Car insurance shopping gets harder the moment a DUI, an accident, or a lapse in coverage shows up on your record. Standard insurers often decline these applications outright, or price them so high that the quote feels pointless. That gap in the market is exactly where The General has built its business for more than six decades.
This The General review looks at what the company actually sells, how its pricing compares to the rest of the market, and whether the mixed complaint data floating around online should worry you. I pulled information from AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and several independent insurance research sites to keep the picture balanced.
Whether you’re filing an SR-22 after a violation or you just got turned down by another carrier, this guide walks through products, pricing, and real alternatives before you commit to a policy.
Quick Verdict Summary of The General
| Category | Rating / Detail |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 |
| Best For | High-risk drivers who need SR-22 filing, fast online quotes, or coverage after a DUI or lapse |
| Not Recommended For | Drivers with clean records chasing the lowest possible standard-market rate |
| Pricing | Full coverage averages roughly $197–$213/month; liability-only roughly $86–$117/month |
| Major Con | NAIC complaint index runs well above the industry baseline in most recent years |
| Major Pros | A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating, quick online quoting, non-owner SR-22 support |
| Is It Legit? | Yes. It’s a licensed agency underwritten by established insurers and currently owned by Sentry Insurance |
| Final Verdict | A solid niche pick for high-risk drivers, but not the cheapest option for a clean driving record |
What is The General
The General is a licensed U.S. insurance agency headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It has written auto policies since 1963, originally under the name Permanent General Agency. The company now operates as a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp., an affiliate of Sentry Insurance Group.
Unlike a traditional carrier, The General doesn’t underwrite every policy under one single company name. It sells coverage through several underwriting entities, including Permanent General Assurance Corporation and The General Automobile Insurance Company. Coverage is available in 47 states plus Washington, D.C., though Alaska, Hawaii, and Michigan are not served.
The company built its reputation on one specific niche. Drivers with a DUI, a recent accident, a lapse in coverage, or thin credit history who get turned away elsewhere tend to land here. That focus shapes everything from its marketing to its pricing structure.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1963, as Permanent General Agency |
| Headquarters | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Parent Company | PGC Holdings Corp., an affiliate of Sentry Insurance Group |
| States Covered | 47 states + Washington, D.C. (not AK, HI, MI) |
| AM Best Rating | A+ (Superior) |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.7/5, listed as “Excellent” |
| Core Products | Auto (liability, full coverage), SR-22/FR-44, motorcycle, commercial auto |
| Mobile App | Available on iOS and Android for payments, claims, and ID cards |
| Website | thegeneral.com |
Who Should Use The General?
Recommended for:
- Drivers with a DUI, at-fault accident, or coverage lapse on record
- Anyone who needs SR-22 or FR-44 filing assistance
- Non-owners who still need proof of insurance
- Shoppers who want a fast online quote with a low down payment
Not ideal for:
- Drivers with a clean record chasing the cheapest possible standard-market rate
- Anyone who wants to bundle home and auto under one carrier
- Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Michigan, where the company doesn’t sell
- Buyers who prioritize a top-tier claims satisfaction track record above price
Ratings of The General
Third-party ratings on The General tell two different stories depending on the source. Financial strength scores are strong, and self-reported customer reviews on Trustpilot lean positive. Regulatory complaint data tells a rougher story, with complaint volume running consistently above what the company’s size would predict.
| Rating Source | What It Measures | Score |
| AM Best | Financial strength and ability to pay claims | A+ (Superior) |
| Better Business Bureau | Business conduct and complaint resolution | A+ |
| Trustpilot | Self-reported customer experience | 4.7/5 (“Excellent”) |
| NAIC Complaint Index | Complaints relative to company size (1.0 = industry baseline) | Several times above baseline in recent years |
| J.D. Power | Auto insurance shopping and claims satisfaction | Not included in recent studies |
Reviewers on Trustpilot mostly praise the sign-up speed and the low down payment. Complaints on BBB and ConsumerAffairs focus on something different: claims disputes, total-loss valuations, and confusion over state-specific coverage rules. Both sets of reviews appear to be genuine, which suggests the experience really does vary by state and by claim type.
Insurance Products The General Offers
- Liability car insurance — Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others, meeting your state’s minimum legal requirement.
- Full coverage (collision + comprehensive) — Adds protection for your own vehicle after a crash, theft, weather event, or vandalism.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — Pays your costs when the at-fault driver carries too little insurance or none at all.
- Personal injury protection / MedPay — Covers medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident.
- Gap insurance — Pays the difference between what you owe on a financed car and its actual cash value after a total loss.
- SR-22 and FR-44 filing — Submits the required certificate to your state DMV on your behalf after a violation.
- Non-owner SR-22 policies — Provides proof of insurance for drivers who need an SR-22 but don’t own a vehicle.
- Motorcycle insurance — Covers bikes with liability, collision, and comprehensive options similar to auto policies.
- Commercial auto insurance — Available for small business vehicles, quoted separately from personal auto policies.
- Partner-brokered home, renters, and life insurance — The General’s site routes these requests to outside partners; it doesn’t underwrite them directly.
Is The General Legit?
Yes, The General is a legitimate, licensed insurance agency. It writes real policies through established underwriting companies and carries an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, which measures an insurer’s ability to actually pay out claims.
The company also holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an “Excellent” score on Trustpilot from well over 100,000 reviews. Ownership sits with Sentry Insurance Group, a large mutual insurer with decades of history, following a 2024 acquisition from American Family Insurance.
