The General auto insurance review: Insures high-risk drivers
The General is a good option for drivers who need car insurance and don’t have a clean driving record.
By
Andrew HurstAndrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Edited by
Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
Our proprietary ratings methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the “Ratings methodology” section for more details.
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AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
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Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
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The bottom line
The General usually isn’t the cheapest option for car insurance, but it’s a top company for drivers who don’t have a clean record and may be considered high-risk.
We like that The General doesn’t receive a high number of complaints with the NAIC, unlike many other companies specializing in high-risk car insurance. It’s also one of the only non-standard companies that also offers gap insurance, which is a plus for drivers who lease or finance their cars.
The General offers car insurance in 46 states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas. Its availability, plus a newly updated app, make it a convenient option for high-risk drivers.
Property damage liability: Covers the cost if you damage other people’s cars or property in an at-fault accident.
Collision coverage: Covers damage to your own car that happens in a collision with another driver or object.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your own car that’s not caused by a collision, including damage from falling branches, water damage, theft, and vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Covers injuries and property damage caused by drivers who aren't insured or don't have enough car insurance.
Personal injury protection: Covers your injuries, lost income, and medical care after an accident, regardless of fault (PIP is required in no-fault states).
Medical payments: Covers your injuries after a crash, but usually has lower limits than personal injury protection.
Additional coverages offered
The General offers a couple of additional types of car insurance that you can add to a basic policy.
Gap insurance coverage: Covers the difference between the rest of your car’s loan or lease and the insurance payout you get from your collision coverage if your car is totaled.
Roadside assistance coverage: The General’s roadside assistance covers towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, and lock-out services for stranded drivers.
Ratings methodology
Price
2.1/5
We found the cost of car insurance from The General by collecting rates from ZIP codes in Columbus, Ohio; Sacramento, California; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Augusta, Georgia. Our sample driver was a 30-year-old male with a clean driving record and a 2017 Toyota Camry.
Customer experience
3.8/5
The General receives slightly more complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The General has a complaint index of 1.69, which, although higher than the median of 1.00, is much better than other companies that offer high-risk car insurance.
Coverage options
2.5/5
We found that The General has fewer car insurance coverage options than competitors, but it is one of the few non-standard companies that offers gap insurance.
Financial strength
3.5/5
The General has an A2 rating from Moody’s and an A rating from A.M. Best. These ratings mean that the company’s long-term stability is strong and The General should have no problem with being able to pay out its claims after a loss.
Cost of The General car insurance
We found that the average cost of a full-coverage policy from The General is $261 per month ($3,131 per year). That’s significantly more than the national average cost of car insurance, which is $1,638 per year.
That said, The General specializes in insurance for high-risk drivers. If you have a history of at-fault accidents, insurance lapses, DUIs, and other serious violations then The General may still be more affordable than competitors.
Coverage amount
Average annual rate for The General
Required state minimum
$1,416
Full coverage ($50,000/$100,000)
$3,131
Full coverage ($100,000/$300,000)
$3,268
Car insurance discounts from The General
The General offers a handful of common discounts that may help you get cheaper car insurance. While some discounts may vary by state, The General offers:
Defensive driving discounts: You can get cheaper rates for having completed a defensive driving course within the last five years.
Double Deductible discount: With this one-time discount, you can get lower rates in exchange for doubling your car insurance deductible for 45 days.
Good student discount: Students who keep their grades high may qualify for cheaper car insurance rates with The General.
Homeowners discount: The General offers discounted rates to drivers who own their own home.
Multi-car discount: Your rates will be lower if you insure more than one vehicle with The General.
Multi-policy discount: You’ll get lower rates if you bundle more than one type of insurance with The General.
Safe driving discount: Receive a discount for going at least 3 years without an accident or violation.
Where is The General car insurance available?
The General offers car insurance in the following states:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
What to expect with The General insurance
How to get a quote: You can get car insurance quotes from The General online or over the phone. It took us about five minutes to get a quote using The General’s online quote form.
Customer service options: The General has a mobile app that you can use to get quotes, access your insurance card, pay your premiums, make claims, and contact a representative from the company.
How to file a claim: You can make a car insurance claim with The General by using the app, through The General’s website, or over the phone.
How to cancel your policy: You can cancel your car insurance by contacting The General at 1-800-280-1466 and speaking to a customer service rep.
The General vs. other car insurance companies
We have made it easy to check how The General’s rates, service, and financial strength compare to its competitors. Remember to compare rates before you buy car insurance in order to find the best deal.
We think that The General is a solid insurance company for high-risk drivers. Even The General is expensive, it has better customer service than many other non-standard companies and it’s available in almost every state.
Why is car insurance from The General so expensive?
The General’s rates tend to be more expensive than average because of the number of high-risk drivers that the company insures. Drivers with a past claim on their records are more likely to make a future claim, so The General balances that risk with higher premiums.
Who can get The General car insurance?
Nearly anyone who lives in the states where The General operates can get car insurance from the company. That said, there’s a chance you could be denied coverage if you have too many past violations on your record.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
