OTTO Car Insurance Review: Consumer Reviews, Quotes (2024)

OTTO is a lead-generation site connecting customers with its partner insurers. But you can’t get direct quotes, and it may share your information with third parties.

Jess Ullrich
Written byJess Ullrich
Jess Ullrich
Jess UllrichInsurance Writer
  • 10+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

  • Former associate finance editor for Investopedia

Jess is a subject matter expert in insurance, banking, and other personal finance topics. Her byline has appeared in numerous top web media, including Investopedia.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Andrew Huang
Data reviewed byAndrew Huang
Headshot of Andrew Huang, Directory of Analytics at Insurify
Andrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
  • Chartered financial analyst

  • 12+ years in data analysis and marketing

Andrew applies his vast knowledge of analytics and insurance industry trends to help inform Insurify’s content and marketing efforts.

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Updated March 14, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates

Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $34/mo for liability only and $46/mo for full coverage.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

OTTO is a lead-generation site connecting customers seeking auto, pet, home, life, or commercial insurance with its partners. Founded in 2022, the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Agora, a venture capital fund.[1]

Limited information about OTTO is available online. The OTTO website doesn’t share its company history, and its “About” page offers very limited information on its team or offerings.

OTTO Insurance pros and cons

Pros
  • Option to receive quotes from many insurers

  • Process to request quotes is quick

Cons
  • No option to view quotes on the site

  • OTTO shares personal information with third parties, which could result in unwanted calls or emails

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How does OTTO Insurance work?

Unlike other insurance marketplaces, OTTO doesn’t let you view car insurance rates once you enter your personal information. Instead, it acts as a lead generator, sharing your information with 170 partners, including insurance companies, agencies, and comparison websites.[1]

While some of its partners are major auto insurance companies and insurance agencies, many are not. For example, on its “Carriers” page, Otto lists Bluewave Data Solutions (a lead-generation services platform for insurance), QuoteWizard (another lead-generation site), and Next Call Club (a site that offers lead buying, among other services).

The OTTO process starts with a chat-like online form with which you fill out your personal information, including your name, vehicle information, email, and phone number.

At the end of the process, I didn’t receive any real-time quotes. Instead, OTTO directed me to InsuredNation, another lead-generation site.

Even then, I didn’t receive quotes. InsuredNation directed me to InsuranceRatesForLess, yet another lead-generation site. And at InsuranceRatesForLess’s website, I didn’t see quotes; instead, there was another online form for me to fill out.

If you have any quotes, you can view your estimated insurance rates, but you won’t be able to finalize a policy through OTTO. Instead, third-party insurance companies or agencies receive your information and call, text, or email you with quotes. You can’t select which partner companies have access to your information.

Important information

You can opt out of having OTTO share your data by emailing info@ottoinsurance.com and providing your phone number and email address. The company says it will respond within 24-48 hours.

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Is OTTO a spammy site?

OTTO is a legitimate company, but several customer reviews on Trustpilot mention the site spammed them with calls and emails after requesting quotes.

Unlike true quote-comparison sites, where you decide which insurance companies to contact based on your quotes, OTTO is a lead generator that gives your personal information to partner companies.

When you sign up with OTTO, you agree to the fine print that says you may receive emails, text messages, and telephone calls, including automated artificial voice or pre-recorded messages. Even if your number is on a do not call registry, clicking the “Get Your Free Quote” button gives OTTO’s partners the right to contact you. Based on customer reviews, expect them to do so frequently.

OTTO reviews: What real customers are saying

OTTO has 2.4 stars on Trustpilot, with one-star reviews making up 71% of the total ratings. Multiple customers called OTTO a “scam” and “misleading” and complained they received zero quotes but got bombarded with emails and phone calls from partners.

OTTO’s number of five-star ratings on Trustpilot has increased in the past year, and they now make up 38% of its reviews. This customer appreciated OTTO’s ease of use and customer service.

OTTO has just one review on its Better Business Bureau page as of January 2024, but four customer complaints which focus on a lack of quotes and unwanted contacts from non-insurance companies.

OTTO vs. Insurify

Insurify is a quote-comparison website that provides users with real-time insurance quotes from top insurers, including household names like Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers. It’s a licensed agency in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Insurify’s company information is readily available, and feedback from its customers is excellent. Insurify has a Trustpilot rating of 4.7.

While OTTO does allow you to get quotes from its partners, you’ll receive few, if any, on its website after entering your information. Instead, insurance companies or agents may contact you directly to provide quotes, which could lead to multiple phone calls and emails.

OTTO vs. Jerry

Jerry is an app that lets you compare auto refinancing loans and insurance quotes from top insurers. Like Insurify, it’s a licensed insurance agency in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and customer reviews are generally positive. Jerry has an A- rating from the BBB. You can download the Jerry app and put in your info to get a quote, and Jerry indicates you won’t receive unwanted phone calls after sharing your information.

With OTTO, you may receive unwanted phone calls and email solicitations, especially since its partners include lead-generation and data collection services.

10 Best and Worst Sites to Compare Car Insurance

10 Best and Worst Sites to Compare Car Insurance

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OTTO Insurance FAQs

Customers hoping to buy an insurance policy through OTTO may not understand what the company offers and how to access quotes. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the site.

  • Is OTTO Insurance accredited by the BBB?

    The BBB has not accredited OTTO, but the company does have a rating of B-. The BBB’s rating is based on four complaints filed against OTTO, and the company’s length of time in operation. Reviews shared by consumers through the BBB website can also offer insight into a particular business’s offerings and services. As of January 2024, OTTO had just one customer review that reported the user received no quotes and that OTTO shared their information with insurance companies.

  • Is OTTO Insurance legit?

    OTTO seems to be a legitimate lead-generation company, though information about it is fairly scarce. The company’s About page offers little insight into its operations or history, and its online footprint is fairly small.

  • How does OTTO Insurance make money?

    As a lead-generation business, OTTO likely makes money by matching customers with other companies. For example, if someone submits a quote request through OTTO and purchases coverage through a partner insurer, OTTO may receive a commission, similar to how insurance agents receive commissions for policies they sell.

  • Is OTTO easy to use?

    OTTO’s platform is relatively straightforward. Users answer a handful of questions about their vehicle, driving history, and personal details in a brief questionnaire. But finding a policy with OTTO isn’t as simple, with many user reviews mentioning they either didn’t receive car insurance quotes or were bombarded with calls after submitting their information.

  • Is OTTO free?

    The OTTO insurance website is free to use. Rather than charging users, lead-generation websites typically make a commission from each lead they secure. When you use a lead-generation site, you pay with your personal information.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. OTTO Insurance. "Carriers." Accessed February 29, 2024
Jess Ullrich
Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Andrew Huang
Data reviewed byAndrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
Headshot of Andrew Huang, Directory of Analytics at Insurify
Andrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
  • Chartered financial analyst

  • 12+ years in data analysis and marketing

Andrew applies his vast knowledge of analytics and insurance industry trends to help inform Insurify’s content and marketing efforts.

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