Direct Auto Car Insurance Review: 1,689+ User Ratings and Expert Insights
Direct Auto scores a 3.0/5 for its solid customer service, but some users report big rate hikes.
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4.7 / 516K reviews
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Written byJessica Martel
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Jessica MartelInsurance Writer
7+ years in personal finance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
)
Edited bySara Getman
)
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor
3+ years in insurance content
Host of Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“
)
Reviewed byMacKenzie Korris
)
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Updated
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If you’re a high-risk driver, you might consider Direct Auto. The company provides car insurance to all drivers, including people with a less-than-perfect driving record. It also offers flexible payment plans, allowing you to schedule payments according to your budget.
Allstate, the fourth-largest insurer, bought Direct Auto in 2021, and it now exists as part of National General.[1] Direct Auto is available in only 15 states and has an average liability premium of $90 per month. In comparison, the national average is $98 per month.
Using real, verified Insurify reviews, here’s a data-driven look at how Direct Auto stacks up when it comes to cost, claims, and customer satisfaction.
Quick Facts
Average monthly full-coverage premium: $166
Direct Auto user rating: 3.0/5 from 1,689 verified Insurify reviews
Insurify Quality (IQ) Score: 8.3/10
Best for: High-risk drivers
Our take on Direct Auto car insurance
In general, Direct Auto has a solid rating of 3.0 out of 5 for customer experience. The company’s rates are slightly lower than the national average, and customers gave it a 3.0 out of 5 rating for its value for the money.
Direct Auto specializes in insurance for non-standard drivers who may struggle to find affordable coverage elsewhere and for drivers who need SR-22 certification. It also has a telematics program, DynamicDrive, which can save drivers 10% for joining and more for safe driving. The insurer is an Allstate subsidiary and operates in just 15 states. Allstate has superior financial strength and credit ratings from AM Best.
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $90/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $166/mo |
How drivers feel about Direct Auto
Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 508 Direct Auto reviews
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in Florida on July 11, 2026
I had insurance the day I signed up with Auto Direct. My quote was $272 monthly, but days later they changed it and said I had to pay $385. When I called to find out why the price changed, they said it was because I had no previous insurance. I was told to email proof of insurance so they could review it. I did on multiple occasions. They even asked to see my previous coverage from Progressive, and I sent it, but they still never made the adjustment and completely ignored the situation.
Days later, they wrongfully terminated my insurance for nonpayment while I was waiting for the adjustment to be done so I could make the payment. I’m not sure what was going on, but it was very unprofessional.
Verified Review
Reviewed in New Mexico on July 8, 2026
I have had continuous coverage for over 2 years with 3 different companies. Direct Auto gave me a quote, and we started a policy in April. Then, 2 months later, my monthly payment went up by $50. I asked why, and their answer was that since the policy was over 45 days old, they would not accept the proof I sent them after they requested it! Shame on you, Direct Auto. I am currently looking for another provider.
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in Ohio on July 6, 2026
There was a typo. They canceled the insurance and then tried to charge an additional $176.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
Not rated
Why we picked this company
Direct Auto specializes in insurance for non-standard drivers who may struggle to find affordable coverage elsewhere and for drivers who need SR-22 certification. Today, the company sells car, motorcycle, and term life insurance, as well as vehicle protection plans and more. Direct Auto has a telematics program, DynamicDrive, which can save drivers 10% for joining and more for safe driving. The insurer is an Allstate subsidiary and operates in just 16 states. Allstate has superior financial strength and credit ratings from AM Best.
Pros
Customers can bundle car insurance with other auto-related products
Offers up to 25% discount for active military members
Has 24-hour roadside assistance coverage option
Cons
Not available in all states
Bad 1.7 Trustpilot score
Rates are higher than average
How real customers feel about Direct Auto car insurance
When choosing an insurance company, it’s important to consider other customers’ experiences. The table below highlights how 1,689 Insurify customers feel about Direct Auto.
Category | Average Score |
|---|---|
| Overall experience rating | 3.0/5 |
| Customer service | 3.0/5 |
| Value | 3.0/5 |
| Claims handling | 3.0/5 |
| Coverage options | 3.0/5 |
| Discounts | 3.3/5 |
| Policy transparency | 3.0/5 |
| Policy flexibility | 3.0/5 |
Direct Auto car insurance user reviews
To give you an honest look at what Direct Auto customers are saying, read verified reviews from Direct Auto customers here.
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in Florida on July 11, 2026
I had insurance the day I signed up with Auto Direct. My quote was $272 monthly, but days later they changed it and said I had to pay $385. When I called to find out why the price changed, they said it was because I had no previous insurance. I was told to email proof of insurance so they could review it. I did on multiple occasions. They even asked to see my previous coverage from Progressive, and I sent it, but they still never made the adjustment and completely ignored the situation.
