- Covers high-risk drivers and files SR-22 forms.
- Available in 46 states and D.C.
- Low down payment option for new policyholders.
- Flexible payment options, including cash pay-in-person.
- Mobile app for policy management and claims.
- Rates run above the national average, even for high-risk profiles.
- High volume of consumer complaints (NAIC).
- D grade from CRASH Network repair professionals and not rated by J.D. Power or AM Best
- Not available in all 50 states.
- Limited coverage add-ons compared to standard carriers.
The General car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
The General isn’t built to compete on price or prestige. It’s built to say yes when other carriers say no.
Founded in 1963 as Permanent General Agency and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, The General has spent more than six decades focused almost exclusively on the non-standard auto insurance market: drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, lapsed policies or other risk factors that cause standard carriers to decline them. The company files SR-22 forms on behalf of drivers who need them and operates across 47 states and D.C. In January 2025, Sentry Insurance completed its acquisition of The General from American Family Insurance for approximately $1.1 billion.
For drivers who have been turned down by standard carriers, The General offers access to coverage. And when you’re legally required to carry insurance before getting behind the wheel, that access is imperative. Its low down payment structure means most new policyholders only owe the first month’s premium to get covered, which matters for drivers managing tight budgets. A mobile app lets customers manage their policy, file claims and access ID cards without a phone call.
The tradeoffs are significant, though. The General’s NAIC complaint index of 3.9 — nearly four times the expected volume for a company its size — is one of the highest in this review set. Its CRASH Network grade of D places it near the bottom of the industry in terms of how collision repair professionals assess its claims handling. The General also does not participate in JD Power’s shopping or claims satisfaction studies, and it does not carry a standalone AM Best financial strength rating, which limits the independent data available to evaluate its claims-paying reliability. Coverage options are more limited than what most standard carriers offer, with no tiered coverage system or telematics program.
For drivers with clean records, it’s worth shopping around and comparing other carriers through Jerry. For drivers who need coverage and can’t get it elsewhere, The General is worth a quote… but with realistic expectations.
Who The General is best and worst for
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 filing. The General’s entire business model is built around non-standard coverage. It files SR-22 forms on behalf of policyholders, a service that standard carriers often decline to offer, particularly for DUI-related violations or repeat offenses.
A driver with a lapsed policy or significant violations. If you’ve been declined by standard carriers due to gaps in coverage or a difficult driving record, The General is specifically designed to serve this profile.
Someone who needs a low down payment to get covered. The General’s low down payment structure (typically just the first month’s premium) makes it more accessible for drivers who can’t front a large deposit to start a policy.
A driver with a clean record seeking competitive rates. The General’s rates average 26% above the national average for state minimum coverage. Drivers who qualify for standard coverage will almost always find better pricing with other carriers.
Someone who prioritizes claims satisfaction. The General’s NAIC complaint index of 3.9 is among the highest in this review set, and its D grade from CRASH Network reflects consistent friction in the repair and claims process.
A driver who needs coverage in Alaska, Hawaii or Michigan. The General is not available in every state and currently only operates in 47 states and D.C. Drivers in Alaska, Hawaii or Michigan will need to look elsewhere.
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Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does The General car insurance cost?
The average cost for state minimum car insurance coverage with The General is $184 per month, about 54% higher than the national average, based on our analysis of over 802,220 policies purchased by real Jerry customers.
Your premium is determined by factors including your age, location, vehicle type and age, driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you choose. Here are the typical rates we’ve found for Jerry customers, based on the level of coverage they chose from The General:
Minimum
$94 – $221/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$179 – $378/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$0 – $0/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$0 – $0/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of The General car insurance
The General scores poorly across the industry measures it participates in. Notably, it does not participate in JD Power’s shopping or claims satisfaction studies and does not carry a standalone AM Best financial strength rating — which limits the independent benchmarks available for comparison.
| Rating | The General score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | High (3.87). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | D. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | N/A |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | N/A |
| AM Best (2025) | N/A |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
The General car insurance coverage options
Like most insurers, The General offers collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical expense, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Unlike National General or many standard carriers, The General does not offer a tiered coverage system or a formal add-on menu. Its optional coverage offerings are more limited:
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Rental car reimbursement covers a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after a covered claim.
