CarInsurance.com Insights
- The General specializes in high-risk drivers and accepts customers with DUIs, poor credit or lapses in coverage.
- It offers SR-22 filings and a fast online policy setup for drivers who need proof of insurance quickly.
- Rates are typically higher for safe drivers and discount options are limited compared to major insurers.
The General is the official car insurance provider for over one million drivers. Established in 1963, it has been in business for over 60 years. In 1997, it was rebranded as The General, an affiliate of American Family Insurance. Sentry acquired the General from American Family Insurance in 2024.
Let’s find out how it stacks up against the other car insurance companies.
Who is The General best for?
The General is best for high-risk drivers who have trouble finding coverage elsewhere due to past accidents, DUIs, lapses in coverage or poor credit. It’s also a reliable option if you need an SR-22 filed quickly. However, with a clean driving record, you’ll likely find lower premiums and more robust policy features with larger insurers like GEICO, Progressive or State Farm.
Pros & cons of The General car insurance
Pros
- Will insure high-risk drivers who other companies may decline.
- Fast, online quotes with minimal information required.
- Offers SR-22 filings for drivers who need proof of insurance for license reinstatement.
- Backed by Sentry Insurance, providing financial strength.
- Provides basic coverage options plus add-ons like roadside assistance and rental reimbursement.
Cons
- Higher rates on average, especially for drivers with clean records.
- Mixed customer satisfaction scores, particularly with claims handling.
- Limited discount options compared to larger insurers.
- No telematics or usage-based insurance programs.
- Coverage availability and options can vary by state.
The General auto insurance coverage options
The General offers the standard auto insurance coverage options:
- Liability
- Medical payments
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive and collision
The General also offers no-fault insurance and insurance for those drivers with bad credit and those who need an SR-22 form. The General offers 24/7 roadside assistance.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
My personal experience getting a quote from The General
Getting a quote on The General’s website was quick and easy. It took less than 10 minutes. I input basic information like my name, address, vehicle make/model/year, home ownership status, driving record, marital status and whether I’ve had continuous insurance coverage for the past few years, as well as whether there were any other vehicles or drivers I wanted to insure.
The first quote it gave me was for Nevada’s state minimum coverage limits of $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 property damage coverage per accident.
I have an excellent credit score and no driving violations, and was quoted a rate of $435 for six months. For a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100, the rate jumped to $1,071 for six months.
Discounts I qualified for during the quote process
None – there were no discounts listed on the quote I was given.
The General car insurance discounts
The General’s car insurance discounts include the following options:
- Safety features: Earn extra savings off your policy when your car has safety features like factory-installed passive restraints.
- New car owners: The General may give you an extra discount if you recently purchased a brand-new car.
- Recent insurance: If you have had insurance within the last five years, you can receive a lower premium, even if your insurance coverage was with a different provider.
- Multiple vehicles: You can save extra money off your premiums when you insure multiple cars within the same household.
- Paid-in-full: The General offers the option to earn a discount for paying your policy in full. You can also choose from six- or 12-month policies for an extra payment discount.
- Previous insurance discount: The General may give you a discount if you have maintained continuous insurance for five years.
- Good student discount: The General offers discounts for full-time students.
- Safe driver: If you have successfully completed a defensive driving course, The General may reward you with extra safe driver discounts.
- Accident-free: That safe driver discount applies when accident-free for three to five years.
Not all discounts are available in all states, and eligibility requirements apply.
Where is The General auto insurance available?
The General is available in 47 states excluding Alaska, Hawaii and Michigan.
The General financial stability ratings
For financial stability, The General’s parent company, Sentry Insurance, holds an A+ (Superior) rating, indicating the company can meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
The General customer reviews and complaints
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) judges a company based on the number of complaints reported to state insurance regulators. The General has an above-average complaint ratio, indicating more complaints than expected.
The General car insurance claims
The General makes it easy to file a claim with your choice of online or phone support. You can also use the mobile app for 24/7 access every day of the week. There is also 24/7 roadside assistance available to help if you run into trouble on the road.
The General website and apps
The General offers excellent online and mobile resources, including a mobile payment app. The app also allows users to access instant ID cards on the go, file claims and receive on-demand support for all-inclusive capability.
You can benefit from online policy management via The General’s MyPolicy account portal and live chat support online. You can also call for phone support, or if you are busy, schedule a call.
Mobile app rating
As of October 2025, The General insurance app has 4.7 stars out of 5 in the Apple App Store with 210,000 ratings. The General app’s rating on the Google Play Store is 8.4 out of 5 stars based on 37,500 reviews.
The verdict: Is The General worth it?
The General is one of the more forgiving car insurance companies available today. It may not be the company for you if you want rental car insurance, although some existing policies may provide coverage for rental cars.
It may be pricey for drivers with excellent credit or a clean driving record because those drivers may be able to find cheaper car insurance coverage elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions: The General
Is The General cheaper than other car insurance companies?
The General specializes in insuring high-risk drivers, such as those with poor credit, lapses in coverage or recent accidents. For these profiles, it may be cheaper or one of the few companies willing to offer coverage. However, for drivers with clean records, rates are often higher than those from mainstream insurers like GEICO or State Farm.
What discounts does The General offer?
The General offers common discounts such as multi-car, homeowner, good student and safe driver discounts. However, its discount list is not as extensive as that of larger national insurers.
Does The General offer accident forgiveness?
No. The General does not currently provide accident forgiveness. Premiums usually increase after an at-fault accident.
Does The General have gap insurance?
Yes. The General offers loan/lease payoff coverage (similar to gap insurance) in many states. This helps cover the difference between your loan balance and your car’s actual cash value if your vehicle is totaled.
How do I file a claim with The General?
Claims can be filed online, through The General’s mobile app or by calling its 24/7 claims hotline. You can also track the claim status digitally once it has been filed.
How does The General rank in customer satisfaction?
The General receives mixed reviews. Customers appreciate that it provides coverage for high-risk drivers, but its rates and claims handling often score below average. It is not typically ranked in J.D. Power’s auto insurance satisfaction studies.
Does The General raise rates after an accident or ticket?
Yes. Like most insurers, The General raises rates after an at-fault accident or major violation. Drivers already considered high-risk may see especially steep increases.
Is The General good for high-risk drivers?
Yes. This is where The General stands out. It is known for accepting drivers with poor credit, multiple tickets, DUIs or insurance coverage gaps when many other insurers decline coverage.
Does The General offer telematics or usage-based insurance?
No. Unlike some competitors, The General does not offer telematics or usage-based insurance programs.
What types of add-ons does The General provide?
The General offers optional coverages such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, towing and loan/lease payoff (gap). Coverage options vary by state.
Can I manage my policy online with The General?
Yes. Customers can manage policies, pay bills, access ID cards and file claims online or through The General’s mobile app.
Is The General a good insurance company overall?
The General is a good option for high-risk drivers who struggle to get coverage elsewhere. However, better rates, service and discounts are usually available with other national insurers for drivers with clean records.
Source
National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “The Gen Automobile Ins Co Inc National Complaint Index Report.” Accessed October 2025.
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