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The General Car Insurance Review
The General targets high-risk (nonstandard) drivers who have recent violations, at-fault accidents, lapses in coverage, poor credit (where permitted), or need an SR-22/FR-44 filing. That access can be valuable if you’ve been declined elsewhere, but nonstandard acceptance typically comes with higher premiums and fewer optional features than large standard carriers. Independent 2025 comparisons consistently show very wide price spreads for DUI and other high-risk profiles; Progressive often prices competitively for recent DUIs nationally, while nonstandard specialists like The General focus on acceptance and speed rather than lowest price (Forbes Advisor) (NerdWallet) (Bankrate). If you specifically need an SR‑22, The General facilitates filings in most states to help reinstate driving privileges (The General SR‑22).
Getting a policy is quick — it’s easy to get a quote and bind coverage — but claims experience is where outcomes vary most. Industrywide, J.D. Power reports auto claims satisfaction in the high‑800s on a 1,000‑point scale, with scores most sensitive to cycle time and communication quality (J.D. Power 2024). Repair cycle times remain above pre‑pandemic levels (often high‑teens to low‑20s days for repairable claims), a key driver of lower satisfaction (CCC Crash Course 2024) (Enterprise LOR 2024). Claims handling also remains the top reason consumers complain to regulators (NAIC). For many shoppers, that makes strong claims processes and coverage breadth from larger carriers worth comparing alongside The General.
The General Car Insurance Review Summary
*A.M. Best assigns an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating to Permanent General Assurance Corporation and Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio; S&P Global Ratings rates American Family Insurance Group A+ (Strong) and Moody’s rates the group A1 (Stable outlooks). See A.M. Best and American Family financial strength disclosures.
The General’s Claim
The General advertises fast quotes, broad acceptance of drivers with tickets, accidents, lapses, or poor credit, and support for SR‑22 filings. It also promotes a quick online quote in “two minutes or less.”
Is it true?
Partly. The General reliably provides quick quotes and is willing to write many higher‑risk profiles. But price spreads for high‑risk drivers are large, and nonstandard policies often carry higher total costs versus standard carriers — so it’s essential to compare The General’s offer against competitors like Progressive and regional insurers before you bind (Forbes Advisor 2025) (NerdWallet 2025).
Coverage breadth is another tradeoff. The General focuses on core coverages with a shorter add‑on list than many large carriers. When claims do happen, outcomes are heavily influenced by cycle time and communication. Industry data show satisfaction hinges on faster first contact, accurate first estimates, and proactive updates; long repair times (often 18–20+ days keys‑to‑keys) drag scores down (J.D. Power 2024) (CCC 2024) (Enterprise 2024).
How you file: The General supports claims by phone and through its mobile app; its public pages emphasize app/phone initiation over a fully web‑based claim form. That’s consistent with industry trends in which customers like to start and track digitally but still want easy escalation to a person for complex issues (LexisNexis 2024). Be sure to set expectations on timelines and repair options at first notice of loss to avoid communication gaps that lower satisfaction (J.D. Power 2024).
Financial strength: Policies are issued by Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGAC) and Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio, members of American Family Insurance Group. AM Best rates PGAC and PGAC‑Ohio A (Excellent), Outlook Stable (AM Best). S&P Global Ratings maintains an A+ Insurer Financial Strength rating (Stable) and Moody’s assigns an A1 IFS (Stable) to American Family’s core companies — the group supporting The General’s underwriters (American Family ratings) (S&P) (Moody’s).
The General Car Insurance at a Glance
Best car insurance for
Drivers who need SR‑22 support or acceptance after recent violations, accidents, or coverage lapses
Not for
Most drivers with clean or lightly blemished records who can qualify with large standard carriers
The General Insurance Features
Accessible insurance
The General’s core value is access. It routinely writes nonstandard risks (e.g., multiple tickets/accidents, lapses, poor credit where allowed) and can file SR‑22s quickly in most states — useful when you need proof of financial responsibility to reinstate a license (SR‑22 details). Expect higher base rates than standard carriers, which reflects the segment’s higher expected loss costs (2025 market comparisons).
Quick quotes
The online quote is streamlined and often takes only a couple of minutes to present options you can bind the same day, then print ID cards immediately. That speed matters for drivers needing fast SR‑22 filings or proof of insurance (learn more).
24/7 roadside assistance
The General’s add‑on menu is lean compared with many national carriers, but commonly includes Roadside Assistance and Rental Reimbursement. Independent reviews confirm these are the primary extras currently marketed, with availability varying by state/program (NerdWallet) (Forbes Advisor). If you aren’t covered by AAA or a similar service, adding roadside can cover towing, jump‑starts, and lockouts subject to per‑disablement limits shown during quoting.
Custom equipment coverage
As of now, The General does not prominently advertise custom parts/equipment, rideshare, loan/lease (gap), or mechanical breakdown add‑ons on its consumer site; its extras center on roadside and rental reimbursement with limits selected in the quote and varying by state (NerdWallet) (Forbes Advisor). For context, large competitors often publish explicit limits for comparable add‑ons — e.g., Progressive’s Loan/Lease Payoff can pay up to 25% of your car’s ACV toward the gap after a total loss (Progressive), and State Farm explains rental reimbursement as a per‑day and per‑claim cap you choose (State Farm).
