How long does it take to cancel your policy with The General?

Because The General doesn’t provide clear guidance on its cancellation process, it’s difficult to determine how long it may take to cancel your policy. For more details, you can call The General at 1 (800) 280-1466 to speak with a company representative.

Can you cancel your coverage with The General at any time?

Yes, it’s possible to cancel your coverage with The General at any time. That said, you should plan ahead if you want coverage from a new insurer, as cancellation may take some time. In general, it’s better to cancel near the end of your policy’s term to avoid or minimize any potential fees.

Can you cancel your The General insurance policy online?

No, you’ll unfortunately need to speak with a representative over the phone if you’d like to cancel your policy with The General, no matter your reason for canceling. The company doesn’t offer an option to cancel your coverage online.

Does The General charge a cancellation fee?

Depending on where you live, The General may charge a cancellation fee of up to 10% of any unpaid policy premiums if you cancel before your term ends. Review your policy contract to determine whether a cancellation fee applies. This information is available in your online dashboard and on The General mobile app.

Do you need a new car insurance policy before you cancel your policy with The General?

Yes. To avoid a lapse in coverage, it’s important to get a new car insurance policy before you cancel your coverage with The General. A coverage lapse can put your finances and vehicle at risk and may result in increased insurance costs in the future. It may also violate the terms of any auto loan agreement you have.

How to Cancel Your Car Insurance Policy with The General in 5 Easy Steps (2024)

How to cancel The General car insurance
Does The General charge cancellation fees?
The General car insurance costs vs. other insurance companies
The General car insurance FAQs

How to cancel The General car insurance
Does The General charge cancellation fees?
The General car insurance costs vs. other insurance companies
The General car insurance FAQs

Established in 1963, The General is a licensed online insurance agency known for offering policies to high-risk drivers who might find it challenging to get coverage elsewhere.^[1] Though the company provides quality coverage to many drivers, you may decide to cancel your coverage with The General.

Unfortunately, information on The General’s website doesn’t provide many details on how to cancel an existing policy. It mentions you’ll need to contact a representative to cancel but doesn’t provide any further guidance.

If you need to cancel your policy with The General, here’s an overview of what to expect.

Quick Facts

You’ll likely need to speak with a representative for guidance on how to cancel your policy.
To discuss cancellation, you can contact The General by phone at 1 (800) 280-1466.
In certain states, The General charges an early cancellation fee of up to 10% of unpaid premiums.

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How to cancel The General car insurance

You may want to cancel your auto coverage with The General if you’re dissatisfied with the coverage or find an auto insurer that works better for your needs. For instance, you might switch insurers if you find a cheaper policy available elsewhere or move to a state where The General doesn’t offer coverage.

You can take the following steps to cancel your coverage with The General.

1. Check your policy renewal date

If you plan to cancel your auto policy with The General, you should first check your policy renewal date. You can find this information by reviewing your policy details on your online dashboard, through The General app, or by contacting a company representative over the phone.

2. Compare car insurance quotes

Once you’ve determined your policy renewal date, you can start shopping for new auto coverage. Because car insurance costs vary by company, comparing quotes from different insurers can help you find an affordable policy that meets your needs.

To save time comparing options, consider using a quote-comparison tool like Insurify to simplify the process of finding a new auto policy. You can compare multiple quotes from auto insurance companies in one place and avoid the hassle of getting quotes from each company website.

3. Enroll in a new car insurance policy

After you’ve found an affordable auto insurance policy from a company you trust, it’s time to enroll. The process of getting new coverage varies by insurer, but you can typically apply for a new policy online or over the phone.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to provide personal information, such as your name, address, and email, as well as proof of identification and information about your vehicle(s). Have your car registration handy so you can also provide your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) to your new car insurance company.

4. Cancel your policy with The General

You must find new auto coverage before you cancel your policy with The General. Otherwise, you risk a coverage lapse before your new policy becomes effective. Even if you won’t be driving, you should prioritize avoiding a coverage lapse.

If you end up without insurance for a set time, you put your vehicle and finances at risk. A coverage lapse can cause your future insurance rates to increase. If you have a car loan, a lapse likely violates your loan agreement since lenders often require continuous insurance as a condition of an auto loan.^[2]

If you know the date your new policy goes into effect, contact The General at 1 (800) 280-1466 to begin the cancellation process. The company prefers you speak with a representative about your reasons for canceling before moving forward.

5. Follow up on any refunds and confirm cancellation

Once you cancel your policy with The General, make sure you receive any refunds the company owes you and confirm your cancellation. For instance, if you prepaid your premiums for a full year but canceled before the end of your policy’s term, The General may owe you money back.

The General says it typically processes refunds within five to 10 business days.

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Does The General charge cancellation fees?

The General may charge you a cancellation fee depending on your state. This cancellation fee amounts to 10% of any unpaid premiums for the remainder of your policy term. To determine if a cancellation fee applies in your state, contact a company representative or log into your online dashboard to review your policy contract.

The General car insurance costs vs. other insurance companies

Your car insurance company determines your rates by looking at several factors, including your driving record, credit history, age, vehicle type, and where you live.^[3] For instance, if you’ve committed multiple driving infractions, your insurer may deem you a high-risk driver and charge you more for coverage.

Because The General issues policies for high-risk drivers, its coverage tends to cost more than insurance from competitors. On average, policyholders pay around $451 per month for a full-coverage policy and $259 per month for a liability policy with The General.

By comparison, the average monthly cost of car insurance from Auto-Owners is $109 for full coverage and $76 for liability-only insurance. Rates vary by insurer.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only	Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
The General	$259	$451
Auto-Owners	$76	$109
USAA	$106	$152
Travelers	$131	$172
State Farm	$125	$175
GEICO	$125	$178
Nationwide	$167	$182
Allstate	$146	$212
American Family	$158	$227
Direct Auto	$194	$231
Progressive	$161	$238
Liberty Mutual	$198	$284
Farmers	$218	$317

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 FAQs

Deciding to cancel your coverage requires thought and planning. If you still have questions, the information below should help you navigate the process of canceling coverage from The General.

How long does it take to cancel your policy with The General?
Because The General doesn’t provide clear guidance on its cancellation process, it’s difficult to determine how long it may take to cancel your policy. For more details, you can call The General at 1 (800) 280-1466 to speak with a company representative.
Can you cancel your coverage with The General at any time?
Yes, it’s possible to cancel your coverage with The General at any time. That said, you should plan ahead if you want coverage from a new insurer, as cancellation may take some time. In general, it’s better to cancel near the end of your policy’s term to avoid or minimize any potential fees.
Can you cancel your The General insurance policy online?
No, you’ll unfortunately need to speak with a representative over the phone if you’d like to cancel your policy with The General, no matter your reason for canceling. The company doesn’t offer an option to cancel your coverage online.
Does The General charge a cancellation fee?
Depending on where you live, The General may charge a cancellation fee of up to 10% of any unpaid policy premiums if you cancel before your term ends. Review your policy contract to determine whether a cancellation fee applies. This information is available in your online dashboard and on The General mobile app.
Do you need a new car insurance policy before you cancel your policy with The General?
Yes. To avoid a lapse in coverage, it’s important to get a new car insurance policy before you cancel your coverage with The General. A coverage lapse can put your finances and vehicle at risk and may result in increased insurance costs in the future. It may also violate the terms of any auto loan agreement you have.

Sources

The General. "Green Background Texture About The General: Company History."
National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance."
Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."

Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

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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Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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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