The General is a household name known for its famous advertising partner, Shaquille O’Neal, and the military cartoon soldier who appears throughout the website. But you might not know that it specializes in providing auto insurance coverage for hard-to-insure drivers. If you have a low credit score or are classified as a high-risk driver due to age, a DUI, lapse in coverage, or driving without insurance, an insurance policy from The General might be a great fit.
Business Insider compared The General car insurance to the best car insurance companies and found it to be a lackluster offering for most drivers, with a lack of discounts and reports of poor customer service. However, it offers coverage for high-risk drivers who cannot find coverage with other providers.
The General Car Insurance Pros and Cons
The General Car Insurance Pros
- Affordable rates for high-risk drivers or if you have bad credit
- Strong financial stability with an A rating from AM Best
The General Car Insurance Cons
- Limited availability (only available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.)
- Customer satisfaction ratings are mixed
- Relatively few discount opportunities
- Limited additional coverage
The General Car Insurance Overview
The General is a well-known car insurance provider that’s been operating since 1963. Its policies are available in 46 states, including Washington, D.C., and it maximizes convenience with an online quoting experience.
Technically, The General is a car insurance agency rather than an actual insurer since its policies are underwritten by the Permanent General Assurance Corporation, the Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio, and The General Automobile Insurance Company, Inc. All three companies have strong A ratings for financial stability from AM Best, and The General has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
While The General is more expensive than the average auto insurance provider, it stands out by offering policies to high-risk drivers. The General sells SR-22 insurance, which can get you back on the road after a DUI, a revoked license, or excessive traffic tickets. And even if you don’t own your vehicle, you can get a non-owner car insurance policy from the company.
You can also manage your policy from The General through the provider’s mobile app, which has a 4.7-star rating on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
So, the General might be a solid option if you need help finding coverage due to a low credit score or high-risk driver status. But it has a high volume of customer complaints, and you can probably find better coverage elsewhere if you have a clean driving record.
The General Car Insurance Plans and Coverage
The General provides full coverage auto insurance options depending on what you need. The General auto insurance policies are available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.
Liability: Most states require liability car insurance since it protects you if you’re at fault for an accident, damages, or injuries. You could face fines or license suspension if you do not have adequate liability coverage.
Collision: If your car collides with an object or building, collision coverage will cover you regardless of who is at fault.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive car insurance fills in the gaps for collision and liability coverage. It protects you against other instances that other policies might not include, like theft or storm damage.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage: If you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have adequate coverage to pay your claims, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will cover the costs.
Additional Coverage Options (Riders)
The General car insurance offers limited additional coverage options. You might be able to add riders for roadside assistance and rental car usage while your car is repaired due to a claim. But apart from those options, gap car insurance coverageis one of the only optional riders you can select.
If your car is totaled, gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s current value and what you owe. Ideally, you won’t owe more than the car is worth. But if you have a new car and your loan is larger than the car’s current value, you can opt for gap insurance coverage.
For example, imagine your car is worth $20,000, but you owe $25,000 on your loan. Gap insurance pays $5,000. Your vehicle must usually be under five years old to qualify for coverage.
The General Car Insurance Cost
According to Policygenius, the average cost of The General car insurance is $3,131 per year for full coverage. That makes it more expensive than the national average for full coverage, which is estimated to be $1,638 annually.
An individual’s car insurance rate depends on various personal factors, including age, location, credit score, and driving history. That’s why you shouldn’t assume that car insurance from The General will automatically be an expensive option. It’s usually best to request a quote from a car insurance provider to see exactly what rate they offer.
The General is also known for insuring people with a history of DUIs or at-fault accidents. So, if you fall into that category, The General auto insurance could be relatively affordable.
The General Car Insurance Discounts
The General car insurance is known for providing low-cost coverage for high-risk drivers. The prices are competitive, especially if you have a clean driving record. It also offers the following discounts:
- Discount for paying in full for policies or paying quarterly
- Multi-car discount
- Discount for homeowners
- Academic achievement discount for full-time students
- Discount for vehicles with factory-installed passive restraints
- Discount for successfully completing a defensive driving course
- Safe driver discount
However, even discount coverage is usually expensive for high-risk drivers.
If you’re a high-risk driver and need coverage after a violation, DUI, or driving without insurance, you might still pay a higher premium than drivers who are not considered high-risk. This includes drivers who need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance form.
The cost varies from driver to driver and depends on your location, age, driver status, car, and other factors. But limited discounts are available, which could lower the overall cost compared to other providers. It’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from two or three insurance companies before deciding.
How to Purchase and Manage a Car Insurance Policy from The General
To buy a car insurance policy from The General, start by requesting a quote online. You can do this by visiting The General’s official website, entering your ZIP code, and clicking “Get a Free Quote.”
From there, you can get an initial quote in minutes by providing information about your vehicle and driving history. Once you’ve received a quote, you’ll have to provide a few more details and confirm your policy choices before completing the purchase.
Policyholders can make changes to their policies or file claims through The General’s website. Head to the website, click “Log in,” and enter your email address or policy number, and password. This will take you to the My Policy dashboard, where you can pay your bills, access your ID card, or otherwise manage your policies. This information can also be accessed via The General’s convenient mobile app.
How to File a Claim With The General Car Insurance
You can file a claim with The General car insurance online, in the app, or over the phone. Claim representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the app: Download The General Insurance app and file a claim from your phone. Once a claim is open, you can track progress in the app.
Over the phone: You can file a claim at 1-800-280-1466. To get connected, press 5. Claims representatives are always available.
On the website: If you have an active insurance policy, you can log in and file a claim online.