TSC Direct Insurance Review: A Good Choice for Car Insurance?

New Yorkers who found a great rate with TSC Direct are likely still getting a good deal with Stillwater. If you decide to move on from the company, be sure you’re still getting a high-quality policy at a great price.

TSC Direct primarily served the New York metropolitan area — Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Long Island, etc., before Stillwater Insurance Company acquired it in 2021. Many of the company’s features and discounts remain intact for existing customers.

You should consider sticking around if you’re currently getting a great deal on auto coverage. If you’re unsure, gather free car insurance quotes from other insurance companies (it only takes a few minutes using a policy-comparison site). Remember, quality is about more than price — be sure you’re switching to a company offering better coverage, customer service, or both.

Is TSC Direct a Good Choice for Auto Insurance?

We reviewed how TSC Direct performs across five key metrics most important to policyholders — cost, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and reputation. Here’s a breakdown of the company’s scores for each category on a scale from one to five.

Where TSC Direct stands out

TSC Direct’s parent company, Stillwater, offers mobile apps for Android and iPhone users, where you can manage policies and claims. Online chat and customer service are available six days a week, plus 24/7 claims service.

Where TSC Direct falls short

The company’s website and apps are fairly basic. You’ll also need to share your Social Security number to get a quote, though the company says it doesn’t share personally identifiable information (PII) with third parties, according to the website’s privacy policy.

TSC Direct Insurance Reviews: What Real Customers Are Saying

Online customer reviews of TSC Direct are fairly favorable — 3.49 out of 5 stars on Clearsurance — with exceptions, like 1.7 out of 5 stars on Yelp.

The positive feedback primarily focuses on affordable insurance policies. The customer below got a low rate and had a great experience with a windshield replacement claim.

Oddly, some reviews mention getting telephone calls for telemarketing purposes from the company soliciting new business. These reviews are mixed, but most said they got a lower rate from TSC.

On the negative end, several customers talk about getting a low rate initially only to have their premiums increased or — as in the below review — their policy canceled a few months into the term.

Stillwater has received less positive feedback compared to TSC Direct, so be sure to read our full review of Stillwater if you’re considering switching car insurance companies.

How Much Is TSC Direct Car Insurance?

Average car insurance rates fluctuate depending on multiple factors, such as your age, coverage choices, and driving record. That’s why you should always compare companies head-to-head to find the best policy.

So, let’s look at how TSC Direct’s rates change based on common driver profiles and how they compare to the national average rates for that driver type.

TSC Direct’s rates are higher than the national average — especially for teen drivers, who pay an average of $163 more per month. And though average rates for seniors are typically low, rates for seniors insured with TSC Direct are nearly twice the national average.

Premiums are closest to the average for drivers with full coverage, a recent at-fault accident, or a recent speeding ticket. So the company appears to be more favorable toward drivers with less-than-perfect driving records.

Just remember that these are broad averages. TSC Direct could still offer you a cheaper car insurance rate than another company.

TSC Direct Insurance vs. the Competition

Whenever you’re looking for a new policy, always compare quotes from several car insurance companies to ensure you find the best deal.

Here’s how TSC Direct compares to its competitors.

TSC Direct vs. GEICO

GEICO offers lower rates than TSC Direct and is available in more states. It also offers a wider range of car insurance discounts and coverage options.

TSC Direct vs. State Farm

State Farm has one of Compare.com’s highest ratings and offers considerably lower rates than TSC Direct. The company also works with local agents to offer more personalized service.

TSC Direct vs. Progressive

Progressive offers a wider range of services, options, and discounts compared to TSC Direct. It also offers lower rates and 24/7 customer service.

TSC Direct Car Insurance Discounts

Discounts are one of the easiest ways to reduce your insurance premiums, and TSC Direct offers at least the following seven discounts.

• Accident/violation-free: This discount is for drivers without a history of car accidents or tickets.
• Good student: High school and college students who get good grades can ask for this discount.
• Multi-car: This discounts your policy for insuring more than one vehicle with TSC Direct.
• Multi-policy: This discount is for purchasing more than one insurance product from the company.
• Paid-in-full: Ask for this discount if you pay your entire policy term up front.
• Paperless: This discount is for receiving all documents electronically.
• Theft protection and safety device: These discount your policy for things like car alarms and airbags.

The company doesn’t provide eligibility requirements or estimated benefit details. Speak with your insurance agent to learn more.

TSC Direct’s Available Auto Insurance Coverages

TSC Direct offers the following coverages:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers medical and related costs for people you injure.
• Property damage liability: Covers damage you cause to other people’s property.
• Collision insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle from a crash.
• Comprehensive insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events (like storms, wildlife, theft, or vandalism).
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Covers damages from a driver without any or enough insurance.
• Rental car coverage: Covers part of the cost of renting a car after a covered incident.
• Towing: Covers towing after a covered incident.
• Medical payments (MedPay): Covers your healthcare and other costs.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical costs for people in your car.

How to File a Claim with TSC Direct

You can file a claim quickly with TSC Direct (now Stillwater) online or over the phone. To report one online or with the app, log in to your SelfService account, click “Claims,” and then “Report a Claim.” Fill out the form and upload any supporting documentation.

To report your claim over the phone, call the claims phone number at 1 (800) 220-1351 and have the following information ready:

• Policy number
• Contact information
• Date of incident
• Location of incident
• Description of the incident and damage

The company will assign an adjuster to your case who will review damages and follow up with you. You can also follow up with a claims agent using the online chat.

More About TSC Direct Insurance

TSC Direct’s other insurance products

Through parent company Stillwater Insurance, TSC Direct offers seven additional insurance products.

• Homeowners insurance: Covers homeowner liability and damage to a house and its contents.
• Renters insurance: Provides coverage for a tenant’s personal property and liability.
• Condo insurance: Protects the owner’s condo interior and belongings.
• Business insurance: Covers some risks businesses face, including property damage and liability.
• Landlord insurance: Covers property damage, liability, and loss of rental income for rental properties.
• Umbrella insurance: Extends existing liability coverage limits beyond standard insurance policies.
• Earthquake insurance: Pays for damage to a home and its contents caused by earthquakes.

TSC Direct Insurance FAQs

TSC Direct has undergone several changes in the last few years, leaving customers with questions. Here are answers to the most common questions people ask about the company.

Does TSC Direct have cheap car insurance?

It depends on your unique insurance profile. Rates from TSC Direct are higher than average for most driving profiles, according to Compare.com data. But you could still find your best rate with the company.

What car insurance discounts does TSC Direct offer?

TSC Direct offers at least seven discounts on car insurance, including good driver, multi-car, multi-policy (aka bundling), and good student discounts.

Who owns TSC Direct?

Stillwater Property and Casualty Insurance Company owns Tri-State Consumer (TSC) Direct. It acquired the company in August of 2021. WT Holding Inc. is the parent company of Stillwater Insurance.

Is TSC Direct a good auto insurance company?

Yes. TSC Direct has received mixed reviews from its customers, but many customers praise the company for affordable rates and good customer service.

Data Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions when it comes to their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best financial strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources:

1. AM Best, “Stillwater Insurance Company,” accessed May 6, 2024.
2. Clearsurance, “TSC Direct,” accessed May 8, 2024.
3. Yelp, “TSC Direct Insurance,” accessed May 8, 2024.
4. Business Wire, “AM Best Withdraws Credit Ratings of Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company,” accessed May 6, 2024.