Review
Updated
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
Direct Auto Insurance (formerly SafeAuto) is good for drivers looking for flexible, nonstandard policies. The company is designed for high-risk drivers and drivers seeking minimum-limit coverage.
Best for flexible, nonstandard policiesSafeAuto
Rating image, 2.00 out of 5 stars.
2.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Direct Auto (formerly SafeAuto) specializes in nonstandard auto coverage, serving policyholders through independent agent partners. It is designed for high-risk drivers and those with a history of lapsed policies.
Pros
- Nonstandard policies
- Affordable payment plans
- Personalized coverage to fit any budget and situation
- Services available via mobile app
Cons
- Available in only 19 states
- Much more expensive than traditional insurance carriers
Full SafeAuto (now Direct Auto) insurance review
Monthly premium costs
Here's a quick breakdown of average Direct Auto policy costs for a few different driver profiles:
| 35y, female, clean record | 35y, male, clean record | 35y, female, one accident | 18y, male, clean record |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,301 | $3,559 | $4,598 | $8,436 |
Data source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas.
Cost comparison
As this table illustrates, Direct Auto's car insurance rates are far higher than average, across the board.
| Direct Auto Average Rate | National Average Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Driving Record | $3,430 | $2,728 |
| Accident on Record | $4,598 | $2,973 |
| Speeding Ticket on Record | $4,440 | $3,015 |
| DUI on Record | $4,979 | $2,847 |
| 18 Years OId - New Driver | $8,436 | $6,291 |
| 65 Years Old - Senior | $3,095 | $2,140 |
| Military Service | $3,531 | $2,375 |
| Minimum Coverage (Liability Only) | $854 | $787 |
Data source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas.
Discounts
Direct Auto has the following types of car insurance discounts:
- Affinity
- Driver education
- DynamicDrive℠
- Good student
- Homeowner discount
- Military
- Multi-car
- Multi-policy
- Multi-product
- Payment discount
- Prior coverage savings
- Safe driver
- Senior citizen
- Vehicle equipment
- Welcome back
Coverage
Policy types
- Commercial auto
- Motorcycle
Coverage types
- Emergency protection
- Roadside assistance
- SR-22
Customer service and ratings
Direct Auto has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but only a 1.1 out of 5 star rating on Yelp. On Trustpilot, the insurer has a slightly higher rating of 2.5. Direct Auto's website includes reviews giving the company a much higher rating of 4.7.
Other insurance available
- Accident medical expense
- Health marketplace
- Medicare
- Telemedicine
- Term life
Alternatives to consider
2024 Award Winner
Best for price conscious consumersGeico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Fair
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= Best
= Excellent
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2024 Award Winner
Best for low-mileage driversAllstate
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
For drivers with a strong credit score: Those with good credit may be able to save money by working with Geico, one of the most popular insurers in the business. Geico offers insurance to high-risk drivers as well as drivers seeking SR-22 coverage.
For drivers looking for excellent customer service: Those who value customer service may prefer Allstate over Direct Auto. Allstate is known for its customer-centric business model, meaning agents prioritize customer satisfaction. It's no coincidence that Allstate also has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the auto insurance business.
SafeAuto (now Direct Auto) car insurance summary
Direct Auto is an option for drivers who:
- Have a poor driving record
- Having a history of lapsed coverage
- Can pay higher-than-usual rates
-
Review sources
Our auto insurance rating methodology
At The Motley Fool Ascent, insurers are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on pricing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction; however, we also take into account features like unique discounts, online and app-based experiences, and branch access. Our highest-rated auto insurances generally include low costs, solid coverage, and high customer satisfaction.
Our Insurance Experts
Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.