Review
Updated
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.
Best for drivers with an accident history or lapse in coverageThe General
Rating image, 2.50 out of 5 stars.
2.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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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: $288.26
- 35-year-old male with clean driving record: $320.26
- 35-year-old female with one accident: $468.33
- 18-year-old-male with clean driving record: $1,021.85
Coverage options:
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Medical payments
- Uninsured motorist
- Underinsured motorist
- SR-22 filings
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Custom equipment coverage
- Gap insurance
Top perks
Financially secure
The General has an A rating (Excellent) from AM 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 from The General 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
Best for customizable insuranceLiberty Mutual
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Best
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2024 Award Winner
Best for price conscious consumersGeico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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For a good driving history: 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.
For a poor driving record: Geico provides insurance to high-risk drivers. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $288.26 | $320.26 | $468.33 | $1,021.85 |
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
- Motorcycle
- Commercial auto
The General’s website says they also offer boat, RV, and travel trailer insurance. But clicking on any of these options redirects users to another insurance company.
Coverage types
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Medical payments
- Uninsured motorist
- Underinsured motorist
- SR-22 filings
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Custom equipment coverage
- Gap insurance
Customer service and ratings
In addition to the high ratings recorded on the BBB site, more than 76,000 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 coverage
- 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.
But if you're looking for more options in the way of add-ons, discounts, and the ability to bundle, try Liberty Mutual instead. And if you're a high-risk driver looking to compare coverage options before locking in, check out Geico as well.
Our Insurance Expert
Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
Dana George has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.