The General Car Insurance Reviews

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About The General Car Insurance

The General specializes in auto coverage policies for drivers who are high risk or who have poor credit scores. It offers affordable car insurance with low down payments and is geared toward those who might struggle to find policy providers. The General writes auto policies in 46 states.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Caters to high-risk drivers
  • Low down payments
Cons
  • Penalty for canceling early
  • Limited info on website

Featured Reviews

San Jose, CA
Verified purchase
I found their website to be very easy to use. They were very helpful and very efficient in starting my policy. The woman I worked with online was very helpful and patient in helpi...

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Minneapolis, MN
Verified purchase
No other insurance company would help me... I didn't think I was going to be able to drive again until I called The General and they told me they would help me get back on the roa...

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What is The General car insurance?

The General is a subsidiary of PGC Holding Corporation, which is an affiliate of American Family Insurance. The company provides auto insurance policies ideal for high-risk drivers and those with poor credit. Its coverage includes collision, comprehensive, liability, personal injury protection and roadside assistance options. It also offers SR-22 filing. Its coverage is available in 46 states as well as Washington D.C.

How does The General work?

The General is known for its quick, easy and affordable online quotes, which help potential policyholders save time and money. It offers various policy and service options to suit drivers’ needs.

With the General, you can choose your desired coverage limits. Its restricted plans limit coverage to those specifically listed on your policy, and its medical payments insurance covers medical expenses for you or your family members affected by an automobile accident. Its additional protection options include uninsured motorist coverage and rental car insurance.

The General cost

The cost of The General car insurance will vary based on your age, location and the make, model and year of your car. To get an accurate quote, reach out to The General through the online quote tool.

The General helps you avoid surprise policy fees. It combines payment plans with electronic verification of your info and details about your vehicle when you purchase a policy. The company offers low down payments and affordable rates, and it accepts payment via credit card and electronic checks. It also provides split payment options.

The General also offers discounts that can help you save on your premiums. Good student discounts, bundling multiple drivers and car safety features are just some of the discounts available.

Note that 10 percent of your unearned premium might be deducted if you cancel your policy early — however, this varies from state to state.

» LEARN MORE: Cost of car insurance

The General FAQ

Does The General have full coverage insurance?

Yes, The General does offer full coverage options. Each policy is different, though, so it's important to check the details of your plan if you need full coverage.

What states does The General cover?

The General writes policies in 46 states as well as Washington D.C.

Does The General offer rental car coverage?

Yes, The General offers rental car coverage. Contact customer support to verify your policy includes this coverage.

Does The General do windshield repair?

Yes. The General offers windshield repair as part of its comprehensive coverage.

Is The General car insurance good?

Auto coverage from The General is a good option for high-risk drivers and those with low credit. Its plans are affordable, and you can get fast and easy quotes online. It also offers low down payments and split payment options. The General also provides full coverage, rental car, medical, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist insurance, among other policy options.

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The General Car Insurance Reviews

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    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Permanent General Auto Insurance (PGAC)?
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    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Permanent General Auto Insurance (PGAC)?
    • 4,700,190 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Claims HandlingCoverage

    Reviewed July 8, 2025

    My car was waterlogged in flooding over 2 months ago and they just decided they want to do a risky repair on my vehicle for almost 11K because they don't want to pay to total it out. They don't include a rental car with my full coverage and my problem is no priority to them. They haven't even started working on it, they haven't even said sorry, they flat out don't care! Stay away from The General if you value making sure you always have a car to drive. They spend all their money to have Shaq in their ad, but don't care a single bit about their customers! They just want your payments to clear, they don't care about your claims!

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    Customer ServicePrice

    Reviewed June 19, 2025

    I spoke with someone over the phone and he walked me through the whole process and he explained it all and had patience with me. The price was cheaper than any other company. I highly recommend The General.

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      CoveragePrice

      Reviewed June 4, 2025

      Very easy and quick to get insurance and great price. I was able to shop around online and selected the policy and price I needed. I was shocked that my quote was easy to locate when I called to set up autopay. They didn't make me repeat everything I had already entered in online. They quickly confirmed and I was all set.

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      Verified purchase
      CoverageStaff

      Reviewed May 15, 2025

      How very month this Evil God aka Satan 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT. Satan who is the god of this world has blinded the minds who don’t believe. Isaiah 45:7 KJV. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and I create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Use the people in this company to deliberately send Common wealth of Motor vehicle my information to get my vehicle taken from me. So my children won’t have no way to travel back in forth to the doctors and other important places. Saying my vehicle was not insured when I pay for it every month. And have the proof While My insurance is active. Trying to have me pay $500 fine for nothing to restore a license.

