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Direct General Auto Insurance Review

6 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Founded in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee, Direct General offers a variety of insurance products, including life and auto policies, as well as related services such as roadside assistance and emergency protection plans. The company specializes in working directly with customers to help determine which coverages best fit their needs and budgets, regardless of their driving or credit history.

How is Direct General rated?

Breakdown

4.0/5
Coverage
3.5/5
Financial Strength
0.0/5
Supplemental Coverage
4.0/5
Pricing & Discounts
4.0/5
Claims Satisfaction & Customer Experience
4.5/5
Automation

Overall Rating: 3.8 / 5 (Very good)

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Direct General has been selling auto and life insurance products through 400 locations across twelve states since 1991. As evidenced by a substantial number of complaints filed against the company's private passenger insurance in 2016, Direct General--although financially stable and solvent--has had some issues regarding payments on auto insurance claims. Despite negative customer feedback, the company remains a solid choice for those seeking affordable high-risk coverages and additional services such as towing and roadside assistance. Overall, the company seems to be among the few non-standard auto insurers with a comprehensive list of coverages and discounts.

Direct General Coverage

Basic Coverage

  • Bodily Injury Liability
  • Property Damage Liability
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Personal Injury
  • Medical Payments
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Additional Coverage

  • Rental Reimbursement
  • Towing & Labor Cost

Coverage - 4 / 5

For a non-standard insurer, Direct General boasts one of the most comprehensive auto insurance offers on the market. Besides their standard or basic liability, collision, and medical payments coverages, the company provides additional plans such as their rental reimbursement, towing and roadside assistance, and accidental death policies. Direct General will automatically add their optional AD&D coverage to every online quote, so potential customers are advised to read their auto insurance quotes thoroughly and make any necessary changes before continuing with the application.

Customer Experience

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

NAIC Complaint Ratio
6.06
NAIC Total Complaints 2020
192

Customer Ratings

BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
1
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
0
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
14
Date Collected
2017-11-09
*The NAIC Car Insurance complaint ratio (in this case 6.06) compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The median complaint ratio across all car insurance companies is 1. A score below 1 means the company received fewer than the expected number of complaints. A score above 1 means the company received a more than the expected number of complaints.

Claims Satisfaction & Customer Experience - 4 / 5

Direct General Group of Companies has received 3.77 out of 5 stars from the Better Business Bureau, a score based on 15 Customer Reviews and a Rating of A+. It must be mentioned, however, that most of the reviews on the site are negative ones and that the company has also received a fair share of complaints regarding their products and services. The group of companies is not yet accredited by the BBB, and there are few other authoritative sources that may help consumers decide whether Direct General is deserving of such feedback.

Financial Strength

Key Details

Underwriter
Direct General Group of Companies
AM Best Financial Rating
B

Financial Strength - 3.5 / 5

A.M. Best has placed the Direct General Group of Companies' financial strength and issuer credit ratings under review with positive implications. This action was brought about by the acquisition of Direct General's parent company, Elara Holdings, by National General Holdings in 2016. Direct General currently holds a B (Fair) financial strength rating with the A.M. Best agency and an issuer credit rating of bb+.
*The above information reflects the financial strength of the underwriter of the Direct General car insurance policies: Direct General Group of Companies.

Pricing & Discounts

Per Mile Pricing Available?

Discounts

  • Multiple Vehicle
  • Safe Driver
  • Anti-Theft
  • Low Mileage
  • Vehicle Safety
  • Homeowner
  • Student
  • Senior
  • Bundled Policy

Additional Discounts

  • Group Savings (unions, etc)

Pricing & Discounts - 4 / 5

Direct General's auto insurance rates are up to par with industry standards, yet they make their policies affordable through an excellent range of discounts and incredibly flexible payment structure that allows customers to choose when to pay and how to do so. The company extends almost every type of discounts available, with the exception of the newly married, hybrid vehicle, and full or automatic payment discounts.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(314) 493-7986
Headquarters Address
1281 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN, 37217
Year Founded
1991

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6 Customer Comments & Reviews

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rugby9cct
12/7/2021
Stay away from Direct General at all costs! They insured a driver that rear-ended us. The cop checked their insurance and it showed good standing. Direct General sent me a claim estimate and told me to take my car for repair. They are now not paying the claim even though their driver was 100% at fault. They continued to take the driver’s premiums even though they refused to pay for my claim or the driver’s claim. This company is crooked and must be avoided at all costs unless you are a fan of lack of communication and poor coverage and support. They may cost cheap, but the entire organization is cheap. If I could give 0 stars, I would.


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Upset
9/12/2019
This company is causing extreme pain and suffering to my sister-in-law while she is going through chemo treatment for cancer. High anxiety , sleeplessness etc while she needs all her strength to fight cancer. Their insured driver rear ended her and was charged with reckless driving . She was in her new car she had purchased so she would have reliable transportation to her chemo infusions. Direct General blamed her for the accident even though their insured driver caused the accident and was charged with reckless driving. They had the nerve to only offer 40% of the cost to repair her car. All she wants them to do is pay to fix her car . She Lives in Jacksonville , FL Help her Lord Claim -... Read More


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Archangel B
9/10/2019
I've only been a customer of Direct General for a short time, but in that time my opinion of the company and the agent who sold me my policy has gone from indifferent to low. As low as it can get. When I initially signed up, I told the agent I was on a budget, and only wanted the minimum coverage to allow me to legally drive in Florida. She told me I would get a lower introductory rate if I also signed up for life insurance, which I could easily cancel before my second installment was due. (What she didn't tell me, but was undoubtedly lurking in the forms I signed, was that besides the life insurance, she had also tacked on at least three other unnecessary and unwanted products:... Read More


janelledewey86
5/24/2019
worst insurance company ever!!!! i have had insurance with this company since march.. less than 90 days and every time i make a payment i get a letter saying my license has been suspended because Direct denies my coverage to the DMV which is on auto pay! in 90 days i have 2 months of nothing but problems and still cant get it fixed properly. if you wanna risk being stopped with a suspended license for no reason then go with this insurance. worst company ever!!!!! i will be finding another insurance company today and leaving a review on every page possible.


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estherherrera
2/13/2019
Very bad service this people on military drive sold me insurance that cost me $100.95 dollars for only 8 days. because the agent Pricilla jo an did not send my proof of insurance and connect insurance can not reed vin number in one of my cars my insurance went up in only 6 days so I stop this policy on 02/08/2019 also old American county mutual insurance.is responsible for this fees the three of them they didn't care. I spoke to Jennifer and angel kiata can not do any thing about my money was add to the hole policy no matter what. I feel that I was rob by this people my be is how they earn money. I will never purchase any thing from this co and I will tell my friends and all people I... Read More


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raymond p
8/6/2018
i purchased an insurance policy with direct auto on july/8/ 2018 in the state of florida. paid $250 as down pmnt to open policy. my previous company offered to lower my rates 3 days after going with direct. so i took their offer. so now i had to cancel this new 3 day policy with direct. sounds easy right. i was told to call them and they would cancel it. i did just that, lady told me my policy was cancelled on july 11.2018. i asked for a confirmation # and she said they do not give those out, to just call the next day to confirm it was cancelled. did that, nope it was not. i was then told to send a cancellation request by email to an address , with declaration papers from my other... Read More



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