The General is a Nashville-based insurance company founded under a different name in 1963.1 The company now specializes in insuring high-risk drivers who have problems finding affordable coverage due to their poor credit history, bad driving record, or past insurance lapses.
While The General can be a great option for high-risk drivers, people with a clean driving record and a lower risk profile may find that the company has very expensive premiums. You should always compare quotes from multiple insurers before purchasing a new car insurance policy.
Here’s what you need to know about coverage options from The General.
How The General compares to other insurance companies
The General vs GEICO, Allstate, and Progressive
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $143/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $138/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $117/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $101/mo* |
Overall rating 3.4 | Overall rating 3.3 | Overall rating 3.9 | Overall rating 3.9 |
Value for money | Value for money | Value for money | Value for money |
Customer service | Customer service | Customer service | Customer service |
Claims handling | Claims handling | Claims handling | Claims handling |
Special highlight High-risk driversAI-generated from 476 user reviews | Special highlight Competitive ratesAI-generated from 7001 user reviews | Special highlight Teen driversAI-generated from 6461 user reviews | Special highlight Accident forgivenessAI-generated from 3686 user reviews |
How The General rates compare to competitors
Average rates from The General are much higher than the national average and premiums from many top insurers. But the company has similar rates to competitors also selling insurance to high-risk drivers.
Compare average full-coverage quotes from The General and a few of its competitors below.
Average cost of The General auto insurance
Your driving record and age affect your car insurance premiums.2
People with a clean driving record earn the cheapest rates, and drivers with one or more past speeding tickets, car accidents, or DUIs pay higher premiums on average. Based on driver age, teen drivers pay the highest premiums due to a lack of driving experience and a higher likelihood of accidents. Rates tend to decrease with age, but senior drivers 70 and older may face slight upticks in cost.
Below, you can compare average liability insurance quotes by driver type from The General to the national averages.
The General car insurance cost by state
Car insurance rates and minimum coverage requirements vary by state. Some location-specific factors that can affect insurance premiums include the state’s percentage of uninsured drivers, weather risks, and vehicle theft rates.
The General has more expensive average premiums than many insurers operating in the same states. But the company specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers, so it makes sense that its average premiums exceed the state averages.
See how average monthly liability insurance costs from The General compare to state averages below.
The General car insurance discounts
The General offers several car insurance discounts that can help you save money on your auto insurance. But it offers fewer discounts than many of its competitors, which you should keep in mind when comparing The General to other insurers.
Here are the discounts that The General advertises on its website, though availability may vary by state.
How customers feel about The General
The General has positive customer reviews overall on online rating websites. The company has an average rating of 3.78 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 90,000 reviews.
The General also has a solid financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates the company can meet policyholder obligations and pay car insurance claims.
But The General has many more complaints than expected for its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index.
The General customer reviews
Reviews of The General insurance from customers are generally positive. Many of the reviews mention good customer service, cheap premiums, and an excellent user experience for its online quote generator.
Here are some examples of recent customer reviews from verified users.
The General ratings
The General has a high financial strength rating with AM Best, but it receives a high number of customer complaints with the NAIC in relation to its size. Below, you can learn more about The General’s third-party ratings.
The General car insurance coverage options
The General offers several types of auto insurance. You can purchase liability insurance that meets your state’s minimum coverage requirements or purchase a full-coverage policy that includes collision and comprehensive insurance.
The General offers fewer coverage options than its competitors. Here are a few of the add-ons available:3
Other options for The General customers
The General offers a good selection of insurance products, which makes bundling a great option. The company sells some insurance policies through partner companies.
In addition to auto insurance, The General sells the following types of coverage:
Homeowners insurance: Home insurance covers the physical structure of your home and your personal belongings. It also covers third-party liability claims, guest medical expenses, and loss of use.
Life insurance: Life insurance provides financial support for your loved ones if you pass away. Some life insurance policies also include a cash value or investment component.
Boat insurance: The General sells boat insurance through Progressive. It covers third-party property damage, theft, and accidents involving boats and other personal watercraft.
Motorcycle insurance: Motorcycle insurance provides similar coverage to personal car insurance, like collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and liability coverage, but it’s specifically for motorcycles.