This auto insurer is a good fit for: Drivers with a poor driving record, lapsed coverage, or who might otherwise have trouble getting coverage. Read on to learn how The General could be a good fit for you.
The General
Best for drivers with an accident history or lapse in coverageThe General
Rating image, 2.50 out of 5 stars.
Full The General auto insurance review
Pros
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Financially secure
- Coverage for hard-to-insure drivers
- High customer satisfaction
- Well-designed smartphone app
- Easy to use website
- Low down payment
Cons
- Rates can be expensive
- Not available in every state
- Early cancellation penalty
The General auto insurance at a glance
Monthly premium costs:
- 35-year-old female with clean driving record: $337.00
- 35-year-old male with clean driving record: $350.00
- 35-year-old female with one accident: $337.00
- 18-year-old-male with clean driving record: $1,030
Coverage options:
- Liability
- Collision
- Medical payments
- Underinsured motorist
- SR-22 filings
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Custom equipment coverage
- Mexico tourist auto coverage
Top perks
Financially secure
The General has an A- rating (Excellent) from A.M. Best, likely due to the financial standing of their parent company, American Family. So drivers shouldn't have to worry about whether this insurance provider will still be in business when they need them.
Coverage to high-risk drivers
The General fills the insurance gap for drivers who might not be able to get a policy with another company due to accidents, tickets, or a lapse in insurance.
Strong customer satisfaction score
Customers give the company 4.65 out 5 stars in BBB ratings.
What could be improved
Limited basic coverage
The General caters to customers who need (or can afford) only liability insurance. Anything else is an add-on. A standard policy provides no-frills coverage.
Potentially high premiums
Because The General's advertised price provides only basic coverage, additional coverage quickly plumps the monthly premium. Customers required to carry an SR-22 bond (a specific certificate that some high-risk drivers need) also face high premiums.
Alternatives to consider
If you have a good driving history: You'll be much better off with a company like Liberty Mutual. Optional add-ons, multiple discounts, and locked-in rates are a few of the perks that make Liberty Mutual attractive. Plus, Liberty Mutual's wide-range of products makes it possible to bundle auto and home coverage.
If you have a poor driving record: Geico provides insurance to high-risk drivers, and is worth comparing against The General before you make your pick. Geico customers use phrases like "user friendly" and "no ridiculous wait times" to describe their experience with the company. The combination of exceptional financial strength and low rates makes Geico a worthy competitor.
Monthly premium costs
Customers don't typically opt for The General coverage unless their choices are limited. Here is an idea of their basic prices:
| 35y, female, clean record | 35y, male, clean record | 35y, female, one accident | 18y, male, clean record |
|---|---|---|---|
| $337.00 | $350.00 | $337.00 | $1,030 |
Data source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas.
Discounts available
The General's discounts include:
- Homeowners
- Switch from another insurer
- Good student discount
- Pay premium in full (rather than monthly payments)
- Multi-car
- Double deductible
Coverage options
Policy types
- Auto
- Term life (underwritten by American Family)
The General's site says they also offer health, pet, motorcycle, homeowners, and renters insurance. Clicking on any of these options redirects users to another insurance company.
Coverage types
- Liability
- Collision
- Medical payments
- Underinsured motorist
- SR-22 filings
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Custom equipment coverage
- Mexico tourist auto coverage
Customer service and ratings
In addition to the high ratings recorded on the BBB site, more than 56,000 customers through the global review site Trustpilot gave the company 4.7 out 5 stars.
This auto insurer is best for:
The General is best suited for people who:
- Are high-risk drivers looking for basic coverage
- Are prepared to pay more for anything beyond basic liability
- Need an insurer to provide an SR-22 bond
The General is good for people with a history of tickets, accidents, or other marks against their driving record. What's remarkable about the company is how many positive reviews they receive from customers, even if those customers were driven to The General by need rather than choice.
About the Author
Dana has spent the last two decades as a business writer and news reporter, specializing in loans, debt management, investments, and business. She considers herself lucky to love her job and appreciates the opportunity to learn something new every day.
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