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National General car insurance review
Drivers with low mileage or GM cars see hefty discounts, but watch out for delayed claims.
finder.com's rating: 4.5 / 5
★★★★★
- Get a quote if you like to manage your policy online or don’t drive much.
- Pick something else if great customer service is one of your top priorities.
- Drivers who work for GM or drive a GM car will like the extensive discounts.
Details
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Included free |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
| New car protection | No |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months, custom |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone |
| Rideshare coverage | No |
| SR-22 support | Yes |
Pros
- Unique, standout services
- Extensive discounts
- Claims service guarantee
- Insures high-risk drivers
Cons
- Expensive base rates
- Slow claims process
| Anti-theft device discount | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bundling discount | Yes |
| Defensive driving discount | Yes |
| Good student discount | Yes |
| Loyalty discount | Yes |
| Homeowner discount | Yes |
| Military discount | No |
| Safety device discount | Yes |
| Special employment discount | Yes |
| Usage-based discount | Yes |
How to get a free quote for National General car insurance
National General lets you get a quote online as well as finalize coverage and start your policy, if you agree with your quote.
- Head to National General’s website homepage. In the Get a Quote box, enter your ZIP code, insurance type and click Go.
- Fill in your personal information and driving history, giving as many details as possible for an accurate quote.
- Enter details about your car and any additional drivers.
- View your rate and discounts. Accept these and finalize your payment and paperwork to start coverage.
What info do I need to apply?
You’ll need the following information when applying:
- Your contact details
- Driver’s license number
- Driving history
- Information about your car
- Other drivers’ name and driving history
What discounts can I get with National General?
One major selling point for National General is its steep discounts for low mileage or bundling multiple vehicles, like your car and RV. If you’re eligible for several, you can lower your premium by over 50%.
- Safe driver. In some states, completing a defensive driving course can lower your premium.
- Accident forgiveness. For qualifying customers, National General will waive the usual penalties for one at-fault accident. To qualify, you must stay accident- and violation-free for 12 months with no major violations in three years.
- Antitheft. Earn a discount if your car has a factory-installed antitheft system or if you installed one later on.
- Multivehicle. Bundle your vehicles for up to 20% off your premium. And if your RV and car are ever in the same covered accident, you’ll only pay for one deductible.
- Telematics. Use the SmartDrive App to show off your safe driving and earn a 5% discount. In some cases, your premium may decrease as it gets customized to your driving skills.
- Low mileage. Available to OnStar subscribers, this is open to those who drive less than 15,000 miles a year and can slash your premium by up to 54%.
- Autopay. Withdraw your premium from your bank account or pay with a credit card automatically for fuss-free payments and a discount.
- Paid in full. Reduce your premium when you pay up front and in full.
- Bundling. Let National General thank you for getting multiple types of insurance with them like car and home insurance.
- Group membership. If you support businesses that have a relationship with National General, you’ll get a discount.
National General discounts for GM drivers
National General is an attractive option for drivers with GM cars. National General is known for its affiliation with GM, and in turn, gives extra discounts to GM drivers, customers, current and former employees and their families.
- GM or GMAC customer. Drive a GM vehicle, have a GM card or use GMAC Auto Financing? You’ll score a cheaper premium.
- GM loyalty. Taking it one step further, if all the vehicles on your policy are GM, you’ll get another discount.
- GM Family First. A discount for active and retired employees of GM, GMAC and subsidiaries, plus their extended family members, including in-laws and same-sex partners.
- OnStar subscriber. An active subscription can lead to a 10% to 20% discount on your coverage.
What add-ons or perks does National General offer?
National General stands out in the auto industry for perks designed to ease the stress of car accidents, breakdowns and total losses. But you may have to check in with your claims rep regularly to get these services scheduled.
- Guaranteed claims service. If you’re not happy with the way your claim was handled, National General will waive your deductible up to $250. This feature doesn’t apply to drivers in Washington state.
- Guaranteed repairs. Receive a lifetime guarantee on all comprehensive or collision repairs made at National General’s Gold Medal Repair Shops. You must have rental reimbursement coverage to qualify.
- Emergency travel expenses. Get reimbursed up to $250 per day in food, lodging and travel expenses after an accident that happens away from your home.
- Valet. After a claim, National General will pick up your damaged car and bring you a rental.
- Roadside service. This service provides optional towing for your car to the nearest repair facility as well as gas delivery — but not the cost of the gas.
- Theft reward. For stolen cars, this feature offers a reward for information that leads to a conviction for the theft. In some cases, this reward may pay up to $1,000.
