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The General Auto Insurance Review 2024
Lead Writer | Auto insurance
Drew Gula is a NerdWallet authority on auto insurance. He previously worked as the senior content editor at Soundstripe and as the senior writer in Liberty University's marketing department. Drew is also a published author. He is based in Nashville, Tenn.
Assigning Editor | Auto insurance, home insurance, other insurance
Lacie Glover spent more than five years covering health care costs and all types of insurance as a NerdWallet writer before becoming an assistant assigning editor in 2019 and later an assigning editor on the insurance team. As a writer, her work was featured in The Associated Press, The Motley Fool and U.S. News & World Report. Lacie is a NerdWallet authority on insurance products and loves data, analytics and solving SEO mysteries.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The General
3.0
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
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.
The General
3.0
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
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.
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
In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:
Financial strength. We use A.M. Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B.
Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.
Ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
Discounts. We look at both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
Compare to other insurers
Current Product
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more. 3.0 /5 | NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more. 3.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more. 2.5 /5 |
Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Far more than expected | Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. More than expected |
Ease of use Ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our "ease of use" category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Above average | Ease of use Ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our "ease of use" category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Average | Ease of use Ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our "ease of use" category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Below average |
Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. Average set of discounts | Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. Average set of discounts | Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. 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 gap insurance and accidental death coverage in certain states.
The General can also 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.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.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.
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 46 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: Fill out a form online.
X: Reach out to The General on X at @TheGeneralAuto
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 46 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:
Fill out a form online.
X:
Reach out to The General on X at
@TheGeneralAuto
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. 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.
In this review . . .
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