National General Auto Insurance Review (2024)

National General initially provided insurance for General Motors drivers as the GMAC Insurance Group. Today, National General is owned by Allstate but continues to sell insurance under its own name.

Affectionately known as NatGen, National General offers a variety of insurance products, including high-risk insurance for drivers with DUIs and other violations. It also offers special perks for RV owners and drivers associated with General Motors.

Unfortunately, National General has higher rates and more complaints than comparable companies. So while the best insurance for you might not be the cheapest, you’ll likely find similar plans for much less.

National General’s unique perks and discounts make it worth getting quotes from, but you should always compare multiple companies. Learn more about National General below, then look at rates from other companies to find the best policy.

What You Should Know About National General Insurance Company (Integon)

Unfortunately, National General Insurance reviews are not the best.

One of the most important things people look at when shopping for insurance is rates. While the cheapest rates don’t necessarily mean the best insurance, finding an affordable price is integral to your overall satisfaction.

National General’s rates are typically much higher than its competitors, sometimes tripling the prices of other companies. It also receives a much higher volume of customer complaints than companies of the same size. Most complaints center around National General’s customer service.

However, it’s not all bad news. National General has solid discounts and helpful policy features, especially for RV owners. National General also offers insurance to high-risk drivers and helps with cheap SR-22 auto insurance.

National General Ratings

While its customers might not paint a flattering picture, third-party rating companies leave more positive National General reviews.

A.M. Best ranks companies based on financial stability and gives National General an A-. This grade means that National General is a financially sound company and should have no problem paying any claim you might make.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates companies’ abilities to resolve customer complaints. National General receives an A+ from the Better Business Bureau(BBB), but there are nearly 2,000 complaints on the site.

J.D. Power lists insurance companies by their overall customer satisfaction on a scale of up to 1,000 points. National General scored 815, the lowest of the 25 companies on the list.

Finally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) creates ratios for insurance companies of complaints received compared to their size. The average score is 1.0, and National General is far above it with a 9.44. That means National General gets more than nine times the average number of complaints.

National General Claims Handling

The National General Insurance company has a lot of negative reviews, but they don’t usually stem from how it handles claims. In fact, most customers report overall satisfaction with the National General claims department.

Customers report that National General processes claims quickly — most small claims are resolved and paid within 48 hours. Of course, more complex claims will take longer, but people seem satisfied with the resolution time.

As with all insurance companies, National General receives some complaints about its claims handling. However, these complaints are few, and National General seems to do quite well.

National General Insurance Company (Integon) Insurance Coverage Options

National General offers the following types of coverage:

• Liability insurance. Liability comes in two parts — bodily injury and property damage. This insurance pays for damage you cause in an accident, and most states require drivers to carry it.
• Collision insurance. You need collision coverage if you want your insurance to pay for repairs to your car after an accident.
• Comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive coverage protects your car from everything else, including fire, weather, theft, and vandalism.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist. If a driver without enough insurance hits you, your uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your car repairs. Uninsured motorist insurance also covers hit-and-runs.
• Medical payments. Medical payments insurance covers your health care expenses after an accident.
• Personal injury protection. Personal injury protection pays for health care bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and even funeral costs after an accident.

The amount of insurance you need depends on your unique circumstances. For example, you might be fine with minimum insurance if you own an older car outright and want to stick to a budget.

You’ll probably need full coverage if you have a loan or lease on your car or can’t afford to replace it. Full coverage includes liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist insurances, plus medical payments or personal injury protection.

Does National General sell car insurance add-ons?

Car insurance add-ons are a great way to customize your policy and add value to your plan. National General offers a few solid choices that extend the coverage on your car. These include:

• Rental car reimbursement. National General will give you a daily allowance for a rental car when your vehicle is repaired after an accident.
• Roadside assistance. While all National General auto insurance policies include towing after an accident, roadside assistance helps with additional problems like fuel delivery or a battery jumpstart.
• SR-22 insurance. If your license has been revoked, you’ll probably need an SR-22 form to prove you carry your state’s minimum insurance. National General will file the form for you for a small fee.
• Locksmith service. Are you worried about locking yourself out of your car? You can purchase locksmith services for up to $50.
• Auto protection plan. Similar to mechanical breakdown insurance, this add-on covers the cost of unexpected repairs but will not cover routine wear-and-tear repairs.
• Mexico travel. Most American car insurance won’t work in Mexico, but National General can keep you legally covered.
• Accidental death and dismemberment. National General will cover related expenses if you die or are dismembered in an accident.

Do National General policies come with other benefits?

