Paul Sanchez
The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. is a licensed insurance agency that offers auto insurance for drivers who have a history of driving violations, accidents, or poor credit. The company provides flexible payment options, including low down payments and low rates, and serves over 1 million drivers. The General offers a range of coverage options, including liability, collision, comprehensive, and full coverage, and has been in business for nearly 60 years. The company has received positive reviews for its customer service and ease of claims processing, but has also faced a high volume of customer complaints. The General is available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years in business | 60 years |
| Number of drivers insured | Over 1 million |
| Customer rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
| Number of states covered | 46 or 47 |
| Types of insurance offered | Liability, collision, comprehensive, full coverage, rideshare, gap, accidental death, SR-22, commercial auto, motorcycle, homeowners, renters, pet, health, life, boat, personal watercraft |
| Discounts | Safe driver, good student, defensive driver course, multiple vehicles, passive restraints, clean driving record, previous insurance, military service, pay-in-full, double deductible |
| Customer service number | 844-328-0306 |
What You'll Learn
The General's insurance coverage options
The General offers a full range of coverage options for drivers. Every driver must buy the minimum amount of liability coverage required by their state. Liability insurance pays for damage caused by the at-fault driver to people and vehicles. It does not pay for the at-fault driver's medical expenses, lost wages, or car repairs.
If your car is leased or you still owe payments on it, the lessor or lender will usually require you to carry collision and comprehensive car insurance. Even if you own your car, you might still want this coverage if you can’t afford to replace it after a crash. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage caused by anything other than a collision. This might include theft, vandalism, hail, or a fallen tree.
The General also offers full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance, as well as uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance. While most states don’t require you to buy uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it’s a good idea. There are too many uninsured or underinsured drivers on the roads, and getting into an accident with one can be financially ruinous without this type of coverage.
The General also offers rideshare insurance in California and Arizona, gap insurance in California and Washington, and accidental death coverage in Tennessee, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Arizona.
Auto Insurance: When to Cancel
You may want to see also
Discounts and savings
Firstly, insuring multiple vehicles on a single policy can unlock discounts. The more cars that are insured, the greater the potential savings. This is a great option for families with multiple drivers or those with classic or collector cars.
Secondly, The General offers discounts for those with a good driving record. If you have maintained a clean driving record for 3-5 years, you may be eligible for savings. This is a great incentive for safe drivers to keep up their good habits.
Thirdly, The General also rewards students for their academic achievements. Full-time students with good grades can receive up to a 15% discount on certain coverages. This is a great way to support young drivers who are just starting out and may be facing higher insurance costs.
Another way to save is by taking a defensive driving or driver's education course. Completing these courses can lead to significant discounts on your premium. It's a great way to improve your driving skills and knowledge while also saving money.
In addition, The General offers discounts for those with safety features in their vehicles, such as air bags and anti-lock braking systems. These features can reduce the severity of accidents and lower the cost of insurance.
Furthermore, if you have had continuous auto insurance coverage in the last five years, even if it was with a different company, you may be eligible for a discount. This rewards customers for their loyalty and encourages them to maintain continuous coverage.
Lastly, The General also offers a "Double Deductible" discount for new customers. By agreeing to double your deductible amount for the first 45 days of your policy, you can lower your premium.
It's important to note that discounts and savings may vary by state and are subject to eligibility. The availability and amount of each discount can differ depending on your location and specific circumstances.
By taking advantage of these discounts and savings opportunities, customers can make their auto insurance more affordable and accessible. It's always a good idea to review your policy and discuss potential discounts with your insurance provider to ensure you're getting the best value.
Denied Auto Insurance: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Customer service
The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. is a licensed insurance agency that offers auto insurance for drivers who have a history of driving violations, accidents, or lapses in insurance, as well as those with less-than-perfect credit. The company provides flexible payment options, including low down payments, and caters to those who might struggle to find policy providers.
The General has been in business since 1963 and has regional call centers in Ohio, Arizona, and Louisiana. Its corporate offices are in Nashville, Tennessee.
The General has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A+ rating. However, some customers have criticized the company's claims process, stating that they had to wait a long time to receive compensation. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data also shows that The General has a higher-than-average number of customer complaints.
The General offers a mobile app that allows customers to receive quotes, make payments, file claims, and find nearby locations to pay their bills in cash. The app has received positive reviews, with a 4.7-star rating on the App Store and a 4.8-star rating on Google Play.
The General's customer service number is 1-866-519-7422, and customers can also reach out via a contact form on the website.
Progressive Auto Insurance: Understanding the Auto-Renewal Process
You may want to see also
The General's insurance claims
The General offers a quick and easy claims process. Claims can be handled online by logging into your The General insurance account on their website or app. If you need assistance with a claim or would like to file with a representative, you can call their 24/7 claims line on 1-800-280-1466.
The General also offers quality claims handling, with policies and customer service practices focused on meeting customers' needs for a positive experience.
The General's insurance covers a range of incidents, including theft, vandalism, hail damage, and damage caused by a tree falling on your car.
After the Crash: Navigating Insurance Exchange in Auto Accidents
You may want to see also
The General's insurance ratings
The General Insurance has received mixed reviews from its customers. On WalletHub, The General has a rating of 2.3/5 from editors, based on customer reviews, sample quotes, and ratings from watchdog organisations such as Moody's and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The General's reviews from consumers tend to focus on its relatively affordable prices, easy-to-use website, and good customer service. However, The General has a rating of 5.96 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), meaning it has received more complaints than the average insurer of its size.
On the BBB website, The General holds a rating of 3.7/5 stars from over 500 customers, as well as an A+ rating. However, a significant number of reviews criticise the company's claims process, with some customers reporting that they waited a long time to receive compensation.
Data from the Company Complaint Index by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) shows that in 2023, drivers lodged about eight times more customer complaints against The General than the average for car insurance providers.
On the other hand, The General has received positive reviews on its own website, with an average rating of 4.7/5 based on 93,754 reviews. Many customers have praised the company for its affordable rates, great service, and quick and easy claims process.
Overall, The General seems to be a good option for high-risk drivers looking for affordable coverage. However, low-risk drivers may find better rates and coverage options with other insurance providers.
Switching Auto Insurance: Anytime Changes
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The General offers a full range of coverage options, including liability, collision, comprehensive, and full coverage.
The cost of The General auto insurance depends on several factors, such as age, credit history, driving record, vehicle make and model, and location. The company offers flexible payment options and low rates to cater to different needs and budgets.
The General considers various factors when determining insurance rates, including coverage limits, deductible amount, age, gender, and marital status, driving record, credit score, vehicle characteristics, and location.
