Direct Auto Insurance auto insurance

Overview

Direct Auto Insurance is a nonstandard auto brand that sells low-cost coverage to drivers regardless of their driving, insurance or credit history. Unlike most insurers, it relies on its own storefronts: the company says it has more than 450 locations, and its store locator lists stores in 12 states, mostly in the South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. You can also buy by phone at 1-877-GO-DIRECT or online.

The ownership chain runs from Direct Auto to National General to Allstate. Direct Auto Insurance is the trade name of Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc., and its policies are underwritten by insurance companies in the National General Group of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. National General bought Direct General in 2016, and The Allstate Corporation bought National General in 2021. As a result, Direct Auto's premiums are counted in Allstate Insurance Group, which ranked #4 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data. Allstate does not report a separate premium figure for the brand. Its 2025 annual report says Direct Auto products are sold through contact centers, online and by employees in about 500 retail stores.

The brand is not connected to Direct Auto Insurance Company, an unrelated Illinois insurer, which the website points out.

History

Direct General opened in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1991 to sell nonstandard auto insurance, and grew into a seller of auto insurance, term life and other consumer products across the Southeast. By 2015 it had about 1,800 employees, 417 company storefronts plus phone sales centers and kiosks, and $483 million of net written premium, $464 million of it nonstandard auto. Florida, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina produced nearly 80% of its auto premium.

National General Holdings agreed in June 2016 to buy Direct General from Elara Holdings and closed the purchase on November 1, 2016, for $162 million. National General's chief executive, Barry Karfunkel, said the deal added a direct distribution channel and a nonstandard auto leader in the Southeastern U.S. to National General's agent-sold business.

Allstate bought National General on January 4, 2021, and bought SafeAuto, another nonstandard auto insurer, on October 1, 2021. Direct Auto says it has joined forces with SafeAuto and is now "part of the Allstate family."

Auto insurance coverage

Direct Auto sells state-minimum and fuller coverage: bodily injury and property damage liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection in select states, medical payments, rental reimbursement (comprehensive and collision required), towing and accidental death coverage.

It files SR-22 certificates, offering same-day filings, and FR-44 certificates for DUI offenses in Florida and Virginia. Its FAQ notes that some SR-22 policies must be paid in full, for example in Georgia and for certain Florida cases. Direct Auto also sells motorcycle and commercial auto insurance.

Separate, non-insurance add-ons are sold in its stores:

• Roadside assistance membership for a few dollars a month, with up to five service calls a year and towing up to 15 miles.
• Emergency protection plans, which can pay cash for hospital days, up to $1,000 of accident medical expenses and up to $10,000 in accidental death and dismemberment benefits, among other benefits. Both are administered by Nation Safe Drivers, and terms vary by state.

Term life insurance, telemedicine, Medicare plans, accident medical expense coverage and renters insurance are also offered.

Discounts and programs

Direct Auto emphasizes affordability: adjustable down payments, a choice of payment due date, and payment by cash, card or bank account online, in person, by phone or in the app. Its discount page lists:

• Multi-car (up to 30%) and homeowner (up to 30%)
• Safe driver (up to 17%), military (up to 14%), payment discount for auto-pay or paying in full (up to 12%), prior coverage when switching (up to 11%) and multi-policy (up to 10%)
• Good student and driver education (up to 9% each), welcome back for returning customers (up to 7%), multi-product (up to 6%), and senior citizen for drivers 55 and older who take an accident prevention course, vehicle equipment and affinity (up to 5% each)

DynamicDrive, powered by Allstate's Arity, is Direct Auto's usage-based program. Its DynamicDrive page offers up to 10% for enrolling, and the app tracks time of day, phone handling, hard braking and speeding, including any speed over 80 mph. Safe drivers can earn more at renewal, but Direct Auto warns that in certain states it can use the data for rating, so rates for high-risk drivers could increase. DynamicDrive is not available in all states, including California and New York.

Claims

Report a new auto claim 24/7 by calling 800-403-1077 or online through MyAccount or the Direct Auto app. A virtual assistant takes claim details in chat at any hour, and live chat runs weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. After a claim is filed, an adjuster is assigned; you can reach your adjuster directly on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Store agents cannot file claims for you, but they can help you send documents such as police reports and photos to your adjuster. Claims mail goes to a post office box in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Direct Auto is not ranked in the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Ratings and reputation

Financial strength. Direct Auto policies are written by National General Group insurers. On September 2, 2026, AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) rating of Allstate Insurance Group members and an "a-" issuer credit rating for National General Holdings Corp. AM Best does not publish a separate rating under the Direct Auto name.

Customer satisfaction. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Direct Auto ranked last of 14 insurers in Florida with a score of 581, against a regional average of 639, and 16th of 17 in the Southeast with 609, against an average of 659.

Who it suits

Direct Auto suits drivers in its 12 store states who want to buy and pay in person, need an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, have a lapse in coverage or a less-than-perfect record, or need a small down payment and a due date that fits their paycheck. Drivers with clean records will often find better prices and higher satisfaction scores with standard carriers, and drivers outside its store states have fewer ways to buy.

• Strengths: More than 450 storefronts plus phone and online sales; SR-22 and FR-44 filings, with same-day SR-22; flexible down payments and due dates, with cash accepted; a long discount list including homeowner and military discounts; Allstate ownership.
• Weaknesses: Last in Florida and next to last in the Southeast in J.D. Power's 2026 study; stores in only 12 states; DynamicDrive can raise rates in some states; roadside and emergency plans are add-on memberships, not insurance.

How to contact Direct Auto Insurance