The General Auto Insurance Review 2024
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Our Take
3.0
The bottom line:
This company specializes in car insurance for high-risk drivers, but be wary of the high volume of customer complaints.
Full Review
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Provides insurance to high-risk drivers who may not be able to get it anywhere else.
Can file an SR-22 form in most states for drivers who require it.
Cons
Far more than the expected number of complaints for auto insurance.
Drivers who aren’t considered high-risk will likely have a better experience with other carriers.
Full Review
The General earned 3 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, The General is an insurance company and agency that provides car insurance for high-risk drivers, including drivers in most states who need an SR-22 form. But it has far more customer complaints than other auto insurance companies of similar size.
Drivers with poor credit, moving violations, accidents or insurance lapses would be a good fit for The General, as well as drivers who have had difficulty in the past getting insured by other auto insurance companies.
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
Compare to other insurers
Current Product
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 | NerdWallet rating 2.5 /5 |
Complaints to NAIC Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC More than expected |
Ease of use Average | Ease of use Average | Ease of use Average |
Discounts Average set of discounts | Discounts Average set of discounts | Discounts Very few discounts |
Bottom line This company specializes in car insurance for high-risk drivers, but be wary of the high volume of customer complaints. | Bottom line National General sells policies to "high-risk" drivers, particularly those with a DUI offense on their record. | Bottom line This insurer offers coverage for high-risk drivers and can help you out with an SR-22, but it has a high volume of customer complaints. |
The General auto insurance coverage
When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.
The General offers rideshare insurance in California and Arizona, and gap insurance in California and Washington. You can also add accidental death coverage if you live in Tennessee, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Arizona.
The General can provide you with an SR-22 insurance form. This document proves you have sufficient car insurance. Your state might require you to file one if you’ve been convicted of a DUI or another serious traffic offense, such as driving without insurance, or if your license recently was suspended or revoked.
» MORE: Compare car insurance rates
Auto insurance discounts
Car insurance discounts from The General vary by state. Depending on where you live, you may be able to earn a discount on your Infinity auto policy by:
Paying your policy in full.
Insuring multiple cars.
Owning a home.
Being a good student or having a student driver with good grades on the policy.
Having passive restraints in your vehicle.
Completing a defensive driver course.
Maintaining a clean driving record for 3-5 years.
Having previously had car insurance with another company during the past five years before switching to The General.
Serving in the military (Louisiana only).
New customers can also opt in to the “Double Deductible” discount. This lowers your premium if you agree to double your deductible amount on your comprehensive and collision coverage for the first 45 days of your policy.
First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.
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Pricing based on tracked driving habits
The General offers a Safe Driver Discount program, which uses an app to track your driving habits. Enrolling in the program — and maintaining safe driving habits — can result in lower insurance premiums. However, any discount may vary based on where you live.
Complaints
The General had far more than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
More about The General auto insurance
Website: The General’s website offers plenty of useful information, including minimum requirements by state, an FAQ page, and the ability to chat with a live representative. Current customers who log in to the website can:
Make payments.
Start a claim.
Get an auto insurance ID card.
App: The General’s app is compatible with Apple and Android devices. It allows you to pay premiums and file claims, and offers on-demand phone support. You can also use the app to find nearby locations to pay your bill in cash.
Other insurance from The General
In addition to auto insurance, The General also sells these types of coverage through third parties:
Business insurance, including commercial auto insurance and workers’ compensation.
Liability insurance.
Motor home and recreational vehicle insurance.
Boat and personal watercraft insurance.
Health insurance.
Motorcycle insurance.
Phone insurance.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
You can start the quote process online. Enter your ZIP code on The General’s homepage, and then fill out the form with your email address and details about your car and who will be driving it. Otherwise, call 844-328-0306 or schedule a callback on the site.
The General sells car insurance in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
To file a claim, log in to The General’s app or call 800-280-1466 and select option No. 5. Claims representatives are available 24/7.
Customer service number: You can reach The General customer service at 844-328-0306.
Email: Contact form via the website.
X: Reach out to The General on X at @TheGeneralAuto