- Post-repair inspection. Once your car has been repaired after a claim, you can request the company to inspect your car for a tip-top condition. The inspection can happen at a location convenient for you — whether it’s a repair shop, parking lot or your home.
- Assistance with your car’s replacement. If your car gets totaled, the company will point you to professional help for finding another car that suits your needs. You can also receive special pricing if you go for a GM car.
Our review of National General DynamicDrive
National General DynamicDrive is a telematics car insurance program, which uses an app called Routely to monitor your driving and tailor your car insurance premium to your safety skills.
Overall, customers give the Routely app an average score, rating it with 3.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 2.6 of 5 on the Apple Store.
National General doesn’t give details about how much you’ll save, but it does offer a participation discount. You’ll see your personalized rate at your next policy renewal.
As a benchmark, many telematic programs give discounts up to 30% for the safest drivers. That said, your premium could also increase with DynamicDrive if you don’t drive safely.
Because you’re giving permission for National General and Routely to store your driving data, it’s a good idea to review National General’s privacy policy. National General may use the data to set your rates, give you a personalized experience or service or for marketing or research.
How DynamicDrive scores you
DynamicDrive takes these driving faults into account when setting your premium:
- Time of day — Driving during risky times, like rush hour or nighttime
- Phone handling — Using your phone while driving
- Braking — Braking hard to slowing down or stop
- Speeding — Driving at or above 80 mph
National General car insurance reviews and complaints
National General holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as of April 2022. The company has been BBB accredited since 2015. Many of the over 1,000 BBB complaints involve problems with its claims services or billing. While customers appreciate its discounts and extra services, complaints focus on its slow claims processing and hard-to-reach customer service.
In addition, National General ranked 25th out of the 25 insurance companies surveyed in the J.D. Power 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. It scored 2 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction, including claims service, notice of loss, estimating and repair processes and settlements. It ranked 4 out of 5 stars for rental experience, possibly because of its valet service.
Finally, National General Insurance Company scored a 5.64 on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index. The industry standard is 1.00, showing that the insurer receives significantly more complaints than normal for its business size.
| AM Best financial rating | A+ |
| BBB accredited | Yes |
| BBB rating | A+ |
| Trustpilot score | NR |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 10 August 2021 |
Our star ratings for National General, explained
Our car insurance experts rated National General slightly above average for its value-boosting coverage and perks like its rental car valet and claims guarantee. It also receives a strong A- financial rating from AM Best, proving that it can back customers’ claims. However, National General’s customer ratings and high number of complaints hurt its overall score.
Compare alternatives to National General
What car insurance coverage does National General offer?
National General offers basic protection for liability or collisions, but you can add coverage for modifying your car.
- Bodily injury liability. This takes care of the costs if you injure someone in an accident. Maximums cap out at $300,000 per person or $500,000 per accident.
- Property damage liability. Covers the damage your car causes to someone’s property as the result of an accident.
- Collision. While not a legal requirement for car insurance, this covers the cost of damage to your own car whether you caused the accident or not.
- Comprehensive. Also known as other-than-collision coverage, this pays for damage to your car from losses like fire, floods, hailstorms, vandalism or theft. If you lease or finance a car, the leasing company may require this coverage.
- Medical payments. In the event of an accident, this helps to pay for the medical expenses for you and your passengers.
- Underinsured motorist. This coverage helps to pay for medical expenses if someone injures you in an accident but doesn’t have enough liability insurance.
- Uninsured motorist. Covers any damages and injuries if you’re injured in an accident caused by a hit-and-run or a driver without liability insurance.
- Personal injury protection (PIP). Legally required in some states, PIP or no-fault insurance helps to pay for medical care, lost wages and replacement services in case of an accident regardless of who was at fault.
- Additional equipment coverage. You can tweak your policy to add modification coverage for custom wheels, roll bars and spoilers.
What’s not covered by National General?
These limitations on car insurance coverage are different from state to state. In New York, National General deems certain cars an unacceptable risk. These include all Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Jensen and Tesla, plus select BMW, Porsche and Lexus models.
The insurer doesn’t just look at luxury cars: Some Ford models, like Saleen Mustangs, are also considered too risky.
National General car insurance pros and cons
Pros
- Standout services. The company offers services you won’t find with many other insurers, like a valet to take away your damaged car and bring you a rental.
- Extensive discounts, including General Motors perks. You can save over 50% on your premium with the discounts offered. Also, General Motors customers or employees score extra discounts.
