What’s Better for Auto Insurance – Esurance or Allstate?
Last Updated on July 7, 2020
Esurance and Allstate are two of the biggest and best-rated car insurance companies in the United States. They’re also part of the same parent company. Esurance was purchased by Allstate in May of 2011.
Because they are part of the same corporation, Esurance and Allstate have many similarities. The two insurers offer similar pricing in most states. They also have similar policies and packages. So what’s better for auto insurance? Should you pick Esurance or Allstate for car insurance? Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about the differences and similarities between Esurance and Allstate.
Esurance vs. Allstate: Pricing
America’s largest car insurance companies have competitive pricing for similar policies. Generally, Esurance and Allstate are within a few hundred dollars of each other in most states. However, we recommend requesting a quote from both Esurance and Allstate, as prices vary depending on your vehicle, age, driving record, credit score, state, and other factors.
Things to Note About Esurance and Allstate Insurance Rates Include:
- The average premium with both Esurance and Allstate is close to the national average. The average driver will pay around $1,100 to $1,400 per year for full coverage car insurance with either company.
- Allstate offers cheaper prices for drivers with a recent at-fault accident. If you recently caused an accident, then you might find cheaper rates with Allstate than Esurance. Allstate charges $3,000 per year to drivers with one at-fault accident, while Esurance charges around $3,400.
- Drivers with poor credit may be better with Allstate, especially if they have a clean driving history. Esurance is particularly harsh towards drivers with bad credit, charging around $4,000 per year for car insurance (compared to $3,400 for Allstate).
- If you want the minimum required insurance coverage, then Allstate may be the best option. Allstate offers cheap rates on minimum liability insurance in most states, charging around $900 per year compared to $1,200 per year for Esurance.
Overall, Allstate offers slightly cheaper car insurance prices to most drivers, including lower premiums to drivers with poor credit, a recent at-fault accident, and an average driving history. However, Esurance may be a better option for drivers with good credit and a clean driving history. Compare quotes with both companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance.
Esurance vs. Allstate: Customer Satisfaction
Esurance and Allstate are two of America’s largest car insurance companies. Both companies have average ratings for customer service. Like most large car insurance companies, customers tend to have either a good or bad experience, leading to average ratings overall.
In the latest J.D. Power insurance company ratings, Esurance and Allstate had similar scores in most sub-regions. To calculate its ratings, J.D. Power speaks with real customers who filed a claim. J.D. Power ranks companies based on customer experience, company pricing, product offerings, and other factors.
In the 2020 J.D. Power insurance company ratings, Esurance and Allstate had similar ratings in most subregions. Here are key things to note about the latest scores:
- On a 1,000 point scale, Esurance scored 825 and Allstate scored 819 in California (average regional score of 821)
- On that same scale, Esurance scored 820 and Allstate scored 830 in the North Central region (average regional score of 830)
- Allstate was the top-ranked car insurance company in Florida, scoring 851; Esurance scored 830 in the same subregion (average regional score of 836)
- In the 2019 rankings, Esurance placed 4th out of 19 ranked companies, while Allstate placed 15th
In some regions, Esurance was not rated because it was not one of the top-20 largest car insurance companies in that region. Esurance is not ranked in New England, for example. However, Allstate is one of the top-20 largest car insurance companies in all subregions of the United States.
Overall, J.D. Power concluded that Esurance has a better shopping satisfaction rating for policyholders, although Allstate customers are generally happier after making a claim.
Esurance vs. Allstate: Other Differences
Allstate and Esurance have many other differences. Here are some things to note about the difference between Esurance and Allstate.
Insurance Products
Both Esurance and Allstate offer a wide range of insurance products, including car insurance, rideshare insurance, RV insurance, motorcycle insurance, and home insurance, among other insurance products.
However, there are some differences in insurance products and availability:
- Esurance only offers car insurance in 43 states, while Allstate offers car insurance in all states (Esurance is not available in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, or Wyoming)
- Both companies offer rideshare insurance, including Esurance ShareSmart and Allstate Ride for Hire
- Both companies offer umbrella liability insurance
- Both companies offer life insurance
- Allstate offers accident forgiveness, while Esurance does not
- Allstate offers financial services (like savings plans, investment management, and identity theft coverage), while Esurance does not
Since Esurance and Allstate are the same corporation, Allstate often fills gaps in Esurance’s product catalog. Esurance does not directly offer business insurance, for example, although Esurance customers can request business insurance through Allstate.
