{"id":324198,"date":"2025-11-11T19:58:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T00:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.reviews.com\/?page_id=34866"},"modified":"2025-11-11T19:58:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T00:58:11","slug":"the-general-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/the-general-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The General Auto Insurance Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n <\/span>\n \n\n\n

The General Car Insurance Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ve 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)<\/a> (NerdWallet)<\/a> (Bankrate)<\/a>. If you specifically need an SR\u201122, The General facilitates filings in most states to help reinstate driving privileges (The General SR\u201122)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting a policy is quick \u2014 it\u2019s easy to get a quote<\/a> and bind coverage \u2014 but claims experience is where outcomes vary most. Industrywide, J.D. Power reports auto claims satisfaction in the high\u2011800s on a 1,000\u2011point scale, with scores most sensitive to cycle time and communication quality (J.D. Power 2024)<\/a>. Repair cycle times remain above pre\u2011pandemic levels (often high\u2011teens to low\u201120s days for repairable claims), a key driver of lower satisfaction (CCC Crash Course 2024)<\/a> (Enterprise LOR 2024)<\/a>. Claims handling also remains the top reason consumers complain to regulators (NAIC)<\/a>. For many shoppers, that makes strong claims processes and coverage breadth from larger carriers worth comparing alongside The General.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The General Car Insurance Review Summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n

*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\u2019s rates the group A1 (Stable outlooks). See A.M. Best<\/a> and American Family financial strength disclosures<\/a>.<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n\n\n

The General\u2019s Claim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The General advertises fast quotes, broad acceptance of drivers with tickets, accidents, lapses, or poor credit, and support for SR\u201122 filings. It also promotes a quick online quote in \u201ctwo minutes or less.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it true?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Partly. The General reliably provides quick quotes and is willing to write many higher\u2011risk profiles. But price spreads for high\u2011risk drivers are large, and nonstandard policies often carry higher total costs versus standard carriers \u2014 so it\u2019s essential to compare The General\u2019s offer against competitors like Progressive and regional insurers before you bind (Forbes Advisor 2025)<\/a> (NerdWallet 2025)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coverage breadth is another tradeoff. The General focuses on core coverages with a shorter add\u2011on 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\u201320+ days keys\u2011to\u2011keys) drag scores down (J.D. Power 2024)<\/a> (CCC 2024)<\/a> (Enterprise 2024)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2011based claim form. That\u2019s 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)<\/a>. 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)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2011Ohio A (Excellent), Outlook Stable (AM Best)<\/a>. S&P Global Ratings maintains an A+ Insurer Financial Strength rating (Stable) and Moody\u2019s assigns an A1 IFS (Stable) to American Family\u2019s core companies \u2014 the group supporting The General\u2019s underwriters (American Family ratings)<\/a> (S&P)<\/a> (Moody\u2019s)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n

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The General Car Insurance at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Best car insurance for<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drivers who need SR\u201122 support or acceptance after recent violations, accidents, or coverage lapses<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not for<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most drivers with clean or lightly blemished records who can qualify with large standard carriers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The General Insurance Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Accessible insurance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The General\u2019s core value is access. It routinely writes nonstandard risks (e.g., multiple tickets\/accidents, lapses, poor credit where allowed) and can file SR\u201122s quickly in most states \u2014 useful when you need proof of financial responsibility to reinstate a license (SR\u201122 details)<\/a>. Expect higher base rates than standard carriers, which reflects the segment\u2019s higher expected loss costs (2025 market comparisons)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick quotes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u201122 filings or proof of insurance (learn more)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24\/7 roadside assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The General\u2019s add\u2011on 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)<\/a> (Forbes Advisor)<\/a>. If you aren\u2019t covered by AAA or a similar service, adding roadside can cover towing, jump\u2011starts, and lockouts subject to per\u2011disablement limits shown during quoting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custom equipment coverage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As of now, The General does not prominently advertise custom parts\/equipment, rideshare, loan\/lease (gap), or mechanical breakdown add\u2011ons on its consumer site; its extras center on roadside and rental reimbursement with limits selected in the quote and varying by state (NerdWallet)<\/a> (Forbes Advisor)<\/a>. For context, large competitors often publish explicit limits for comparable add\u2011ons \u2014 e.g., Progressive\u2019s Loan\/Lease Payoff can pay up to 25% of your car\u2019s ACV toward the gap after a total loss (Progressive)<\/a>, and State Farm explains rental reimbursement as a per\u2011day and per\u2011claim cap you choose (State Farm)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible drawbacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hidden fees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some customers report higher\u2011than\u2011expected total costs from installment or administrative fees, especially with monthly billing (ConsumerAffairs)<\/a>. While this varies by state and program, it\u2019s a reminder to review fee disclosures before purchase. Broader 2024 transparency rules across industries (e.g., the CFPB\u2019s $8 cap on large\u2011issuer credit card late fees, projected to save consumers over $10B annually) reflect a regulatory push toward all\u2011in pricing and clearer fees (CFPB 2024)<\/a> (California AG)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inadequate reimbursement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Frustrations commonly center on claims communication, settlement timing, and repair amounts \u2014 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)<\/a> (CCC 2024)<\/a> (Enterprise 2024)<\/a>. Claims handling remains the top category in consumer complaints to state regulators (NAIC)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No financial strength ratings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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)<\/a>. 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\u2019s, both with Stable outlooks (American Family ratings)<\/a> (S&P)<\/a> (Moody\u2019s)<\/a>. Brand agencies themselves aren\u2019t rated; rating agencies evaluate the underwriting insurers and\/or the group that stands behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/span>\n \n\n\n

