The Zebra Review: Legit or Just a Lead Generator? (2026)
The Zebra isn’t a lead generator, and it’s easy to compare companies using the platform, but you don’t get quotes on the site.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
4.7 / 518K reviews
)
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
)
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
)
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Qualifications:
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
Data reviewer: Andrew HuangVP, Marketing & Analytics
Data reviewer: Andrew HuangVP, Marketing & Analytics
Qualifications:
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.
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Today, it’s easier than ever to purchase a car insurance policy online. You don’t need to pick up the phone or walk into a local insurance agency. If you search online for car insurance, you’ll probably come across a couple of quote-comparison platforms where you can see rates from many different insurers in just a few minutes.
The Zebra is a popular quote-comparison website. But it didn’t provide real-time instant quotes in our tests, and shoppers can’t finalize a purchase on its website.
Instead, it shows partner insurance companies and redirects shoppers to the insurer’s website, where they’ll have to re-enter all their information and may receive a different quote.
Keep reading to learn about The Zebra to figure out whether it’s a good tool for you to compare car insurance rates.
Quick Facts
The Zebra might match users with only a couple of insurers instead of multiple.
It has 4.7 stars on Trustpilot, with mostly positive reviews highlighting The Zebra’s agents.
Users won’t find real-time quotes with The Zebra — they must finish the quote process with one of its partner insurance companies.
The Zebra at a glance
)
The Zebra is an insurance quote-comparison platform that works with 100 insurance companies to provide quotes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. You can compare quotes for lots of different insurance products on The Zebra, including car insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and pet insurance.
Since its founding in 2012, The Zebra has produced more than 18 million insurance quotes.
Using The Zebra is one way to compare auto insurance quotes. But the platform has some downsides that are important to consider.
Pros
Works with 100 insurance companies
Offers quote comparisons for multiple insurance products
Could potentially help you find a cheaper insurance policy
Cons
Doesn’t offer real-time quotes
Might match you with only a few insurers
Must go back through the application to choose different coverage limits
How The Zebra works
Here’s how The Zebra’s quote process works. After you fill out the online application, it matches you with a list of insurance companies that provide coverage in your area.
To start, you fill out your personal information and answer some questions about your current coverage and ZIP code.
)
Then, you’ll answer questions about your vehicle, including its year, model, make, trim package, whether you own it or finance it, and how long you’ve had it.
)
Next, you’ll continue answering questions about yourself, including if you want to add other drivers to your policy, if you’ve had any tickets or accidents recently, some personal information, and your credit score. You’ll also have to give your address.
)
The Zebra also requires users to give an email and phone number, and it’ll send automated texts until you unsubscribe.
Finally, The Zebra creates four coverage packages you can choose from: Basic, Better, Best, and Customize it.
These packages vary in coverage levels, with Basic including liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision coverages with $1,000 deductibles. But you can customize your options in the Customize it package and decline optional coverages.
)
)
Although the button says “Show quotes at this coverage,” The Zebra doesn’t show any quotes. Instead, it shows one of its partner insurers and the company’s highlights, discounts, add-ons, and other options. It then redirects users to the insurer’s website and states that users won’t have to re-enter their information.
)
The Zebra offers only two options, and users have to scroll all the way down to view a second insurer. The second insurer has less information, but users can click “Show details” to see more information.
)
Is The Zebra legit?
Yes. The Zebra is a legitimate site that’s been around for more than 10 years. It has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and an A- rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.[1] [2]
In its privacy statement, The Zebra says that it doesn’t sell your personal information to insurance professionals or third parties, but it will share the information with insurance professionals if you “Intend to interact with such Insurance Professionals through your use of our Service.”
Despite this, some reviewers on the BBB report receiving calls from third parties after using The Zebra. You can request to remove any of your information by using the contact info in the “How To Contact Us” section on its website.
The Zebra reviews: What real customers are saying
Overall, The Zebra’s reviews are mixed. Positive reviews mention its online application and customer service representatives.
But it has some negative reviews, too. Some customers said it matched them with only a few insurance companies, others complained about not being able to see quotes, and others said their quotes weren’t accurate.
Ratings
Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Better Business Bureau (BBB): 2.2 out of 5 stars, A- rating
Reviews
The Zebra’s positive reviews largely focused on its customer service and agency team.
)
)
)
The negative reviews focused on the lack of quotes from The Zebra, with many users expressing frustration over having to re-enter information on insurance company websites. Several reviews refer to The Zebra as being a “waste of time.”
