driver with concern reviewing car insurance after rejection
National General Insurance Review Is It Worth It
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Getting rejected for car insurance stings. When you're holding an SR-22 requirement or nursing a DUI on your record, mainstream carriers suddenly go silent. That's the exact market where National General operates—they've spent decades writing policies for drivers who can't get coverage anywhere else.
Allstate bought National General in 2021 for $4 billion, seeing value in a company that deliberately targets high-risk markets. National General didn't get absorbed into Allstate's standard operations. Instead, it kept running as its own entity with separate underwriting rules designed specifically for drivers carrying baggage that scares off State Farm and Progressive.
The trade-off? You'll pay more. Sometimes a lot more. But when your choices narrow down to "expensive coverage" versus "no coverage at all," the math changes completely.
What Makes National General Different from Standard Insurers
The company started in 1939, bouncing through various corporate identities before landing on the National General brand during the 1990s. Today they write policies across all 50 states, though specific programs pop up or disappear depending on where you live and what state regulators allow.
Allstate's ownership changed the financial picture substantially. National General operates independently but now has backing from a carrier rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best. National General itself carries an A- rating—still solid, just a few notches lower. That distinction matters if you obsess over financial strength ratings, though both ratings indicate the company will actually pay claims when you need them to.
Distribution happens through three main channels: independent insurance agents, direct-to-consumer sales, and partnerships with banks and other financial companies. This scattered approach helps National General reach people who aren't comparison shopping on insurance websites—they're often scrambling to find anyone willing to quote them after repeated rejections.
Here's what National General doesn't do: pretend they're competing on price for drivers with pristine records. They're not. A 35-year-old with zero tickets and a 750 credit score will find cheaper coverage elsewhere, guaranteed. National General knows this. Their pitch is simpler: "We'll actually insure you."
Author: Tara Livingston;
Source: trialstribulations.net
Who Should Consider National General Insurance
High-Risk and Specialty Driver Programs
A DUI in your recent history acts like kryptonite with most carriers. Three speeding tickets in two years? Good luck getting a quote. Two at-fault accidents? Prepare for sticker shock or outright rejection. National General built their business around exactly these scenarios.
Their underwriting examines context instead of applying blanket rules. One DUI from four years ago when you were 22 gets evaluated differently than two DUIs in the past 18 months. This granular approach means some drivers walk away with rates that seem almost reasonable despite their record, while others still face painful premiums—but at least they get a number instead of a rejection letter.
Teenagers who've already had an accident, older drivers with coverage gaps, people emerging from bankruptcy—National General writes policies for all of them. They'll also cover older vehicles with liability-only protection, a segment many carriers ignore because it generates slim profits.
SR-22 and Non-Standard License Holders
SR-22 certificates prove you're carrying insurance after serious violations. Most standard carriers treat SR-22 requirements like a contagious disease. National General not only accepts these drivers, they've streamlined the entire filing process. They'll submit your SR-22 documentation directly to your state's DMV without you needing to chase paperwork.
The company also handles situations that confuse or intimidate other insurers: suspended licenses needing coverage before reinstatement, foreign licenses without US driving history, permit holders who've been declined elsewhere. These edge cases require insurers with infrastructure built to handle complexity, and National General invested in exactly that capability.
Common scenario: Someone gets a DUI, loses their license, needs SR-22 insurance to eventually get it back. National General issues a non-owner SR-22 policy—covering you when driving vehicles you don't own—then switches you to regular auto insurance once you're licensed again and buy a car. That continuity prevents coverage gaps that could derail your reinstatement timeline.
Author: Tara Livingston;
Source: trialstribulations.net
Coverage Options and Policy Features Breakdown
Standard coverage types appear here like anywhere else: liability for bodily injury and property damage, collision coverage, comprehensive protection, uninsured motorist coverage, and medical payments. State minimums apply, though agents typically push higher liability limits than the legal floor—good advice regardless of your driving record.
Optional add-ons expand from there. Rental car reimbursement picks up the tab for a temporary vehicle while yours sits in the shop getting repaired. Roadside assistance bundles towing, jump-starts, lockout help, and emergency fuel delivery. Gap protection covers the shortfall between your vehicle's actual value and your remaining loan balance if the car gets totaled.
Mechanical breakdown insurance operates like an extended warranty, covering repair bills for component failures unrelated to accidents. Drivers with older vehicles past their factory warranty sometimes find value here, though you'll need to read the exclusions carefully. Custom parts and equipment coverage protects aftermarket stereos, wheels, or other modifications.
