National General Auto Insurance Review

Name: National General Auto Insurance Review
Item: National General Auto Insurance
Rating: 9

Insurance / Auto Insurance

Written By:

Sara Coleman

Last Updated:Mar 12, 2024

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While the customer service reviews are mixed at best, National General may be worth considering if you’re looking for multiple discounts, several extra features, and if you might be excluded from coverage from other carriers.

9/10

Cost

9/10

Features

8/10

Ease of use

9/10

Services

8.5/10

The Allstate-owned National General's focus has traditionally been on auto insurance, it also offers homeowners insurance, RV insurance, motorcycle insurance, and even National General health insurance policies.

So how does this company, with its long-standing roots in the automotive industry, stack up to the other big names in the insurance industry? Keep reading our National General insurance review to find out how it compares.

What is National General Insurance?

Founded in 1939, National General Insurance began as the Motor Insurance Corporation formed by GMAC. This United States automotive insurance provider was founded specifically for those purchasing vehicles through General Motors.

As National General has grown, it has continued offering a wide range of insurance coverage choices and discounts for auto insurance policies — including for traditionally considered high-risk drivers.

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National General coverage options for auto insurance

National General offers the standard options for coverage you would expect from a large insurance provider, plus a few options you don’t always find with other companies when comparison shopping.

Bodily injury liability
Property damage liability
Collision
Comprehensive
Medical payments
Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Roadside assistance
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
Auto protection plan

How does National General work?

To obtain a policy quote, you can use the company's free quote tool and fill out a form. You’ll need your full bio details, such as your current auto policy and VIN. You also have the option to call customer service.

Once you’ve received your quote online, you can also purchase your policy on the spot. Again, if you have any questions, you can always pick up the phone and chat with someone about it.

How much does National General auto insurance cost?

The most effective way to determine your exact rate and make an insurance decision is to get a direct quote from National General and speak with an insurance agent. Auto insurance rates are impacted by several factors, including:

Age
Gender
Location
Driving history
Marital status
Coverage options
Discounts
Amount of your deductible

Discounts are a huge factor with National General. The company offers an impressive number of ways to reduce your premiums for auto insurance. Some of the discounts you might be able to take advantage of include the following:

Paid-in-full — when you pay your annual premium upfront
Multi-vehicle discount
Safe-driver discount — if you complete a defensive driving course (only available in certain states)
RVs and autos on one policy.
Low mileage discount
Affinity discounts — National General Insurance offers membership discounts for various organizations.
Multi-policy discount — bundling options with other offerings, such as renters insurance
Paperless — you can save if you switch to paperless statements.
Anti-Theft
AutoPay - If you set up your payments to draft automatically
GM/GMAC customer discount
GM family first discount
GM supplier discount
Onstar subscriber

Examples of premium costs

For a real quote example, I got a quote based on a single, college-educated male renting a home in Chicago and driving an average of 11,000 to 13,000 miles a year in a 2018 Toyota Camry. I received the minimum and full coverage options.

Minimum coverage includes:

Bodily Injury: $25k/$50k
Property Damage: $20k
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25k/$50k

Full coverage includes:

Bodily Injury: $100k/$300k
Property Damage: $50k
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $100k/$300k
Collision Deductible: $1k
Comprehensive Deductible: $1k

How can I get the lowest rate possible with National General car insurance?

In addition to using every possible discount, there are a couple of other ways to lower your insurance quote. You can:

Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible (out-of-pocket costs before any insurance kicks in), the lower your car insurance rates.
Lower your coverage amounts. If it’s still too costly, consider where you can lower your coverage amounts while still meeting your state's minimum coverage requirements.

Related: The Cost of Car Insurance

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National General Features

National General has several features you’d expect to find with a large auto insurance company, but there are also a few surprises.

Fast online quote and policy purchase process

"Get your quote, get your policy, and get on with your life." National General is a free online resource that makes the process quick and painless. If you run into any bumps online, you can always call them for additional help.

The speediness continues after you’ve purchased your policy, too. National General handles minor claims within 48 hours after you file.