Although National General receives a high number of complaints, many customers feel the extra benefits of a NatGen plan make up for it. National General offers the following benefits:

• Emergency services. National General will give you up to $250 for food, lodging, and travel expenses if you find yourself stranded after a covered incident.
• Lifetime guarantee for repairs. As long as you use one of its Gold Medal repair shops, National General guarantees a comprehensive or collision repair for as long as you own the car. This coverage is only available if you have rental car reimbursement.
• Guaranteed claims service satisfaction. National General is committed to a happy claims resolution for every customer. If you’re not satisfied with your claim, National General will waive $250 off your deductible.

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, these benefits are available on every policy. In addition, national General also offers perks with its SmartServices package and for drivers connected with General Motors.

What is National General’s SmartServices?

National General offers its SmartServices package to elevate your insurance experience. The SmartServices package includes:

• SmartAssist. This is a roadside assistance feature with better services than the standard plan.
• SmartDrive. SmartDrive is an elevated version of rental reimbursement. It picks you up after an accident and covers a rental car similar to your own vehicle.
• SmartInspect. You can choose any vehicle inspection service to review your car after it’s been repaired for a covered incident.
• SmartReplacement. Totaling your car is never a fun experience, but the SmartReplacement program gives you expert advice on replacing your car. You’ll also get special pricing on GM vehicles.
• SmartValet. SmartValet brings the rental car while you wait for repairs. After your car is fixed, SmartValet brings your vehicle to you and returns the rental.

SmartServices offers a great package if you want a better customer service experience. Check with a representative if you’re interested because prices and availability vary by state.

What is the National General Motor Club?

National General manages the National General Motor Club, and members get unique benefits. These include:

• 24/7 support on the road
• Trip routing and maps
• Locksmith services
• Discounts on shopping, dining, and entertainment
• Roadside and towing services
• Legal defense
• Trip interruption coverage
• Auto theft deterrent awards
• Arrest bonds
• Vehicle repair check guarantee
• Hospital emergency room bond
• $750 reimbursement for emergency services

Membership in the National General Motor Club comes in three tiers — basic, standard, and elite. These cost between $59 and $89 a year, and adding additional drivers to your plan costs as low as $10.

Does National General sell other types of insurance?

National General has plenty of alternative insurance options, and you’ll qualify for a bundling discount if you buy additional policies.

National General sells the following policies:

• Commercial auto
• RV
• Motorcycle
• Homeowners/condo/renters
• Flood
• Umbrella
• NatGen Health
• Private collections

Although any of National General’s policies could be a good fit, RV owners should get a quote for coverage. National General is an excellent choice for RV insurance because of the unique discounts and features you’ll get when you bundle RV and auto insurance.

National General Insurance Company (Integon) Insurance Rates Breakdown

Although National General offers excellent perks, its rates are generally much higher than the national average. Check out the map below to see the average annual full coverage car insurance rates by state.

This is partly because National General provides coverage to high-risk drivers. High-risk insurance comes at higher prices due to the increased likelihood of future claims.

Although National General car insurance rates are usually higher than other companies, it’s still worth getting a quote. And remember — the cheapest insurance isn’t always the best.

How much is minimum coverage vs. full coverage with National General?

Minimum coverage refers to the smallest amount of insurance you can carry in your state and still be legal to drive. Getting minimum coverage is a great way to keep the price of your insurance low. Full coverage refers to a suite of insurances that give your car a better range of protection. Although it’s more expensive, it also offers more valuable coverage.

Here is how National General's full coverage rates compare to minimum coverages.

The average minimum coverage with National General is about 20% higher than other companies. It can’t compete with providers like GEICO or USAA, but your rates will vary based on location due to car insurance requirements in your state.

You don’t need to figure out your state’s laws by yourself — an insurance representative will know exactly how much coverage you need to be legal. Keep in mind that minimum coverage comes with greater out-of-pocket expenses if you’re ever in an accident.

As with minimum coverage, National General’s rates are above average. However, they are cheaper than Allstate, which is one of America’s most popular companies.

How much is National General for teens?

Teen drivers are one of the most expensive demographics for car insurance. These inexperienced drivers are more likely to engage in reckless behaviors, make incorrect choices in dangerous situations, and be involved in car accidents.

Like all companies that offer teen car insurance, National General rates are much higher for young drivers.

When you need to find cheap auto insurance rates for teens, National General might not be the best choice. Instead, companies like Travelers, Allstate, or USAA are better choices because they offer much lower rates for teens.

How much is National General for adults?

Young adult drivers typically have a few years of experience on the road, but insurance companies still consider them high-risk. Statistically, young drivers are more likely to file claims than older adults.

