Direct Auto vs. The General: Which provider is better?

Direct Auto vs. The General

Both Direct Auto and Then General provide car insurance for high-risk drivers. If you fall into this category, you might be trying to decide between the two. So we’ve gathered the info you need on both providers so you can pick the one that works best for you.

Direct Auto serves only 13 states and has a reputation for poor customer service, receiving an F from the Better Business Bureau. The General, on the other hand, earns an A+ from the BBB. Neither offer many discounts, if any at all. But if you have driving violations or a poor credit history, you might be left with no other options.

Check out our side-by-side comparison below so you can choose the provider that best suits your needs.

	Direct Auto	The General
About the provider	Founded in 1991, Direct Auto Insurance offers low-cost insurance policies to “nonstandard” drivers — also known as high-risk drivers — who might have a hard time finding coverage elsewhere. But beware, the company gets very poor reviews and only services 13 states.	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 Direct Auto 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	13	46
User satisfaction*	F	A+
J.D. Power ratings**	N/A	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

	Direct Auto	The General
Good student	Up to 10% (unmarried, full-time student, B average or better)
Defensive driver
Good driver	Up to 10% (violation and accident-free for 36 months)
Pay in full discount
Multicar	Up to 25%
Military	Up to 25% (active service member)
Homeowner	Up to 15%
Other discounts	Senior citizen – Up to 5% (55+, completed a motor vehicle prevention course) Prior coverage discount – Up to 25% (at another insurance company for 6 months, no more than 90 day lapse between coverage) Renewal discount – Up to 20% (no policy lapse in prior 12 months, renew 7-10 days prior to expiration) Welcome back discount – Up to 6%
	Read Review	Read Review

Vehicle discounts

	Direct Auto	The General
Anti-theft device	N/A
Anti-lock brake	N/A
Passive restraints	N/A
Air bag	N/A
Other discounts
	Read Review	Read Review

Bottom line

The General’s superior customer service makes it the clear winner in this comparison. It only provides a pay-in-full discount, but you can have peace of mind knowing the support is there when you need it.