)
)
)
The Zebra vs. Insurify
)
Insurify is a real-time quote-comparison tool that makes it easy to compare rates for many types of insurance. Insurify is a licensed insurance broker in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
While Insurify’s model is similar to The Zebra’s, they have their differences. Insurify has a network of more than 120 national and regional insurance companies, whereas The Zebra’s network has about 100 companies. Insurify also has a stronger Trustpilot review score of 4.8 out of 5, which is based on thousands more reviews.
Insurify allows you to adjust your coverage levels on a sidebar when comparing quotes so you can easily see how different policy limits will affect your rate. With The Zebra insurance, you have to go back through the application to choose a different level of coverage, so it’s not as seamless.
Insurify also shows you real-time quotes so you can purchase your policy on its website, while The Zebra navigates you to its partners’ websites to get your quote and finish buying your policy.
Feature | The Zebra | Insurify |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time quotes | No | Yes |
| Sells customer information | No, per its privacy statement | No |
| Licensed insurance agency | Yes | Yes |
| Average Trustpilot rating | 4.7 out of 5 stars from 5,120+ reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars from 17,633+ reviews |
)
The Zebra FAQs
If you’re thinking about shopping for car insurance using The Zebra, consider this additional information.
Does The Zebra sell your information?
The Zebra states in its privacy statement that it doesn’t sell any information to third parties or insurance professionals.
Will you get real quotes from The Zebra?
No. The Zebra doesn’t show real quotes. Instead, it shows you insurance options and redirects you to company sites to get quotes. The Zebra states that you won’t have to re-enter any information, but many reviewers on Trustpilot and the BBB claim they did have to re-enter information.
Is The Zebra a good site for car insurance quotes?
The Zebra isn’t a good site for real, instant car insurance quotes. We didn’t get any quotes in our testing. But The Zebra could be helpful if you want to compare car insurance companies and are open to completing your purchase on an insurer’s website.
How does The Zebra make a profit?
Similar to insurance agencies, The Zebra uses a commission-based business model. That means the company only makes money when a customer applies online and purchases a policy from one of its partner companies. The Zebra also makes money when a customer buys insurance from one of its licensed insurance agents after getting personalized quotes.
Is The Zebra trustworthy?
The Zebra is a legitimate comparison platform, and its privacy statement says it doesn’t sell your personal information to third parties. But it requires your email and phone number to get quotes, and some reviewers report receiving calls from third parties after using the site.
Does The Zebra run your credit?
No. The Zebra states on its website that it doesn’t run your credit, but it does ask for your credit range in its quoting process.
Sources
- Trustpilot. "The Zebra."
- The Better Business Bureau. "The Zebra."
Related articles
)
Gabi Review: Legit or Just a Lead Generator?
While Gabi lets you compare insurance quotes, its pricing isn’t always accurate, so you might be better off buying a policy directly from the insurer.
)
Nsure Review: Legit or Just a Lead Generator?
Nsure is a legit comparison tool, but it gives limited quotes with varying coverage levels, so it’s not the best for apples-to-apples comparison.
)
6-Month vs. 12-Month Car Insurance: Which Term Is Better?
If you’ve got a cheap rate and clean driving record, a 12-month policy locks in your low rate for longer. But a six-month term could help you take advantage if rates drop.
)
Anonymous Car Insurance Quotes Without Personal Information
You can get a rough car insurance estimate using only your ZIP code. But to get accurate quotes, you’ll need to share driver and vehicle details.
)
How Does Car Insurance Work?
Car insurance protects you financially in the event of an accident. Read on to learn the different types of coverages and important terms to know when shopping for car insurance.
)
Free Car Insurance Quotes Online From Top-Rated Companies
Getting multiple quotes from Insurify for top insurance companies could help you save up to $1,100 per year.
)
Compare Car Insurance Rates From $45/mo. (Updated October 2026)
Find the lowest car insurance rates from 120+ insurers and save up to $1,100* annually with Insurify’s insurance-comparison tool.
)
How to Shop for Car Insurance: Step-by-Step Guide
To shop for car insurance, compare quotes from multiple insurers, choose the right coverage limits, check discounts, and review policy details before buying.
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Writer: Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Qualifications:
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Data reviewer: Andrew HuangVP, Marketing & Analytics
Data reviewer: Andrew HuangVP, Marketing & Analytics
Qualifications:
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.