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The General Auto Insurance Ratings
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Reasons for Buying from The General
Customers of The General originally decided to purchase from the company for these reasons:
| Offered best price | 32% |
| Recommended by friend or family member | 19% |
| Saw TV commercial | 19% |
| Saw online ad | 14% |
| Reputation | 6% |
| Financial Strength rating | 4% |
| The company website and mobile apps are easy to use and helpful | 4% |
| Was the company my parents had | 2% |
| I had other insurance with this company | 0% |
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About The General
Types of auto coverage
- Personal auto/Commercial auto
- Motorcycle
- RV
- Boat/Personal Water Craft
Additional policies offered
- Renters
- Homeowners
- Life
- Health
Best Auto Insurance Companies 2020: How The General Auto Insurance Measures Up
The General placed nineteenth overall in the 2020 auto consumer survey with a score of 81.25.The General’s best showing was sixth place for price (81). It placed twentieth for claims service (82.4) and also last for customer service (80.8). The General came in nineteenth for usefulness of its website and apps, with a score of 80.63. Despite its rankings in individual categories, many people, 84%, said they planned to renew their coverage with the company, and 73% said they’d recommend it
Gauging an insurance company
Before buying with a company it is wise to check on a company's financial strength and complaint record. The A.M. Best rating listed above gives you an idea of The General's financial strength to pay claims. A complaint ratio can be found on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) site. The median complaint ratio from the NAIC is always 1.00. This means half of the insurers have a complaint ratio of under 1.00 and half have a ratio above. Basically, numbers lower than 1.00 are better with fewer complaints than the median and a number higher than 1.00 has more complaints than the median. For auto insurance, The General (NAIC# 13703) had a complaint ratio of 1.98 for 2018. 2019 complaint numbers will be available in 2020.
Company Background
You’ve probably seen the commercials...
In 1963, The General began selling insurance as Permanent General Agency, and in 1997, became known simply as The General. Compared to other insurers, that’s a relatively short history, but in that brief time, The General has earned a financial stability rating of “excellent” from A.M. Best and has successfully branded itself with fun – if not a bit goofy – television commercials and a memorable jingle.
Consider the General for a less-than-stellar driving record
The General is able to write policies for most drivers, including new drivers, those with accidents, driving violations, gaps in coverage or lower credit scores, which makes it is a great option for those looking to reestablish insurance.
The insurer allows you to buy a policy if you have a suspended or revoked driver’s license, as long as you have been licensed at some point and have a driver’s license number to put on your application. The company is authorized to file an SR-22, a form for high-risk drivers submitted to your state’s DMV or traffic authority that shows you carry your state’s minimum liability requirements, in any state where you are applying for insurance.
The General tries to offer a low down-payment option for every policyholder and offers immediate proof of insurance once you have made your down payment and electronically signed your application.
Contact information
Corporate Headquarters
2636 Elm Hill Pike, Suite 510
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Customer service: 866-519-7422
Claims: 800-280-1466
Coverage Options
Mobile app. The insurer offers an app for smartphones.
Offers 12-month policies. Your policy term can be one year before the next renewal.Discounts
Multi-vehicle. Discount for two or more vehicles on the same car insurance policy.
Driver training/Defensive driving. Discount for an approved defensive driving or driver improvement class.
Passive -restraint (air bag). Discount for factory-installed safety devices such as an air bag.
Safe driver/clean driving record/good driver. Discount for no accidents or traffic violations, usually for three or five years.
Academic achievement. Discount for full-time students who meet certain academic criteria.Feedback of Surveyed Policyholders
Our survey asked policyholders to share experiences or give feedback that they would
like to share with others looking to potentially buy from their current insurance company. Here's what they had to say:
Positive Feedback
Neutral/Negative Feedback
"Choose another. Just because a celebrity endorses it does not mean it's good."
"After 6 Months my Insurance price doubled. I have a set income and I don't think its fair."
"They don't offer auto pay and don't send out payment reminders so I've sometimes been a few days behind on the payment."
"I would want them to switch to them if they aren't with them they are the best"
"When I bought my car from the dealer ship they added and deleted the insurance on it the same day, than when I had an electrical short they tried to tell me I only put liability insurance on it which could not have happened for 2 reasons. 1. You cannot drive off the car lot without full coverage. 2. I work for the postal service as a rural carrier and I have to have full coverage with endorsements in order to work there. Therefore it took me 3 weeks of arguing back and forth and telling them to pull the recordings for them to fix my car and I never even got an apology or them admitting that they were wrong."
"I believe that this insurance company is for people who may be struggling a bit and can't afford other insurance at the time. It depends on the person you get on the phone as to whether the customer service is good or not. All in all, I think the insurance is okay."
"It pays a minimum."
"Awful customer service and rude people. Always cuts your policy off if you are a day late and your late paying because you cant ever get a person on phone to pay"
"They are ok need to offer lower rates"
"I asked a question but I have never had a clear answer. I had to inform through online website"
"I would not recommend it but sometimes you do what you have to"
"Insurance companies raise the rates. I believe it's unfair to rate a person according to their age."
"They charge alot but don't cover enough"
"Just bought it and have no opinions yet"
"Not limited to online services only"
"I just hope that they will keep on supporting us in the future too"
"In the initial assessment they are good, rest time will tell"
"Just same others, not much different."
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"It's cheap, that's good"
-Age 18-36, Alabama"I feel tension free and no worries about any type of damage because I know my insurer will cover me."