That said, legitimacy doesn’t mean a flawless track record. The NAIC complaint index, a federal measure of complaints relative to a company’s market size, has run several times above the industry baseline in recent years. Some independent claims-handling scorecards have also graded the company below average.
Some of that gap reflects the customer base rather than dishonest practices. Non-standard insurers serve drivers who file more claims and dispute more denials, which naturally inflates complaint counts. Read your policy declarations carefully, keep records of every call, and escalate to your state insurance department if a claim dispute stalls.
Pricing of The General
Full coverage from The General averages between $197 and $213 a month, based on recent rate data from NerdWallet and Insurify. Liability-only coverage runs roughly $86 to $117 a month depending on your state, vehicle, and driving history.
Both figures land close to or slightly above the national average. That surprises some shoppers who expect a steep discount from a brand built around small down payments. The real savings usually show up upfront in the initial payment, not necessarily in the ongoing monthly premium.
Discounts advertised on the company’s website include:
| Discount | Applies To |
| Paid-in-full | 6- or 12-month policies paid upfront |
| Multi-policy | Bundling auto with another product |
| Multi-car | Insuring more than one vehicle |
| Good student | Qualifying young drivers |
| Defensive driving/driver training | Completed safety courses |
| Transfer | Switching from another insurer |
| Military | Louisiana residents only |
Discount availability changes by state, so confirm which ones apply before you assume a quote already reflects every possible savings. Pricing and product details were checked from the official website as of 2026. And it may fluctuate over time.
Tips Before Choosing The General
Get at least two other quotes from insurers that specialize in high-risk coverage before you buy. Rates for the same driver can vary by hundreds of dollars a year between non-standard carriers.
Check exactly which underwriting company issues your policy, since coverage rules can differ slightly by entity and state. Ask directly whether your policy stays active if you move or drive across state lines.
Read the fine print on collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is older. Repair payouts are capped at actual cash value, so extra coverage on a low-value vehicle sometimes isn’t worth the added premium.
Safety Checklist for The General
- Confirm your state is one of the 47 covered before requesting a quote
- Verify SR-22 or FR-44 filing timelines with your state DMV, not just the insurer
- Save a copy of your declarations page the day your policy starts
- Photograph your vehicle’s condition before any claim becomes necessary
- Keep a written log of every claims call, including names and dates
- Compare your renewal price against a fresh quote every six to twelve months
Alternatives to The General
The General isn’t the only insurer built for high-risk drivers, and shopping around often pays off. Dairyland, also owned by Sentry Insurance, competes directly in the same non-standard and motorcycle niche. Progressive and GEICO accept many high-risk drivers too, backed by larger claims networks and stronger financial ratings.
Alternatives Comparison Table
| Company | Best For | AM Best Rating | Notable Feature |
| The General | Fast online quotes for high-risk drivers | A+ (Superior) | Non-owner SR-22, storefronts in Louisiana |
| Dairyland | High-risk drivers and motorcycle owners | A+ (Superior) | Bilingual claims support, broadform policies |
| Progressive | DUI and violation-specific policies | A+ (Superior) | Snapshot telematics, tiered accident forgiveness |
| GEICO | High-risk drivers who want a large, familiar brand | A++ (Superior) | Highly rated mobile app, broad nationwide reach |
Pros of The General
- ✅ Strong A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best
- ✅ Fast, fully online quote and purchase process
- ✅ Handles ordinary SR-22, non-owner SR-22, and FR-44 filings
- ✅ Low down payment options for budget-conscious drivers
- ✅ Highly rated mobile app for claims, payments, and ID cards
- ✅ Specializes in drivers other insurers frequently decline
Cons of The General
- ❌ NAIC complaint index runs well above the industry baseline
- ❌ Premiums average close to or above the national rate, despite the low-cost marketing angle
- ❌ Not included in recent J.D. Power satisfaction studies
- ❌ Doesn’t underwrite home, renters, or life insurance directly
- ❌ Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or Michigan
- ❌ Some independent claims-handling scorecards rate the company below average
Other post: eHealth.com Review
Final Verdict
The General fills a real need. Drivers who get rejected elsewhere, or who need SR-22 filing after a serious violation, generally find the sign-up process fast and the underwriting genuinely accessible.
The trade-off shows up in two places: price and claims experience. Premiums aren’t dramatically cheaper than mainstream insurers, and complaint data suggests claims can be a rougher process than average for some policyholders.
If you fall into the high-risk category and need coverage quickly, The General is a legitimate option worth quoting. If your record is clean, it’s worth comparing rates from Progressive, GEICO, or another mainstream carrier first, since you may not need a non-standard specialist at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The General a real insurance company or just a broker?
It’s a licensed insurance agency that sells policies underwritten by several affiliated companies, including Permanent General Assurance Corporation. It isn’t a scam, but it also isn’t a single carrier that underwrites every policy itself.
Does The General offer full coverage, or only minimum liability?
Both. The General sells state-minimum liability policies and full-coverage policies that add collision, comprehensive, and optional extras like gap insurance.
How fast can The General file an SR-22?
Filing typically happens within a day or two of purchasing a qualifying policy, though exact turnaround depends on your state DMV’s processing speed.
Why are The General’s rates not always the cheapest?
The company prices for a higher-risk customer base by definition. Drivers with clean records often find better rates through mainstream insurers like Progressive or GEICO.
Can I get The General insurance without owning a car?
Yes. The General offers non-owner SR-22 policies for drivers who need proof of insurance but don’t own a vehicle.
Sources & References
Pricing and feature details were cross-checked against the official Headway app listing and third-party pricing trackers as of September 2026.
