The General Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes (2024)

The General has expensive premiums, limited coverage options, and fewer discounts. But it has largely positive customer reviews.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli
  • 5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

  • Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise

Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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 November 27, 2024

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The General is a Nashville-based insurance company founded under a different name in 1963.[1] The company now specializes in insuring high-risk drivers who have problems finding affordable coverage due to their poor credit history, bad driving record, or past insurance lapses.

While The General can be a great option for high-risk drivers, people with a clean driving record and a lower risk profile may find that the company has very expensive premiums. You should always compare quotes from multiple insurers before purchasing a new car insurance policy.

Here’s what you need to know about coverage options from The General.

Quick Facts
  • The General has an impressive star rating on Trustpilot of 4.7 out of 5, based on more than 90,000 customer reviews.

  • You can purchase The General car insurance in 46 states and Washington, D.C.

  • The General earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.

How The General compares to other insurance companies

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
2.7
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.
7.3/10
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.
$112/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.
$231/mo

Before choosing an insurance company, it’s a good idea to compare multiple companies based on features like cost, coverage options, discounts, and customer service.

The General’s average car insurance premiums are similar to average rates from some of its competitors, like Bristol West and Direct Auto. But The General offers fewer discounts than some competitors, so you might find cheaper coverage with another insurer.

In terms of customer service availability, The General is similar to its biggest competitors. You can reach a customer support agent by phone or email during business hours, and you can manage your policy through the online portal or by using the mobile app. The General also has online quotes and online claims.

Pros
  • Competitively priced options for high-risk drivers or those with violations

  • SR-22 filing available in most states

Cons
  • Not available in all states

  • Mixed reviews for customer service

Read more driver reviews of The General
Gary - November 7, 2024
Verified

Unsatisfactory Service

Getting in touch with a live representative is almost impossible, and when you do, they seem uninformed. I was charged $300 for a policy that provided no coverage. It felt like they were getting paid for doing absolutely nothing.

Jalonda - November 5, 2024
Verified

I loved The General. I had them for 3 years. However, I found better rates elsewhere and I'm now paying only half of what The General was offering, so I had to switch. If they had lower rates, I would have stayed with them.

I loved The General. I had them for 3 years. However, I found better rates elsewhere and I'm now paying only half of what The General was offering, so I had to switch. If they had lower rates, I would have stayed with them.

Sheri - November 5, 2024
Verified

Would Never Recommend

The customer service was very rude and disinterested when I tried to change my policy. They were extremely unhelpful.
Factor
How The General Compares
RatesAverage
Customer serviceSimilar to competitors
DiscountsLess than competitors
AvailabilitySimilar to competitors
Financial strengthSimilar to competitors
  • Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the IQ (Insurify Quality) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims

    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot. 

    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.

    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer’s transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.

    • Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.

How The General rates compare to competitors

Average rates from The General are much higher than the national average and premiums from many top insurers. But the company has similar rates to competitors also selling insurance to high-risk drivers.

Compare average full-coverage quotes from The General and a few of its competitors below.

Full-Coverage Rates by Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Average cost of The General auto insurance

Your driving record and age affect your car insurance premiums.[2]

People with a clean driving record earn the cheapest rates, and drivers with one or more past speeding tickets, car accidents, or DUIs pay higher premiums on average. Based on driver age, teen drivers pay the highest premiums due to a lack of driving experience and a higher likelihood of accidents. Rates tend to decrease with age, but senior drivers 70 and older may face slight upticks in cost.

Below, you can compare average liability insurance quotes by driver type from The General to the national averages.

Driver Type
The General Average Monthly Quote
National Average
Drivers with a clean record$112$104
Drivers with a speeding ticket$139$145
Drivers with an at-fault car accident$148$151
Drivers with a DUI$185$171
Teen drivers$165$193
Senior drivers$89$80
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

The General car insurance cost by state

Car insurance rates and minimum coverage requirements vary by state. Some location-specific factors that can affect insurance premiums include the state’s percentage of uninsured drivers, weather risks, and vehicle theft rates.

The General has more expensive average premiums than many insurers operating in the same states. But the company specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers, so it makes sense that its average premiums exceed the state averages.

See how average monthly liability insurance costs from The General compare to state averages below.

State
The General Average Monthly Quote
State Average
Arizona$117$92
Arkansas$131$121
Colorado$88$95
Florida$306$157
Georgia$219$152
Idaho$104$69
Illinois$97$79
Indiana$81$72
Iowa$89$57
Kansas$101$79
Kentucky$241$171
Louisiana$176$133
Maine$96$86
Minnesota$182$104
Mississippi$143$91
Missouri$130$99
Nebraska$108$93
New Mexico$58$69
Ohio$66$73
Oklahoma$99$86
Oregon$150$100
Pennsylvania$95$93
South Carolina$190$169
Tennessee$96$73
Texas$131$120
Virginia$160$101
Washington$97$76
Wisconsin$85$64
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

The General car insurance discounts

The General offers several car insurance discounts that can help you save money on your auto insurance. But it offers fewer discounts than many of its competitors, which you should keep in mind when comparing The General to other insurers.

Here are the discounts that The General advertises on its website, though availability may vary by state.

