Getting car insurance can be more difficult if you have had a number of accidents, received some traffic citations, have a gap in your coverage, or are required to have an SR-22 on your record—that’s why The General Insurance is different, since the company deliberately targets people who may have trouble qualifying for standard insurance.
The company refers to its high-risk policies as non-standard auto insurance, a type of policy designed for drivers who pose a greater risk to insurers due to factors such as their driving record, age, or gaps in their prior coverage, and it also provides SR-22 certificates in those states where it can do so.
The fact that all drivers with a clean record should therefore automatically go for The General is not the case. The company’s main attraction is more particular in that it provides an option for those whose driving record makes it difficult for them to obtain conventional insurance.
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What Is The General Insurance?
The General is an automobile insurance brand which puts a strong emphasis on non-standard customers; its insurance business began in 1963 and currently provides auto insurance as well as a range of other products including renters’, motorcycle., boat, motor home, travel trailer, commercial auto, homeowners’, life, health and pet insurance.
For drivers, on the other hand, its image and advertising are most closely associated with high-risk automobile insurance.
The company states that it deals with drivers who have been in accidents or who have received citations, who have had a break in their insurance coverage, who have never had insurance, or who are in any other way regarded as high risk.
Is the General actually aimed at high-risk drivers?
Certainly. High-risk drivers form a major element in The General’s motor insurance business.
The company expressly promotes high-risk insurance for individuals who have less-than-perfect driving records and states that it specializes in non-standard auto insurance; the examples it cites are drivers who have had previous accidents, traffic violations, DUI or DWI convictions, suspended or revoked licences, and gaps in their insurance coverage.
It is important to have that focus since not all insurers will take on the same kinds of customers. As the National Association of Insurance Commissioners points out, a driver’s history of previous violations and accidents can make them a higher risk, while factors such as the type of prior insurance coverage, how the vehicle is used, the location, the age of the driver, and the vehicle itself could also influence the premiums.
Therefore, if another insurance company has either refused to provide you with a policy or has given you a quote that doesn’t suit your budget, The General could be worth considering as part of your comparison.
What makes a driver be considered ‘high risk’?
There is no single national definition which precisely determines who is considered to be high risk, since insurance companies assess risk in different ways and state regulations also have an impact.
Common factors can include:
- Multiple traffic violations
- Recent accidents
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- A suspended or revoked license
- Driving without insurance
- A lapse in insurance coverage
- Little or no previous insurance history
- Being in an age group insurers consider higher risk
When giving its explanation of the high-risk coverage it specifically mentions several of these circumstances.
For example, consider a driver who has two speedings, has been at fault in an accident, and has a six-month gap in their car insurance; that driver might have fewer choices available with certain standard insurers than a driver with a clean and unbroken insurance record.
The fact that the General’s area of focus is non-standard might mean that one company is selected for investigation, but it by no means makes certain that acceptance will take place or that a specific premium will be assigned.
What role does SR-22 insurance play?
SR-22 is frequently linked with drivers who are high risk, but it is necessary to grasp what it really is.
An SR-22 isn’t a different kind of car insurance; it is a certificate which you file with the state and usually serves to prove that the driver has the necessary liability insurance. A state can require someone to get one following certain serious driving offences, for example, a DUI, driving while their licence is suspended, or being involved in certain uninsured accidents.
The General will arrange for the SR-22 to be filed in those states where it can do so. The particular requirements and the length of time involved will vary according to state law and the circumstances that give rise to the requirement. There is no requirement for all states to have an SR-22 system.
It means that The General will be relevant to a person who needs both an insurance policy and an SR-22 form to be filed.
A important point to note is that having an SR-22 does not imply that you have “full coverage”; liability insurance, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are separate components of an auto policy.
What kind of coverage is available?
The General provides a number of different types of auto insurance coverage, but the specific choices and the conditions vary according to the state and the policy.
Typical coverage categories include:
Liability coverage
Liability insurance can be used to cover injuries or damage to property that you cause to other people when you are legally at fault in an accident. Although the various states usually set a minimum level of liability coverage, the required limits vary.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage will help with the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle following a covered collision, provided that the claim is subject to your policy’s deductible and terms.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive cover applies to any damage that is not the result of a collision, for example losses due to weather, theft or objects falling.
Gap coverage
Gap insurance is useful in the case where the amount owed on a vehicle which has been financed or leased is more than the value of the vehicle after a total loss that is covered. The availability and eligibility will differ.
The General includes among its auto insurance policies liability, collision, comprehensive, and gap coverage.
The important thing to realize is that the fact of being a high-risk driver does not mean that you will automatically have limited protection; your actual policy will depend on the coverage that you choose, the state’s requirements, your eligibility, and the terms of the policy.
