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The General is built for drivers other insurers turn down: those with a DUI, tickets, accidents, an SR-22 requirement or a lapse in coverage. It is a legitimate auto insurer that has sold policies since 1963 and has been owned by Sentry Insurance since December 31, 2024; its policies are underwritten by a Sentry Insurance Group member rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best. If your record is clean, quote standard insurers too, since The General's main appeal is acceptance and low down payments, not the lowest price. The most common complaint is a final price higher than the first online quote.
- Owner
- Sentry Insurance, since December 31, 2024 (previously American Family Insurance)2
- Underwriter
- A member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Stevens Point, WI; in Texas, Dairyland County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas or Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Company1
- Financial strength
- Sentry: A+ (Superior) from AM Best, as of July 2026, the date given on the company's site, per The General1
- Availability
- 46 states and Washington, D.C.1
- Who it serves
- High-risk drivers, including DUI or DWI, SR-22 filings, accidents, tickets, lapses and no prior coverage3
- Founded
- 1963, as Permanent General Agency; headquartered in Nashville, TN2
- BBB
- A+, not accredited; 356 complaints in the last 3 years4
- Trustpilot
- 4.7 out of 5 from 143,986 reviews5
Pros
- Accepts drivers with DUIs, accidents, tickets or coverage gaps
- SR-22 filing handled online
- Low down payments and monthly payment plans
- Underwriter rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best
- Highly rated app for payments, ID cards and claims
Cons
- No published sample rates
- Quotes can rise after your record is verified
- Not BBB accredited, with 356 complaints in three years
- Not sold in four states
- Drivers with clean records can often pay less elsewhere
Best for: Drivers with a DUI, SR-22 requirement, recent accidents or a lapse in coverage who need a policy quickly with a low down payment.
Skip it if: You have a clean record and good credit, since standard insurers will often quote you less.
The General vs. competitors
| Company | Focus | AM Best | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The General | High-risk drivers, SR-22 | A+ (Sentry Insurance Group) | A+, not accredited, 356 complaints in 3 years | |
| Progressive | Most drivers, including high-risk | A+ (Superior) | B-, 5,262 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
| GEICO | Most drivers, lowest average rates | A++ (Superior) | A+, 2,608 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
| Direct Auto Insurance | High-risk drivers, same-day SR-22, stores | Not compared here | B, not accredited, 48 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
The General pricing at a glance
What affects The General's price1
| Factor | What The General says |
|---|---|
| Published rates | Not published; you get a quote online, by phone or through an agent |
| Down payment | Low down payments and monthly payment plans advertised |
| State | Rates and discounts vary by state and program |
| Credit | Used in rating where allowed; California, Hawaii and Massachusetts bar credit-based rates |
| Discounts | Vary by state; multi-car discounts advertised |
| SR-22 | Filing can be handled online during purchase |
The General does not publish sample rates. High-risk drivers usually pay more with any insurer, so compare at least three quotes for the same limits.
The General, step by step
Get a quote
Quote online, in the app or by phone. Enter the same coverage limits you'll use with other insurers so the prices compare fairly.
Check the final price
Your price can change after The General verifies your driving and claims history. Review the final premium and down payment before you pay.
Buy and file an SR-22 if needed
Pay the down payment and get ID cards right away. If your state requires an SR-22, The General can file it as part of the purchase.
Manage the policy
Use the app or website to pay bills, get ID cards and report claims.
Renew or cancel
Review the renewal price each term. If you cancel, keep coverage continuous and, if you have an SR-22, put a new filing in place first to avoid a license suspension.
The General legitimacy and licensing
Yes. The General started in 1963 as Permanent General Agency and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. American Family Insurance owned it until Sentry Insurance bought it on December 31, 2024. The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. is a licensed insurance agency; its policies are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, which The General says holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best as of July 2026. In Texas, policies are written through Dairyland County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas or Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
The BBB rates it A+ but it is not accredited, and it has 356 complaints in the last three years. Earlier versions of this page said it was BBB accredited; the BBB profile does not show accreditation.
