If you remember Esurance as the insurance company that made it easy to buy car insurance online, you may now be wondering what has happened to it. Esurance Insurance was acquired by Allstate in 2011, after which Allstate announced that it would integrate the Esurance brand into Allstate beginning in 2020.
Now, is Esurance still an independent insurance company? Not in the way that customers used to know. Although insurance companies named Esurance still appear on Allstate’s current list of underwriting companies, the Esurance brand has been included as part of Allstate’s broader business strategy.
It’s important if you are looking for an old Esurance policy, want to find out who is responsible for your coverage, or are trying to get a new policy under the Esurance name.
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What Was Esurance?
Esurance operated on a direct-to-consumer insurance basis; instead of primarily depending on traditional local agents, it focused on customers who were willing to buy and manage their insurance either online or by speaking to a contact centre.
In 2011 Allstate acquired both Esurance and Answer Financial, and at that time described the purchase as a step taken in order to increase its ability to serve customers who preferred to look after their insurance needs themselves.
The Esurance brand eventually became associated with online auto insurance as well as with homeowners’ and various other types of personal insurance, and as stated in Allstate’s 2019 report, it offered coverage to self-directed consumers either online or through its contact centres.
The choice to adopt an online-first strategy was a key aspect of the brand’s identity.
Why Did Esurance Disappear?
The simple answer is brand integration.
Allstate stated in its 2019 business report that Esurance would be incorporated into the Allstate brand in 2020; it added that the reason for this was to reposition Allstate so as to give customers broader access while shifting some of its marketing expenditure from Esurance to Allstate.
That was not equivalent to Allstate simply giving up on the insurance business linked with Esurance; rather, the company was bringing together its branding and client strategy.
That is the reason that if someone currently searches for “Esurance insurance” they may end up with an experience which appears very different from that of the Esurance website and advertisements which they remember.
Is Esurance still an insurance company?
There is a considerable technical difference in this case.
The underwriting companies listed by Allstate’s current underwriting company information include Esurance Insurance Company, Esurance Property & Casualty, and Esurance Insurance Company of New Jersey.
The insurance company which actually takes on the financial risk connected with the policy may be different from the brand that the customers see.
To merely state that “Esurance no longer exists” could be misleading.
The correct explanation is that the standalone Esurance consumer brand has been incorporated into Allstate, even though insurance companies named Esurance still form part of Allstate’s insurance structure.
The specific insurance company that provides a policy may vary according to the state and the type of policy in question, so people should refer to the details of their policy documents rather than depending just on the brand name.
What happened to existing Esurance customers?
That doesn’t mean your insurance coverage came to an end just because the consumer brand had ended if you had an Esurance policy.
Since insurance policies are contracts, the essential details are given in your policy documents, such as the name of the insurance company, the coverage limits, the deductibles, the effective dates, the exclusions and all the other terms.
Allstate allows its customers to access their policy documents and archived insurance information online via its account system.
If you still have an older Esurance policy or if you aren’t sure who is looking after it, you ought to start by checking the most recent policy documents. Alternatively, you can get help from Allstate regarding an existing account or policy. Allstate now provides online support, as well as chat and phone assistance for its customers.
Can You Still Buy Esurance Insurance?
That’s where things may become confusing.
The Esurance brand is no longer the independent online insurance shopping brand that consumers had known before. Allstate now promotes its own auto, home, renters’ and other insurance products via its existing Allstate channels.
Availability also differs according to state and product. Depending on where the customer lives, insurance companies may make use of different underwriting entities and policy forms.
If you’re looking specifically for Esurance since you remember having a policy with them, it is more reasonable to begin by checking your current policy documents or contacting Allstate’s customer service rather than supposing that a new Esurance quote will be available.
What Does This Mean For You When It Comes To Searching For Insurance?
When you’re looking at insurance nowadays, don’t select a company simply because it has the brand that you remember.
Take the actual policy instead.
When it comes to auto insurance, you should consider the liability limits, the collision and comprehensive coverage, the coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists, the deductibles and any optional protections. Although state law establishes the minimum requirements, these minimums might not be sufficient for all drivers.
When getting homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, you should look at the dwelling or personal property coverage limits, the liability coverage, the deductibles, the additional living expenses and the exclusions.
For instance, two policies may have the same monthly premium but offer quite different levels of coverage since one of them has higher liability limits or a lower deductible.
Pricing is also very much down to the individual since factors such as your place of residence, driving record, type of vehicle, claim history, the limits you have chosen, the deductible and others can influence the amount that an insurer will charge. The availability of insurance and the underwriting rules can differ from state to state.
Pros and Cons of the Esurance-to-Allstate Transition
There are real pros and cons to a brand consolidation like this.
Possible advantages:
- Customers have the option of dealing with a bigger and more established insurance company.
- Allstate offers online tools for managing accounts and policies.
- Through Allstate’s existing systems, customers are able to access digital policy documents, their billing information, and claims services.
Potential disadvantages:
- Those customers who specifically favored Esurance’s individual brand might have a different experience.
- It can be confusing to distinguish between the first Esurance brand and the insurance companies which still use the Esurance name.
- The availability and the terms of the policy may vary from state to state and according to the underwriting company.
These factors do not tell you whether an Allstate policy is suitable for you; it is the actual terms of the policy and the price you are offered that matter more than the historical brand name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Esurance owned by Allstate?
Yes. Allstate acquired Esurance in 2011. Allstate subsequently announced plans to integrate the Esurance brand into Allstate beginning in 2020.
Did Allstate shut down Esurance?
Allstate integrated the Esurance consumer brand into Allstate rather than maintaining it as a separate consumer-facing brand. However, Esurance-named insurance companies remain listed among Allstate’s underwriting companies.
Can I still access an old Esurance policy?
If your policy information is now handled through Allstate, you may be able to access policy documents through an Allstate account. Older or archived documents can also be relevant, so keep your original policy records if you have them.
Is Allstate the same as Esurance?
They are not simply two names for the same consumer brand. Esurance was acquired by Allstate and later integrated into the Allstate brand. Esurance-named insurance companies can still appear within Allstate’s underwriting structure.
Should I look for Esurance or Allstate when shopping for insurance?
For a new policy, start by checking the insurance options currently available in your state rather than assuming Esurance operates as a separate consumer brand. Compare coverage, deductibles, limits, exclusions and the total premium before choosing a policy.
The Bottom Line
Esurance Insurance didn’t simply vanish after being acquired. Allstate bought the company in 2011 and later moved to integrate the Esurance brand into Allstate, beginning in 2020.
Today, Allstate is the consumer-facing brand most people will encounter when looking for the insurance products that were formerly associated with Esurance. At the same time, Esurance-named insurance companies remain part of Allstate’s underwriting structure.
If you’re dealing with an old Esurance policy, check the policy documents to identify the actual insurer and current servicing arrangements. If you’re shopping for coverage, compare today’s available policies based on coverage and terms—not simply on the name of a brand you remember.
