National General Insurance is one of the longest-standing insurers in the United States, with roots stretching back to 1920 under the name GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation Insurance). Today it offers auto, home, renters, and a range of specialty policies — making it a one-stop shop for many households.
Is it worth doing business with? Here’s an honest breakdown.
Disclaimer: This review is for educational purposes only and reflects independent research. It is not personalized insurance advice. Coverage terms, pricing, and ratings change over time — always verify current details directly with the carrier or a licensed agent.
What is National General Insurance?
Formerly known as GMAC Insurance, National General is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After rebranding, the company expanded well beyond its auto-insurance roots to include property, home, accident, and casualty coverages. It remains one of the larger non-standard auto insurers in the country.
Note: Allstate acquired National General in 2021, but the brand continues to operate independently.
Coverage Options
Automobile Insurance
National General offers a full range of auto coverage: liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist. The company is particularly well-known for serving non-standard (high-risk) drivers — including those with DUI convictions, new drivers, and drivers with poor credit — who may not qualify for standard policies elsewhere.
Available discounts include:
- Low mileage
- Safe driver
- Multi-vehicle
- Paid-in-full
- Multi-policy (bundling)
- Anti-theft device
- GM family first
Notable auto perks:
- Lifetime repair guarantee on collision repairs completed through National General’s Gold Medal Repair Shop network.
- SmartValet — if you’re in an accident, National General picks up your damaged vehicle, provides a rental, and delivers your repaired car back to you (requires rental reimbursement coverage).
- Deductible waiver of up to $250 if you are dissatisfied with your claims handling (not available in Texas).
- 24/7 claims service and a Motor Club with roadside assistance, towing, and trip planning.
- SR-22 and FR-44 filings available for drivers who need proof of financial responsibility.
Homeowner’s Insurance
National General offers home insurance ranging from basic dwelling protection to comprehensive coverage. Notable add-ons include:
- Extended replacement cost coverage for total losses
- Green Upgrade coverage (additional funds for eco-friendly repair materials)
- Identity theft reimbursement
- Increased limits for valuables
Home insurance discounts include: auto companion, claims-free, age of home, college education, gated community, homeowners association, and superior construction.
Renter’s Insurance
Renters insurance through National General covers personal property in a rented home in the event of fire, theft, storm, or other covered losses. Available discounts include protective devices, multi-policy, gated community, claims-free, and college education.
Other Insurance Products
National General also offers:
- Flood Insurance (through the National Flood Insurance Program)
- Condo Insurance
- RV and Motorcycle Insurance
- Umbrella Coverage
- Earthquake Insurance
- Mexico Vehicle Insurance (auto, motorcycle, RV)
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance
- Classic/Collector Car Insurance
National General Insurance Ratings
Better Business Bureau
National General holds an A+ rating from the BBB, reflecting the bureau’s assessment of its business practices and complaint handling. Note that a BBB rating reflects responsiveness, not claims performance.
J.D. Power
J.D. Power’s auto and home insurance studies have historically ranked National General below average in customer satisfaction — particularly in overall satisfaction, policy offerings, billing, and claims handling. These rankings suggest that competitors deliver a better customer experience on average.
AM Best
AM Best rates National General A- (Excellent) for financial strength, meaning the company has a solid ability to pay claims.
Consumer Reviews (approximate, at time of last update)
Customer review scores across platforms have trended mixed-to-negative:
- BBB: A+ (business practices rating)
- Google Reviews: ~2.8 / 5
- ConsumerAffairs: ~2.8 / 5
- Clearsurance: ~2.6 / 5
The pattern across independent consumer reviews points to recurring issues with billing and claims processing.
National General rates below 3 out of 5 across major review platforms
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-risk driver specialization — one of the few carriers willing to insure drivers with DUIs, poor credit, or other disqualifying factors at major insurers.
- Wide discount portfolio — significant savings opportunities if you qualify.
- SR-22 / FR-44 filing — handles the paperwork for drivers who need proof of financial responsibility.
- SmartValet — a genuinely convenient claims perk.
- Emergency expense coverage — can cover food, lodging, and travel while a claim is processed.
- Deductible waiver — partial deductible forgiveness if you’re dissatisfied with claims service.
- 24/7 claims availability.
- Lifetime repair guarantee through Gold Medal shops.
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction — consistently low scores from J.D. Power and consumer review platforms, primarily around claims and billing.
- Higher complaint volume — the NAIC has historically recorded more complaints relative to company size than the industry average.
- No standalone mobile app — policy management requires phone or web, which is a drawback for mobile-first customers.
- Pricing — premiums can run higher than standard-market carriers, particularly if you don’t qualify for multiple discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a National General Insurance quote?
You can get a quote online at nationalgeneral.com, by calling their auto quote line at 1-800-462-2123, or their home insurance line at 1-888-745-2507. You can also work through a local independent agent who represents National General.
How do I file a claim?
File a claim 24/7 via the National General contact portal or by calling 1-800-325-1088.
How long does claims processing take?
Simple, complete claims can be resolved in as little as 24 hours. Complex situations take longer. Documentation accuracy and completeness are the biggest factors in speed.
Is my coverage capped at a dollar amount?
Standard policies cover up to your chosen limits. Additional or scheduled coverage can be purchased for high-value items that exceed standard limits.
Final Verdict
National General Insurance is a solid option for a specific type of customer: high-risk drivers who need non-standard coverage, or households bundling auto and home who want one carrier. The perks like SmartValet, the deductible waiver, and SR-22 filing capability are genuine differentiators.
The clear downside is customer experience. The consistent pattern of below-average scores in J.D. Power studies and consumer reviews — particularly around claims — is something to weigh seriously. If seamless claims handling and strong customer service are priorities, there are carriers that perform better on those dimensions.
Overall: A serviceable insurer with real strengths for the right customer, held back by a weak track record on service delivery.