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The General claims to offer affordable coverage for nearly anyone in need of standard car insurance coverage.
Shopping for car insurance can be overwhelming — especially if you’re a high-risk or otherwise “nonstandard” driver. You’ll find that many companies won’t cover drivers who have a history of traffic violations or accidents — affordably or at all.
The General makes it easy for high-risk drivers to get covered, with a range of policy options, discounts, and even assistance with filing an SR-22.
The General claims to offer affordable coverage for nearly anyone in need of standard car insurance coverage.
States served
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Roadside assistance
Optional
Pay schedule
Claims methods
phone
New car protection
No
Pros
Affordable coverage
High risk drivers okay
Instant online access
Prepayment discounts
SR-22 filing assistance
Available in 46 states
Cons
No-frills policies
Claims handled only by phone
Defensive driving discount
No
Good student discount
Yes
Loyalty discount
No
Homeowner discount
Yes
Military discount
Yes
Safety device discount
Special employment discount
No
Usage-based discount
Other discounts
Paid-in-Full discount, Specific driver discount
What is The General?
General Automobile Insurance Services, better known as The General, aims to make car insurance affordable and accessible for all drivers. Established in Nashville, Tennessee, The General began selling insurance in 1963 under the name Permanent General Agency. The company was acquired by American Family Insurance in 2012 but continues to operate as a separate brand.
The General offers coverage in 46 states and claims to accept drivers with less-than-perfect credit or driving violations. It offers a variety of no-frills coverage options including basic liability, no-fault, uninsured motorist, and more. While its policy offerings are more limited than some of its competitors, its parent company, American Family, might have something better suited for your needs.
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Where is The General auto insurance available?
The General’s auto insurance policies are issued through a network of independent agents and online. Its service area reaches from coast to coast, providing coverage in 46 states. However, if you live in any of the following states, you may need to look elsewhere:
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
Who is The General auto insurance best for?
The General specializes in insuring “nonstandard” drivers — also known as high-risk drivers. Your anonymous online quote includes the minimum car insurance required for your state, with the option to pay more for additional coverage or benefits. If you have a prior history of multiple infractions or just want affordable car insurance, The General might be right for you. Compare your options to find a provider that’s right for you.
What is an SR-22?
What is an SR-22?
Sometimes called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, an SR-22 is a form provided by your car insurance company to confirm that you have liability coverage. If you have no driving-related violations on your driving record, you likely do not need this form.
SR-22s are sometimes mandated by states or courts for drivers whose records include DUIs or DWIs, driving without insurance, repeat traffic offenses or revoked or suspended licenses. If you do need an SR-22, the court or your local DMV will notify you.
What car insurance coverage does The General offer?
Medical payments. For an additional fee, this pays for medical bills if anyone is injured in your car. You’ll pay a fee for this feature.
No fault. With no-fault insurance, both parties of an incident are compensated by their own insurance companies, regardless of who was at fault.
Uninsured motorists’ coverage. Covers you for damages and injuries caused by an uninsured driver.
Collision coverage. Pays for damage to your car when your car hits or is hit by another car.
Property damage liability. Protects you if your car damages someone else’s property.
Emergency roadside service. For an additional fee, helps you if your car breaks down and you need help.
SR-22. An SR-22 certificate of insurance helps drivers with a history of driving infractions or suspended licenses get back on the road.
Discounts on The General auto insurance
Although The General specializes in no-frills auto insurance for high-risk drivers, it does offer a few standard auto insurance discounts.
Lump sum payment. Get a discount for paying your policy premiums in a single, lump sum payment rather than in installments.
Deductible doubling discount. Get discounted rates when you double your deductible for the first 45 days of your policy.
Multi-vehicle discount. Get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles under the same policy.
Select driver discount. You may be able to get a discount if you only allow specific drivers to operate your vehicle. However, they must have at least five years of driving experience and a clean driving record.
Defensive driving discount. Drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course may be able to get discounted rates.
Airbag discount. You may be able to get a discount if your car is equipped with factory-installed airbags.
Anti-lock discount. Get a discount if your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Homeowner discount. Get a discount on your auto insurance policy just for owning a home.
Military discount. Active service members living in Louisiana may be able to get discounted rates.
Transfer discount. You may be able to get a discount when you switch to The General if you’ve had six months of continuous coverage from another provider.
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Does The General offer any special programs?
The General specializes in no-frills auto insurance, so its policy features and special programs are limited. However, there are a couple programs available:
Down payment. Unlike many other providers, The General allows customers to place a downpayment on their policy to reduce monthly premiums.
