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Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
Featured in
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated
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Table of contents
National General is part of Allstate, which is the fourth-largest auto insurance company in the U.S. by market share.[1] The company started in 1920 and is licensed to sell car insurance in all 50 states. Along with its solid AM Best financial strength rating, it offers more affordable car insurance for drivers with infractions who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere.
To give readers a complete, data-driven look at how National General performs, we’ve pulled information from verified Insurify user reviews, industry rankings, and our expert analysis.
Here’s how National General stacks up when it comes to cost, claims, and customer satisfaction.
Average monthly premium: $173 per month for a full-coverage policy
National General user rating: 3.7/5 from 868+ verified Insurify reviews
Insurify Quality (IQ) Score: 7.0/10
Best for: Drivers with infractions or who need an SR-22
Our take on National General car insurance
National General’s lower rates, menu of discounts, and wide availability make it a solid choice for auto insurance. It also has a usage-based insurance program, DynamicDrive, that could save you even more on your premiums.
Despite these benefits, National General’s customer service may be lacking. It has far more customer complaints than average filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a company of its size. Its mobile app also receives below-average ratings for both the iOS and Android versions.
But if you have trouble finding affordable coverage elsewhere, National General may be a good fit. Its rates are lower than average for drivers with incidents, tickets, or driving under the influence (DUI) convictions on their records. You’ll also find affordable prices for SR-22 insurance.
| User Reviews | 3.7 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $91/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $173/mo |
Drivers appreciate the quick and easy setup but are dissatisfied with the frequent and unexplained rate increases. Many find the customer service lacking and the claims process slow.
Drivers appreciate the quick and easy setup but are dissatisfied with the frequent and unexplained rate increases. Many find the customer service lacking and the claims process slow.
National General Insurance has lower rates compared to its closest competitors. The company has similar customer service offerings to competitors, but it has better financial strength and more coverage availability and discounts.
Below, you can learn more about how National General compares to similar companies, like Amica, Bristol West, Direct Auto, and Mercury.
Has 24-hour claims processing
Offers $500 emergency expense allowance
Low-mileage drivers could save with DynamicDrive program
Poor customer reviews with Better Business Bureau
Quotes may be higher than some competitors
Bad 1.6/5 Trustpilot score
Expert Insight
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Mallory Mooney
Director of Sales and Service
National General is a good option for those with current insurance, and those without. It has a telematics program that gives the customers a discount. It’s a very intuitive system. National General also offers a renters insurance product built into the auto policy in some states.
How real customers feel about National General car insurance
Insurify collected 868+ customer reviews for National General to learn how real customers feel about the company.
The table below gives insight into several different categories.
Category | Average Score |
|---|---|
| Overall experience rating | 3.7/5 |
| Customer service | 2.7/5 |
| Value | 3/5 |
| Claims handling | 3.2/5 |
| Coverage options | 3.3/5 |
| Discounts | 3/5 |
| Policy transparency | 3.3/5 |
| Policy flexibility | 3.1/5 |
National General car insurance user reviews
The following reviews are from verified National General customers who are switching to a new insurance company.
National General industry ratings
Reviewing insurance industry ratings can help you gauge a car insurance company’s performance in key areas. Third parties can objectively rate a company’s financial strength, customer service track record, and claims-handling process.
See the table below to learn how Insurify, AM Best, J.D. Power, the NAIC, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rate National General.
Rating | Score | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 7.0/10 | On the low side, but in line with competitors |
| AM Best | A+ (Superior) | Strong financial stability, better than some competitors |
| J.D. Power | 605/1,000 | Lowest score of all the companies in the study |
| NAIC complaint index | 5.93 | Many more complaints than average |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.05 | Poor, but on par with competitors |
How National General compares to similar insurance companies
Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $132/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $144/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $198/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $161/mo* |
Overall rating 3.7 | Overall rating 4.7 | Overall rating 4.2 | Overall rating 3.8 |
Value for money 3.0/5 | Value for money 4.2/5 | Value for money 3.2/5 | Value for money 3.2/5 |
Customer service 2.7/5 | Customer service 4.5/5 | Customer service 3.3/5 | Customer service 3.7/5 |
Claims handling 3.2/5 | Claims handling 4.7/5 | Claims handling 3.7/5 | Claims handling 3.9/5 |
Special highlight SR-22 insuranceAI-generated from 348 user reviews | Special highlight Numerous discountsAI-generated from 539 user reviews | Special highlight Senior driversAI-generated from 860 user reviews | Special highlight Bundling discountsAI-generated from 1116 user reviews |
Is National General car insurance cheaper than competitors?
National General’s auto insurance is slightly cheaper than its competitors. On average, customers pay $91 per month for liability-only car insurance and $173 for full coverage.
The company is well-suited for drivers with incidents on their records, such as speeding tickets, DUIs, and accidents. Drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s may also find cheaper full-coverage rates with National General.
Drivers in their teens and 20s tend to pay more for car insurance with this company. And while people with an average-to-good credit history usually get a break on car insurance costs, they’ll pay more with National General compared to other insurers.[2]
Compare rates by driving record
Take a look at full-coverage car insurance rates by driving record across five insurance companies.
