The General Auto Insurance Review

Key Points:

• The General offers coverage in 47 states, catering to high-risk drivers.
• The General has more than 60 years of experience and a strong industry reputation.
• Drivers with clean records can likely find better rates elsewhere.

Drivers want auto insurance coverage that protects without breaking the bank. The General car insurance is reasonably priced for some drivers, but not all. In this article, we’ll look into The General to help you decide if the car insurance coverage the company provides is a good match for your car and your wallet.

Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.

Use our tool above to start comparing personalized car insurance quotes from some of the industry’s best car insurance providers.

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The General Car Insurance Overview

• The General is in great standing with many industry leaders, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best.
• The General provides coverage in nearly every state and has options for even the most high-risk drivers, including young drivers and drivers with at-fault accidents or DUIs on record.
• The no-frills website is helpful and easy to use.
• The General has a higher-than-average number of complaints, mostly in regard to claims processing and rate increases.

About The General

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, The General began selling car insurance under the name Permanent General Agency in 1963. Since then, the company has simply abbreviated its name to The General and works as a licensed insurance sales subsidiary of Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGC Holdings) and an affiliate of American Family Insurance.

With more than 50 years of experience, The General holds its own among industry leaders. The company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, as well as a financial strength rating of “A” from AM Best. That said, The General currently has more customer complaints than average when compared to other insurers its size, according to its complaint index from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

The General markets itself as an affordable provider, even for high-risk drivers with poor credit and/or extensive driving records. The General offers auto insurance policies in all states except for Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey. Additionally, The General offers Mexico tourist coverage through partner companies.

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The General Auto Insurance Coverage

Like most auto insurance companies, The General offers all required state minimum coverage options, plus additional coverage.

• Bodily injury liability: Covers another driver’s injuries if the accident is your fault
• Property damage liability: Covers other parties’ car/property damage if you are at fault
• Medical payments: Covers your own medical bills in case of an accident
• Personal injury protection: Covers medical and other expenses, such as wage loss
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle caused by other sources, such as weather
• Collision: Covers your vehicle’s damages after an accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Covers costs if the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured

Since The General offers high-risk car insurance, SR-22 insurance forms are available as needed. In fact, The General specifically asks about this form during the quote process. This means you can obtain coverage and file your SR-22 in a matter of minutes through The General’s website.

With a focus on low-cost minimum coverage for high-risk drivers, The General doesn’t have the substantial dollar amount coverage options that some other insurance companies do. Bodily injury liability coverage caps out at $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident, and property damage liability caps at just $100,000 per accident. Some other insurance companies offer as much as $500,000 in liability per accident, so shop around if you feel you need higher coverage.

Remember: No car insurance provider covers manufacturer defects or part failures. If you want this type of protection, you might be looking for an extended car warranty.

The General Insurance Perks

The General auto insurance policies can be customized with add-ons, like:

• 24/7 roadside assistance, including battery jump start and gas delivery
• Towing coverage (up to 15 miles)
• Rental car reimbursement for up to 5 days (amounts depend on vehicle)
• Gap insurance

Other Insurance From The General

Besides auto insurance, here are a few of the other types of insurance The General sells through third-party companies:

• Home insurance (homeowners and renters)
• Boat insurance
• Motorhome/travel trailer insurance
• Pet insurance
• Motorcycle insurance
• Life insurance
• Health insurance

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The General Car Insurance Cost And Discounts

It’s difficult to find specific prices for The General car insurance through the company’s website, because car insurance rates ultimately depend on a driver’s location, age, driving record, vehicle, and coverage choices. The General auto insurance reviews we have seen place the provider’s rates in close competition with other companies.

The General doesn’t offer multi-policy discounts, but it does have an array of other great car insurance discounts:

• Homeowners: This discount is available to any customer who owns a home.
• Multi-car: This is offered to policyholders who insure multiple cars with The General.
• Double deductible: This optional discount doubles the deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage for the first 45 days of a policy, which also reduces the plan cost.
• Paid in full: The General offers a discounted rate for paying the premium for a year instead of in monthly payments.
• Vehicle safety features: If your car has factory-installed passive restraints, you may qualify for savings.
• Defensive driving: Taking an approved defensive driving course can net you a discount.
• Good student discount: This discount is available to students with good academic standing.

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The General Insurance Reviews

The General receives mostly positive feedback from customers online. Users on the BBB website give the company 3.9 out of 5.0 stars. Trustpilot offers an even stronger 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating based on nearly 90,000 reviews.

As we previously mentioned, one issue with The General auto insurance is an above-average amount of complaints from customers. A number of these complaints cite regular auto insurance rate increases and slow claims processing. With that being said, other customer reviews praise the quick quotes process and low rates, so it would seem customers have varying experiences across the board.

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The General Car Insurance: Our Take

We rate The General 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. High-risk drivers can find good coverage (and SR-22 coverage) with the provider in most states. But according to The General insurance reviews, coverage can be expensive and the claims process difficult to navigate.

Unlike most insurance companies, The General offers some unique perks like Mexico tourist auto insurance policies and custom parts coverage. The mobile app provides a lot of convenience with 24/7 access to products and services. But because insurance rates can be steep, we always recommend you compare rates and reviews between multiple car insurance companies before selecting your insurance products.

Use our tool below to start comparing personalized car insurance quotes:

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Other Top Car Insurance Providers

We researched top car insurance providers across the country and compared them in terms of products and services, pricing, and overall customer satisfaction. Based on that research, here are a few of our top recommendations for auto insurance.

Geico Car Insurance Rating: 4.5 Stars

Geico auto insurance is one of the largest car insurance companies in the country, largely thanks to its extensive online resources and well-developed smartphone app. In fact, Geico is one of the only insurance companies that offers 24/7 service for every aspect of your car insurance policy.

Like The General, Geico offers coverage for high-risk drivers. However, if you’re a high-risk driver, you’ll likely pay more for Geico insurance. Geico charges significantly higher rates for young drivers and drivers with substantial records than drivers in good standing. This is likely because Geico offers multiple discount incentives for safe drivers and drivers who don’t file insurance claims.

Also like The General, Geico gives customers the option to instantly file claims through the company’s smartphone app. Unlike The General, Geico actually offers accident forgiveness and rate decreases for dedicated customers.

If you’re looking for affordable car insurance with great online management tools, Geico might be a great option for you.

Learn more about this provider in our Geico insurance review.

AAA Car Insurance Rating: 4.5 Stars

Although AAA car insurance is mostly known for its auto club memberships, the company also offers car and homeowners insurance. AAA has fairly affordable rates that compete with many other car insurance companies.

Unlike The General, AAA holds high marks for customer service and claims. The only drawback is that you must be a AAA member to be eligible for insurance through AAA. However, membership doesn’t cost much. AAA members receive free roadside assistance, repair discounts, travel perks, and more. So it may be worth considering AAA car insurance if you want this membership or already have a AAA membership.

Read more: AAA insurance review

The bottom line is that comparing car insurance quotes can give you peace of mind that you are getting the best rates and coverage. Enter your zip code in our tool below to start comparing personalized auto insurance quotes.

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FAQ: The General Car Insurance

Below are some frequently asked questions about The General auto insurance:

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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