Mobile app. The General offers a convenient mobile app that allows customers to view ID cards, manage their policy, and more.
Pros and cons of The General auto insurance
Pros
Affordable coverage for high-risk drivers. If you’re a high-risk driver, many insurance companies either won’t cover you or will charge a lot for coverage. The General prides itself on covering high-risk drivers at modest prices.
Instant online access. Once you’ve paid for a policy, you can download and print your card immediately.
SR-22 filing assistance. This service is helpful for drivers who require this confirmation of liability coverage.
Cons
No-frills policies. The General keep costs down by offering the basics. You’ll pay for add-ons like medical payments coverage and roadside assistance.
Claims handled only by phone. You won’t be able to file a claim online or through an app, which may be an issue if you prefer instant results.
Limited discounts. Although The General does offer a few standard auto insurance discounts, other providers offer many other ways to save.
High prices for low-risk drivers. If you’re a low-risk driver, you may end up paying more than you need to.
Website lacks information. The General’s website lacks specific information about coverage options, discounts, features, and more.
The General auto insurance customer reviews
The General has an official accreditation on the BBB website and boasts an impressive A+ rating to match. It also holds a composite score of 3.92 of a possible 5 stars, based on its letter grade and customer reviews. Despite its ratings, there are over 200 customer complaints on the BBB website, citing issues with billing, unauthorized payments, denied claims, and more.
Keep in mind that online customer reviews don’t always tell the entire story. Most customers will only go online if they have an overwhelmingly negative experience, which is why you won’t see as many positive reviews. Take these customer reviews with a grain of salt, and try to speak with friends and family to learn about their experience with the company.
How to apply for auto insurance coverage with The General
Getting auto insurance coverage from The General is easy. You can start by getting a quote online, calling to speak with a representative, or connecting with an agent.
Online
Visit The General’s website and enter your zip code. Click “Get quote”.
Enter general information about your location, credit, and prior insurance. Click continue.
Enter your driver information (Date of birth, marital status, etc.). Click continue.
Enter your vehicle information (Year, make, model) then click continue.
Review coverage options and policy details, then continue if you are satisfied.
Create a password and enter your contact information, then continue.
Enter your garaging/parking address, then continue.
Answer the application questions, then continue.
Enter driver details including license number, SSN and full name, then continue.
Enter your vehicle details and VIN, then continue.
Review all policy details, then continue when you are ready.
Enter your payment information and proceed to purchase your policy.
Phone
You can also purchase coverage by contacting The General by phone. Whether you need help finishing your quote or prefer to deal entirely by phone, start by calling 1-866-519-7422.
Agent
Use the agent locator tool on The General’s website to find out how to apply for coverage through an agent.
How to file an auto insurance claim with The General
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to file an auto insurance claim online. Instead, you’ll need to call 1-800-280-1466 and select option #3 to speak with a representative. The claims line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here’s what you’ll need to file a claim:
No, The General specializes in writing auto insurance policies only.
What other insurance providers are similar to The General?
The General’s auto insurance policies are only available in 46 states. If you’re outside the service area or prefer to compare your options for deciding on a provider, you may want to consider a few of its competitors.
Central. Central insurance offers affordable coverage and often accepts drivers with prior accidents or traffic violations.
Direct. Direct Insurance specializes in “non-standard” auto insurance and offers coverage to all applicants, regardless of their driving history.
Farmers. Farmers auto insurance offers great coverage at affordable prices and is also able to insure high-risk drivers.
Bottom line
The General prides itself on basic, affordable coverage for “nonstandard,” high-risk drivers. If you have a less-than-perfect record and live in a state that’s included in The General’s service area, it’s an ideal company to explore for low rates.
However, if you’re a low-risk driver or you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage, you may want to explore your options to find a provider that better suits your needs.
Find the cheapest rates
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Frequently asked questions about The General
Yes, The General accepts online payment by credit card. You can sign up for autopay through customer service.
Yes. Unless you are an out-of-state driver, you can include the need for an SR-22 filing when accessing your quote.
Your quote will include only the minimum requirements as mandated by your state. You will have the option to add additional services, like roadside assistance and additional coverage.
The General’s corporate offices are located in Nashville, TN. It also has regional call centers in Ohio, Arizona and Louisiana.
Yes, all residents of your household age 14 and older (in most states) and any other individuals who regularly operate your vehicle must be either listed as a driver or excluded from coverage.
Yes, that is acceptable.
Yes, as long as you have been licensed at some point (e.g., have a driver’s license number) you can purchase a policy with The General.
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