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Gap insurance pays the difference between your car’s actual cash value and the amount you still owe on a loan or lease if the vehicle is totaled.
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Custom equipment coverage covers aftermarket parts or equipment added to your vehicle.
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Roadside assistance pays for towing, flat tire, battery jump-start and lockout services.
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Non-owner policy is coverage for drivers who don’t own a vehicle but need liability insurance.
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Rideshare coverage offers extended protection for drivers working for rideshare or delivery platforms.
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Mexico auto insurance offers coverage when driving in Mexico, and is available in select states.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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The General car insurance discounts
The General offers discounts, though availability varies by state and the company does not publish a complete list publicly. Known discounts include:
🚘🚗
Multi-vehicle — Insure more than one vehicle on the same policy
🛡️
Defensive driving — Complete a state-approved defensive driving course
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Transfer discount — Maintain continuous coverage with another insurer for the prior six months
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Safety features — Vehicle equipped with factory-installed safety features such as airbags
🎓
Good student — Full-time student with qualifying grades
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Homeowner — Own a home, even if it’s insured elsewhere
💳
Pay in full — Pay the full premium upfront (six- or 12-month policy)
📅
Double deductible — In select states, agree to double your deductible for the first 45 days in exchange for a lower rate
Does The General offer insurance based on driving behavior?
No. The General does not currently offer a telematics or usage-based insurance program. Drivers whose premiums might benefit from demonstrating safe driving behavior (like young drivers or those rebuilding a record) will need to look at carriers like Progressive (Snapshot) or Allstate (Drivewise) for this option.
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Filing a claim with The General
The General offers multiple ways for filing a claim and managing it once filed.
File by phone or the mobile app
You can file a claim 24/7 by calling 1-800-280-1466 or through The General’s mobile app. Existing claims service by phone is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.
Get assigned an adjuster
After filing, The General assigns an adjuster to assess your vehicle. The company aims to resolve most claims within 30 days, though simple property claims may be handled in as little as a week, and more complex claims (particularly those involving injuries) can take considerably longer.
Repair authorization
The General will provide a repair estimate. Unlike some carriers, The General does not operate a preferred repair network with a lifetime guarantee. Given its D grade from CRASH Network, it’s worth verifying upfront how your preferred shop has worked with The General before authorizing repairs.
Repair and rental
If you have rental reimbursement coverage, The General will reimburse rental car or alternative transportation costs while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, The General offers a settlement based on your car’s actual cash value (ACV). Drivers with gap coverage may be eligible for additional payout if they owe more on their loan or lease than the ACV.
Customer reviews of The General
More than a thousand Jerry customers have reviewed The General’s auto insurance and give this carrier relatively positive feedback.
Is The General a good insurance company?
The General occupies a specific and legitimate role in the insurance market: it provides coverage to drivers who struggle to get it elsewhere, with a low down payment structure that makes it more accessible for drivers managing tight finances. For high-risk drivers who need SR-22 filing or have been declined by standard carriers, The General may be one of the most practical options available in the 47 states where it operates.
For drivers with clean records, it’s hard to recommend. Rates run notably higher than the national average for state minimum coverage… high even by non-standard market standards. The NAIC complaint volume is among the highest in this review set, CRASH Network repair professionals grade it near the very bottom of the industry and the absence of JD Power and AM Best ratings limits the independent data available to evaluate it. Compare The General with other options through Jerry before committing, especially if there’s any chance you qualify for standard coverage elsewhere.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact The General
You can manage your policy, file a claim, make payments, or start a quote online at thegeneral.com. The General also has a mobile app for iOS and Android that allows policy management, claims filing, and access to your insurance ID card.
- Claims (24/7): 1-800-280-1466
- Get a quote: 1-844-328-0306
- Customer service: 1-844-328-0306 (Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT; Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT)
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of The General auto insurance?
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Does The General file SR-22s?
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Is The General available in all 50 states?
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Does The General offer a telematics or usage-based insurance program?
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Who owns The General?
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How long does The General take to process a claim?
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How do I file a claim with The General?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