Possible drawbacks
Hidden fees
Some customers report higher‑than‑expected total costs from installment or administrative fees, especially with monthly billing (ConsumerAffairs). While this varies by state and program, it’s a reminder to review fee disclosures before purchase. Broader 2024 transparency rules across industries (e.g., the CFPB’s $8 cap on large‑issuer credit card late fees, projected to save consumers over $10B annually) reflect a regulatory push toward all‑in pricing and clearer fees (CFPB 2024) (California AG).
Inadequate reimbursement
Frustrations commonly center on claims communication, settlement timing, and repair amounts — issues that mirror industrywide pain points. Satisfaction improves when insurers provide faster first contact, accurate first estimates, proactive weekly updates, and quicker digital payments; long repair cycles depress scores (J.D. Power 2024) (CCC 2024) (Enterprise 2024). Claims handling remains the top category in consumer complaints to state regulators (NAIC).
No financial strength ratings
This is outdated. The General-branded policies are underwritten by PGAC and PGAC of Ohio, which carry AM Best Financial Strength Ratings of A (Excellent), Outlook Stable (AM Best). At the group level, American Family Insurance Group holds an A+ Insurer Financial Strength rating from S&P Global Ratings and an A1 Insurance Financial Strength rating from Moody’s, both with Stable outlooks (American Family ratings) (S&P) (Moody’s). Brand agencies themselves aren’t rated; rating agencies evaluate the underwriting insurers and/or the group that stands behind them.
The General Car Insurance Competition
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*For The General: AM Best’s A (Excellent) FSR applies to Permanent General Assurance Corporation and Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio. S&P (A+) and Moody’s (A1) apply at the American Family Insurance Group level. See AM Best and American Family ratings.
The General vs. Allstate
Allstate offers broader optional coverages and discounts than The General and supports robust online claims. Industry findings show claims satisfaction depends most on speed and communication, with the overall index in the high‑800s in the latest study J.D. Power’s 2018 Auto Insurance Study. For shoppers with only minor blemishes, Allstate’s discounts and feature depth can offset a higher base quote when compared with a nonstandard specialist.
The General vs. Travelers
Travelers Insurance emphasizes feature depth and telematics via IntelliDrive, plus accident‑forgiveness options in many states. While The General can bind quickly for harder risks, Travelers’ programs can be cost‑effective for drivers without recent major violations, especially when telematics is used (IntelliDrive) (2025 market comparisons).
The General vs. Progressive
If you’re comparing due to a DUI, at‑fault accident, or SR‑22 need, start with Progressive. Third‑party 2025 analyses often find Progressive among the lower‑cost national choices for recent DUIs, and it supports SR‑22/FR‑44 filings and Snapshot telematics that can help offset surcharges over time (Forbes Advisor 2025) (NerdWallet 2025) (Progressive SR‑22).
The General FAQ
How do I file a claim with The General?
The General lets you file claims by phone or through its mobile app. A fully web‑based claim form is not the primary path; expect to speak with a representative. Across the industry, satisfaction rises with faster first contact, proactive updates, and quicker payments (J.D. Power 2024) and most customers prefer to start and track digitally with easy escalation to a person when needed (LexisNexis 2024).
What company owns The General?
The General is a brand of The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. Policies are underwritten by Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGAC) and Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio, members of American Family Insurance Group (The General). AM Best assigns PGAC and PGAC‑Ohio an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating with a Stable outlook (AM Best). At the group level, American Family carries an A+ Insurer Financial Strength rating from S&P Global Ratings and an A1 Insurance Financial Strength rating from Moody’s, both with Stable outlooks (American Family ratings) (S&P Global Ratings) (Moody’s).
What do I need to get a quote from The General?
The General doesn’t ask for sensitive identifiers to start a quote; you’ll answer questions about your vehicle, driving history, and basic demographics. It claims the process takes “two minutes or less,” which aligns with our experience when we get a quote. For high‑risk drivers, also gather any SR‑22 requirements so the filing can be submitted immediately (SR‑22).
The General Insurance Review: Bottom Line
The General is a lifeline for drivers who need SR‑22 support or can’t get accepted elsewhere, but most shoppers should compare widely before buying. Nonstandard policies can cost more and offer fewer extras than large carriers, and claims satisfaction across the industry still depends on cycle time and communication, which remain pain points (J.D. Power 2024) (CCC 2024). On the plus side, The General’s underwriting companies (PGAC/PGAC‑Ohio) carry AM Best’s A (Excellent) rating and benefit from American Family’s strong S&P and Moody’s ratings, addressing solvency concerns (AM Best) (American Family). Get at least 5 quotes — include Progressive, Travelers, one nonstandard (The General), and regional carriers — and consider telematics to reduce costs over time (2025 comparisons) (IntelliDrive).