Although young adult drivers see higher rates until about 25, National General offers relatively affordable prices.

While still more expensive, National General’s rates for young adult drivers match more closely to the national average. Young adults looking to cut their insurance bills should look into National General discounts, especially if they have clean driving records.

Adult drivers are the cheapest demographic when it comes to age. Starting around 25, your rates will gradually lower as long as you maintain a clean driving record. You’ll probably see your cheapest rates between 55 and 65.

Like young adult rates, National General is slightly above the national average for adult car insurance.

Adult drivers should take advantage of as many car insurance discounts as possible to get the lowest rates. If the price of your insurance is your top priority, you’ll probably find cheaper rates elsewhere.

How much is National General for older adults?

After decades of decreasing rates, drivers may see their insurance prices rise again as they age. This is because senior drivers are statistically more likely to file claims.

While National General rates are still higher than the national average, drivers in their 60s and 70s might find more affordable rates.

As with other age groups, National General is nowhere near the most affordable. Instead, it stays above the national average. Take a look at National General's rates by age:

Learn more about buying senior auto insurance.

How much is National General after an accident?

An at-fault accident on your driving record can drastically increase your rates for years, but finding affordable coverage isn’t impossible. Unfortunately, National General continues its trend of higher rates for people with accidents on their record.

Again, National General beats out only Allstate and AAA with its rates. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, you’ll probably have more luck comparing rates from companies like State Farm.

Other companies might deny you coverage if you have multiple accidents on your record. When that happens, you’ll need to look for high-risk insurance. Although rates will be much higher, National General will probably work with you.

How much is National General after a speeding ticket?

Nearly everyone is guilty of speeding, especially when running late for work, school, or an appointment. However, speeding can be incredibly dangerous and is a factor in a large percentage of accidents.

Although National General is willing to work with high-risk drivers, it charges more than the national average. You should compare rates with other companies even if you have several speeding tickets to see if you can find a better deal. Find out how a speeding ticket can affect your auto insurance rates.

How much is National General after a DUI?

Of all the traffic violations that will increase your insurance rates, DUIs hit the hardest. After a DUI, it’s important to shop for new car insurance because rates vary wildly between companies. Your old insurance might not have the lowest rate for you.

National General does relatively well for drivers with a DUI. State Farm offers better prices, but National General is more affordable than major names like GEICO, Allstate, Nationwide, and AAA. Learn how to find affordable auto insurance for divers with a DUI.

How much is National General for drivers with poor credit?

While you might not guess that your credit score is part of the equation determining how much you’ll pay for car insurance, it plays an integral role. Insurance companies keep careful track of claims data, and the numbers show that people with low credit scores are more likely to file a claim.

National General is willing to work with low credit scores, but its rates are higher than the national average.

Although rates are higher, you don’t have to pay high rates forever. You can lower your rates by increasing your score — even getting into the fair category could reduce your rates by up to 50%.

National General Insurance Company (Integon) Discounts Available

National General offers many of the same standard auto insurance discounts as other companies. The list isn’t as long as competitors and notably misses student discounts, but there are still plenty of ways to save:

• Paid-in-full
• RV owner
• Multi-car
• Safe driver
• Policy bundling
• Automatic payments
• Paperless documents
• Low mileage

One of National General’s most unique discounts is for RV owners. If you have a policy that covers a car and an RV, you’ll receive 20% off your rates. Additionally, you’ll only pay one deductible if you need to file a claim for both.

National General GM Discounts

For most of its existence, National General was owned by General Motors. Due to this relationship, National General offers special discounts to drivers connected to General Motors. These drivers include:

• People who have a GM card, GMAC auto financing, or a GMAC mortgage
• Current or former GM employees
• Employees of suppliers or dealerships that work with GM
• OnStar subscribers with low mileage rates on their car

You might see much lower rates if you’re eligible, but National General’s GM discounts aren’t available in every state. You’ll need to speak with an insurance representative to check your eligibility. Take a look at some of the discounts in this table:

National General Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Gender and Age

National General’s DynamicDrive

Usage-based auto insurance programs are gaining popularity because they offer safe drivers a way to save on their insurance. National General’s usage-based program is DynamicDrive.

DynamicDrive monitors your driving habits through the Routely app. It tracks driving behaviors like speeding, using your phone, and hard braking, then calculates a score after 30 days. You automatically get a discount for signing up for DynamicDrive, but you can save even more if you practice safe habits.

Usage-based insurance is a good option for low mileage drivers who practice safe habits. You can opt out of DynamicDrive whenever you’d like, but you’ll lose your participation discount.