GoAuto Insurance reviews and ratings
- Mobile app offers the ability to buy and manage a policy.
- Available in only three states.
- More complaints than expected, relative to its size.
GoAuto Insurance is a Louisiana-based auto insurance company that offers bare-bones car insurance for drivers in Louisiana, Nevada and Ohio. GoAuto says it is a low-cost insurance company: It allows drivers to purchase policies directly from the company instead of through commission-incentivized insurance agents. You can get a quote on both the website and mobile app, by calling GoAuto’s state-specific hotlines, and calling or visiting a local GoAuto office.
While GoAuto offers a simple way to manage a car insurance policy directly through its website or mobile app, its website provides little transparency on discounts or available coverage. The company also has a high number of complaints relative to other companies of similar size.
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, GoAuto may be an option. However, many other companies offer insight into the coverage they provide, have lower customer complaints and offer a range of discounts.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies for 2021
GoAuto insurance
GoAuto auto insurance earned 2.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account a number of details including pricing, discounts and ease of filing a claim. Other factors analyzed include website transparency, financial strength and complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
GoAuto Insurance offers minimal auto insurance coverage. Liability coverage is included in every policy, while collision and comprehensive coverage, medical payments and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may be additional options. Depending on your state, other coverage options may also be available.
» MORE: Uninsured motorist coverage explained
Additional coverage could include:
- Towing coverage covers towing and breakdown costs from a dead battery, flat tire or getting locked out of your car.
- Rental reimbursement can pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop for a covered claim.
Common types of car insurance coverage
When you’re shopping for car insurance, it’s important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. Most states require car insurance to drive a vehicle, although minimum coverage requirements vary from state to state. This generally includes liability insurance and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
If you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Full coverage isn’t a specific policy you can buy, but rather a combination of coverage types like liability, collision and comprehensive insurance.
Check out the most common types of car insurance coverage below to see how they work:
| Coverage type | What it pays for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury and property damage liability | Costs for injuries, deaths or property damage from an accident you caused. | Typically required. |
| Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage | Medical and property damage costs after an accident with a driver who has insufficient insurance or none at all. | Often required. |
| Collision coverage | Repair expenses from traffic-related accidents, regardless of who's at fault. | A car loan or lease may require it. |
| Comprehensive coverage | Repair costs from events outside of your control — including weather events, hitting an animal while driving, theft and vandalism. | A car loan or lease may require it. |
While GoAuto doesn’t offer many bells and whistles, it’s possible you could qualify for a few discounts, depending on your state.
GoAuto Insurance may offer discounts for:
- Being an active military member.
- Safe driving habits.
- Driving a car with anti-lock brakes and air bags.
- Insuring multiple cars.
- Switching to GoAuto from another insurance company.
» MORE: Car insurance quotes: What you need to know
Complaints about GoAuto
Over three years, GoAuto has drawn more complaints than expected to state regulators for a company of its size, according to a NerdWallet analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
More about GoAuto
Website: While GoAuto’s website offers minimal information about the coverage it offers, you can get a quote, file a claim, find a nearby office, make a bill payment or view policy and policy documents after you log in. Plus, a Spanish version of the website is available.
Mobile app: GoAuto’s mobile app is available for both Apple and Android. It allows customers to get a quote, view ID cards, buy or renew a policy, pay a bill, view a current policy and corresponding documents, and file and track a claim.
Auto insurance buying guide
Before you compare car insurance companies, you’ll need to collect basic information, such as the driving history of everyone on the policy and facts about your car, including safety features and annual mileage driven. You’ll also want to understand which types of coverage you need. For example, do you want only the bare minimum insurance that your state requires, or do you need more extensive coverage, such as gap insurance or rideshare coverage? Check that each company you’re considering has the options you want.
When comparing rates among insurers, make sure each is offering the same coverage limits and deductibles. You may not want to decide based on price alone. Look at how many consumer complaints each company has, as high numbers can be a red flag about the quality of service you might receive.
Depending on which company you choose, you may be able to buy insurance online, over the phone or through an agent. For more guidance, see how to get car insurance.
Recap: GoAuto pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Get a quote from the website or mobile app. | Available only in Louisiana, Nevada and Ohio. |
| File and track a claim through the website or mobile app. | Website offers little transparency of available coverage. |
| More complaints than expected relative to its size. |
Methodology: Insurer complaints
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2018-2020. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2018-2020. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
