The Good and Bad of Esurance

Esurance is a fully digital insurance company backed by Allstate Insurance. It was founded in 1999 in San Francisco, California. Esurance offered a speedy online quoting process for car insurance with low insurance rates. Although Esurance no longer writes new policies, the Allstate system will handle policyholder accounts as well as any new quotes and policy inquiries.

Esurance offers a range of ways to save on insurance, including various discounts to provide premiums. Its DriveSense program rewards safe drivers with up to $100 in savings for its policyholders. Let’s dive into what else Esurance offers its customers and whether it makes for a solid insurance choice.

Esurance Insurance: The Pros and Cons

• High customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance
• Fully digital, user-friendly website
• An array of discounts and coverage options
• Drive Sense telematics
• Available in 43 states

• Not so flattering claims satisfaction
• Above average car and home insurance complaints

Esurance Car Insurance

Along with the standard car insurance coverage types, Esurance provides customers with:

• Roadside Assistance:
  This is an add-on for a small additional fee if you already have Esurance comprehensive and collision coverage. Having this coverage means Esurance will pay up to $75 for common roadside mishaps, such as towing, tire changes, and fuel delivery.
• Rental Car Reimbursement:
  If your rental car is stolen or is being repaired following an accident, this coverage pays the full cost for up to 45 days or $3,000. You must have comprehensive and collision coverage to qualify.
• Rideshare Coverage:
  If you’re an Uber or Lyft driver, you can add rideshare coverage. This coverage only applies when you’re working as a rideshare driver but haven’t accepted a ride request yet. Your Uber or Lyft coverage will apply after this stage.
• Gap Coverage:
  Insurers generally pay out what the car is worth at the time of accident if you ever total a leased or financed car. You may still owe more than that, so with gap coverage Esurance pays up to 25% of the car’s value to help you cover the difference.

Auto Insurance Discounts

Like any insurance policy, there will be several factors affecting your discounts. Esurance has a range of options to help you save on auto insurance. All programs and discounts will vary by state.

• Multi-policy discount: You can earn this discount if you own multiple insurance policies with Esurance.
• Claim-free discount: All drivers, with at least five years of driving experience, who have been DUI/DWI-free for at least five years can earn this discount.
• DriveSense: While this telematic program is only available in 35 states, you can earn an initial discount for enrolling in this usage-based driving program. Customers can save an average of $100 per policy via DriveSense.

Esurance had a good list of discounts while it was actively writing policies, but since Allstate handles the quoting process now, it isn’t clear which discounts still apply to Esurance customers.

Esurance Homeowners Insurance

You can get Esurance homeowners insurance in 31 states. If you don’t live in one of its operating states, Esurance will help you get home insurance through a partner company.

Esurance standard home policies include two features that most insurers don’t offer:

• Water backup: While coverage varies by state, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000; this coverage covers you for damages caused by drain overflow.
• Fire Department charges: Esurance will cover the cost if you call the fire department and are later charged for it.

Other optional coverages include:

• Building codes coverage
• Increased building structure coverage
• Identity theft coverage
• Fair rental income
• Home daycare
• Extended premises
• Claims forgiveness.

Esurance Home Insurance Discounts

You can qualify for discounts for:

Using the Esurance DIY Home Inspection app within the first 20 days after your policy starts can save you $50.	Installing home security system.
Being claims-free for at least a year.	Being a new customer.
Policy renewal	Purchasing coverage at least seven days before coverage starts
Paying premiums on time	Bundling home and auto coverage
Installing storm shutters to exterior windows (certain states)	Not smoking.

Complaints and Customer Service

The number of complaints Esurance had exceeded the national average for an insurer its size, according to the NAIC. However, J.D. Power gives it a customer satisfaction score of 836 out of 1,000, which is just barely above the average scored by a typical insurance company.

Now, let’s look at what actual Esurance customers have had to say about the insurance company.