- Covers high-risk drivers and files SR-22s and FR-44s.
- Available in all 50 states and D.C.
- Guarantees repairs at Gold Medal network shops.
- Backed by Allstate following its 2021 acquisition.
- Custom360 coverage tiers offer meaningful customization.
- Higher-than-average premiums for most profiles.
- High volume of consumer complaints (NAIC).
- Near-bottom J.D. Power scores for both shopping and claims.
- D+ CRASH Network grade.
- May charge a cancellation fee.
National General car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
National General isn’t competing to be your first choice. It’s competing to be your option when other carriers say no.
Also known as NatGen, National General has carved out a specific role in the auto insurance market: providing coverage to high-risk drivers. This includes those with DUIs, multiple violations, lapsed policies or other risk factors that cause standard carriers to decline them. The company files SR-22 and FR-44 forms on behalf of drivers who need them, operates in all 50 states and D.C., and offers both standard and non-standard policies through a network of independent agents and online. In 2021, Allstate acquired National General for approximately $4 billion, giving it the financial backing of one of the country’s largest insurers.
For drivers who have exhausted options at standard carriers, National General represents access… and access matters when you’re legally required to carry insurance but struggling to get it at any price. NatGen’s Custom360 coverage tiers mean genuine flexibility, while its network of Gold Medal repair shops carries a lifetime repair guarantee. Jerry customers rate it a solid 4.4 out of 5, which is notably higher than its industry ratings would suggest.
That said, National General’s industry scores are poor across the board: near or at the bottom of JD Power’s shopping and claims studies, a D+ from CRASH Network and a high NAIC complaint volume. Its premiums run above the national average even for the high-risk profiles it specializes in, and claim delays are among the most common consumer complaints. More notable, a 2024 Department of Justice lawsuit against National General alleged the company forced unnecessary insurance on vehicle loan customers; this case is still active.
For drivers with clean records seeking competitive rates, there are better options. For drivers who need coverage and can’t get it elsewhere, National General is worth a quote.
Who National General is best and worst for
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 or FR-44 filing. National General specializes in non-standard coverage and will file SR-22 and FR-44 forms on your behalf — a service many standard carriers won’t provide, particularly for DUI-related violations.
A driver with a lapsed policy or significant violations. If you’ve been declined by standard carriers due to gaps in coverage, multiple at-fault accidents or serious violations, National General is specifically designed to serve this profile.
Someone who needs the flexibility of Custom360 coverage. National General’s two-tier coverage system (Signature and Elite) lets drivers customize their policy with add-ons including accident forgiveness, deductible credits and new vehicle replacement.
A driver with a clean record seeking competitive rates. National General’s rates run above the national average even for standard profiles. Drivers who qualify for coverage elsewhere will almost always find better pricing with other carriers.
Someone who prioritizes claims satisfaction. National General ranks near the bottom of JD Power’s 2025 claims satisfaction study, and claim delays are among the most frequently cited consumer complaints. Drivers who want confidence in the claims process should look at higher-rated carriers.
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Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does National General car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage with National General is $167 per month among Jerry drivers, about 49% cheaper than the national average.Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want.
Based on our analysis of 1,232,449 real National General customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level:
Minimum
$67 – $143/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$155 – $340/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$178 – $368/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$28 – $87/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of National General car insurance
National General scores poorly across most industry measures. Its strongest attribute is the financial backing of its parent, Allstate.
| Rating | National General’s score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | High (2.74). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | D+. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | No. 15 of 18. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | No. 20 of 20. |
| AM Best (2025) | A+ (Superior). |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
National General car insurance coverage options
Like most insurers, National General offers collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
National General offers its Custom360 coverage in two tiers (Signature and Elite) with a menu of optional add-ons:
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Accident forgiveness means your rate won’t increase after your first qualifying at-fault accident.
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New vehicle replacement replaces a totaled vehicle with the current model year rather than the depreciated value.
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Rideshare coverage extends coverage for drivers working for rideshare or delivery platforms.
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Deductible credits lower your deductible for every 12-month claim-free period.
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Portable electronics coverage extends to electronics damaged in or on your vehicle.
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Transportation coverage pays for car rental, public transit or other transportation costs when your vehicle is disabled.
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Gold Medal repair guarantee means repairs made at National General’s network of Gold Medal shops are guaranteed for the lifetime of the vehicle.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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National General car insurance discounts
National General offers discounts for:
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Multi-policy — Bundle auto with home insurance
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Pay in full — Pay the full premium upfront
🛣️
Low mileage — Drive fewer miles than average
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Anti-theft — Vehicle equipped with an anti-theft device
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Multi-vehicle — Insure multiple vehicles on the same policy
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Safe driver — Clean driving record
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Paperless — Sign up for electronic statements
Does National General offer insurance based on driving behavior?
Yes. National General’s DynamicDrive telematics program tracks driving behavior via a smartphone app and tailors your rate based on performance. Factors monitored include time of day, phone use while driving, hard braking and speeds above 79 mph. Safe drivers can earn savings at renewal.
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with National General
National General offers multiple ways for filing a claim and managing it once filed.
File online or by phone
You can file a claim online at nationalgeneral.com or by calling 1-800-468-3466. National General’s claims line is available 24/7.
Get assigned an adjuster
After filing, National General assigns an adjuster to assess the damage. The company says it can process claims in as little as 24 hours, but claim delays are one of the most common complaints from consumers who have filed with the NAIC. Complex claims in particular may take significantly longer.
Repair authorization and Gold Medal guarantee
National General will provide a repair estimate which you may use at any licensed shop. However, the Gold Medal lifetime guarantee only applies to repairs completed at a network shop. Given the D+ CRASH Network grade, verify your preferred shop’s experience with National General before authorizing work.
Repair and rental
If you have rental or transportation coverage, National General will authorize a rental car or reimburse alternative transportation costs while your vehicle is being repaired.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, National General offers a settlement based on your car’s actual cash value (ACV). Drivers with new vehicle replacement coverage may be eligible for a current model year replacement instead.
Customer reviews of National General
More than 1,700 Jerry customers have reviewed National General’s auto insurance. And despite the carrier’s weak industry ratings, they’ve given it one of the higher scores in this review set.
The gap between National General’s industry ratings and its Jerry customer score is notable. This likely reflects the carrier’s role as a provider of last resort: drivers who get coverage through National General when they had few alternatives may rate their experience more favorably than drivers who had higher expectations going in.
Is National General a good insurance company?
National General occupies a specific and legitimate role in the insurance market: it provides coverage to drivers who struggle to get it elsewhere, and it does so in all 50 states with meaningful coverage customization. For high-risk drivers who need SR-22 filing or have been declined by standard carriers, National General may be the most practical option available.
For drivers with clean records, it’s harder to recommend. Rates run above average, industry satisfaction scores are near the bottom of the market and claim delays are a documented and common complaint. Compare National General with other options through Jerry before committing, especially if you qualify for standard coverage elsewhere.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact National General
You can manage your policy, file a claim, make payments, or start a quote online at nationalgeneral.com. National General also has a mobile app, though user reviews note it rates below average in app stores.
- Claims (24/7): 1-800-468-3466
- Get a quote: 1-800-462-2123
- Customer service: 1-888-293-5108
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of National General auto insurance?
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Does National General file SR-22s?
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Does National General cover rental cars?
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How long does National General take to process a claim?
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How do I file a claim with National General?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
