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Insurance

Otto Auto Insurance Review

  • What we like: Easy to find affordable coverage from top insurance companies
  • Ratings: Not rated by J.D. Power or AM Best
  • Discounts: Depend on the insurer

Otto is an online insurance marketplace that makes it easy to find the most affordable auto insurance in your area. Currently, the company provides quotes for car insurance, pet insurance, home insurance, and life insurance from reputable insurers like Nationwide and Farmers. 

Otto operates as an insurance brokerage, meaning it connects customers with quotes from other insurance companies. Otto is not licensed to underwrite insurance policies, so the coverage options and discounts available will depend on which insurance company you get matched with.

Otto auto insurance at a glance
J.D. PowerNot rated
AM BestNot rated
Discounts Depends on the insurer
Coverage optionsDepends on the insurer
Deductible optionsDepends on the insurer
FeesNone
Unique featuresInstant online quotes from multiple carriers
Visit Otto

Otto Insurance connects insurance shoppers with the lowest premium for auto insurance in their area. The company claims that drivers who use Otto can save up to $500 on their annual car insurance premium.

The coverage types, discounts, and deductibles will depend on the insurance company you receive a quote from. Otto doesn’t underwrite any insurance policies, and it is not rated by the largest third-party organizations like J.D. Power or AM Best.

What types of coverage does Otto offer?

Otto isn’t a licensed insurance company, so the coverage available will depend on which insurer you get matched with. Here are some of the most common coverages that you can probably get through one of Otto’s partner companies:

  • Personal liability insurance: Personal liability insurance is required in most states. It covers your legal and financial responsibilities when you cause an accident.
  • Collision insurance: Collision insurance pays for your vehicle’s repairs after an accident you cause. The coverage limit is typically the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle and has a deductible.
  • Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive insurance pays for your vehicle’s repairs after a non-collision incident. It covers things like theft, vandalism, hail damage, and damage from falling objects.
  • Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance covers basic vehicle repairs when you get stranded, such as flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockouts.
  • Rental car reimbursement: If your vehicle needs to get repaired after an accident or other covered damage claim, this add-on will cover the cost of a rental car, up to a certain amount per day.

Who’s eligible for Otto auto insurance coverage?

All drivers are eligible to get an auto insurance quote through Otto. However, the insurance company you get matched with will depend on your location, credit score, and other factors. 

It’s also possible that some insurers don’t cover all vehicles. The only way to know if you’re eligible is to get a quote on Otto’s website and see your options.

Pros and cons of Otto auto insurance

Like all insurance carriers, there are pros and cons to using Otto. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:

Pros

  • Easy to get an instant rate quote online

  • Can help you find the cheapest insurance policy for your situation

  • Otto partners with a network of reputable insurers

Cons

  • You don’t get to choose which insurance companies you get matched with

  • Customer reviews are overwhelmingly negative

  • Customer service isn’t provided by licensed insurance agents

  • You might only get one insurance quote

How do you file a claim with Otto?

Otto doesn’t handle any auto insurance claims in-house. If you get into an accident or your vehicle is damaged, and you need to file a claim, you will work with the insurance company that underwrites your policy. The exact claim process and the speed at which claims are paid out will depend on your specific insurance provider.

How does Otto auto insurance compare to others?

Otto Insurance is unique because it functions like an online insurance brokerage. There are a variety of companies that offer this service, which can help you find the cheapest auto insurance for your situation and coverage needs.

However, Otto falls short in several areas when compared to its marketplace competitors, like Insurify or Policygenius. Otto doesn’t have the most user-friendly website, and it has very bad reviews from past customers who have used Otto’s service.

When we tested Otto’s online quote generator, we only received one match. If you’re looking to compare car insurance rates to find the best deal, you’ll want to look at quotes from more than one company.

Is Otto reputable?

Otto doesn’t have many reviews, but the few Otto insurance reviews we did find are mostly negative. On TrustPilot, Otto has nine reviews with an average rating of 2.1 out of 5 stars. Nearly every review accuses Otto of being a lead generation website. 

Some users said they entered their information to get a quote but were never matched with an insurance company. Others said they received constant phone calls and emails from other insurance companies trying to sell them a policy.

SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviews
Trustpilot2.1 out of 50
GoogleN/AN/A
Better Business BureauN/AN/A

Collected on September 21, 2024

Does Otto have a customer service team?

Otto does have a customer service team that can provide assistance when getting a quote on the website. However, keep in mind that these are customer service agents, not licensed insurance agents. You can reach Otto’s customer service team via phone or email.

  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Phone number: 1-888-904-1907
  • Mailing address: 429 Lenox Ave, FL 5, Miami Beach, FL 33139

How to get an Otto auto insurance quote

You can get a quote from Otto online or over the phone by calling 1-855-994-1488. To get a quote from Otto, visit the website and click “See My Rates!”

Otto insurance screenshot

You will need to provide your ZIP code and vehicle make and model, and answer some questions about yourself, like your gender, marital status, birthdate, and credit score.

Once you complete the quote process, Otto will show you which insurance company can offer you the lowest rate based on the information provided. You can click “View My Quote” to see your estimated rate and purchase a policy if you’re satisfied with the quote. 

Because every insurance company is different, you won’t be able to compare things like the policy period length, payment plans, or endorsements. 

Where to find alternatives to Otto auto insurance

If you’re looking to use a service like Otto to compare car insurance quotes, there are better options out there. Some of the most well-known and reputable online insurance marketplaces are Insurify, Policygenius, The Zebra, and ValuePenguin. 

These sites have much better customer reviews, and are more likely to connect you with multiple quotes than Otto. Additionally, these sites have helpful online tools, resources, and educational articles to help you choose the best insurance policy for your needs.

No matter which insurance company you choose, make sure to get quotes from several insurers. The first quote you get might not be the lowest. You should also compare insurers based on coverage options, discounts, financial strength, and customer reviews.

Otto FAQ

What discounts does Otto offer?

Otto doesn’t offer any car insurance discounts because it doesn’t underwrite auto insurance policies. However, using Otto to get a car insurance quote could help you find the cheapest rate for your situation.

Can I customize my Otto auto policy?

Otto doesn’t allow you to customize your car insurance policy, but many of Otto’s partner insurance companies offer endorsements. The exact add-ons will depend on the insurer you get matched with.

What is Otto’s cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your car insurance, you will need to work with the company that underwrites your insurance policy. Most insurance providers allow you to cancel your policy at any point, but some insurers charge termination fees.

Can you make changes to your Otto policy?

You can make changes to your car insurance policy through the underwriter. So, for example, if you get a quote from Progressive through Otto and purchase a policy, you would work with Progressive to manage your policy and make changes.

Do you have to renew your policy each year?

Typically, you don’t have to renew your car insurance policy every year. Most insurers will automatically renew your policy when the term ends. 

Does Otto offer any online tools or mobile apps?

The only online tool that Otto offers is the quote generator that will match you with the cheapest insurer for your situation. The company doesn’t have a mobile app or online customer portal, which most large insurance providers do.