Shopping for new car insurance can be a headache, but comparison websites aim to simplify the process of getting quotes and comparing auto insurance prices. OTTO claims it can “deliver quotes in seconds” and lets users compare multiple insurance quotes “all in one place.” But OTTO is really a lead-generation tool that connects its users with third-party partner insurers.
If you’re in the market for a new auto policy, here’s what to know about OTTO, its business model, and how past users feel about it.
Users have mixed feelings about OTTO, with many reporting unwanted phone calls, texts, and emails after using the site to seek insurance quotes.
OTTO has a relatively simple interface where you provide your personal information.
OTTO doesn’t share any real-time quotes from its partner companies, so you don’t get immediate insight into auto insurance rates.
OTTO Insurance at a glance
OTTO Insurance isn’t an insurance company or an insurance-comparison tool. Instead, it’s a lead-generation website. Companies that use a lead-generation business model typically have a list of third-party partners with whom they try to connect customers.
When you input your personal information into the OTTO website, you consent to sharing that info with its partners, who may contact you directly. They may also sell your information. Unfortunately, this can result in many unexpected phone calls, texts, and emails from insurance companies.
You also won’t receive any immediate quotes through the OTTO site, so if that’s what you’re seeking, a car insurance company or car insurance comparison site may be a better choice.
Free to use
Auto, pet, and home insurance quotes
Quick process
Lead-generator site
May result in spam
Negative reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website
How OTTO Insurance works
If you’re wondering how OTTO works, we went through the process so you can better understand this company.
After clicking to get an auto quote, OTTO requests lots of information from you. During the process, you’ll need to provide your vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as personal information like your name, birth date, credit score, marital status, and more.
Here’s what it looks like:
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You’ll then need to select your vehicle model and trim, answer whether you have a second vehicle to add, and provide your previous auto insurer. OTTO also asks a series of questions to determine discount eligibility, based on factors like homeownership, gender, and more.
Once you input your other information, OTTO requests your email address, address, and phone number. Below the input field, you’ll notice some fine print that indicates you’ll likely receive phone calls, emails, and texts from OTTO’s marketing partners.
Users have reported receiving several phone calls, texts, and emails after sharing their contact information with OTTO.
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Is OTTO Insurance legit?
No. OTTO isn’t a legit site for comparing real-time car insurance quotes. It’s a lead-generation site that shares your information with its third-party auto insurance partners. If you use the site, you’ll likely receive emails, texts, and phone calls from OTTO’s third-party partners.
OTTO Insurance reviews: What real customers are saying
Because OTTO isn’t an insurance company, it doesn’t have company reviews or performance data available on sites like AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), or J.D. Power. These sites rate insurance companies on metrics like customer satisfaction and financial stability.
But customers have shared feedback about OTTO on review sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company earns just 1.8 out of 5 stars from Trustpilot users and 1.44 stars with the BBB. Several reviewers report receiving many unexpected phone calls and texts from car insurance companies, though some report that the site helped reduce their insurance premiums.
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OTTO vs. Insurify
Insurify is a quote-comparison website that provides users with real-time insurance quotes from top insurers, including household names like Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers. It’s a licensed agency in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Insurify’s company information is readily available, and feedback from its customers is excellent. Insurify has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
While OTTO does allow you to get insurance quotes from its partners, you’ll receive few, if any, on its website after entering your information. Instead, insurance companies or insurance agents may contact you directly to provide quotes, which could lead to multiple phone calls and emails.
Feature | OTTO Insurance | Insurify |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time quotes | No | Yes |
| Sells customer information | Yes | No |
| Licensed insurance agency | No | Yes |
| Average Trustpilot rating | 1.8 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 |
OTTO car insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about OTTO, we have answers for you. Here’s what to know about this company and what it offers.
Otto may not explicitly sell your information, but it can share your contact information with its third-party insurance partners.
No. Otto Insurance doesn’t provide real-time auto insurance quotes on its website. Instead, it connects you with third-party insurance companies that may contact you by phone, email, and text message.
No. OTTO isn’t a legit company for comparing insurance quotes. It’s a lead-generation site that connects third-party partners with people seeking new auto, homeowners, or pet insurance coverage. It shares your contact information.
OTTO uses a lead-generation business model to connect its users with partner insurers. When you submit your personal information to OTTO, you consent to receive calls, texts, and emails from its partners. Some may provide car insurance quotes.
Some users report receiving many phone calls, texts, and emails from OTTO’s partner insurers. Keep this in mind if you plan to use the site to find an auto policy.
COUNTRY Financial has the cheapest average car insurance rates, according to Insurify data. Its liability insurance policies start as low as $40 per month. Auto-Owners and USAA also offer cheap car insurance rates. Their liability-only coverage starts at $45 and $52 per month, respectively.
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