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finder.com's rating: 4.5 / 5
★★★★★
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 |
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 |
National General lets you get a quote online as well as finalize coverage and start your policy, if you agree with your quote.
You’ll need the following information when applying:
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%.
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.
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.
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.
DynamicDrive takes these driving faults into account when setting your premium:
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 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.
National General offers basic protection for liability or collisions, but you can add coverage for modifying your car.
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 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:
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:
Contact National General by phone, but the number you call depends on the policy you have:
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:
★★★★★ — 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 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).
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.