. The faster a claim is resolved, the better for everyone’s emotional and financial health.

According to a small percentage of Direct Auto customers, the claims department is inefficient and unsatisfying, earning only 1.6 points out of 5. But considering the small number of reviews that mentioned claims, you may want to take this with a grain of salt. Read what Direct Auto customers have to say.

DirectAuto Claims Resolution Rating	Ranking	Industry Average
3.5	15	3.5

Direct Auto ranks 15th among its competitors in terms of its claims satisfaction index, which is only 3.54.

Direct Auto claims reviews

Take a look at how real Jerry users rated Direct Auto based on claims handling:

Direct Auto car insurance discounts

Direct Auto’s list of car insurance discounts is comprehensive, which is impressive for a company of its size.

When you take advantage of

car insurance discounts

, you can turn a good deal into a great one. It only takes a phone call to find a discount based on your age, mileage, driving record, vehicle safety rating, or even your marital status.

Direct Auto’s discounts include:

Good student discount:

If you get a B or better in high school or college, Direct Auto will give you a 10% discount.

Driver education discount: You can save up to 10% on your insurance premiums by taking a

defensive driving course

DynamicDrive discount: Earn savings (up to 10%) by driving safely with the Routely telematics app.

Homeowner discount: You could save up to 15% if you own the home where you keep your car.

Military discount: Active military members can save up to 25% on Direct Auto’s plans.

Multi-car discount: Insure two or more vehicles and save up to 25%.

Multi-policy discount: Direct Auto also offers life and health insurance, so you could save 5% by pairing two or three insurance products.

Payment discounts: Set up automatic payments, pay in full, and switch to electronic billing to save up to 9%.

Safe driver discount:

If you have not had any accidents or claims in the past three years, you can get a 10% discount.

Vehicle anti-theft device discount:

Direct Auto offers 10% off if you install a qualifying aftermarket security device.

For the most current information (and to find out whether you qualify to save), visit the Direct Auto website or call an insurance agent.

Direct Auto coverage options

The best car insurance policy is one tailored to suit your needs and your

state’s insurance requirements

. Here are the most common

types of car insurance

, add-ons, and extra coverage options that you can find with Direct Auto:

Liability insurance

: Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance to cover the cost of any damages they cause behind the wheel. There are usually separate minimum coverage limits required for

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL)

and

Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Collision coverage:

Collision insurance covers your car’s repair costs after you hit another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive coverage:

Comprehensive coverage will protect your finances from a devastating fire, weather-related incident, vandalism, or theft. Add collision and comprehensive together for a

full-coverage auto insurance policy

Medical payments (MedPay):

After an accident, MedPay covers the medical expenses of you and your passengers.

Non-owner insurance:

Non-owner policies act as supplemental liability coverage whenever you drive a borrowed or rental car.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP):

This no-fault insurance covers your hospital bills and lost wages after a car accident.

Rental reimbursement:

If your car is in the shop following an insurance claim, you can rent a car or take a taxi and get reimbursed.

Roadside assistance:

Direct Auto offers 24/7 roadside assistance, including towing, winching, jumpstarts, battery charges, flat tire changes, and locksmithing.

SR-22 insurance:

Direct Auto will submit your SR-22 (or FR-44) certificate to your state's DMV on your behalf.

Towing and labor coverage:

Similar to roadside assistance, it can tow you to a shop if you've broken down or been in an accident, but it doesn't cover repairs.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM):

UM/UIM covers you if you’re struck by an underinsured or uninsured motorist (i.e. one carrying too little car insurance or no car insurance at all).

Direct Auto’s additional tools and services

Customers looking to manage their Direct Auto experience have access to several tools.

Managing your policy is as easy as:

Downloading the Direct Auto Mobile app: The app lets you access

proof of insurance

and make payments, but it’s not

the best car insurance app

Logging into MyAccount: DirectAuto.com provides customers the means to change their policy or make payments online through an online account.

Making a phone call: Claims are 24/7 on a toll-free line; customer service is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM CST, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST.

QuickPay: The QuickPay webpage and app for iOS and Android gives customers a fast way to process payments.

Sending an email: You can send an email directly to Direct Auto’s customer service department.

Visiting an office: Check local.directauto.com for office listings with phone numbers, email addresses, hours, ratings, and more.

Call your local Direct Auto representative or visit the website to get the latest details from customer service. Tools, services, and savings vary by location (and over time).

FAQs

Is Direct Auto a good insurance company?

If you are something of a customer service-oriented person, Direct Auto might not be the best option for you. Direct Auto is a great company for people with minor and major traffic offenses on their driving records, as well as those who have bad credit.

Does Allstate own direct auto?

Direct Auto is owned by Allstate by way of National General. Allstate acquired both companies in 2021.

Which company is best for vehicle insurance?

The "best" vehicle insurance company depends on what you’re looking for. To find the right mix of features and affordability, you should get quotes from several insurance companies.

How long has Direct Auto Insurance been around?

As of 2023, Direct Auto has been around for 32 years. Its original (and current) mission statement is to provide drivers with low rates, regardless of their driving, credit, or insurance histories.

Read all Direct Auto car insurance reviews:

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 18,000 customers surveyed and 120 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record. For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

Meet Our Experts

R.E. Fulton

Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.

As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

Lina Zhang

Licensed Insurance Agent

Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC

Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.

Josh Damico

Head Of Insurance Operations

18+ Years Experience in Insurance

Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.