Discount
How to Qualify
Multi-vehicleInsure two or more vehicles with The General
Safety featuresDrive a vehicle with certain safety features
Recent auto insuranceHave proof of auto insurance in the last five years
Good studentMaintain a B average (3.0 GPA) or better
Defensive driverComplete a defensive driver course

How customers feel about The General

The General has positive customer reviews overall on online rating websites. The company has an average rating of 3.78 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 90,000 reviews.

The General also has a solid financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates the company can meet policyholder obligations and pay car insurance claims.

But The General has many more complaints than expected for its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index.

The General customer reviews

Reviews of The General insurance from customers are generally positive. Many of the reviews mention good customer service, cheap premiums, and an excellent user experience for its online quote generator.

Here are some examples of recent customer reviews from verified users.

Gary - November 7, 2024
Verified

Unsatisfactory Service

Getting in touch with a live representative is almost impossible, and when you do, they seem uninformed. I was charged $300 for a policy that provided no coverage. It felt like they were getting paid for doing absolutely nothing.
Jalonda - November 5, 2024
Verified

I loved The General. I had them for 3 years. However, I found better rates elsewhere and I'm now paying only half of what The General was offering, so I had to switch. If they had lower rates, I would have stayed with them.

I loved The General. I had them for 3 years. However, I found better rates elsewhere and I'm now paying only half of what The General was offering, so I had to switch. If they had lower rates, I would have stayed with them.
Sheri - November 5, 2024
Verified

Would Never Recommend

The customer service was very rude and disinterested when I tried to change my policy. They were extremely unhelpful.
Denise - November 4, 2024
Verified

Excellent

Great and easy.

The General ratings

The General has a high financial strength rating with AM Best, but it receives a high number of customer complaints with the NAIC in relation to its size. Below, you can learn more about The General’s third-party ratings.

Rating
Score
What This Means
AM BestAExcellent ability to pay claims and meet financial obligations
NAIC Complaint Index3.14Receives more complaints than expected for its size

The General car insurance coverage options

The General offers several types of auto insurance. You can purchase liability insurance that meets your state’s minimum coverage requirements or purchase a full-coverage policy that includes collision and comprehensive insurance.

The General offers fewer coverage options than its competitors. Here are a few of the add-ons available:[3]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/7b43b14514/damage-from-aircraft.svg

    Collision coverage

    If you have a car accident or collide with another object, collision insurance can cover your damages to your car.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    Comprehensive insurance can pay to repair or replace your vehicle after damage from non-collision incidents, like severe weather, theft, and vandalism.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/13c17bd678/car-service-96x96-orange_027-car-lift.svg

    Gap insurance

    If you total your leased or financed car, gap insurance will pay the difference between the car’s actual cash value and the amount you still owe the lender.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/4d03c561b5/declaration-page.svg

    SR-22 insurance

    If you need to file an SR-22 form to reinstate your driver’s license, The General can file it on your behalf.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Roadside assistance

    The General offers roadside assistance through Nation Safe Drivers (NSD). It covers services like towing, tire services, battery services, jump-starting, and rental car reimbursement.

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Other options for The General customers

The General offers a good selection of insurance products, which makes bundling a great option. The company sells some insurance policies through partner companies.

In addition to auto insurance, The General sells the following types of coverage:

  • Homeowners insurance: Home insurance covers the physical structure of your home and your personal belongings. It also covers third-party liability claims, guest medical expenses, and loss of use.

  • Life insurance: Life insurance provides financial support for your loved ones if you pass away. Some life insurance policies also include a cash value or investment component.

  • Boat insurance: The General sells boat insurance through Progressive. It covers third-party property damage, theft, and accidents involving boats and other personal watercraft.

  • Motorcycle insurance: Motorcycle insurance provides similar coverage to personal car insurance, like collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and liability coverage, but it’s specifically for motorcycles.

The General Insurance FAQs

If you’re thinking about purchasing car insurance from The General, the following information can help you decide if it’s a good option for your coverage needs.

  • Is The General legitimate?

    Yes. The General is a legitimate car insurance company. It’s a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp., which is an affiliate of American Family Insurance. The General hasn’t had fraudulent business practices, and its customer reviews are mostly positive.

  • What is the average cost of The General car insurance?

    The average cost of car insurance from The General is $231 per month for full-coverage insurance and $112 for minimum-coverage insurance.

  • Why is The General so cheap?

    Compared to many other car insurance companies, The General doesn’t have cheap rates. But The General specializes in insuring high-risk drivers, who typically pay higher rates than low-risk drivers. The General might have competitive rates or even cheaper rates than other insurers for drivers who need non-standard auto insurance.

  • Is The General good at paying claims?

    Yes. The General is good at paying claims. The General has an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent), which means it has an excellent ability to meet its financial obligations and settle auto insurance claim payments.

  • How do you cancel an insurance policy from The General?

    To cancel a high-risk car insurance policy with The General, call customer service at 1 (844) 328-0306. In some states, you may have to pay a penalty fee equal to 10% of the unused premiums if you request to cancel before the policy period is over.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. The General. "About The General Company History."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  3. The General. "What Is Car Insurance?."
Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli

Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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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