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Direct Auto Insurance earns a 4.2 out of 5.0 from our editorial team for its industry standing, availability, coverage, affordability, and customer service.
Our review team has thoroughly researched the best auto insurance and cheapest car insurance providers, comparing them based on coverage, discounts, customer reviews, and more. In this article, we’ll take a look at Direct Auto Insurance reviews, policy options, discounts, pricing, and more.
Direct Auto Insurance Review
We give Direct Auto Insurance a 4.2 out of 5.0 rating because of its affordability and range of discount opportunities for drivers. The score of “4.2” was aggregated based on six scoring criteria our editorial team uses when evaluating car insurance companies — industry standing, availability, coverage, affordability, customer service, and online experience.
| Review Category | Ratings Score |
|---|---|
| Industry Standing | 4.5 |
| Availability | 4.1 |
| Coverage | 4.2 |
| Affordability | 4.5 |
| Customer Service | 3.8 |
| Online Experience | 4.4 |
| Overall Rating | 4.2 |
Is Direct Auto Insurance Good?
Direct Auto Insurance is a small insurance provider that promises to cover drivers regardless of their insurance history. If you are a high-risk driver, Direct Auto Insurance might be a great option for you.
Direct Auto Insurance Ratings
Direct Auto Insurance has many reviews on its website, but naturally, the company only displays positive feedback. It’s best to check independent review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see a full picture of customer satisfaction.
Direct Auto Insurance does not have its own BBB profile, but looking at the insurer’s parent company, National General, can give an idea of Direct Auto’s customer satisfaction. National General has an A+ rating from the BBB with a 1.23 out of 5.0 customer score based on over 300 reviews. A majority of the negative reviews on National General’s BBB page have to do with frustration during the claims process. National General also has an A financial strength rating from AM Best, which means it is in a good position to pay out customer claims.
Note that Direct Auto Insurance’s BBB page is not to be confused with the profile of “Direct Auto Insurance Company,” as the two are not affiliated.
Direct Auto Insurance Company Overview
Direct Auto Insurance has specialized in non-standard auto insurance since 1991. Its policies are underwritten by Direct General Group, also known as National General Insurance. Though it is not one of the biggest car insurance companies, its website advertises low rates, flexible payment plans, and good customer service.
Direct Auto specializes in providing rates for high-risk drivers and drivers who are in need of an SR-22 certificate after committing a serious traffic violation like a DUI or causing an accident while driving without insurance.
Direct Auto Insurance Locations
Coverage is available in the following 12 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
Direct Auto Insurance Coverage
Direct Auto Insurance offers vehicle coverage through a network of agents. The following types of car insurance are available from Direct Auto:
- Bodily injury liability: Covers other parties’ medical bills after an accident you cause and is required in most states
- Property damage liability: Covers other parties’ repairs bills after an accident you cause and is required in most states
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Pays for certain medical expenses in the event of an auto accident and is required in some states
- Collision: Helps pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after an accident you cause or if you hit an object like a tree, pole, or fence
- Comprehensive: Helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged in an event other than a collision, such as a weather-related event
- Medical payments (MedPay): Optional coverage that pays for medical, hospital, and funeral expenses in the event of an accident, no matter who is at fault
- Uninsured motorist (UM coverage): Helps pay for expenses if you’re injured in an accident and the at-fault driver can’t be identified or does not have proper insurance coverage
Direct Auto Insurance Coverage Options
In addition to offering standard types of auto insurance, Direct Auto also provides the following insurance and auto-related products:
- Towing
- Roadside assistance
- Motorcycle insurance
- Rental reimbursement
- Mexico auto insurance
- Accidental death coverage
- Commercial auto insurance
- Emergency protection plans
If you’re not sure which type of coverage you need, one of Direct Auto’s agents can help. Agents can be especially useful if you’ve just moved to a new state, as they’re usually well-versed in their state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Direct Auto Insurance Prices
Based on our research, the average rate estimate for a full coverage policy from Direct Auto Insurance is around $2,173 per year or $181 per month. This estimate for Direct Auto Insurance is based on cost data for National General Insurance, the company that underwrites and owns the provider.
Direct Auto Insurance Rates
Several factors influence the price you pay for car insurance, including your location and driving history. The sections below provide cost estimates for high-risk drivers and drivers by age to help you understand how much you can expect to pay for car insurance. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for auto insurance is by shopping around for car insurance quotes.
