Direct Auto Insurance Review 2024
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Direct Auto
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Direct Auto
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Direct Auto Insurance earned 3.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.
Direct Auto is a subsidiary of Allstate that caters primarily to high-risk drivers who can't get car insurance elsewhere. It may suit your needs if you've been denied coverage due to at-fault crashes, poor credit or other issues, or if you simply want to satisfy your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
Direct Auto is not affiliated with the lesser-known company of the same name based in Chicago.
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
Compare to other insurers
Current Product
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 2.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 2.5 /5 |
Complaints to NAIC Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC More than expected |
Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Below average |
Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Very few discounts |
Bottom line Direct Auto Insurance specializes in high-risk drivers, but with a high number of complaints, there may be better options out there. | Bottom line Infinity caters to high-risk drivers, although availability is unclear. | Bottom line This insurer offers coverage for high-risk drivers and can help you out with an SR-22, but it has a high volume of customer complaints. |
Direct Auto insurance coverage
When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.
Direct Auto has all the basic coverage choices, including roadside assistance and towing coverage. It also offers additional services to customers, including:
Customizable payments. The company lets you decide what day of the month your auto insurance bill is due and offers several ways to pay, including by phone with text-to-pay and in person.
SR-22 insurance forms. Direct Auto can provide an SR-22 form for drivers if their state requires it. An SR-22 insurance form is a document that proves you meet your state’s minimum liability coverage. You might need an SR-22 form if you’ve been convicted of a DUI or another serious traffic offense.
» MORE: Compare car insurance rates
Auto insurance discounts
You may be able to save on your auto insurance policy by:
Being a member of the military.
Meeting Direct Auto’s standards for being a safe driver.
Meeting Direct Auto's standards for being a good student.
Successfully completing an accident prevention course if you’re 55 years or older.
Insuring more than one vehicle with Direct Auto.
Buying multiple insurance products from Direct Auto.
Being insured by a previous company for at least six months, with no more than a 90-day lapse in coverage.
Owning a home.
Previously purchasing a policy with Direct Auto. (Must not have had a Direct Auto car insurance policy in the past six months to qualify.)
Being an active member of certain organizations.
Paying in full, setting up automatic payments or going paperless.
Driving a vehicle with certain safety and anti-theft features.
First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.
Pricing based on tracked driving habits
Direct Auto’s DynamicDrive program tracks your driving behavior through the Routely app. You’ll earn a discount when you sign up and can earn an additional discount upon renewal if Direct Auto determines you’re a safe driver.
Direct Auto life insurance coverage
Direct Auto offers term life insurance policies, up to $25,000, though coverage varies by state. Only six- or 12-month terms are available, but you can renew up to two years at the same premium, and the policies don’t require a life insurance medical exam. If you’re buying life insurance and have an auto insurance policy with the company,, you won’t need to make an additional down payment.
Complaints
Direct Auto had far more than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
More about Direct Auto insurance
Website: Direct Auto’s site includes detailed explanations of its discounts, coverage, payment options and claim procedures. You can log in to pay bills or view ID cards and policy information. You can also file and track a claim through the site. However, you may not be able to adjust your policy online.
Other insurance from Direct Auto
You can also purchase the following types of policies from Direct Auto:
Motorcycle insurance.
Insurance for driving in Mexico.
Commercial auto insurance.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
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