Will the rate for a general policy be higher for a high-risk driver?
Not necessarily.
The General presents itself as a choice for people who might have trouble obtaining standard coverage, but you can’t assume that since it specialises in high-risk insurance it will always give you the lowest quote.
The premiums you pay are customized to you. According to the General, its quoting procedure takes into account details such as your address, age, credit record, marital status, driving record, SR-22 situation, the specifications of the vehicle, and how often you drive.
The rules set by the state also determine the amounts that insurers can charge and the type of coverage they can provide.
That is why the appropriate question is not simply, “Is The General cheap?” But rather:
What should I say when comparing The General’s quote with those quoted by other insurers who are offering me a similar type of coverage?
Look at the same levels of liability coverage, the same deductibles, the same collision and comprehensive coverages, and all the other important coverage features. A cheaper premium doesn’t always indicate a better value if it is accompanied by considerably less protection.
What are the benefits for high-risk drivers?
The greatest possible advantage of the General is its approachability.
Some standard insurance companies might be unwilling to offer you a policy if you have a bad driving record, a gap in your coverage, or an SR-22 requirement, and that is precisely what the General aims at.
A further benefit is that the company provides online quotations and states that drivers can look after most of the purchasing process themselves through digital means. The company also offers an SR-22 filing service in those states where it is able to file one.
For a person who needs to get insurance quickly in order to regain their driving privileges or keep their required coverage, the convenience available can be important.
What Should You Be On The Watch For?
The principal problem is that a high-risk policy has to be assessed just as any other insurance policy does.
The amount of premium you pay could be influenced by the same risk factors which led you to look for non-standard insurance initially. For example, a serious breach, a record of accidents, or missing insurance payments can cause insurers to charge you a lot more.
You should also check the policy carefully for:
- Liability limits
- Collision and comprehensive deductibles
- Available optional coverage
- Exclusions
- Payment requirements
- Cancellation terms
- State-specific conditions
The General makes it clear that coverage, rates, payment plans, possible savings, and the availability of the product may differ from state to state and from program to program, and that coverage is governed by the terms and conditions of the policy.
A Practical Example
Imagine that two drivers are looking for insurance on vehicles that are similar.
Driver A has never had any offences, enjoys uninterrupted insurance coverage, and has no serious violations.
Driver B has recently been convicted of a DUI, has a record of having their licence suspended, and requires an SR-22.
When looking for standard auto insurance, Driver B is far more likely to come across restrictions or have to pay higher premiums. The General’s high-risk and SR-22 options are the ones most applicable in such situations.
Driver B should still look at the different quotes. Although the General insurance option may be available, availability and pricing will depend on the state, the driver’s history, the vehicle, the coverage chosen, and other individual factors.
Is the General suitable for you?
The idea of a general insurance arrangement becomes reasonable only if your main issue is securing an insurer who will agree to cover you.
It is particularly worth investigating if you have:
- A less-than-perfect driving record
- A recent accident or violations
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- An insurance lapse
- No previous insurance history
- An SR-22 requirement
For someone who has never received a traffic violation, there is consequently less grounds for believing that The General will be the most competitive of the options. The appropriate course of action is to compare a number of insurers based on identical coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The General designed just for high-risk drivers?
On the contrary, although the company provides auto insurance in a general way, it targets drivers with certain circumstances by offering non-standard and high-risk coverage since it can be difficult for them to get standard insurance.
Does The General provide SR-22 insurance?
The company supplies SR-22 forms in those states where it can do so, since an SR-22 is a statement showing that the required liability coverages have been obtained rather than a standalone insurance policy.
Does having an SR-22 indicate that I have full coverage?
No, an SR-22 usually confirms that the required liability insurance is in place. Collision and comprehensive cover are separate kinds of protection which you might be able to take out depending on your individual situation and state.
For how long do I need to have an SR-22?
The length of time needed will vary according to state law and the reason for filing; the General points out that many drivers have to keep their SR-22 for at least three years, although in some cases a longer period is required.
Can I get The General with a bad driving record?
The General specifically says it serves drivers with accidents, violations, lapses in coverage, and other high-risk circumstances. Actual eligibility and pricing depend on the state and individual application.
The Bottom Line
The General is genuinely geared toward high-risk and non-standard auto insurance customers, rendering it especially relevant if accidents, violations, an insurance lapse, or an SR-22 requirement have made traditional insurance difficult to obtain.
But “designed for high-risk drivers” does not mean “automatically the right choice” or “always the cheapest.” Before buying, compare quotes using the same coverage limits and deductibles, check your state’s requirements, and read the policy terms carefully. Your final eligibility, coverage, and price will depend on your individual circumstances and where you live.
