Is The General Insurance Worth It? Honest Review
The General has served high-risk drivers for over six decades, building widespread brand recognition through decades of television advertising. But brand recognition doesn’t always translate to value, and high-risk drivers reasonably wonder whether The General is actually worth choosing. The answer depends heavily on your specific situation, driving record, and what alternatives are available to you.
This honest review examines The General’s strengths and weaknesses, real pricing, customer experience, and competitive positioning to help you decide whether the company deserves consideration for your insurance needs. Whether you’re dealing with a DUI, multiple violations, an SR-22 requirement, or simply got declined elsewhere, understanding whether The General fits your situation helps you make an informed decision.
The Quick Verdict
The General is worth considering for high-risk drivers who have been declined by standard insurers, need SR-22 filing, require low down payment options, or face the highest-risk situations. For these drivers, The General provides valuable access to required coverage with the financial backing of American Family Insurance.
However, The General is not the best choice for drivers who could qualify for standard coverage at lower rates, those prioritizing premium customer service, or drivers who want a clear path to standard pricing as their records improve. For these situations, alternatives often provide better value.
What The General Does Well
Accepts High-Risk Drivers
The General’s primary strength is accepting drivers that standard insurers routinely decline. For drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, or serious incidents who have been turned down elsewhere, The General provides a path to required coverage. This acceptance fills an important market need.
SR-22 Expertise
The General specializes in SR-22 filings, handling the process efficiently for drivers who need proof of financial responsibility. This expertise makes The General a practical option for drivers navigating SR-22 requirements after serious violations. Our SR-22 insurance guide explains how this works.
Low Down Payments
The General offers low down payment options that help budget-constrained drivers obtain coverage without large upfront costs. This accessibility serves drivers who face financial challenges alongside their driving record issues.
Fast Quotes and Coverage
The General emphasizes quick online quotes and fast policy issuance, often providing same-day coverage. This speed matters for drivers who need coverage immediately to reinstate a license or replace canceled coverage.
Financial Stability
American Family Insurance’s ownership provides financial backing that ensures The General can pay claims reliably. This stability matters when you need your insurer to fulfill its obligations after an accident.
Digital Tools
The General’s mobile app and online tools provide convenient policy management, payments, and claims filing. The digital approach suits drivers comfortable managing insurance themselves.
Where The General Falls Short
Higher Pricing
The General’s pricing runs higher than standard insurers because it serves higher-risk drivers. For drivers who could qualify for standard coverage, companies like GEICO or State Farm typically offer significantly lower rates.
Limited Path to Standard Rates
The General specializes in non-standard coverage and doesn’t emphasize transitioning drivers to standard pricing. As your record improves, you’ll likely need to shop other insurers to access better rates, unlike companies that serve both markets.
Fewer Discounts
The General offers fewer discounts than standard carriers, limiting opportunities to reduce premiums. The non-standard focus means less emphasis on the discount variety standard insurers provide.
Average Customer Service
Customer satisfaction ratings for The General fall within the range typical for non-standard insurers rather than leading the industry. Drivers prioritizing premium service may find standard insurers score higher, though those carriers may decline high-risk drivers.
Limited Coverage Options
The General focuses primarily on core auto insurance with fewer additional products and coverage options than full-service insurers. Drivers wanting comprehensive coverage options or bundling opportunities may find the offerings limited.
The General Pricing Reality
| Driver Profile | The General | Best Standard Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $1,650 | GEICO $1,380 |
| Single ticket | $2,100 | GEICO $1,650 |
| At-fault accident | $2,850 | Progressive $2,680 |
| DUI (if declined elsewhere) | $3,650 | Limited options |
| SR-22 required | $3,200 | Progressive $3,050 |
| Multiple violations declined elsewhere | $2,650 | Often no alternative |
The pricing comparison reveals The General’s value proposition clearly. For drivers who could qualify for standard coverage, alternatives cost less. For drivers declined elsewhere, The General provides access to required coverage. Use our car insurance calculator to compare your specific situation.
Who Should Choose The General
Strong Fit
Drivers declined by standard insurers who need coverage. Drivers requiring SR-22 filings after serious violations. Budget-constrained drivers needing low down payment options. Drivers facing the highest-risk situations like multiple DUIs. Drivers who need coverage immediately and value fast issuance.
Weak Fit
Drivers who could qualify for standard coverage at lower rates. Customers prioritizing premium customer service and extensive discounts. Drivers wanting a clear path to standard rates as records improve. Customers wanting comprehensive coverage options beyond core auto insurance. Drivers with clean records who would pay significantly less elsewhere.
