The General Auto Insurance Review [2025]

Navigating the intricacies of high-risk auto insurance becomes crucial for drivers with challenging histories, and The General Auto Insurance emerges as a dedicated provider for those seeking coverage in such circumstances.

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Scott W. Johnson

Licensed Insurance Agent

Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...

Written by
Scott W. Johnson
Eric Stauffer

Licensed Insurance Agent

Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...

Reviewed by
Eric Stauffer

Updated April 2024

Everyone makes mistakes, but some mistakes are costlier than others. If insurance companies consider you a high-risk driver, you’ll find it challenging to get affordable insurance. You might even be denied car insurance altogether.

However, there are insurance companies that work with high-risk drivers. These companies specialize in writing policies for people who have a bad driving history, poor credit, or serious driving incidents like DUIs.

The General auto insurance is one such company that will provide you with an auto policy so you can legally drive. Since The General has a large customer base of high-risk drivers, its average rates are higher than the national average.

If you can’t find insurance anywhere else, The General will cover you.

If you have a less-than-perfect driving record read on to learn about The General. If you’re ready to see what quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool today.

What You Should Know About the general auto insurance

The General was founded in 1963 and has since become one of the biggest names for high-risk insurance providers. However, The General isn’t just for high-risk drivers – drivers with a good history and solid credit could also find affordable rates.

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The General Insurance Reviews

The General is a solid company that gets high marks from professional rating services. From A.M. Best, The General got an A- for its financial stability, and the Better Business Bureau gives the company an A+.

That doesn’t mean the company is without complaints, though. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) scores insurance companies on their customer service. The national average score of customer experience and complaints is a 1. The General scored a high 5.86.

That means that The General receives more complaints compared to other insurance companies. The chief complaints involve customer service experiences, complicated claims processes, and confusing websites.

On the positive side, customers appreciate The General’s mobile app, from which you can file claims and get other policy information. Alternatively, you can use The General login to access the website. You can also call the support line and speak with a representative at any time.

the general auto insurance Insurance Coverage Options

The General offers traditional car insurance without many options to personalize your policy. The General sells:

  • Liability: Liability insurance will pay car repair and medical bills for the other driver when you cause an accident. Most states require a minimum amount of liability coverage to drive.
  • Collision: While not legally required, collision coverage is valuable protection for your vehicle. If you’re involved in an accident, collision helps pay your repair bill.
  • Comprehensive: If you have a car loan, you likely need collision and comprehensive. Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage outside of accidents, including vandalism, theft, weather, and animals.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Just because insurance is a legal requirement, it doesn’t mean that every driver has it. This protects you against drivers with inadequate insurance.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP): Medical bills can accumulate fast after an accident. PIP helps pay for your medical bills. It also helps cover the bills for any of your passengers.

While this list might not seem like the most exciting, The General company will make sure you have the coverage you want for your vehicle.

Does The General sell add-ons?

While The General focuses primarily on straightforward coverage, it does offer a few add-ons and additional insurance products for purchase.

  • Roadside assistance: Administered by Nation Safe Driver, The General’s roadside assistance is available 24/7 and provides service if your car becomes in-operational on the side of the road.
  • Towing: If you buy this coverage, the price of your tow is covered.
  • Custom equipment: A standard policy doesn’t usually cover custom equipment and upgrades. You can get up to $5,000 in coverage for paint jobs, camper shells, customized wheels, and other parts with this add-on.
  • SR-22: If you’ve been convicted of reckless driving or DUIs, you might have to file an SR-22 form with your state DMV before you can drive again. The General asks if you need this in your application and will file it for you.
  • Rental reimbursement: If your car needs extensive repairs and temporarily can’t be driven, The General will pay for a rental car.

Again, this isn’t the longest or most exciting list of options. However, you’ll find your basic insurance needs met through The General. For drivers that can only go to high-risk insurance companies, The General’s selections are relatively good.

The General: Best for High-Risk Drivers

If you’ve made mistakes on the road, The General can provide the coverage you need to drive legally. While it may not have the most coverage options or cheapest rates, The General is a good option for anyone who can’t get insurance elsewhere.

Hopefully you’ve learned all you need to know about The General. If you’re ready to see what quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool today.

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the general auto insurance Insurance Rates Breakdown

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Driver ProfileThe GeneralNational Average
Clean Record$96$119
1+ Ticket$154$147
1+ Accident$188$173
DUI$292$209
Poor Credit$165$205

*monthly rates are based on an average of minimum and full coverage for a 45-year-old male driver

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As a high-risk driver insurance provider, The General has higher average rates than other insurance companies. This higher rate is because a large percentage of The General’s customer base are high-risk drivers, who cost more to insure.

However, you can get an idea of how much high-risk insurance costs by comparing the average price of some of the top insurance providers.

CompanyMonthly Rates
The General$363
Geico$206
State Farm$292
Allstate$429

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If you’re looking for something affordable, The General might not be your best bet. However, there are a lot of factors that go into the cost of your insurance. That includes your age, gender, driving history, credit, and location.

the general auto insurance Discounts Available

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DiscountsThe General
Anti Theft8%
Good Student18%
Low Mileage13%
Paperless10%
Safe Driver20%
Senior Driver10%

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Most insurance companies offer discounts you can use to save money on your monthly payments. The General does not disappoint and has several options you might be eligible for.

  • New customer. If you switched to The General after having a policy with a different company for at least five years, you might be eligible for this discount.
  • Multi-car. You can save money by including more than one vehicle in your policy.
  • Double deductible. You can choose to double your deductible for the first 45 days of your policy. If you do, you’ll receive a discount.
  • Homeowners. The General gives a discount if you own a house and have home insurance, regardless of the company covering them.
  • Pay in full. Paying for your insurance annually rather than monthly can earn you a discount.
  • Good student. You can earn a discount by maintaining a B average as a full-time student.
  • Driver education. Complete a driver safety course to earn this discount. The course cannot be court-ordered.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to save money with The General. You can work with an agent to ensure you receive every discount you’re eligible for.

How the general auto insurance Ranks Among Providers

In the competitive realm of auto insurance, The General Auto Insurance faces noteworthy competitors, each distinguished by specific strengths catering to diverse driver needs.

  • Geico: Geico is renowned for its extensive coverage options and competitive rates, appealing to a broad spectrum of drivers.
  • Progressive: Progressive stands out for its innovative approach, offering a variety of coverage options and personalized rates through features like Snapshot.
  • State Farm: State Farm’s vast agent network provides personalized service, emphasizing community engagement and robust support.
  • Esurance: Esurance excels with its online presence, delivering a user-friendly experience and competitive rates for a variety of driver profiles.

Understanding the distinctive strengths of each competitor is crucial for drivers seeking insurance coverage tailored to their specific preferences and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of coverage does The General offer?

The General offers basic types of coverage, including liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It also offers uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, and medical payments coverage.

How do I get a quote from The General?

You can get a quote from The General by visiting its website, calling its toll-free number, or using its mobile app. You’ll need to provide information about yourself, your vehicle, and your driving record to get a quote.

Can I customize my coverage with The General?

No, The General does not offer customized coverage options. It only offers basic types of coverage.

How do I file a claim with The General?

You can file a claim with The General by calling its claims hotline, filling out a claims form on its website, or using its mobile app. You’ll need to provide information about the accident or incident, as well as your policy information.

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