The General cost
The General does not publish sample rates. Your price depends on your state, driving record, vehicle, coverage limits and, where allowed, your credit. It advertises low down payments and monthly plans, which help if you need coverage fast. High-risk drivers usually pay more with any insurer, so get quotes from at least three companies for the same limits. The top Trustpilot complaint is a final price higher than the first online quote, which usually happens once the insurer pulls your driving and claims history.
Coverage and who it's for
The General sells state-minimum liability and full coverage, including comprehensive, collision and uninsured motorist coverage, plus roadside assistance, Mexico travel insurance and commercial auto. Its focus is non-standard drivers: people with a DUI or DWI, accidents or tickets, a suspended license that needs an SR-22, a lapse in coverage or no prior insurance. It sells in 46 states and Washington, D.C., in both at-fault and no-fault states.
What customers say about The General
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Fast, easy online quote and purchase
- Low prices for drivers others turn down
- Clear policy details
- Simple website and app
Common complaints
- Final price higher than the first online quote
- Rates higher than expected
- Claims and billing disputes filed with the BBB
Complaints and what customers report
Most of The General’s 143,986 Trustpilot reviews are positive, praising quick online purchase and low prices. The recurring complaints are final prices above the first quote and rates higher than expected. The BBB lists 356 complaints in three years. Before you buy, confirm the final premium, down payment and payment schedule in writing, and before filing a claim, read your policy’s coverages and deductibles.
Cancelling a policy
Call The General or use your account to cancel, and ask in writing about any refund of unearned premium and any cancellation fee in your state. Have new coverage start before the old policy ends. If you carry an SR-22, your new insurer must file a replacement first; a lapse is reported to your state and can lead to a license suspension.
The rules that protect you
Auto insurance is regulated by each state’s insurance department, which licenses insurers and agencies, reviews rates and handles complaints. If a claim or billing dispute isn’t resolved, file a complaint with your state insurance department. You can look up the licensed company on your policy and its complaint record through the NAIC’s Consumer Insurance Search.
Alternatives to The General
-
ProgressiveWrites many high-risk drivers and files SR-22s, and may price lower if your record is only mildly blemished.
-
GEICOOften among the cheapest for drivers with a clean or nearly clean record, with an A++ AM Best rating.
-
Direct Auto InsuranceBetter if you want to buy in person, pay in cash or get a same-day SR-22 at a store.
-
Your state's assigned risk plan
If every insurer turns you down, each state runs a residual market plan that must offer at least minimum coverage.
The General reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is The General a real insurance company?
Yes. It has sold auto insurance since 1963 and is owned by Sentry Insurance. Its policies are underwritten by a Sentry Insurance Group member rated A+ by AM Best.
Who owns The General?
Sentry Insurance, which bought it from American Family Insurance on December 31, 2024.
Is The General good for high-risk drivers?
That is its focus. It sells to drivers with DUIs, accidents, tickets, lapses and SR-22 requirements, but compare quotes, since Progressive and others also write high-risk drivers.
Does The General do SR-22?
Yes. It can file an SR-22 with your state as part of your purchase, online or by phone.
Why did my The General quote go up?
Online quotes are based on what you enter. The final price can change once the company checks your driving record, claims history and other rating factors.
What states does The General cover?
It sells in 46 states and Washington, D.C. Check its state page or get a quote to confirm it sells in yours.
Is The General BBB accredited?
No. The BBB rates The General Automobile Insurance Services A+, but it is not accredited and has 356 complaints in the last three years.
Is The General cheaper than Progressive or GEICO?
It depends on your record. For high-risk drivers it can be competitive; drivers with clean records often pay less at standard insurers. Quote the same limits with each.
Does The General have full coverage?
Yes. Besides state-minimum liability it sells comprehensive, collision and uninsured motorist coverage.
How do I file a claim with The General?
Report it in the app, online or by phone. Have the date, location, other driver's details and photos ready.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- The General: Home page and underwriting disclosure (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The General: About us (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The General: High-risk car insurance (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: The General reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- App Store: The General Insurance App (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The General: Car insurance by state (accessed October 13, 2026)
- NAIC: Consumer Insurance Search (accessed October 13, 2026)
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