-Age 18-36, Arizona"It's easy to apply and be approved. Reasonable price"
-Age 18-36, Arkansas"Great company, very specific in their policies"
-Age 18-36, Colorado"Branches of this company has all the facilities that are necessary for customer and business"
-Age 18-36, Connecticut"Reliable company for sure"
-Age 18-36, Connecticut"Very good insurance company, takes care of you very well"
-Age 18-36, Connecticut"They made me feel that my needs are important to them as well"
-Age 18-36, Delaware"It has pretty good coverage for its price"
-Age 18-36, Florida"Was great, because when I need something with regards to my plan I only need to contact them and they get it done"
-Age 18-36, Florida"I've had a fairy positive experience with this company."
-Age 18-36, Louisiana"They are reasonably priced and if you have a accident or tire flat they will come to your rescue"
-Age 18-36, Nebraska"The service is cheap thats why I have it for right now the service seems to be good so far"
-Age 18-36, New Mexico"Dedicated officers, very well doing"
-Age 18-36, North Carolina"Honesty and their sincerity"
-Age 18-36, North Carolina"Its a overall great company. They are polite and get you what you need when you need"
-Age 18-36, North Carolina"Marvelous company"
-Age 18-36, North Carolina"Promotions are for everyone"
-Age 18-36, North Carolina"Good for cheap young kids"
-Age 18-36, Ohio"I just do everything online and never have any worries"
-Age 18-36, Ohio"I was in a car accident that wasn't my fault and The General helped me every step of the way"
-Age 18-36, Ohio"Easy to navigate website and contact customer service. Good prices for coverage."
-Age 18-36, Pennsylvania"Great prices, great customer service, easy all around"
-Age 18-36, Pennsylvania"Great company"
-Age 18-36, Pennsylvania"It was a quick simple sign up process as well as getting the information/inquiry for my plan. Never had any issues with them so thus far so good. Also my agent was friendly and not pushy."
-Age 18-36, Washington"They are very easy to deal with"
-Age 37-52, Arizona"My interactions are extremely pleasant"
-Age 37-52, California"They have low cost premiums"
-Age 37-52, California"They have good benefits for the customers"
-Age 37-52, California"They provide many nice features"
-Age 37-52, California"They are too good and their affordable plans are best"
-Age 37-52, Colorado"Don't make fake promises with the customers"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"It has been always very quick and responsive for every query"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"It is a very secured and beneficial company"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"There is nothing fake in this company"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"They are very attentive & prices are excellent"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"Yo don't need to wait long for getting your questions to be answered, you get instant replies"
-Age 37-52, Connecticut"Company is eager to look after customers, vehicle and passenger of the vehicle too with value packages."
-Age 37-52, Delaware"It provides low premium, settlements of claims are made here quickly, amicably and friendly."
-Age 37-52, Delaware"Good company for auto insurance"
-Age 37-52, District of Columbia"They are good at handling claims and good customer support"
-Age 37-52, Florida"Great customer service"
-Age 37-52, Idaho"Good pricing"
-Age 37-52, Illinois"That I have never had any problems."
-Age 37-52, Illinois"It is good for financial purpose"
-Age 37-52, Indiana"They are very friendly and helpful. ALways works within your budget."
-Age 37-52, Kentucky"Getting hassle free service"
-Age 37-52, Mississippi"Excellent service and extremely supportive staff"
-Age 37-52, New York"Superb plans for the clients"
-Age 37-52, New York"I highly appreciate sales ethics and punctuality"
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"Staff's helping attitude towards the policy holders and general people"
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"Their advices are very valuable"
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"They are so expert In this field"
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"They really care and the price is awesome."
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"Very safe place to get insurance"
-Age 37-52, North Carolina"The plans are not outrageous they are very affordable"
-Age 37-52, Oklahoma"Easy to talk to a person instead of a computerized dial system"
-Age 37-52, Tennessee"It is a very good insurance company that doesn't charge you and arm and leg to have insurance"
-Age 37-52, Tennessee"They are caring"
-Age 37-52, Tennessee"Does what I need them to do and provides me with the coverage I need"
-Age 37-52, Virginia"Company provide policy with quite well and provide 24/7 services which is good"
-Age 53+, Arizona"Agents are always available"
-Age 53+, California"I believe they understand what customer need and they fulfill they needs."
-Age 53+, California"Unique covers and exceptional service, valuable packages, protects buyers and their vehicles."
-Age 53+, California"they are very friendly and helpful when I have any questions"
-Age 53+, Colorado"Company is providing 24/7 support service which is quite impressive and help me ."
-Age 53+, District of Columbia"Company is online process is fast and hurdle free"
-Age 53+, Florida"Company is providing good policy scheme with good interface app which help me for secure future"
-Age 53+, Florida"This company is giving policies really useful, as it cover lot of thing and make me stress free about future"
-Age 53+, Georgia"Expert advice from local agent, best insurance value possible, family treatment, value packages, etc."
-Age 53+, New York"Best part they do not chase you to sell you more stuff"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"Coverage options are standard, comprehensive and helpful with low premium and excellent service skills."
-Age 53+, North Carolina"Easy to get the job done and getting in touch with them"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"Fair Faith claims provided"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"I feel satisfied in being associated with them"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"They provided me proper guidance about every single point regarding insurance"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"This company is right place for insurance. Company staff behave very well, briefly describe their policy and fully co-operated with me"
-Age 53+, North Carolina"It's so easy to find what you need and you always talk to a live person"
-Age 53+, Ohio"They provide the state minimums at a reasonable price."
-Age 53+, Ohio"Company is providing user friendly app and their one app is suitable to perform all task"
-Age 53+, South Dakota"Genuine master in the insurance sector"
-Age 53+, South Dakota"Affordable and reliable car insurance is given by the company at very low premium."
-Age 53+, Virginia"I have never faced any problems with insurer"
-Age 53+, Wyoming