Elephant Insurance, a direct-to-consumer provider of auto insurance, has opened its first U.S. office in Glen Allen, Va.

Elephant, founded earlier this year as the U.S. operation of U.K.-based Admiral Group, joins Admiral’s 11 other brands as its fifth international operation. The company currently has 50 employees to assist customers via the web and telephone access coverage with plans to add 100 more employees in 2010, according to the company.

“After a year of building our systems, developing our pricing model, and hiring the best talent we are now providing Virginia drivers with ‘Big Coverage, Big Savings’ on their auto insurance,” said Andrew Rose, president and CEO of Elephant Insurance, in a statement.

The company recently held an open house at its 26,000-square-foot headquarters on Eastshore Drive in Glen Allen to announce its arrival.