Elephant Insurance is a car insurance company owned by Elephant Insurance Group, not a separate type of coverage

Elephant Insurance is a direct auto insurance provider that sells car, motorcycle, and home insurance policies primarily online and by phone. It is not a special category of insurance — it is a specific company competing with State Farm, Geico, Progressive, and others in the standard auto insurance market. The company is owned by Elephant Insurance Group, which also owns National General Holdings and other insurers.

Elephant Insurance markets itself as a low-cost option, particularly for drivers with accidents or violations on their record. The company does not require an agent visit and handles most transactions digitally, which is how it keeps overhead down. Like all insurers, it must be licensed by your state's insurance department and follow state rules about rates, coverage, and claims handling.

Key Takeaways

  • Elephant Insurance is a direct-to-consumer auto insurer owned by Elephant Insurance Group, not a government program or special insurance type.
  • The company focuses on drivers with driving violations or accidents and advertises lower rates for these higher-risk groups.
  • You get a quote online or by phone, choose your coverage limits, and manage your policy through their website or app.
  • Elephant is licensed and regulated by state insurance departments, and claims are handled through standard auto insurance procedures.
  • Your actual rate depends on your driving record, location, vehicle, age, and the coverage limits you choose — not on the company's marketing alone.

How Elephant Insurance quotes and sells policies

To get a quote from Elephant Insurance, you visit their website or call their phone line and provide information about your driving history, vehicle, and desired coverage. The company asks for your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and details about any accidents or violations in the past three to five years. Based on that information, their system generates a quote for liability, collision, comprehensive, and other coverage options.

Once you accept a quote, you choose your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers a claim), your liability limits, and any add-ons like roadside information. You then pay your first premium, usually by credit card or bank account, and your policy begins. Elephant does not require an in-person agent meeting; the entire process happens online or over the phone.

Your rate is not fixed forever. Insurance companies, including Elephant, review and adjust rates periodically — often annually or when you renew. A new accident, violation, or change in your vehicle can raise your rate. Some states allow companies to use factors like credit score, so that can affect your quote as well.

What coverage Elephant Insurance offers

Elephant Insurance sells the same types of coverage as other auto insurers. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else; it is required in every state but the minimum limits vary. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for theft, weather, vandalism, and other non-collision damage.

The company also offers uninsured motorist coverage (which protects you if an uninsured driver hits you), medical payments coverage, and roadside information. You choose how much coverage you want and what deductible you can afford. Higher deductibles lower your premium but mean you pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

Elephant also sells homeowners insurance and motorcycle insurance in some states, but auto insurance is its main product. Coverage options and pricing vary by state because state insurance departments set rules about what must be offered and how rates are calculated.

Why Elephant Insurance targets drivers with violations or accidents

Most large insurers charge significantly higher rates for drivers with accidents or moving violations. Elephant Insurance built its business model around accepting these drivers and pricing them competitively compared to mainstream insurers. This does not mean Elephant's rates are always the lowest — it means Elephant is willing to insure people that some other companies charge much more for or refuse to insure at all.

If you have a clean driving record, you may find lower rates elsewhere. If you have an accident or violation, Elephant may be competitive, but you should still compare quotes from multiple companies. Rate shopping is free and takes 15 to 30 minutes per company. Your actual rate depends on how recent the violation is, how severe it was, and how your state's insurance laws treat it.

How to file a claim with Elephant Insurance

If you are in an accident or your car is damaged, you report it to Elephant through their website, mobile app, or by calling their claims line. You provide details about what happened, the date, location, and whether anyone else was involved. Elephant will assign a claims adjuster who contacts you to gather more information and may ask you to get repair estimates.

The adjuster determines whether the damage is covered under your policy and how much Elephant will pay. If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, Elephant pays for repairs minus your deductible. If you have liability-only coverage (the minimum in most states), Elephant does not pay for your own car — it only pays if you are found responsible for damage to someone else's vehicle or property.

Claims processing time varies, but most companies aim to settle straightforward claims within two to four weeks. Complex claims or disputes over fault can take longer. You can track your claim status through Elephant's website or by calling your adjuster.

Comparing Elephant Insurance to other direct insurers

Elephant competes directly with other online-first insurers like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm's online channel. All of these companies use similar technology to quote and sell policies without requiring an agent. The main differences are in their underwriting (who they will insure and at what price), their customer service model, and their claims handling.

Geico and Progressive are larger and have more brand recognition, which can mean more customer reviews and longer track records. Elephant is smaller and newer to many markets, so fewer people have used it. None of these companies is inherently better — the best choice depends on your driving record, location, vehicle, and what coverage you need. Getting quotes from three to five companies is the only way to know which offers you the best rate.

You can also compare Elephant to regional or local insurers in your state. Some states have insurers that focus on high-risk drivers or specific groups (military, teachers, alumni associations). These may offer rates competitive with or better than Elephant, depending on your situation.

What to know about Elephant Insurance's financial stability and complaints

Elephant Insurance is part of Elephant Insurance Group, which is owned by Brookfield Business Partners. The parent company is large and established, which means Elephant has the financial backing to pay claims. You can check an insurer's financial rating through A.M. Best, which rates insurance companies' ability to pay claims.

Like all insurance companies, Elephant receives complaints to state insurance departments. You can search your state's insurance department website to see how many complaints Elephant has received and what they were about. A high complaint count does not automatically mean the company is bad — larger companies receive more complaints in absolute numbers — but the complaint ratio (complaints per policy) is more meaningful. Your state's insurance department also publishes complaint data by company, which you can use to compare.

If you have a problem with Elephant that you cannot resolve directly with the company, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. The commissioner's office investigates and can order the company to take action if it violated state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Elephant Insurance charge more if I have a speeding ticket or accident?

Yes. Elephant will quote you with a violation or accident on your record, but your rate will be higher than if you had a clean record. How much higher depends on how recent the violation is, what type it was, and your state's rules. A ticket from five years ago affects your rate less than one from last year. You should compare Elephant's quote to other companies' quotes to see if it is competitive for your situation.

Can I cancel my Elephant Insurance policy anytime?

Yes, but the terms depend on your state and your policy. Most states allow you to cancel with a phone call or online request, though some require written notice. You may owe a cancellation fee if you cancel mid-term, or you may receive a refund of unused premium. Check your policy documents or call Elephant to ask about cancellation terms in your state.

What happens if I do not pay my Elephant Insurance premium?

If you miss a payment, Elephant will send you a notice and give you a grace period (usually 10 to 30 days, depending on your state) to pay. If you do not pay by the end of the grace period, your policy lapses and you are no longer insured. Driving without insurance is illegal in every state and can result in fines, license suspension, and legal liability if you cause an accident.

Does Elephant Insurance offer discounts?

Yes. Most insurers, including Elephant, offer discounts for things like bundling home and auto policies, paying in full upfront, maintaining continuous coverage, and completing a defensive driving course. The discounts available vary by state. Ask Elephant directly or check their website to see which discounts explore to you.

How do I know if Elephant Insurance is licensed in my state?

You can search your state's insurance department website for a list of licensed insurers. Your state insurance commissioner's office maintains this list and can tell you whether Elephant is authorized to sell insurance where you live. If Elephant is not licensed in your state, you cannot buy a policy from them there.