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Because it caters to high-risk drivers, The General has higher than average rates, but you can still save.
In business for almost 60 years, The General auto insurance has established itself as a prominent player in the market, catering to drivers with less-than-perfect records. With an average annual premium of approximately $2,390 for full coverage and $1,062 for minimum coverage, The General’s pricing is influenced by various factors, including credit scores, driving history, and geographical location. Take a look below to see how much you can expect to pay for auto insurance with The General, the discounts it offers, and the monthly and low down payment options available through the company.
Editor’s note (last updated August 21, 2024): We have updated this page with the latest pricing and insurance offerings from The General auto insurance company.
The General auto insurance has flexible coverage plans for a variety of circumstances, including high-risk drivers. The annual premium with this company costs an average of $2,390. This is around $460 more per year than the national annual average of $1,924. However, considering the fact that high-risk drivers pay more for auto insurance, you may find The General’s rates competitive.
Factors that affect The General’s pricing rates include credit score, driving violations, ZIP code, and any lapses in insurance. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers to find the cheapest and most accurate auto insurance rates.
Category | The General Avg. Cost (Annual) | The General Avg. Cost (Monthly) |
---|---|---|
Full Coverage | $2,390 | $199 |
Minimum Coverage | $1,062 | $89 |
Teens | $3,252 | $271 |
After a Speeding Ticket | $2,255 | $188 |
After an accident | $3,929 | $327 |
After a DUI | $2,749 | $229 |
Drivers with Low Credit | $4,825 | $402 |
The more you can save on your total premium cost, the better for you. Auto insurance discounts are a great way to keep more money in your pocket since you can apply as many discounts as you qualify for per policy. The General’s discounts vary by state, and include:
Discount type | Qualifications |
---|---|
Good student | Students with at least a B average at school may qualify. |
Defensive driver | You will need to take a defensive driving course, only available in states that legally mandate the course . |
Multi-car family | You need to have more than one car on the same policy. |
Safe driver | You must have a clean driving record for at least three to five years. |
Vehicle equipment | Vehicles must be equipped with safety features such as anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, airbags, passive restraints, and daytime running lights. |
Military | This is for active duty, retired, or members of the National Guard. This discount is available in Louisiana only. |
Recent auto insurance | You need to have had any auto insurance for the last five years. |
Pay in full | You may qualify for a discount if you pay your annual or semiannual policy in one payment. |
Double deductible | You pay double the deductible requirement for the first 45 days of coverage. |
Though not technically a discount, adding your teen as a secondary or occasional driver to your policy if they infrequently use your car can qualify you for lower premiums.
Only some discounts may apply in some states. Make sure to speak to your local agent for the most up-to-date information regarding discounts in your state and local area.
One of The General’s more unique offerings is its low down payments and various coverage options for those with a less-than-perfect driving record. The company takes pride in catering to the needs of drivers that other auto insurance companies may have turned down.
If you have received more than three speeding tickets or violations in the past five years, anticipate higher rates. In some states, having even one speeding ticket on your record can raise your rates. Many auto insurance companies offer policies at a higher cost for drivers with a bad driving record, making it even more difficult for these drivers to get affordable auto coverage.
Drivers with serious driving violations, such as a DUI or DWI, leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury or death, having a suspended or revoked license, and other severe violations, may be required by law to have an SR-22 certificate. An SR-22 shows proof to the DMV that you have at least the minimum liability insurance coverage the law requires. This requirement usually lasts for several years.
Many car insurance agencies would rather not deal with complicated cases like revoked licenses, DUIs, or DWIs, and do not offer SR-22 certificates. However, The General welcomes drivers with various driving backgrounds and offers SR-22 certification.
While an auto insurance policy is a contract that protects you financially against damages or injuries, an SR-22 is verification or proof filed with your state showing that you have your state’s minimum auto insurance required.
The General auto insurance has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).1 Customers give the company a rating of 3.72 out of five stars in the reviews section. This suggests The General’s customers are generally satisfied with its customer service, including its user-friendly online tools.
The General has a highly-rated mobile app. It has received 4.8 out of 5 stars from Android users, and 4.7 out of 5 stars from the apple store. Through the app, The General customers can enjoy the following conveniences:
Since accidents can happen at any time, it’s essential for auto insurance companies to let you file a claim during nontraditional hours.3 In the unfortunate case you are in an accident, The General has 24/7 claims service so that you can start the claims process immediately. You can file a claim through the following ways:
If you have any questions or need to send documentation for your claim, email Claims@thegeneral.com, fax 800-544-9021, or send mail to:
Include your claim number on all documentation or correspondence.
The General understands that payday does not fall on the same date for everyone. That’s why it offers flexible monthly payment plans where you can choose your due date.
The General is available in 46 states and the District of Columbia. However, it is not available in:
Coverage may vary in large cities, such as Miami and New York City, as well as in New Jersey.
Unforeseen circumstances sometimes arise, and you may need to cancel your auto insurance policy. With The General, you can cancel your auto insurance at any time. However, keep in mind that depending on the state you live in, if you cancel mid-policy, you may face a cancellation fee of around 10 percent of your remaining premium.
If you are canceling for one of the following reasons, you can call The General to discuss the options they have available:
Make sure to read your policy beforehand and ask your insurance agent, since this penalty varies by state. Also, if you already paid off your policy, you will receive a refund for the unused premium amount minus the cancellation fee (if applicable).
In the case you need to cancel your policy, The General will require that you submit a written cancellation request to its headquarters. Send a written request for cancellation to:
Make sure to include your policy number to avoid any delays.
The General has been serving drivers with auto insurance coverage since 1963. The company first operated under the name Permanent General Agency. Since 1997, the company has offered insurance under the title The General. It is a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp., an affiliate of American Family Insurance.
The General also offers online auto insurance underwritten by the following companies:
These companies have a perfect rating or a grade of A from AM Best, the largest credit rating agency in the world that specializes in the insurance industry, for its excellence in financial stability and quality services.
The General has its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, with regional call centers in Louisiana, Ohio, and Arizona. In the last several years, The General has also grown to offer more than auto insurance coverage. In addition to auto insurance, The General offers motorcycle, renters, commercial, homeowner, life, health, boat/PWC, motorhome, Mexico travel, and pet insurance.
Contact method | Customer service/claims |
---|---|
Claims@thegeneral.com | |
Phone | 800-280-1466 |
Fax | 800-544-9021 |
Mailing address | 6000 American Parkway
Madison, WI 53783-0001 |
If you live in the state of Louisiana, you can visit one of The General’s 17 office locations. Take a look at https://www.thegeneral.com/about/locations/ to find the nearest location.
The General takes pride in accepting drivers with all types of driving records. This is what separates it from other traditional auto insurance companies. If you would like to know more about auto insurance coverage in general, read our guide to the best auto insurance or keep reading the FAQs below. To learn more, check out our in-depth review of The General.
If you are having trouble meeting your monthly payment, you may qualify to pay less than the amount due. Contact a customer service representative for assistance with approval and amount requirements.
Policies from The General vary in whether or not they include rental car coverage — it depends on whether you added this coverage when you bought your policy. To find out if your policy does, you will need to reach out to the customer service department at 800-280-1466. If you have already rented a vehicle due to an accident, you will need to communicate with your claims adjuster to see whether the company will reimburse your costs.
The General offers the following auto coverages:
The General Insurance. Better Business Bureau. (2022).
https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville/profile/auto-insurance/the-general-insurance-0573-10965
The General App. The General. (2022).
https://www.thegeneral.com/app/
Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2022).
https://cdan.dot.gov/query