American Family vs. The General: Which provider is better?

American Family vs. The General

If you’re considering getting car insurance through American Family or The General, we’ve got the information you need on both providers to make your decision easier.

American Family is a smaller company that offers coverage in 19 states. Despite the fact that it only covers less than half of the country, it is the 10th-largest insurance provider in the US and gets good customer reviews.

Like American Family, The General has a reputation for good customer service, earning an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. It provides coverage in 46 states and is known for insuring high-risk drivers. If you fall into this category, The General is an option for you.

Below we’ve lined up American Family and The General in a head-to-head comparison where you can easily find all of the details you need to choose the provider that best suits your needs.

	American Family	The General
About the provider	For 90 years, American Family has worked hard to give quality rates and services. In addition to auto insurance, it offers home, life, business, and farm and ranch insurance with a strong commitment to protect its customers.	The General specializes in budget-friendly insurance plans for drivers who may be deemed “risky” elsewhere. Conveniently selling directly to customers online, insurance can be approved and put a driver on the road in no time.
Price	Policy costs depend your personal situation. Visit American Family for a quote based on your specific needs.	Policy costs depend your personal situation. Visit The General for a quote based on your specific needs.
States served	19	46
User satisfaction*	B+	A+
J.D. Power ratings**	4/5 on overall claims satisfaction	N/A
Driver discounts	View driver discounts	View driver discounts
Vehicle discounts	View vehicle discounts	View vehicle discounts
	Read Review	Read Review

* Based on Better Business Bureau’s company rating
** Based on the 2016 U.S Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

Driver discounts

	American Family	The General
Good student	Varies. Teen Safe Driver Discount + Generational Discount (18-24 with a parent who is an American Family customer)
Defensive driver	5-10% (55+, completed defensive driving course)
Good driver
Pay in full discount
Multicar
Military
Homeowner
Other discounts	Loyalty discount Early-bird discount Steer into Savings discount Low mileage discount – Drive less than 7,500 miles per year Teen Safe Driver discount – Enroll teen in free program Young volunteer discount – Under 25, 40+ hours per year volunteering for non-profit Generational discount – 18-24 with a parent who is an American Family customer KnowYourDrive discount – Up to 40% on your car insurance (based on evaluation during KnowYourDrive periods)
	Read Review	Read Review

Vehicle discounts

	American Family	The General
Anti-theft device
Anti-lock brake
Passive restraints
Air bag
Other discounts	Auto safety equipment – 10-30%
	Read Review	Read Review

Bottom line

Both American Family and The General have good reputations, but American Family comes out ahead with its multiple discounts. However, if you are having a hard time getting an insurance company to cover you because of poor credit or driving violations, The General is a great choice. Compare your car insurance options to find the best insurance company for you.