Compare Delta Dental vs. Guardian Direct Dental Insurance
What’s the difference between Delta Dental Insurance and Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance? See how our editors compare the two companies below.
Last Updated: December 20, 2024
Key Facts
- Network of more than 145,000 dentists and 292,000 office locations
- Serves 60 million, 1/3 of the entire American public
- Delta Dental companies processed 93 million dental claims in 2012 alone with an accuracy rate of 99.7 percent
- Also available from our partner eHealthInsurance.com
- No waiting periods on basic care in 37 states; access fillings, simple extractions, cleanings as soon as coverage starts
- Save up to 35% with over 135,000 in-network dentists at more than 410,000 locations nationwide
- Comprehensive Dental Insurance Plans (PPO and DHMO available)
- Coverage for regular exams, cleanings, x-rays, root canals, crowns, implants and braces
- Online quote, provider lookup, purchase and service tools make it easy
- Backed by one of the insurance industry’s most stable companies (rated A++ by AM Best)
Final Verdict
Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance and Delta Dental Insurance are very close in quality and have the same overall rating. That said, Guardian Direct scores better than Delta Dental across: Dental Coverage, Benefit Limits, Plan Options, and In-Network Dentists. Whereas, Delta Dental scores better on Waiting Period. Both companies score similarly on Availability, and Pricing.
Customer Comments & Reviews
Delta Dental Insurance review
Delta Dental is the best insurance company there is!! They have the best website in the world!! Thank you Delta Dental !! Great Job!
Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance review
My Guardian Dental employer PPO plan is outstanding however, Guardian Dental’s customer service department is tragically unknowledgeable, unprofessional, and most of the call center representatives speak very poor English and are difficulties understand. Every time I call I either get misinformation, nasty and unprofessional attitudes, bad connections, or a representative whose English is so bad that I can barely understand anything they say. “Prepare yourself for horrible experiences with this providers.”
Delta Dental Insurance review
When I signed up I wasn't told that you cannot cancel until you have made 2 yrs of monthly payments which come out to a couple hundred dollars for the inexpensive plan. There really is no such thing as dental insurance now that we no longer have medical insurance plans like in the past. Basically you are paying a small or large fee per year for a discount. If you pay cash any Dentist I have encountered will charge you their regular high fee for each procedure with no discount. If you have one of these insurance plans you get a discount from 30 to 50 % of a jacked up price. You could equate it with suggested retail price by manufacturers to there customers, the retailers, who most of them, will put a lower price on the item which is closer to the value of that item.
I don't get why Dentist and doctors will not give you a discount for cash. It doesn't make sense. But, you can get a discount with hospitals for in and out patient procedures (the cost of the facilities, not the Dr fee.)
So when you buy that dental plan just know that what you really are buying is a discount plan and basic preventive care for little or no out of pocket.
Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance review
Individual dental plans ALL fall short of expectations.
These cannot in any way be compared to employer sponsored group dental plans.
Why?
Simply because the 'principal of adverse selection' applies. In other words, those usually buying individual dental insurance plans need more than simply preventative dental services.
Guardian does meet its contractual obligations. The issue though, is customer understanding. If one's provider is not 'in' network, as is typical of every individual dental plan, one will be paying additional 'out of pocket' costs.
As a professional in the field, I personally do not recommend individual dental plans. Even with the best of them, unless perhaps after one has had them for at least a couple of years, I've yet to see any which provide adequate protection to justify their costs.
Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance review
This coverage is terrible. The communication is awful, customer service can't speak English and therefore has trouble communicating information. They said they'd cover 80% for out of network fillings, then they tell me it's 80% of the rate THEY decide, not what the dentist charges. They didn't even cover the full cost of my cleaning. If you have another option, choose it. also, it won't let me rate anything below very good, what a scam!
Guardian Direct® Dental Insurance review
great network of doctors and processing of claims
Delta Dental Insurance review
I've had Delta Dental for many years and they've always processed my claims quickly and accurately.
Delta Dental Insurance review
Shopping for new dental insurance. Delta used to be the BEST in Arizona but they cover less with higher deductibles than when I signed up over 5 years ago. In addition, my premiums have more than doubled from $500/year for me and spouse to over $1100/year now. They have always paid their bills and I have not heard differently in the last year.