The General Car Insurance Competition<\/h2>\n\n\n

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*For The General: AM Best\u2019s A (Excellent) FSR applies to Permanent General Assurance Corporation and Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio. S&P (A+) and Moody\u2019s (A1) apply at the American Family Insurance Group level. See AM Best<\/a> and American Family ratings<\/a>.<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n\n\n

The General vs. Allstate<\/h3>\n\n\n

Allstate<\/a> 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\u2011800s in the latest study J.D. Power\u2019s 2018 Auto Insurance Study<\/a>. For shoppers with only minor blemishes, Allstate\u2019s discounts and feature depth can offset a higher base quote when compared with a nonstandard specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n

The General vs. Travelers<\/h3>\n\n\n

Travelers Insurance<\/a> emphasizes feature depth and telematics via IntelliDrive, plus accident\u2011forgiveness options in many states. While The General can bind quickly for harder risks, Travelers\u2019 programs can be cost\u2011effective for drivers without recent major violations, especially when telematics is used (IntelliDrive)<\/a> (2025 market comparisons)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

The General vs. Progressive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re comparing due to a DUI, at\u2011fault accident, or SR\u201122 need, start with Progressive<\/a>. Third\u2011party 2025 analyses often find Progressive among the lower\u2011cost national choices for recent DUIs, and it supports SR\u201122\/FR\u201144 filings and Snapshot telematics that can help offset surcharges over time (Forbes Advisor 2025)<\/a> (NerdWallet 2025)<\/a> (Progressive SR\u201122)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/span>\n \n\n\n

The General FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do I file a claim with The General?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The General lets you file claims by phone or through its mobile app. A fully web\u2011based 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)<\/a> and most customers prefer to start and track digitally with easy escalation to a person when needed (LexisNexis 2024)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What company owns The General?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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)<\/a>. AM Best assigns PGAC and PGAC\u2011Ohio an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating with a Stable outlook (AM Best)<\/a>. 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\u2019s, both with Stable outlooks (American Family ratings)<\/a> (S&P Global Ratings)<\/a> (Moody\u2019s)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do I need to get a quote from The General?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The General doesn\u2019t ask for sensitive identifiers to start a quote; you\u2019ll answer questions about your vehicle, driving history, and basic demographics. It claims the process takes \u201ctwo minutes or less,\u201d which aligns with our experience when we get a quote<\/a>. For high\u2011risk drivers, also gather any SR\u201122 requirements so the filing can be submitted immediately (SR\u201122)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/span>\n \n\n\n

The General Insurance Review: Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The General is a lifeline for drivers who need SR\u201122 support or can\u2019t 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)<\/a> (CCC 2024)<\/a>. On the plus side, The General\u2019s underwriting companies (PGAC\/PGAC\u2011Ohio) carry AM Best\u2019s A (Excellent) rating and benefit from American Family\u2019s strong S&P and Moody\u2019s ratings, addressing solvency concerns (AM Best)<\/a> (American Family)<\/a>. Get at least 5 quotes \u2014 include Progressive, Travelers, one nonstandard (The General), and regional carriers \u2014 and consider telematics to reduce costs over time (2025 comparisons)<\/a> (IntelliDrive)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n

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Return to top\n Return to top arrow\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n \n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\u2019ve been declined elsewhere, but nonstandard acceptance typically comes with higher premiums and fewer optional features than large standard carriers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":0,"parent":1760,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"page-templates\/template-reviews.php","meta":[],"categories":[1266],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe General Auto Insurance Review - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The General has a repuation of providing fast & affordable quotes for all types of drivers. Is it true? 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