Direct Auto Insurance review 2023

Direct Auto Insurance car insurance

Direct Auto Insurance car insurance may be an option to explore for drivers who might not be able to qualify for car insurance due to their driving record, insurance history or another car insurance rating factor. Compared to other carriers, Direct Auto’s coverage options are more limited to the basic offerings, but it does include optional accidental death coverage, which would pay $5,000 to your spouse or other beneficiary if you passed away due to a covered accident while in your car.

Pros and cons of Direct Auto car insurance

It’s essential to look at the big picture when you’re requesting car insurance quotes, and an easy way to do so could be by studying this Direct Auto Insurance insurance review and considering a company’s pros and cons.

Direct Auto Insurance car insurance cost

How much you pay for car insurance depends on your individual rating factors and coverage selections. You may want to request a quote to find out how much a Direct Auto policy will cost you.

Direct Auto Insurance car insurance discounts

Direct Auto offers a long list of discounts that could save money on your car insurance. Some of these savings opportunities include:

Direct Auto Insurance car tools and benefits

Direct Auto Insurance car insurance offers a few other types of coverage that you may find helpful, depending on your individual needs. For instance, some drivers may want to consider Direct Auto’s Emergency Protection Plan, which can help cover accident-related expenses such as ambulance reimbursement, cash for hospital stays and reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles.

Additionally, Direct Auto offers Mexico car insurance through its affiliate MXGA Inc. Many standard auto policies don’t provide coverage outside the United States or its territories. Tourists traveling to Mexico may find peace of mind by purchasing a Mexico auto policy through Direct Auto that keeps them protected when they travel across the border.

Direct Auto Insurance life insurance

Direct Auto Insurance life insurance is not as robust as some of its competitors, but it could be a good choice for shoppers looking for a term life policy with no medical exam. Direct Auto’s term life coverage ranges from $10,000 to $25,000, and once approved, the company provides a two-year renewal guarantee with no change in rate.

People who need a whole life policy will need to look elsewhere, as Direct Auto only offers term life. However, the company boasts cheap rates and an easy application process with little wait time between application and approval. Direct Auto will even waive your life insurance down payment if it already insures your vehicle.

Pros and cons of Direct Auto Insurance life insurance

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a life insurance policy. This list of pros and cons may help you make an educated decision:

Direct Auto Insurance life insurance endorsements

Direct Auto only offers one type of life insurance product, which is term. It also does not list any endorsement options.

Direct Auto Insurance life tools and benefits

Direct Auto offers a learning center on its website that you may find helpful while shopping for life insurance quotes. Here, you can read about term life insurance to better understand how this type of policy can fit into your financial protection plan.

Direct Auto Insurance customer satisfaction

Although inexpensive premiums and coverage options are important metrics to use when evaluating an insurance company, you may also want to consider customer satisfaction when shopping for the best car insurance company. To measure this, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzes third-party scoring from J.D. Power (when available) and complaint rates with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Direct Auto Insurance auto claims

J.D. Power did not include Direct Auto in its most recent auto insurance study. According to the NAIC, however, Direct Auto’s parent company National General has twice the amount of complaints compared to the baseline. These data may indicate that policyholders are dissatisfied with Direct Auto’s service or claims process.

Direct Auto fares better regarding financial strength, as AM Best rated its parent company National General as A+ (Superior). This rating may mean that policyholders needn’t worry about Direct Auto’s ability to pay out claims when necessary.

How to file a claim with Direct Auto Insurance

When you file a claim with Direct Auto Insurance, you may want to have a few pieces of information handy to streamline the process. For instance, it will ask for the date of the accident, what happened during the accident and the basic information for the parties involved.

To file a claim with Direct Auto, you can:

• Call the 24/7 claims hotline at (800) 403-1077
• File your claim online by visiting Direct Auto’s claim portal
• Start a chat with Direct Auto (depending on the time of day, the chat may be with a virtual assistant or a live agent)

Direct Auto Insurance availability

When comparing car insurance companies, you will need to know whether coverage is available in your area. Direct Auto writes policies in 16 states, including:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington

Other Direct Auto Insurance perks worth considering

In addition to personal auto and term life insurance, Direct Auto offers a few more perks and policy types that could meet your needs:

• Mobile app: Although it isn’t highly rated, Direct Auto offers a mobile app that policyholders can use to make payments and manage their policies. Not all smaller carriers include this feature.
• Motorcycle insurance: A personal auto insurance policy will not cover a motorcycle, as this is considered a different type of vehicle. If you own a motorcycle, you will need to purchase a separate motorcycle insurance policy.
• Commercial auto insurance: When you use a vehicle for business, it will often need specialized coverage. Direct Auto offers commercial auto insurance for individual cars and fleets, including up to 20 vehicles.
• Renters insurance: Renters may not need to insure the structure of the home they live in, but a renters insurance policy could provide coverage for their belongings and liability.
• Accident medical expense insurance: Direct Auto’s accident medical expense insurance can help with out-of-pocket expenses that your health insurance may leave after an accident or injury. Unlike medical expense coverage on an auto policy, this coverage can apply to many accidents, even those that don’t involve a vehicle.

Direct Auto Insurance corporate sustainability

Direct Auto does not disclose information on whether it contributes or supports any charitable causes or programs.

Not sure if Direct Auto Insurance is right for you?

If after studying this Direct Auto Insurance insurance review, you’re still not sure if this company is right for you, you may want to consider these alternatives.

Direct Auto Insurance vs. Bristol West

Bristol West is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group and could be ideal for high-risk drivers, as it also specializes in non-standard car insurance. The company also offers an online portal and mobile app accessibility. However, unlike Direct Auto, it does not offer life insurance.

Learn more: Bristol West Insurance review

Direct Auto Insurance vs. Encompass

Backed by Allstate, Encompass sells auto insurance through local independent agents and provides a wide range of coverage options and discounts to help build the right policy for your needs. This company does not sell life insurance but it does offer homeowners insurance, whereas Direct Auto does not.

Learn more: Encompass Insurance review

Direct Auto Insurance vs. Geico

Tech-savvy drivers who prefer to manage their policy via mobile app or online customer portal may consider Geico, as its digital tools are highly-rated. Geico also offers a long list of car insurance discounts to help make premiums affordable. It also sells term, whole and universal life insurance through partnerships with other companies.

Learn more: Geico insurance review

Is Direct Auto Insurance a good insurance company?

Since it offers non-standard auto insurance, drivers with less-than-ideal driving records or credit may find it worth their time to request a quote with Direct Auto. Direct Auto Insurance life insurance could also be an excellent choice for shoppers who want quick approval for a low cost yet basic term life policy, with no medical exam required. However, Direct Auto’s customer service might be lacking when measured by complaints lodged with the NAIC. If you prioritize customer service, then you may want to do further research before finalizing your policy.