SmartDrive app

Although National General doesn’t have an app for managing your policy, you can download the SmartDrive app to monitor your driving habits and receive feedback. In turn, this could lower your premiums based on your actions.

SmartReplacement

This is the National General’s answer to GAP insurance. If your car is totaled, National General connects you with an expert to find a replacement car of your desired make and model.

Multiple discounts

From low-mileage driving to belonging to a specific club, you can get a discount for almost anything.

Stranded motorist help

National General will give you $500 in emergency expenses allowances, such as food and lodging, if you’re stranded due to a covered claim.

National General Motor Club

For an additional amount, you can become a member of the National General Motor Club. This membership offers you 24/7 roadside assistance, towing (without limits) to the nearest repair shop, up to $750 for expenses due to an accident away from your home, and other perks.

Who is National General best suited for?

High-risk drivers

National General features a policy specifically for those with a DUI/DWI on their driving record. Although the policy rates are higher, National General works with you to get discounts. You also have many of the same great features as someone without a DUI/DWI. You must complete a Safe Driver program to take advantage of this for your policy.

Those who love their discounts

Again, numerous discounts are available to help reduce your premiums' cost.

Who shouldn’t use National General?

National General isn’t suitable for everyone. We suggest looking elsewhere:

If you place high value on customer service

National General has mixed customer service reviews. In the NAIC customer complaint index, National General has a score of 3.2. An insurance company should strive for a score of 1 or lower. The bad news continues when you look at the JD Power 2023 Auto Claims Overall Customer Satisfaction Survey and the 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Survey, where National General finishes just a little over the bottom.

Pros and cons

Pros

Car valet service. If you find yourself in an accident or stranded, National General offers a car valet service that picks up your damaged vehicle and then brings you a rental car after an insurance claim. Once your vehicle is repaired, they deliver it to you and return the rental car for you. This service is also available for those who have a DUI/DWI on their record.
Insurance for those with a DUI/DWI. National General insurers will not automatically drop policyholders' coverage or refuse to insure you even if you have one DUI/DWI on your driving record. Your premiums may increase and you have to enroll in a Safe Driving Course, but National General works with you even if your record is less-than-perfect.
Satisfaction guarantee. Another interesting offer from National General is their Satisfaction Guarantee. If you’re unhappy with your claims service, part of your deductible (up to $250) will be waived.
An app for convenience. If you like being able to file a claim, request roadside assistance, or have your policy through an app then this is a great option.

Cons

Mixed customer service reviews. The reviews speak for themselves. If you want an insurance company with high customer satisfaction ratings, there are other options with more impressive reviews.

National General vs. competitors

National General is hardly the only auto insurance company on the scene. How does it compare to some of the other car insurance companies?

Carrier	J.D. Power 2023 claims satisfaction ranking	Discounts available
National General	863/1,000	Yes
Amica Mutual	909/1,000	Yes
State Farm	891/1,000	Yes
Geico	871/1,000	Yes
USAA	Not rated	Yes
Progressive	870/1,000	Yes
Erie	902/1,000	Yes
Nationwide	875/1,000	Yes
Auto-Owners	888/1,000	Yes
Farmers	878/1,000	Yes
Allstate	882/1,000	Yes
Liberty Mutual	866/1,000	Yes

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The bottom line

National General offers you several options, both with coverage and discounts. Plus, you’re not automatically excluded from coverage if you're a high-risk driver. While the customer service reviews are mixed at best, National General may be worth considering if you’re looking for multiple discounts and several extra features, as well as if you might be excluded from coverage from other carriers.

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Sara Coleman is a former corporate gal turned creative entrepreneur. She began writing professionally several years ago and now contributes to multiple websites, blogs, and magazines. She’s also an avid reader and can’t resist a great historical fiction novel. Sara holds a BA in journalism from the University of Georgia and can be found supporting her Bulldogs every chance she has. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her wonderfully supportive husband and three children. When she’s not ushering her kids to sports and dance lessons, she can be found creating content for her own website, TheProperPen.com.

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