Coverage breakdown with availability and pricing:
| What It Covers | Standard Policy Status | Optional Additions | What You'll Pay |
| Liability protection | Bodily injury and property damage at state-required minimums | Increased limits beyond minimums | Base coverage included; raising limits adds $10-30 monthly |
| Collision damage | Not automatic | Covers accident damage; choose deductible from $250-$2,500 | Cost varies with vehicle value |
| Comprehensive losses | Not automatic | Protects against theft, vandalism, weather; deductible $250-$2,500 | Depends on vehicle and location |
| Temporary rental vehicle | Not included | Daily reimbursement $30-50 up to one month | $5-15 added monthly |
| Emergency road service | Not included | Towing, lockout, fuel, jump-starts | $5-10 monthly addition |
| Loan balance protection | Not included | Covers gap between actual value and loan if totaled | $20-40 monthly (financed vehicles only) |
| Component failure repairs | Not included | Mechanical breakdown coverage for parts | $30-100 monthly depending on vehicle |
National General runs usage-based insurance programs that monitor your driving through a smartphone app. Smooth braking, gradual acceleration, and avoiding late-night drives can earn discounts approaching 20%. High-risk drivers trying to demonstrate reformed behavior find this particularly useful—telemetry data showing safe driving patterns carries weight that promises don't.
Policy flexibility ranges from stripped-down state minimums if money's desperately tight, up to comprehensive protection if you're financing something newer. This range accommodates the diverse financial situations typical among National General customers.
How Much Does National General Cost?
Nobody publishes transparent insurance pricing, and National General certainly doesn't break that industry tradition. Rates swing wildly based on your specific risk factors, zip code, and coverage choices. Expect premiums running 50% to 200% higher than what squeaky-clean drivers pay at mainstream carriers.
But context matters here. A driver quoted $3,000 yearly by National General might get zero quotes from GEICO or Progressive. Other high-risk specialists might quote $4,500 or decline coverage entirely. National General's pricing typically lands in the middle range among non-standard insurers—not the absolute cheapest, definitely not the most expensive.
Factors That Affect Your Premium
Your driving history dominates the pricing equation completely. Each at-fault crash, DUI conviction, reckless driving citation, or major violation tacks on substantial surcharges. Timing matters enormously—a DUI from last year impacts rates far more severely than one from five years back. Multiple violations don't just add up; they multiply the damage.
Credit history influences pricing in most states that allow it. National General, like virtually everyone else, uses credit-based insurance scores to predict claim probability. Terrible credit combined with a problematic driving record creates the absolute worst pricing scenario. A handful of states ban or restrict credit's role in insurance pricing, offering some protection for financially struggling drivers.
Your location sets baseline rates through complex calculations about local accident frequency, vehicle theft rates, lawsuit costs, and medical expenses. Urban areas almost always cost more than rural counties because accidents happen more often and repairs cost more. State regulations create dramatic differences too—Michigan's unlimited medical coverage requirement produces much higher premiums than nearby Ohio's capped benefits.
What you drive affects cost through repair expenses, theft statistics, and safety equipment. A decade-old Honda Civic with only liability coverage costs dramatically less than a new BMW with full protection. Many National General customers drive older, less expensive vehicles, which helps keep premiums somewhat manageable despite their risk factors.
Discount opportunities include bundling multiple policies (combining auto with renters or homeowners insurance), insuring multiple vehicles, paying the full six-month premium upfront instead of monthly, and signing up for paperless billing. Completing a state-approved defensive driving course can knock 5-10% off premiums in many states while demonstrating you're serious about improvement.
Monthly payment plans accommodate tight budgets but include service fees that inflate your total annual cost. Paying semi-annually or annually eliminates these fees but requires larger lump sums upfront.
Author: Tara Livingston;
Source: trialstribulations.net
National General Claims Process: What to Expect
Filing claims with National General follows standard industry procedures with some differences in timelines and customer service consistency. They run a 24/7 claims hotline for reporting accidents anytime. You can also file through their mobile app or website, uploading photos and documents directly.
Filing a Claim Step-by-Step
Right after an accident, photograph everything: all vehicles involved, visible damage, license plates, street signs, surrounding context. Exchange information with other drivers—names, phone numbers, insurance details, license numbers. When police come to the scene, make sure you get the incident report number before they leave. Call National General within 24 hours even if you're unsure about filing a claim; waiting too long can create complications.
During your call, a representative assigns your claim number and collects initial details: what happened, exact time and location, who was involved, any injuries. They'll explain the next steps, usually involving damage estimates from approved shops or an adjuster inspection.
National General maintains a network of preferred repair facilities that guarantee their work and speed up the process. You're not forced to use these shops, but choosing one typically accelerates repairs and eliminates upfront costs beyond your deductible. Using your own shop might require paying first and seeking reimbursement later.
An adjuster reviews damage estimates and determines coverage under your policy terms. For comprehensive and collision claims, you pay your deductible to the shop; National General handles the rest up to your vehicle's actual cash value. For liability claims where you caused the accident, they manage the other party's property damage and medical bills up to your policy limits.
Average Settlement Times
Straightforward claims—minor fender benders with clear fault and no injuries—often wrap up within two to three weeks. Messier situations involving injuries, disputed liability, or major damage can drag on for months. National General's average settlement time runs a bit longer than top-tier carriers, a common pattern among non-standard insurers handling riskier customers who statistically file more claims.
Customer reviews paint an inconsistent picture. Some policyholders describe quick, fair settlements with minimal hassle. Others complain about delayed responses, initial lowball offers, and difficulty reaching their assigned adjuster. This variability suggests your experience might depend partly on which regional office handles your case and how complicated your situation is.