Driving Record | National General | Travelers | The Hartford | Farmers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $173 | $187 | $243 | $212 |
| One speeding ticket | $213 | $249 | $366 | $275 |
| At-fault accident | $229 | $253 | $346 | $282 |
| DUI | $253 | $273 | $386 | $310 |
Compare rates by age
Young drivers (teens and drivers in their 20s) often pay more for car insurance compared to older drivers because they lack experience behind the wheel.[3]
Compare full-coverage rates of the same five insurance companies by age in the table below.
Age | National General | Travelers | The Hartford | Farmers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen drivers | $385 | $434 | $655 | $455 |
| Adult drivers | $144 | $172 | $215 | $188 |
| Senior drivers | $123 | $138 | $140 | $154 |
National General car insurance discounts
Car insurance discounts can help you lower your monthly costs, so it makes sense to choose an insurance company that offers auto insurance discounts that provide the best deal.
Depending on your specific needs, you may qualify for the following National General discounts and save money on your car insurance policy:
Bundling
Low mileage
Multi-vehicle
Paperless
Pay-in-full
Safe driver
Security device
National General Insurance offers liability-only car insurance and full-coverage car insurance policies. You may want to purchase more than your state’s minimum insurance requirements for added vehicle protection and peace of mind.
In addition to standard collision and comprehensive insurance, National General advertises the following optional auto insurance products on its website:
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance coverage often includes services like towing, tire changes, and fuel delivery in the U.S. and sometimes Canada. National General also includes an emergency expense allowance, which provides up to $500 for food, lodging, and travel expenses after a covered claim.
Rental reimbursement
Rental car insurance pays for a rental car if you have to temporarily leave your vehicle in a shop for repairs after a covered claim.
Lifetime repair guarantee
When you have your car repaired at an affiliated Gold Medal Repair Shop, National General guarantees the repairs for the lifetime of the vehicle.
Other options for National General customers
In addition to car insurance, National General Insurance offers the following types of insurance policies:
Home insurance: After a destructive event, a homeowners insurance policy pays for expenses like replacing your belongings and can cover the total loss of your home.
Flood insurance: Homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover flood-related losses to your dwelling and belongings, but a flood insurance policy will. It’ll also pay for you to live elsewhere if your home needs repairs after a covered claim.
Condo insurance: Condo insurance typically covers the interior of your condo unit, liability costs, and additional living expenses.
Renters insurance: Renters insurance covers your belongings and personal liability when you rent your home. Your landlord will be responsible for insuring the structure.
Motorcycle insurance: This covers your motorcycle against theft and damage, as well as giving financial protection if you cause an accident while riding.
Recreational vehicle (RV) insurance: RV insurance typically covers large vehicles like campers, travel trailers, golf carts, and more.
Collectibles insurance: Collectibles insurance is a separate endorsement or rider on your homeowners insurance policy that provides higher coverage limits for special items.
Personal umbrella insurance: Umbrella insurance is an optional endorsement on your homeowners insurance policy that pays for losses if they exceed your coverage limits.
How to file a claim with National General
Follow these steps to file a claim with National General:
Gather information at the scene. Take photos and videos of the accident scene and your car’s damage. Collect each driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number.
Document the incident. Write down the date and time of the incident, and record details of what happened while they’re fresh in your mind.
File a police report, if necessary. Call the police if you were in a serious car accident or if your car was stolen or vandalized. Request a copy of the report.
Contact National General. Call National General at 1 (800) 468-3466 or file a claim online. Have your policy number handy, and be ready to explain what happened. Write down details of your phone call, and request your claim number.
Work with the insurance adjuster. A representative from National General will investigate your car damage and determine compensation for your car repairs and injuries.
Accept payment and fix your vehicle. If the insurance adjuster approves your claim, National General will send you a claim payout.
National General insurance FAQs
The following information can help you decide whether National General is a good fit for your auto coverage.
Is National General legitimate?
Yes. National General Insurance is a legitimate company with an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior). But the NAIC has received many more complaints regarding National General than other car insurance companies of the same size.
What is the average cost of National General car insurance?
On average, National General policyholders pay $91 per month for liability insurance and $173 for full coverage, Insurify data shows. Your coverage costs depend on a number of factors, including your driving record, age, credit history, and more.[4]
Is National General good at paying claims?
Yes. National General Insurance has a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations, according to its A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. But existing complaints from customers online point to a long history of poor claims experiences.
How do you cancel your National General insurance policy?
Before canceling your car insurance policy, make sure you have another policy in place to avoid a coverage lapse. Ask whether the company will charge you a cancellation fee and how you can receive any refund owed to you.
Once you’re ready to cancel, call the company directly or contact an insurance agent who works with National General. You may need to provide your policy number and personal information to confirm your identity.
Does Allstate own National General?
Yes. Allstate purchased National General Insurance in 2021.
What are common complaints about National General?
Customers tend to complain about National General’s poor customer service and slow claims process.
Is National General a high-risk insurance company?
Yes. National General focuses on drivers with high-risk profiles.
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Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE INDUSTRY 2024 TOP 25 GROUPS AND COMPANIES BY COUNTRYWIDE PREMIUM."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Insurance scoring."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Students."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
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Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
Kim has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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