Days later, they wrongfully terminated my insurance for nonpayment while I was waiting for the adjustment to be done so I could make the payment. I’m not sure what was going on, but it was very unprofessional.
Verified Review
Reviewed in New Mexico on July 8, 2026
I have had continuous coverage for over 2 years with 3 different companies. Direct Auto gave me a quote, and we started a policy in April. Then, 2 months later, my monthly payment went up by $50. I asked why, and their answer was that since the policy was over 45 days old, they would not accept the proof I sent them after they requested it! Shame on you, Direct Auto. I am currently looking for another provider.
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in Ohio on July 6, 2026
There was a typo. They canceled the insurance and then tried to charge an additional $176.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Florida on July 6, 2026
My policy went up after my first year and I'm not sure why. I was involved in an accident in which I was NOT at fault. This is the only reason I could think of. Also, they’re one of the few insurance companies that allow you to pay annually, which I like.
…
Direct Auto industry ratings
To understand the financial stability and customer satisfaction of Direct Auto, you can review different ratings.
AM Best is a global credit-rating agency that provides financial stability measures for the insurance industry. J.D. Power is a global analytics company that provides customer insights on the performance of insurance companies. The NAIC rating reveals customer complaint data for insurance companies.
These ratings can help you assess whether Direct Auto has the financial stability to pay out claims and how its customer service is. Direct Auto is fairly small, so besides the IQ Score and its Better Business Rating (BBB), these ratings are for its parent company, Allstate.
Rating | Score | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.3/10 | Overall, Direct Auto scores lower-than-average for customer satisfaction, third-party rankings, and affordability |
| AM Best | A+ (Superior) | Strong financial strength and available to pay out claims |
| J.D. Power | 683/1,000 | Scored below the average rating of 700/1,000, indicating low customer claims satisfaction |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.00 | Average number of complaints for a company of its size |
| BBB Reviews | 1.1 out of 5 | Reviewers highlight issues with claims, communication, and random policy cancellation |
How Direct Auto compares to similar insurance companies
Direct Auto has average rates but lower customer service ratings when compared to similar car insurance companies like Amica, Bristol West, GAINSCO, and The General. Direct Auto also offers fewer discounts and more limited availability than similar insurance companies. But its financial strength rating is comparable to its competitors.
The following table outlines how Direct Auto compares to similar auto insurers.
|  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Average price $128/mo* | Average price $339/mo* | Average price $156/mo* | Average price $153/mo* | Average price $149/mo* |
Overall rating | Overall rating | Overall rating | Overall rating | Overall rating |
Value for money | Value for money | Value for money | Value for money | Value for money |
Customer service | Customer service | Customer service | Customer service | Customer service |
Claims handling | Claims handling | Claims handling | Claims handling | Claims handling |
Special highlight High-risk driversAI-generated from 1689 user reviews | Special highlight 24/7 claims serviceAI-generated from 200 user reviews | Special highlight High-risk driversAI-generated from 692 user reviews | Special highlight High-risk driversAI-generated from 223 user reviews | Special highlight High-risk driversAI-generated from 1462 user reviews |
Data in this table has been sourced from Insurify’s users who have indicated they are insured with the listed providers
Is Direct Auto car insurance cheaper than competitors?
Direct Auto is slightly more affordable than the national average and more affordable than its competitors in the high-risk auto insurance space. On average, its policies cost $166 per month for full coverage and $90 for liability coverage.
Direct Auto is more expensive than its parent company, Allstate, which has average monthly rates of $146 for full coverage and $72 for liability coverage.
Compare rates by driving record
Direct Auto specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers who have incidents on their records. Here’s how its full-coverage rates compare against competitors.
Driving Record | Direct Auto | The General | GAINSCO | Amica | Bristol West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $166 | $212 | $210 | $437 | $207 |
| One speeding ticket | $210 | $303 | $241 | $642 | $263 |
| At-fault accident | $234 | $303 | $260 | $628 | $274 |
| DUI | $239 | $288 | $303 | $667 | $298 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Compare rates by age
Your age plays a big role in your rates. Teens and drivers younger than 25 have the highest rates because of their lack of experience. As drivers age, they pay cheaper rates.[2] Here’s how Direct Auto stacks up against competitors.
Age | Direct Auto | The General | GAINSCO | Amica | Bristol West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen drivers | $344 | $379 | $357 | $812 | $355 |
| Adult drivers | $151 | $194 | $191 | $419 | $193 |
| Senior drivers | $129 | $178 | $179 | $307 | $167 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Direct Auto car insurance discounts
If you’re trying to find the cheapest car insurance, you’ll want to compare insurer discounts as well. Auto insurance discounts can help lower the cost of your monthly insurance premium.[3] Direct Auto offers a variety of discounts that can reduce your rate by as much as 25%.
