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Esurance vs. Direct Auto: Discounts, quotes, and comparison

Roslyn McKenna
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Esurance vs. Direct Auto

You’ve narrowed your potential insurers to Esurance and Direct Auto. But which one should you pick?

Esurance is a relatively new player in the insurance market, founded in 1999. Since its inception, it’s gained a lot of traction through its accessible online insurance. Today, it’s owned by Allstate.

Founded in 1991, Direct Auto isn’t much older. It serves a different niche than Esurance, focusing on high-risk drivers. This may be a key reason why it’s received a terrible “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. If you can’t get insurance anywhere else, the insurer may be one of your few options.

Check out the comparison tables below to find the right insurer for you.

  • CoverageMyWay® customized coverage
  • 24/7 claims service
  • Convenient mobile app

Our top pick: Esurance

Esurance offers a modern online and mobile experience that helps you take your insurance on the go. Available in 42 states.

  • First-rate site with quotes in minutes
  • Competitive pricing
  • A+ BBB rating
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Promoted
Direct Auto

Direct Auto

 Esurance

Esurance
About the provider Founded in 1991, Direct Auto Insurance offers low-cost insurance policies to “nonstandard” drivers — also known as high-risk drivers — who might have a hard time finding coverage elsewhere. But beware, the company gets very poor reviews and only services 13 states. Esurance, the online insurance company, is making its name known in the car insurance world, offering affordable coverage for just about any of your vehicles. It takes pride in a hassle-free experience, and customers respect its low rates and excellent customer service.
Price Policy costs depend your personal situation. Visit Direct Auto for a quote based on your specific needs. Policy costs depend your personal situation. Visit Esurance for a quote based on your specific needs.
States served 13 43 states
User satisfaction* F A+
J.D. Power ratings** N/A 3/5 on overall claims satisfaction
Driver discounts View driver discounts View driver discounts
Vehicle discounts View vehicle discounts View vehicle discounts
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* Based on Better Business Bureau’s company rating
** Based on the 2016 U.S Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

Driver discounts

Direct Auto

Direct Auto

 Esurance

Esurance
Good student Up to 10% (unmarried, full-time student, B average or better) Up to 10% (full time student, under the age of 25 and a 3.0 GPA)
Defensive driver Up to 10% (minimum age 50, 55 or 60, depending on state residence and completed a defensive driving course)
Good driver Up to 10% (violation and accident-free for 36 months) 30-40% (driving for 3 years with 0-1 points on your driving record)
Pay in full discount
Multicar Up to 25%
Military Up to 25% (active service member)
Homeowner Up to 15%
Other discounts Senior citizen – Up to 5% (55+, completed a motor vehicle prevention course)

Prior coverage discount – Up to 25% (at another insurance company for 6 months, no more than 90 day lapse between coverage)

Renewal discount – Up to 20% (no policy lapse in prior 12 months, renew 7-10 days prior to expiration)

Welcome back discount – Up to 6%
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Vehicle discounts

Direct Auto

Direct Auto

 Esurance

Esurance
Anti-theft device N/A 5-25%
Anti-lock brake N/A 5%
Passive restraints N/A 2-33%
Air bag N/A
Other discounts New vehicle discount
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Bottom line

If you have no trouble finding insurance, consider passing on Direct Auto. The company scores atrocious ratings in customer service, and you can find a better experience with many other insurers.

Esurance fares much better in customer satisfaction, receiving an “A+” from the Better Business Bureau. However, it earns a middling score in claims satisfaction. Esurance comes out on top in coverage availability. It offers insurance in 43 US states, while Direct Auto covers only eight.

Direct Auto offers a surprisingly robust collection of insurance promotions, such as good-student, good-driver, senior-citizen and welcome-back discounts. Esurance’s discounts are nothing to sneeze at, either. Your family may qualify for cost reductions like good-student, defensive-driver and good driver discounts. Esurance also offers more vehicle discounts than Direct Auto does.

Compare your car insurance options to find the best insurance company for you.

Compare alternatives to Esurance and Direct Auto

Name Product Roadside assistance New car protection Accident forgiveness Available states
Progressive
Progressive
Optional
All 50 states
Save up to 31% with safe driver discounts and bundling all your rides in one convenient policy.
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Metromile
Metromile
Optional
AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA, WA
Drive less than 30 miles a day? Save on the coverage you need with pay-per-mile insurance from Metromile. Get a low monthly rate then pay just a few cents per mile. Available in AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA and WA.
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Geico
Geico
Optional
Drivers in these states can apply: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, KS, MA, MD, ME, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WY
As the nation’s second largest auto insurance company, Geico streamlines the process of purchasing car insurance. Drivers in these states can apply: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, KS, MA, MD, ME, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA and WY.
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Allstate
Allstate
All 50 states
Enjoy having your own dedicated agent to help you get the best discounts and coverage.
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Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual
Optional
All 50 states
Car insurance through Liberty Mutual will give coverage options for almost any situation.
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Root
Root
AZ, AR, CO, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MT, NE, NM, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT
Root offers simple, affordable insurance that’s ideal for good drivers. Try the Root app for 2 weeks and see how much you could save. Available in 24 states.
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Esurance
Esurance
All states except AK, DE, HI, MT, NH, VT, WY
Esurance offers a modern online and mobile experience that helps you take your insurance on the go. Available in 42 states.
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Farmers
Farmers
All 50 states
Backed by nearly 100 years in the business, Farmers Insurance aims to offer options and support to help you find the coverage you need.
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