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      Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 19, 2025

      Not only did my rate increase significantly over the representative not accepting my verification paperwork (because of wording being a little different) for my address on my homeowner discount, but when I called to cancel the policy- based on finding the same coverage for TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH cheaper!!- I was told that she had completed the cancellation but my auto draft was still going to be taken out because “I should canceled the autopay before canceling”.. even though the payment was not yet drafted! The policy was cancelled at 12am on Friday, 2/14- and on Tuesday, 2/18, I was charged for my cancelled policy! When I called on this, the representative was even worse than the other one and wouldn’t even transfer me- saying “who am going to transfer you to?!” I am absolutely APPALLED BY THIS COMPANY!

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      Customer ServiceClaims HandlingOnline & App

      Reviewed Feb. 18, 2025

      I had an accident in which the other driving was having a medical emergency and I was rear ended. The other driver did not have insurance but the police did a report, I took pictures and filed a claim immediately after the accident. I was called weeks later and my insurance adjuster #3710 left a message saying they were going to take care of it. No other information was provided through mail or email. I have now discovered the claim has disappeared. It’s like they never even got it. The app doesn’t work and it kicked me off when I tried to refill this claim. When I called customer service they hung up on me while I was waiting to talk with someone about the problem. I do not recommend using them to handle your business because they lack transparency without a proper paper trail. Please give your money to someone else willing to provide correct documentation for your claims.

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      Claims HandlingCoverageStaff

      Reviewed Nov. 15, 2024

      The general is a scam; they will make up things and have you thinking everything is going to work out, but then they deny your claim based on some false allegations. I paid for extra coverage only for them to do nothing. My car was taken without my consent, and because it was an unauthorized driver that was driving the vehicle, they denied my claim. I feel like that's not fair. Kevin **, Robert **, Ethan **, and Sylvia ** are the agents I had; they all gave false information and false hope. They did any and everything to not help me. Sylvia is the one that denied my claim, claiming she had a video. She made up evidence and made me notarize a paper, just so she could put the blame on me and avoid looking like the bad person.

      Kevin told me to take fault for the accident so he could just turn it over to Robert, the investigator, so they could try to accuse me of insurance fraud if they ended up covering it, but they did not because I was not going to take responsibility for something I didn't do. My accident happened on October 25th and they just denied my claim on November 15th. Please do not go through them because you will not be covered. You'll be paying for an insurance company that will not help you; you will end up being taken advantage of. If anything happens, listen to the reviews. They have a bad score for a reason. The General takes advantage of people.

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePriceStaff

      Reviewed Sept. 4, 2024

      Beware when getting a quote. If you are asked if you pay rent or own your own home. Be sure and let them know if you do not have homeowners' insurance.

      Your quote is based on whether or not you have homeowners' insurance. They do not ask if you have homeowners insurance or that it's a prerequisite for car insurance. You will find that out when you get your first statement.

      Good luck in getting ahold of a live operator. Especially during an emergency. They usually call you back in 4 to 6 days later. They will also make you feel like you are the person at fault. Please ask the right questions and don't get taken. Also remember that paper statements will cost you money and they will load up your mailbox with unnecessary mail. You will get billed for any paperwork that they send you. usually, 3 to 6 months welcome letters a month.

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      Claims HandlingPriceStaff

      Reviewed Aug. 20, 2024

      This is the worst company ever. You pay for what you get. Yes, the prices are low, but if you ever need them, you will go to hell. I had a small, very minor accident and the adjuster gave me hell trying to get my Car fix. My payment was always on time, but when it came To me needing them to get my car fixed they gave the Body hell. At first, they declined my claim altogether even though I sent them all the information they needed. Then they said they cannot find the information and pictures I sent them so I had the Body Shop sent it to them again.

      Be aware of who you do been with then they said I had a bill of $37. It’s like signing up with the mafia once you’re in. It’s hard to get out. I will say the lady I originally spoke with, but that the policy for me was really nice. But when you deal with the claims department if you ever have to deal with them do not expect them to help you in anyway, and you have to stay on top of them because they will not reach out to you. I am so glad I am not with them anymore.

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      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed Aug. 10, 2024

      Purchased insurance through The General on 7/11 for $108. Not even a week later received a bill for an additional amount of $111 due on 7/26. Call and asked why I was due already two weeks later and the lady informed me my bill is $255 a month, for 2 vehicles. Tried speaking to me like I was stupid when in fact the agent I spoke with originally didn't tell me the facts, said my bill was going to be $108 monthly, even the the website said that. I spent in total probably three hours on the phone with them, didn't get anywhere. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! I wouldn't recommend them if they were the last insurance agency on the planet.

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      The General Car Insurance Company Information

      Company Name:
      Permanent General Auto Insurance (PGAC)
      Website:
      www.thegeneral.com