Fred Loya Insurance is one of the few auto insurers that actively courts high-risk drivers — people with DUIs, SR-22 requirements, or spotty credit histories who struggle to find coverage elsewhere. The rates can be surprisingly low, but the tradeoffs are real and worth understanding before you sign up.
This review covers Fred Loya’s background, coverage options, pricing, discounts, and the complaint record you should weigh before making a decision.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized insurance advice. Coverage needs vary — consult a licensed agent in your state before purchasing a policy.
What Is Fred Loya Insurance?
Fred Loya Insurance specializes in minimum-liability auto insurance for high-risk drivers, including those who need to file an SR-22 form following DUIs or serious traffic violations. Unlike many standard carriers that decline these applicants outright, Fred Loya will generally issue a policy.
The company is operated by EP Loya Group, a private Texas-based holding company led by Fred Loya Jr. as CEO. Fred Loya Insurance Agency is a subsidiary of EP Loya Group, which also owns:
- Loya Insurance Group
- Rodney D. Young Insurance
- Young America Insurance
- National Insurance
- Loya Casualty Insurance Company
These affiliated brands sell Fred Loya policies (and policies from other carriers) in different markets, so you may encounter the same underlying company under a different name depending on where you live.
Fred Loya operates more than 700 office locations, many inside Walmart stores and grocery stores. Offices are currently available in eleven states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, and Texas.
Contact and Service Options
Fred Loya’s website has limited functionality — most policy management happens by phone, email, or in person at a branch. Online bill pay is available through your Fred Loya account.
- Customer Service: 800-248-8787
- Claims: 800-880-0472
- Mailing address: Fred Loya Insurance, P.O. Box 972450, El Paso, TX 79997
Branch hours are typically Monday–Friday 7 AM–8 PM and Saturday 7 AM–4 PM; branches are closed Sundays. Claims cannot be filed online or outside business hours, which is a meaningful limitation in an emergency.
Coverage Options
Fred Loya’s primary product is liability coverage, but policyholders can add optional coverages:
- Collision — pays for damage to your vehicle from a covered collision.
- Comprehensive — covers non-collision damage such as weather events, vandalism, and theft.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) — covers driver and passenger injuries regardless of fault.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — broader than MedPay; can cover lost wages and caregiving costs in addition to medical bills (availability varies by state).
- Rental reimbursement — if your car is in a covered repair shop, Fred Loya provides complimentary rental car coverage. The mandatory liability coverage also extends to rental vehicles.
Fred Loya has a network of “Direct Repair Facilities” — partnered mechanic shops that handle claims repairs for leased or owned vehicles.
What’s missing: Fred Loya does not offer roadside assistance. If you break down, you’ll need a separate roadside plan (many credit cards and AAA memberships include this) or pay out of pocket for a tow.
Discounts
Despite the bare-bones digital experience, Fred Loya does offer a range of discounts:
- Airbag discount
- Automatic seat belt discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Anti-theft device discount
- Driver’s education discount
- Alcohol and drug awareness course completion discount
- Defensive driving course completion discount
Pricing: How Cheap Is It Really?
Fred Loya’s rates can be significantly lower than competitors — particularly for drivers who would otherwise be priced out of the market. According to ValuePenguin’s analysis, Fred Loya’s premiums for full coverage ran roughly 44% below the market average for drivers with clean records. Notably, rate increases after an at-fault accident tend to be smaller than the industry norm (around 24% vs. 50%+ at many carriers).
The catch: “cheap” and “good value” are not the same thing. Lower premiums paired with a high complaint ratio can mean slow claims handling, disputed settlements, and difficulty reaching a representative — all of which add real costs when you actually need to use your policy.
Fred Loya costs less upfront — and raises rates less after a crash
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable rates, especially for high-risk or hard-to-insure drivers
- Will write policies for SR-22 filers when other carriers won’t
- Complimentary rental reimbursement included with standard policies
- Numerous branch locations, often in accessible retail locations
Cons
- Very high complaint volume (see below)
- No 24/7 claims filing
- No mobile app or meaningful digital self-service
- No roadside assistance
- Policy exclusion language can be difficult to interpret
- Website is hard to navigate
Customer Complaints and Legal History
Fred Loya’s complaint record is a significant red flag. According to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Fred Loya’s complaint ratio has historically run far above what would be expected for a company of its size — with the most common grievances involving:
- Dissatisfaction with settlement offers
- Delays in claim handling
- Outright claim denials
The company also faced regulatory action from the Texas Department of Insurance in 2012 for failing to apply required customer discounts, resulting in policyholders paying higher premiums than they should have.
These issues don’t disqualify Fred Loya for everyone, but they’re worth factoring into any coverage decision — particularly if you anticipate filing a claim.
Who Should Consider Fred Loya?
Fred Loya makes the most sense for drivers who:
- Have been declined by standard carriers due to DUIs, accidents, or SR-22 requirements
- Need the lowest possible premium to meet their state’s minimum liability requirements
- Live near a Fred Loya branch and are comfortable managing the policy in person or by phone
If you have options, it’s worth comparing quotes from other insurers that specialize in non-standard auto coverage before settling on Fred Loya. The savings are real, but so is the customer service risk.