Real Customer Experience Patterns
What Customers Appreciate
High-risk customers consistently value The General’s acceptance when other insurers decline them. The low down payment options receive positive mentions from budget-constrained drivers. The fast quote and coverage process helps drivers who need immediate coverage. SR-22 handling earns appreciation from drivers navigating filing requirements.
Common Complaints
Some customers express frustration with pricing, though this often reflects the reality of non-standard insurance rather than The General specifically. Claims experiences receive mixed reviews typical of the non-standard market. Customer service quality sometimes draws criticism, consistent with the budget-focused positioning. Some drivers wish for a clearer path to better rates as their records improve.
How The General Compares to Alternatives
| Factor | The General | Progressive | GEICO | Dairyland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts declined drivers | Yes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
| SR-22 specialty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Low down payment | Yes | Varies | Varies | Yes |
| Path to standard rates | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Customer satisfaction | Average | Above average | Average | Average |
| Pricing competitiveness | Non-standard typical | Often lower | Often lower | Similar |
For drivers who can qualify, Progressive offers competitive pricing with a path to standard rates. Review our The General vs. Progressive comparison and non-standard specialist comparison for detailed analysis.
How to Decide if The General Is Right for You
Step 1: Determine Your Risk Level
Assess whether your driving record places you firmly in the high-risk category or whether you might still qualify for standard coverage. Recent DUIs, multiple violations, or being declined elsewhere indicate high-risk status where The General becomes relevant.
Step 2: Get Multiple Quotes
Always compare quotes from The General, other non-standard specialists, and standard insurers that might accept you. Pricing varies dramatically, and you won’t know your best option without comparing.
Step 3: Consider Your Priorities
Determine what matters most: lowest price, acceptance despite your record, SR-22 handling, low down payment, or path to better rates. Different priorities point to different choices.
Step 4: Plan for the Future
Consider how your situation will change as your record improves. If you expect to transition to standard rates soon, an insurer serving both markets might be preferable to a non-standard specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The General insurance worth it?
The General is worth it for high-risk drivers declined elsewhere, those needing SR-22 filing, or drivers requiring low down payment options. It’s less worth it for drivers who could qualify for standard coverage at lower rates or those prioritizing premium service.
Is The General a legitimate insurance company?
Yes, The General is a legitimate, established insurance company founded in 1963 and owned by American Family Insurance since 2013. It maintains financial stability through its parent company and serves millions of non-standard drivers.
Is The General really cheap?
The General offers competitive pricing within the non-standard market but costs more than standard insurers. It’s not cheap compared to standard coverage, but it provides competitive rates for high-risk drivers who can’t access standard pricing.
Does The General have good customer service?
The General’s customer service falls within the range typical for non-standard insurers rather than leading the industry. It provides functional service consistent with its budget-focused positioning, though some customers wish for higher service quality.
Should I choose The General or a standard insurer?
If you can qualify for standard coverage, standard insurers typically offer lower rates and better service. Choose The General if you’ve been declined elsewhere, need SR-22 filing, or face high-risk situations that standard insurers won’t accept.
Will The General help me if my record improves?
The General specializes in non-standard coverage and doesn’t emphasize transitioning drivers to standard rates. As your record improves, you’ll likely need to shop standard insurers to access better pricing.
Is The General good for SR-22 requirements?
Yes, The General specializes in SR-22 filings and handles them efficiently. For drivers requiring SR-22 after serious violations, The General provides practical filing assistance and the coverage needed to satisfy the requirement.
What’s the biggest downside of The General?
The biggest downsides are higher pricing than standard insurers and limited path to standard rates as your record improves. Drivers who could qualify for standard coverage typically find better value elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
The General provides genuine value for the right customer profile but isn’t the universal best choice for all drivers. The company excels at serving high-risk drivers declined elsewhere, handling SR-22 filings, offering low down payments, and providing fast coverage with American Family’s financial backing.
For drivers who have been declined by standard insurers, need SR-22 filing, or face the highest-risk situations, The General fills an important need by providing access to required coverage. The low down payment options and fast issuance add practical value for budget-constrained drivers needing immediate coverage.
However, drivers who could qualify for standard coverage typically find better value at GEICO, State Farm, or Progressive, which offer lower rates, better service, and clearer paths to standard pricing. The General’s higher pricing and limited path to standard rates make it less ideal for drivers with improving records.
Before deciding, always compare quotes from The General, other non-standard specialists, and standard insurers that might accept you. The right choice depends on your specific risk level, priorities, and what alternatives are available for your situation.
Ready to evaluate The General for your situation? Visit Matrix Insurance to compare The General against other carriers. Use our car insurance calculator to estimate rates, or contact our team for personalized guidance on whether The General fits your needs.
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