Direct Auto Insurance Rates for High-Risk Drivers
Drivers with a recent speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI on their record tend to pay significantly more for car insurance coverage. The table below shows monthly and annual cost estimates for high-risk drivers for National General Insurance, the owner of Direct Auto Insurance.
| Risk Factor | Direct Auto Insurance Average Monthly Cost Estimate | Direct Auto Insurance Average Annual Cost Estimate | National Average Annual Cost Estimate |
| Speeding Ticket | $220 | $2,637.00 | $2,313.00 |
| Car Accident | $233 | $2,797.00 | $2,689.00 |
| DUI | $264 | $3,164.00 | $3,277.00 |
Direct Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Age is another factor that significantly impacts car insurance costs. The tables below compare monthly and annual costs by age for National General Insurance.
| Age | Direct Auto Insurance Average Monthly Cost Estimate | Direct Auto Insurance Average Annual Cost Estimate |
| 16 | $550 | $6,597 |
| 17 | $489 | $5,869 |
| 18 | $437 | $5,239 |
| 21 | $261 | $3,134 |
| 25 | $217 | $2,606 |
| 30 | $196 | $2,355 |
| 40 | $182 | $2,181 |
| 50 | $177 | $2,119 |
| 55 | $173 | $2,077 |
| 65 | $172 | $2,060 |
| 75 | $192 | $2,307 |
Direct Auto Insurance Quotes
Your location and the type of coverage you choose are just two factors impacting Direct Auto Insurance quotes. The cost of your insurance policy will differ based on the information you provide, such as your age, gender, vehicle mode, and driving record.
These are some of the most influential factors impacting car insurance quotes:
- Coverage options
- Coverage limits
- Age
- Driving history
- Location
- Deductible
- Credit history
Direct Auto Insurance Discounts
Unlike some agent-reliant insurers that only allow potential customers to get quotes in person, Direct Auto Insurance allows customers to get quotes online or over the phone as well. Direct Auto has an impressive list of driver, vehicle, and policy discounts to help give its customers the lowest rates possible.
| Direct Auto Insurance Discount | Details |
| Military | Active military members can save up to 25%. |
| Safe Driver | Drivers who have been violation- and accident-freefor at least three years can save up to 10%. |
| Good Student | Unmarried, full-time students who have a “B” average or better can save up to 10%. |
| Senior Citizen | Drivers who are at least 55 years old and have completeda motor vehicle accident prevention course can save up to 5%. |
| Multi-Car | Having more than one car on your policy can save you up to 25%. |
| Mileage | Driving fewer miles per year can save you up to 5%. |
| Multi-Product | Adding a product such as term life insurance, an emergency protection plan,or roadside assistance can save you up to 5%. |
| Prior-Coverage | Switching to Direct Auto Insurance after having coverage from another providerfor at least six months can save you 25%. |
| Homeowner | Homeowners can save up to 15%. |
| Renewal | If your policy has not lapses in the last 12 months and you renewit within seven to 10 days of its expiration, you can save up to 20%. |
| Welcome Back | If you previously had a Direct Auto Insurance policy but have not had onein the last six months, you can save up to 6% for switching back. |
| Affinity | Members of Direct Auto’s partner organizations can save up to 5%. |
Direct Auto Car Insurance: Conclusion
Our team gives Direct Auto Insurance a 3.8 out of 5.0 rating because it provides coverage and SR-22 certificates to high-risk drivers and also has an impressive list of discounts. However, coverage is only available in 12 states, and there are limited reviews from customers.
If you are a high-risk driver, we recommend getting a quote from Direct Auto Insurance and comparing it to other top insurance providers so that you can get the best coverage for the best price. Fill out our simple, free form below to get started.
Direct Auto Insurance Alternatives: Recommended Providers
In addition to Direct Auto Insurance, our team has done extensive research on other top insurance providers. If you’re in the market for cheap auto insurance and are a high-risk driver, we recommend taking a look at Progressive and GEICO.
Progressive: Best for Accident-Prone Drivers
Our team gives Progressive a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0. Along with nationwide availability and many types of insurance coverage, it offers low-cost auto insurance policies for drivers with DUIs or DWIs on their records.Progressive holds an A+ rating from AM Best. It offers usage-based options to its customers through an app called Snapshot®. Progressive also has the Name Your Price® tool, which allows customers to enter a rate they want to pay and be matched with coverage options within their budget. For more information, read our full Progressive car insurance review.
GEICO: Most Discount Options
We give GEICO a 4.4 out of 5.0 rating overall. The company has a BBB rating of A+ and an AM Best financial strength rating of A++. It also has highly rated and convenient mobile apps through which customers can find policy details, pay bills, and more. GEICO has a lot of discounts, such as for military members and students, and offers savings for bundling. This helps make it one of the lowest-cost providers in the industry. For a closer look, read our full GEICO auto insurance review. You can also compare coverage, discounts, and more in our GEICO vs. Progressive review.
Direct Auto Insurance Reviews: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about Direct Auto Insurance:
Who is Direct Auto Insurance owned by?
Direct Auto Insurance is a subsidiary of National General Holdings Corp, which is headquartered in New York City. The company is a specialty personal lines insurance holding company.
How long has Direct Auto Insurance been in business?
Direct Auto Insurance has been in business since 1991.
Is Direct General owned by Allstate?
Direct Auto Insurance currently operates in 12 states and was acquired by National General in 2016.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
