Otto Car Insurance Review: User Reviews, Quotes (2025)

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 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.

What is OTTO Insurance?

OTTO Insurance isn’t an insurance company or 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 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.

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. Be prepared to provide your vehicle’s make, model, and year, and then personal information like your name, birth date, credit score, marital status, and more.

Here’s what it looks like:

Once you input your other information, OTTO requests your phone number. Below the input field, you’ll notice some fine print that indicates you’ll likely receive calls, emails, and texts from OTTO’s marketing partners.

Users have reported receiving several calls, texts, and emails after sharing their info with OTTO.

OTTO won’t show you any quotes or help you buy a policy. But you might be able to secure auto coverage (or home or pet insurance) through one of its partner companies. Remember that insurance rates and insurance discounts vary by company, so it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes.

How customers feel about OTTO Insurance

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 2.3 out of 5 stars from Trustpilot users and 1.44 stars with the BBB. Several reviewers report receiving many unexpected calls and texts from car insurance companies, though some report that the site helped reduce their insurance costs.

But some users share positive feedback about OTTO:

Is OTTO a spammy site?

OTTO is a legitimate business. That said, it’s a lead-generation tool rather than a true insurance-comparison site. Lead-generation tools share your information with third-party partners that can contact you directly.

When you request a quote through OTTO, it requires you to share your contact information and consent to receive emails, text messages, phone calls, and pre-recorded messages from its partners. Once you consent to these contacts, third-party companies can contact you, even if your phone number is on a “do not call” registry.

While OTTO’s lead-generation business model is relatively common, some online reviewers report that its partners have contacted them frequently via phone and email. Be mindful of this if you plan to get auto insurance quotes through OTTO.

Alternatives to OTTO Insurance

OTTO is a lead-generation website, not a car insurance company or insurance-comparison platform. An independent car insurance company offers its own policies and has its own agents, while an insurance-comparison platform lets you compare real-time quotes online without requiring you to agree to receive emails, texts, or calls from third parties.

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 4.7 out of 5 stars.

While OTTO does allow you to get quotes from its partners, you’ll receive few, if any, on its website after entering your information. Instead, insurance companies or agents may contact you directly to provide quotes, which could lead to multiple phone calls and emails.

OTTO vs. Compare

Compare is another insurance quote comparison tool. It offers real-time quotes from insurance companies like State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, and others. To get a quote through Compare, you simply input some personal and vehicle information, and the site will return a list of quotes from top insurers. When we tested it twice, Compare returned five insurance quotes followed by one insurance quote.

Compare has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Users praise its customer service team and simple insurance quote process. Many also mention that the site helped them save money on their car insurance premiums.

Unlike OTTO, Compare gives you car insurance quotes in real-time. Insurers don’t contact you directly over the phone or via email to try to sell you a policy.

OTTO vs. The Zebra

The Zebra is also an insurance-comparison tool. While it promises instant car insurance quotes after you input your personal information, it returned coverage options from only two insurers when we tested it. And unfortunately, these coverage options didn’t include real-time rates. Instead, we needed to visit specific insurers’ websites to get quotes.

Despite this, The Zebra is well-rated on Trustpilot, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars from reviewers. They indicate the site is easy to use, customer service is responsive and knowledgeable, and it has helped them save money on their car insurance policy.

The Zebra’s business model differs from OTTO’s. The Zebra is an insurance-comparison tool, so you’re less likely to receive several calls, texts, and emails from its third-party partners.

OTTO car insurance FAQs