- Claims service guarantee. National General offers cashback up to $250 if you’re not happy with its claims service.
- Insures high-risk drivers. National General offers coverage for drivers with not-so-perfect records, including dedicated quotes for those with a DUI.
Cons
- Expensive base rates. The standard rates can cost a lot, especially for teenage or high-risk drivers.
- Slow claims process. Customers complain about the company’s slow claims payments and poor customer service, especially for minor claims. National General also received 2 out of 5 stars on the 2019 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study.
How to find a National General agent near me
National General has a nationwide network of agents — some work in the company’s office, which are dotted around the country, and others operate independently. To connect with one close to you, follow these steps:
- Go to National General’s website.
- Choose Auto Insurance in the top navigation bar.
- In the Get a Quote box on the right side of the page, select Find an Agent.
- Enter your ZIP code, search by agency name or enter your city and state.
- A list of agents near you will appear.
How to make a claim with National General
File a claim 24/7 either online, with the app or by calling 800-325-1088. If you need help, there’s an online chat option available as well. National General aims to process minor claims within 48 hours.
To get the ball rolling, have your policy number handy, which you can find on your insurance card or policy documents, as well as details on the accident or incident. If you have photos and supporting documents, you can submit those online.
To file a claim online, follow these steps:
- Go to National General’s website.
- Choose Auto Insurance in the top navigation bar.
- Select Claims Center in the top navigation bar.
- Choose File a Claim Online.
- Hit File a Claim.
- Fill out the claim questions, including your insurance policy number, the location of the incident, the make and model of both cars involved and whether a police report was filed, and hit Submit.
How to contact National General
Contact National General by phone, but the number you call depends on the policy you have:
- If your policy starts with 200 and you bought direct. Call 888-293-5108 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern standard time. It’s closed on Sundays.
- If your policy starts with 200 and you bought through an agent. Call 877-468-3466 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. your local time. It’s closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- If your policy starts with CCA, COH, CAZ or CTX. Call 888-859-1181, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern standard time. It’s closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- If your policy starts with CNC. Call 855-234-6270 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern standard time. It’s closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my premium if I file a claim?
It depends on two things: the amount of damage and your driving history. National General doesn’t penalize customers for accidents and losses that aren’t their fault. However, your premium may increase if you cause a major accident, receive a DWI or DUI or get in multiple accidents within a short time.
Can I change my car insurance policy at any time?
Yes. National General allows you to update your policy as needed — call the company or your independent agent. Ask about options for prorating or if there’s a better time to adjust your policy.
Who is covered by my car insurance policy?
Your policy covers all of the drivers you listed when you purchased your policy. As a general rule, any household members who drive your car should be listed as nominated drivers on your policy.
What other types of insurance does National General offer?
Though it’s best known for auto insurance, National General also offers:
- RV insurance
- Homeowners, condo and renters insurance
- Small business insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Motorcycle insurance, including touring bikes and ATVs
- Mexico insurance, which covers cars, RVs and motorcycles under Mexican law
- Collector and classic car insurance
- Health insurance
- Home insurance
Car insurance ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our insurance team analyzes car insurance providers to help you choose the best car insurance for you.We rank insurers from one to five stars based on key factors including customer satisfaction, policy options, price, billing, claims, and support. We create these rankings to help you narrow down an insurance provider that best suits your budget and coverage needs.
Review by
Katia Iervasi
katia.iervasi@finder.comKatia Iervasi is a staff writer who hails from Australia and now calls New York home. Her writing and analysis has been featured on sites like Forbes, Best Company and Financial Advisor around the world. Armed with a BA in Communication and a journalistic eye for detail, she navigates insurance and finance topics for Finder, so you can splash your cash smartly (and be a pro when the subject pops up at dinner parties).
Expert review
National General Insurance was founded in 1920 and initially offered insurance to owners of GM vehicles. It still has a soft spot for GM customers and employees today, offering extra discounts for those loyal to the brand. It also offers up to 54% off if you’re a low-mileage driver and can help if you need to file an SR-22.
National General also offers claims services that you won’t find with other companies. The company guarantees to dock your deductible by up to $250 if you’re not satisfied with the claims process, and it reimburses you for emergency travel expenses if you’re far from home.
Despite these services, National General gets a high number of complaints about its slow claims and poor claims support.
Consider getting a quote if you don’t drive much or don’t qualify for coverage with other companies. Otherwise, shop around to find higher-rated customer service.