Here are some things you need to know about esurance before buying one of their policies. The initial quote they give you includes a 10% 'new customer' discount, so please realize your premium will increase by 10% after your first six months; esurance does not tell you this upfront. They also charge a $50 fee if you cancel your policy, they do not tell you this upfront either. Regardless of what they say after the fact, charging a 'cancelation fee' is not standard industry practice, and even esurance's parent company, Allstate, does NOT charge a cancelation fee.

Ok now that you are informed on two important points here is my personal experience with esurance.

I signed up for the drive sense program to have my driving monitored for an additional discount. I had a similar program through progressive insurance and I got 30% off my premium, and after 6 months of monitoring I didn't have to be monitored anymore. With esurance I was charged $100 for not starting my car often enough, insane! I called and was told I had to start my car weekly for them to monitor it. They refunded the $100 and I started turning the car on at least once a week. A few months later they automatically billed my credit card for $100 AGAIN for not driving enough, wow. Another call and they refunded the $100 again and I was now told I had to drive at least 30 minutes once a week. Not just turn the car on and idle for 5 minutes, as I was previously told by them. After all of that hassle my premium actually INCREASED and they were unable to tell me the percentage discount I was receiving for being in the drive sense program. In the end drive sense was worthless and a huge hassle.

After 18 months I was up for my 3rd renewal. My premium increased by almost 30% and I was told they had increased the premiums statewide. On top of that they started questioning my parking address as I stay at two homes in neighboring cities when taking care of my grandmother. They insisted on a credit card bill as proof of residence. I gave them a credit card statement and they then said it wasn't sufficient proof. They then automatically billed my credit card for a six month renewal with a hefty increase for the zip code change, one city over.

At this point I was obviously extremely fed up. I found a better rate with another company and started a policy. I called and cancelled my policy with esurance. I had been insured under my most recent renewal for less than 2 weeks, out of 6 months they billed me for. After they prorated the two weeks and then charged me a $50 'cancelation fee' (that I had never been told about). My refund was reduced by a huge percentage. I was charged $90 by these crooks for less than 2 weeks coverage, this with no accidents, no tickets, and a device plugged into my car for a supposed additional discount.

In my opinion avoid this company. They might be backed by Allstate, but they are horrible. I never had to file a claim, but I can only imagine the hassle it would have been based on their customer service and policies.