Discount | % Discount |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy | Up to 10% |
| Multi-car | Up to 25% |
| Auto payments | Up to 9% |
| Driver education | Up to 10% |
| Senior citizen | Up to 5% |
| Good student | Up to 10% |
| Safe driver | Up to 10% |
| Military | Up to 25% |
| Vehicle equipment | Up to 10% |
Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. This coverage generally includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability protection. Bodily injury liability insurance covers other drivers if you cause a car accident. Property liability coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property.
Direct Auto offers collision insurance, which pays to repair your car if it’s damaged in an accident. You can also purchase comprehensive insurance, which pays for your car repairs in non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, or storm damage.
Direct Auto offers the following types of car insurance:
SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance is a form that some high-risk drivers have to file with their state DMV to prove they meet state-minimum insurance requirements.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance.
Personal injury protection coverage
Personal injury protection pays for certain medical and non-medical expenses, including hospital bills, work loss expenses, and funeral costs.
Rental reimbursement coverage
Rental car reimbursement helps pay for a rental car if you can’t drive your vehicle after an accident or other loss your insurance covers.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage helps pay for your and your passenger’s medical bills, hospital stays, or funeral expenses if you’re in an accident, no matter whose fault it was.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance coverage helps pay for services like towing, tire changes, or fuel delivery.
Other options for Direct Auto customers
In addition to car insurance, Direct Auto customers can access other types of insurance products, including:
Motorcycle insurance: Complete motorcycle coverage protects you, your passengers, and your bike.
Commercial auto insurance: Direct Auto can help you cover your commercial vehicles, such as a work van or fleets of vehicles.
Term life insurance: Life insurance helps protect your family’s finances in the event you pass away.
How to file a claim with Direct Auto
If you need to file a claim with Direct Auto, follow these steps:[4]
Contact Direct Auto. You can either log in to your account on Direct Auto’s website or call the company at 1 (800) 403-1077.
Gather your information. Direct Auto will ask for your policy number, the police report if necessary, and the names and contact information for all drivers, passengers, and any witnesses. You’ll also need your vehicle information: the year, make, and model, the VIN, the license plate number, a description of the damage, and the location of your car. Finally, if another vehicle is involved, you’ll need that car’s year, make, and model, insurance information, and a description and photos of the damage.
File your claim. Once you’ve entered all your information and submitted the claim, you’ll get a claim number, and an adjuster will contact you to work through the claim.
Direct Auto insurance FAQs
Still questioning if Direct Auto is the right insurance company for you? Here’s some additional information about the company to help you make an informed decision.
Is Direct Auto legitimate?
Yes. Direct Auto got its start in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, it’s part of the Allstate insurance family. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has accreditation from the company since 2021, and it has an A+ rating. The purpose of the BBB is to help consumers identify which businesses they can trust.
What is the average cost of Direct Auto car insurance?
The average monthly cost of Direct Auto car insurance is $90 per month for liability coverage and $166 for full coverage.
The cost you’ll pay for coverage depends on factors like your driving record, age, ZIP code, credit history, and more. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare multiple car insurance quotes from different companies.
Is Direct Auto good at paying claims?
Direct Auto’s parent company, Allstate, has an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), which means it can afford to pay customer claims.
But customer reviews on the BBB website cite issues with claims payouts and a lack of communication from Direct Auto.
How do you cancel your Direct Auto insurance policy?
You can cancel your Direct Auto policy in person, through customer service, or by fax or email.
To cancel in person, go to a local Direct Auto Insurance and sign a cancellation request. You can also call customer service at 1 (877) 463-4732 or send a fax to 1 (877) 622-7338. The fax must include your policy number, name, address, date of birth, the date you want to cancel, and your signature. Finally, you can request a cancellation online by emailing customer service at [email protected].
What company owns Direct Auto Insurance?
National General Insurance Group, an Allstate company, owns Direct Auto.
Which is better, Direct Auto or Progressive?
According to verified Insurify user reviews, Progressive has a higher rating than Direct Auto, with an overall customer satisfaction score of 3.2 out of 5 compared to Direct Auto’s 3.0 out of 5.
Progressive also offers cheaper rates, at $79 per month for liability insurance compared to $90 from Direct Auto. But Direct Auto specializes in high-risk insurance and may give a better experience and better rates to high-risk drivers than Progressive.
Is Direct Auto insurance good car insurance?
Direct Auto insurance is a solid choice, according to verified Insurify user reviews. It has fairly affordable rates and ranks well for customer satisfaction. It also specializes in high-risk car insurance, which could be helpful for some drivers.
But customer reviews on the BBB website cite issues with claims processing, policy cancellations, and communication, so it’s worth comparing multiple companies to find the best one for you.
Sources
- Direct Auto. "About."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs."
- Direct Auto. "How to Make an Auto Claim."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Jessica MartelInsurance Writer
7+ years in personal finance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor
3+ years in insurance content
Host of Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