The mobile app supposedly provides claim status updates, though customers frequently report these updates lag behind actual progress. Calling your adjuster directly usually yields more current information than checking the app.
National General's customer service runs extended hours but isn't genuinely 24/7 for everything—you can report new claims anytime, but actually speaking with your specific adjuster about an ongoing claim typically requires calling during normal business hours. People working standard 9-to-5 jobs find this frustrating.
Author: Tara Livingston;
Source: trialstribulations.net
National General Ratings and Customer Satisfaction
AM Best gives National General an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating, indicating solid ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. That sits several notches below Allstate's A+ but remains firmly in the "secure" category. Translation for policyholders: reasonable confidence your claims will get paid even during economic turmoil or catastrophic events.
The Better Business Bureau assigns National General an A+ rating based on complaint resolution practices and business conduct, despite thousands of customer complaints logged over the years—not shocking given the company's size and millions of active policies. The BBB rating reflects how complaints get handled rather than absence of complaints.
J.D. Power doesn't rate National General separately in customer satisfaction studies, instead lumping them with other non-standard insurers in aggregate data that consistently scores below standard market carriers. This gap reflects inherent differences—high-risk drivers paying premium rates tend to be less satisfied than preferred customers receiving competitive pricing.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index for National General runs above 1.0, meaning they receive more complaints relative to their market share than expected. The 2022 index landed around 1.4—not alarmingly high but definitely above average. Common complaint themes include claim delays, coverage disputes, and customer service responsiveness issues.
Consumer reviews on independent platforms show mixed results. Positive reviews typically come from drivers grateful to find affordable coverage after repeated rejections elsewhere, praising agents who helped navigate complicated situations. Negative reviews focus on claim disputes, steep renewal increases, and difficulty canceling policies.
National General fulfills a critical market need by covering drivers who'd otherwise be uninsured and driving illegally. Their claims processing and customer experience don't compete with top-tier carriers, but many of their policyholders aren't choosing between National General and better service elsewhere—they're choosing between National General and no legal coverage at all. Recognizing that trade-off is key for anyone considering this company.
— Laura Adams
The ratings and customer feedback reveal a company performing adequately within its market segment without excelling in customer experience measurements. When your alternatives are limited, adequate performance beats no coverage. Drivers who qualify for standard market insurance will almost certainly find better service and pricing elsewhere.
Pros and Cons: Should You Buy National General Insurance?
National General occupies a specific niche effectively while showing obvious limitations compared to standard carriers. Whether they make sense for your situation depends entirely on your circumstances and what alternatives actually exist for you.
Strengths worth considering: National General writes policies for drivers other companies reject outright, providing legal coverage when alternatives have evaporated. They handle SR-22 filings efficiently without making it your problem. The company accepts high-risk drivers without automatic declinations based on single factors. Flexible payment plans accommodate tight budgets. Allstate's backing provides financial stability you can verify. Coverage options allow customization to your specific needs and budget. Independent agent availability means personalized service in many regions. Usage-based insurance programs give reforming high-risk drivers a concrete path toward lower premiums through demonstrated safe driving.
Weaknesses you should know about: Premiums run dramatically higher than standard market rates for drivers who qualify elsewhere. Customer service and claims handling receive mediocre reviews with wildly inconsistent experiences across different regions. The company's complaint index sits above industry average, suggesting more disputes than typical carriers experience. Canceling your policy can prove unexpectedly difficult according to multiple customer reports. Renewal premium increases can be severe, particularly after filing claims. Coverage availability varies significantly by state, with some specialty programs unavailable in certain areas.
Choose National General when standard carriers have declined you, when you need SR-22 filing capability, when you're carrying significant violations making coverage difficult to locate, or when you have non-standard situations like foreign licenses or suspended license reinstatement requirements. The company also works well for drivers with older vehicles wanting basic liability coverage without the hassle of being rejected by carriers that prefer full-coverage policies on newer cars.
Shop elsewhere first if you qualify for standard market insurance—you'll almost certainly discover better rates and service. Drivers with clean records, solid credit, and no coverage gaps should explore mainstream carriers before considering National General. Even among non-standard insurers, comparing quotes from multiple companies remains essential since pricing varies dramatically based on how different companies weight specific risk factors.
National General represents a pragmatic choice rather than an ideal one. They provide functional coverage at elevated prices with adequate but unexceptional service. For many drivers in challenging situations, functional coverage you can actually get beats perfect coverage that doesn't exist for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About National General
National General exists for drivers navigating difficult insurance situations, offering coverage when mainstream options have vanished. Their higher premiums and inconsistent service reviews reflect the realities of insuring riskier drivers, but accessible coverage often outweighs these drawbacks when you're out of alternatives. Before committing, get quotes from multiple non-standard insurers, understand precisely what coverage you're buying, and set realistic expectations about both pricing and service quality. National General provides a workable solution for drivers rebuilding their insurance profile after violations or coverage lapses—not ideal, but available exactly when you need it.
