- Accepts all risk profiles — DUI, multiple at-faults, SR-22, no prior insurance
- No credit check required — approval rate is extremely high
- Rates run 40–60% above standard carriers — the price of guaranteed acceptance
- NAIC complaint ratio well above average — customer service is a known weak point
- Same-day coverage available in most states — fast on-ramp to legal coverage
The General occupies the lowest rung of the insurance market by design. It is a non-standard specialist whose underwriting model accepts nearly every driver profile that standard carriers decline — including DUI convictions, multiple at-fault accidents, major violations, and gaps in coverage of any length. If you have been turned away elsewhere, The General will typically write you a policy.
That access comes at a steep price. Base rates run 40–60% above standard market pricing for the equivalent coverage. On a profile where GEICO or State Farm would quote $2,000/year, The General is often $2,800–$3,200. This is not a surprise — it is the actuarial reality of insuring a pool that other carriers have declined.
Who should use The General
The General is appropriate in two situations: you genuinely cannot get coverage elsewhere, or you need to reinstate coverage quickly after a lapse and plan to shop back to a standard carrier within 6–12 months. It is not appropriate as a long-term policy for anyone who qualifies at a standard carrier — the rate premium is too large to justify.
If you have a DUI or major violation, Progressive and GEICO will often still quote you — at higher rates than their standard pricing, but typically lower than The General's. Check those first. The General becomes the right call when even the non-standard divisions of major carriers decline your profile.
Rate factors and complaints
The General does not use credit scoring in its underwriting — a meaningful advantage for drivers with poor or no credit history. Coverage options are limited primarily to state minimums and basic liability, with limited availability of comprehensive and collision. The carrier's NAIC complaint ratio is well above the industry average, with billing, cancellation, and claims handling among the most common friction points. Treat it as a bridge policy, not a permanent solution.
Bottom line: The General is the right call when no standard or mid-tier non-standard carrier will write your profile. It is fast, accessible, and genuinely available to all risk levels. But the rate premium is real — plan to re-shop at every renewal and transition to a standard carrier as soon as your record allows.