The General Auto Insurance: Is It Worth The Hype?

The General Insurance is a licensed insurance sales subsidiary of Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGC Holdings) and an affiliate of American Family Insurance. It is a good option for high-risk drivers, including young drivers and drivers with at-fault accidents or DUIs on record, who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere. The company has more than 50 years of experience and is in great standing with many industry leaders, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best. However, it has a high number of customer complaints, mostly regarding claims processing and rate increases.

The General's insurance coverage

The General offers all the standard auto insurance coverage options, including:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers another driver’s injuries if the accident is your fault.
• Property damage liability: Covers other parties’ car/property damage if you are at fault.
• Medical payments: Covers your own medical bills in case of an accident.
• Personal injury protection: Covers medical and other expenses, such as wage loss.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle caused by other sources, such as weather.
• Collision: Covers your vehicle’s damages after an accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Covers costs if the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

The General also offers Mexico tourist coverage through partner companies, and SR-22 insurance forms for high-risk drivers.

The General's insurance perks

The General auto insurance policies can be customized with add-ons, like:

24/7 roadside assistance, including battery jump start and gas delivery

This is a convenient service that can help you in emergency situations when you're on the road.

Towing coverage (up to 15 miles)

If your car breaks down, The General will cover the cost of towing it to a repair shop within a 15-mile radius.

Rental car reimbursement for up to 5 days (amounts depend on vehicle)

If your car is in the shop for repairs, The General will reimburse you for the cost of renting a car for up to 5 days. The amount of reimbursement depends on the type of vehicle you rent.

The General's insurance cost and discounts

The General car insurance costs vary depending on the selected coverage plan, vehicle history, and other factors. The cost can range from $45 to $309 per month, with an average of $3,154 per year for full-coverage car insurance and $604 annually for minimum-liability insurance. The General offers flexible payment options and low down payments, making it accessible to those with less-than-perfect credit and driving records.

The General also provides various discounts to help reduce costs. These include:

• Good student discount: For students with at least a B average in their classes.
• Defensive driver discount: For drivers who complete an approved driver training course.
• Multiple-vehicle discount: For insuring multiple cars with The General.
• Safety features discount: For vehicles equipped with airbags and passive restraint systems.
• Homeowner discount: For those who own a house.
• Double deductible discount: For agreeing to double the deductible for the first 45 days of the policy.
• Safe driver discount: For drivers with a clean record for the past three to five years.
• Previous insurance discount: For drivers who have had insurance with another company in the past five years.
• Pay-in-full discount: For drivers who pay their premiums upfront.

The availability and amount of these discounts may vary by location.

The General's insurance reviews

The General Insurance is a licensed insurance agency based in Nashville, Tennessee, that offers auto insurance to high-risk drivers at competitive prices. It is a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC) and has been in the business since 1963. The company provides insurance in 47 states, excluding Hawaii, Michigan, and New Jersey.

The General Insurance Reviews:

The General Insurance has received mixed reviews from its customers. While some appreciate its relatively affordable prices, easy-to-use website, and good customer service, others have lodged complaints about its costly premiums and poor communication. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the reviews:

• WalletHub editors have given The General Insurance a rating of 2.3 out of 5, while users on the platform have rated it 4.1 out of 5.
• The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data shows that The General has received more complaints than the average car insurance provider. Its NAIC rating is 3.28.
• On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), The General holds a rating of 3.7 stars out of 5 from over 500 customers, along with an A+ rating.
• Trustpilot gives The General an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars based on nearly 90,000 reviews.
• MarketWatch Guides, an independent review team, has given The General an overall score of 7.9 out of 10, praising its coverage for high-risk drivers but noting its high premiums for low-risk drivers and below-average customer service.
• On the other hand, some individual reviews on WalletHub and Reddit criticise The General for its poor customer service, unexpected rate increases, and issues with claims processing.

The General Insurance Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Accepts most high-risk drivers
• Strong online presence and an easy-to-use website
• Accepts a wide range of credit scores
• Flexible payment options
• Offers SR-22 insurance forms in most states
• Provides Mexico tourist auto insurance policies

Cons:

• Higher premiums for low-risk drivers
• Below-average customer service
• Limited opportunities for policy customisation and discounts
• Lack of coverage options, benefits, and discounts compared to larger companies

The General's insurance pros and cons

The General Insurance is a licensed insurance sales subsidiary of Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGC Holdings) and an affiliate of American Family Insurance. It is a good option for high-risk drivers, including drivers who need an SR-22 form, as it provides auto insurance coverage in 47 states. The company has been in the business for over 50 years and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Pros

• The General Insurance is a good option for high-risk drivers, including drivers with poor credit, moving violations, accidents, or insurance lapses. It also caters to young drivers and drivers with DUIs or at-fault accidents on record.
• The company has a strong industry reputation and is in great standing with many industry leaders, including an A ("Excellent") financial strength rating from AM Best.
• The General Insurance has a strong online presence and a user-friendly website.
• The company offers flexible payment plans and allows customers to select their own payment dates.
• The General Insurance provides standard car insurance coverage types and several discounts.
• It offers additional lines of insurance through partner companies, including homeowners insurance, motorhome/travel trailer insurance, and motorcycle insurance.
• The General Insurance has a mobile app that provides 24/7 access to products and services.

Cons

• The General Insurance has a high number of customer complaints, especially regarding claims processing and rate increases. Its National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index is higher than the average for companies of its size.
• The company has limited coverage options and does not offer multi-policy discounts.
• The General Insurance is not rated by J.D. Power for customer service or claims satisfaction studies.
• The company's rates are higher than average, especially for low-risk drivers.
• There are issues with the SR-22 filing process.
• The General Insurance has a small customer base compared to larger insurance companies.
• The company has a lack of coverage options, benefits, and discounts compared to larger companies.
• It does not have a telematics insurance program that offers discounts for good driving.
• The General Insurance has poor customer service, with complaints about rude and unresponsive customer support.
• There are issues with policy renewals and cancellations, with customers reporting unexpected charges and difficulties in cancelling policies.
• The company's website makes it difficult to obtain detailed information about coverage and discount options.

Overall, while The General Insurance is a good option for high-risk drivers, it falls short in terms of customer service, coverage options, and competitive pricing for low-risk drivers.

Frequently asked questions