This is an overview of the auto insurance coverage offerings of Esurance and Allstate:
| Coverage Type | Esurance | Allstate |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside Assistance | Included Free (You pay per incident) | Included Free (You pay per incident) |
| Liability Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collision Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Comprehensive Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical Payments Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Car Protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accident Forgiveness | ✓ | |
| Rideshare Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| SR-22 Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gap Coverage | ✓ | |
| Incident Forgiveness | ✓ | |
| Loss of Use Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental Reimbursement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Coverage | ✓ | |
| Emergency Travel Assistance Coverage | ✓ | |
| Claims Methods | Online | Online Phone In-person |
| Payment Schedule | 12 Months Monthly | 12 Months Monthly |
Usage-Based Car Insurance
Both Allstate and Esurance offer usage-based car insurance. You can install a tracking system on your vehicle, then get customized car insurance rates.
Allstate DriveWise: Allstate’s driver tracking program is called DriveWise. It rewards safe driving behavior by giving you cashback or Allstate Rewards, including discounts on clothes, restaurants, electronics, and other products.
Esurance DriveSense: Esurance’s driver tracking program offers policy discounts to all drivers who sign up.
Both companies also offer ‘pay-per-use’ car insurance, including per-mile car insurance fees. However, Esurance only offers pay-per-use car insurance in Oregon, while Allstate offers it in 12 states and the District of Columbia.
Online Tools
Esurance was one of the first major car insurance companies to specialize in online insurance shopping. The company offers a range of online tools that make it easy to compare car insurance, including Coverage Counselor, RepairView, and Fuelcaster, among other online products.
Roadside Assistance
Allstate includes roadside assistance on all insurance policies with no extra annual fee, although you pay for each service call. Any Allstate customer can request 24/7 roadside assistance through Allstate’s roadside network with no annual fee. You pay $80 to $100 for towing, tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, and locksmith services, among other items.
Esurance offers a similar system through its Emergency Roadside Service, which covers up to $75 per incident. Esurance covers towing assistance, tire changes, gas delivery, battery service, and lockouts. You must have collision or comprehensive coverage to qualify.
Claim Process
Esurance has a different claims method than conventional insurance providers. Esurance is often able to offer cheaper rates using an online-only claims process. You must submit claims online. Allstate, meanwhile, processes claims via the internet, in-person, or phone. Both companies, however, get strong ratings for claims processing.
Discounts
Allstate and Esurance offer similar insurance discounts. Both companies award discounts for all of the following:
- Anti-theft devices
- Bundling
- Homeowners
- Military
- Multi-vehicle
- Paid in full
- Safety devices
- Student
Here is an overview of the discounts offered by Esurance and Allstate:
| Discount Type | Esurance | Allstate |
|---|---|---|
| Accident-Free Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Purchase Discount | ✓ | |
| Air Bags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alumni Discount | ✓ | |
| Anti-Lock Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-theft Device Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bundle Car and Life Insurance Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bundle Home and Car Insurance Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Defensive Driver Course Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Economy Car Discount | ✓ | |
| Good Driver Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good Student Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Green Vehicle Discount | ✓ | |
| Homeowner Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowner Discount | ✓ | |
| Military Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Car Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Vehicle Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Organization Discount | ✓ | |
| Paid In Full Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passive Restraint Discount | ✓ | |
| Safety Device Discount | ✓ | ✓ |
| Senior Driver Discount | ✓ | |
| Student Away at School Discount | ✓ | |
| Telematics Program | ✓ | ✓ |
Final Word: What’s better – Allstate or Esurance?
Esurance and Allstate are two popular insurance companies for policyholders across the United States. They’re also part of the same parent corporation. Esurance is fully owned by Allstate since 2011.
Despite technically being the same corporation, Esurance and Allstate are two different insurance brands catering to different parts of the market. Esurance emphasizes a smooth and easy shopping experience for basic car insurance, while Allstate emphasizes strong claims satisfaction ratings.
Overall, Esurance and Allstate offer competitive prices in all parts of the United States, and they tend to offer similar products and a similar insurance experience. We recommend requesting a quote from both Esurance and Allstate to ensure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance.
