Esurance vs. The General: Discounts, quotes, and comparison

You’ve narrowed your potential insurers to Esurance and The General. But which one should you pick?

Esurance is a relatively new player in the insurance market, founded in 1999. Since its inception, it’s gained a lot of traction through its accessible online insurance. Today, it’s owned by Allstate.

The General caters to drivers whom other insurers may classify as “high risk.” The company claims to provide affordable premiums, even though insurance for riskier drivers tends to be more expensive. In contrast to other high-risk insurance providers, The General maintains a stellar rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Our top pick: Esurance

Take advantage of this online company's low base rates and mobile tools like app-based telematics and teen safe driver programs.

• See your online quote in minutes
• Save with low base rates and discounts up to 40%
• Easily qualify, even as a high-risk driver
• Access convenient mobile claims filing

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OVERVIEW			OVERVIEW
About the provider
About the brand	Take advantage of this online company's low base rates and mobile tools like app-based telematics and teen safe driver programs.	Snag affordable coverage for high-risk drivers, a marketing claim backed by our rate analysis which showed premiums less than $80 a month.
States served
States served	All states except AK, DE, HI, MT, NH, VT, WY	All states except Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey
COVERAGE			COVERAGE
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance	Included free	Optional
New car protection
New car protection	Yes	No
Accident forgiveness
Accident forgiveness	No	No
Rideshare coverage
Rideshare coverage	Yes	No
SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance	Yes	Yes
Claims methods
Claims methods	Online Phone In-person	Phone App
Payment schedule
Payment schedule	12 months monthly	12 months monthly
DISCOUNTS			DISCOUNTS
Anti-theft device discount
Anti theft device discount	Yes	Yes
Bundling discount
Bundling discount	Yes	Yes
Home owner discount
Home owner discount	Yes	Yes
Military discount
Military discount	Yes	Yes
Multi car discount
Multi car discount	Yes	Yes
Paid in full discount
Paid in full discount	Yes	Yes
Safety device discount
Safety device discount	Yes	Yes
Safe driver discount
Safe driver discount	Yes	No
Special employment discount
Special employment discount	No	No
Student discount
Student discount	Yes	Yes
Usage based discount
Usage based discount	No	No
Learn more
Learn more	Go to site Read review	Go to site Read review

Bottom line

If you have no trouble finding insurance, compare multiple providers. Esurance and The General promise low prices, but it’s always worth shopping around.

Both insurers cover about the same number of US states. Esurance covers 43 states, while The General covers 46.

The General is a lightweight in cost reductions, offering a discount only if you pay in full. Esurance, on the other hand, offers a pay-in-full discount as well as promotions like good-student, defensive-driver and good-driver discounts.

Compare alternatives to Esurance and The General