What National General does and where it ranks

National General is a property and casualty insurer owned by Allstate that sells auto, home, and renters insurance in most U.S. states. It is not a top-tier carrier by market share or brand recognition, but it operates as a legitimate licensed insurer with financial backing from a major parent company. Whether it is a good fit depends on your situation, your state, and what you prioritize — price, claims handling, or coverage options.

National General does not rank in the top five insurers nationally by customer count. It competes in the middle market, often positioning itself as an alternative for drivers and homeowners who have been turned down by larger carriers or who want to shop outside the standard names. The company has a financial strength rating from A.M. Best, which means it can pay claims, but customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports place it below average compared to State Farm, GEICO, or Progressive.

The real question is not whether National General is objectively "good" — it is whether the rates, coverage, and claims experience match what you need. That requires looking at specific factors: how it prices your risk, how it handles claims in your state, and what discounts you actually may have access to for.

Key Takeaways

  • National General is a licensed insurer backed by Allstate, so it can pay claims, but it ranks below average in customer satisfaction surveys compared to larger carriers.
  • Rates vary widely by state, zip code, and driving history, so you cannot know if National General is cheaper for you without getting a quote alongside competitors.
  • Claims handling and customer service scores are lower than industry leaders, which matters more if you actually need to file a claim.
  • National General often attracts drivers with accidents, violations, or poor credit who have been rejected or priced out by other insurers.
  • The company offers standard discounts for bundling, safe driving, and paid-in-full policies, but the final price depends on how the underwriting algorithm rates your specific risk.

How National General prices auto insurance

National General uses an underwriting model that weighs driving history, age, location, vehicle type, and credit score. The company is known for being more lenient with drivers who have accidents or violations on their record — which is why it often appears as an option for people who have been declined or heavily surcharged elsewhere. However, "more lenient" does not mean cheap; it means the company is willing to take the risk, and it prices that risk into your premium.

Rates for the same driver can differ by hundreds of dollars between National General and competitors like State Farm or GEICO. A 35-year-old with a clean record in suburban Ohio may find National General more expensive than GEICO. A 28-year-old with one at-fault accident in an urban area may find National General competitive or cheaper. The only way to know is to run quotes from at least three carriers using the same coverage limits and deductibles.

National General also factors in credit score, which some states allow and others restrict. If your credit is fair or poor, National General may charge more than a carrier that does not use credit in pricing. Conversely, if your credit is excellent, you may see a discount that offsets other factors.

Claims handling and customer service track record

J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study ranked National General below the national average. The company scored lower on speed of claims processing, clarity of communication, and adjuster responsiveness. Consumer Reports' auto insurance survey also placed National General in the lower half of carriers surveyed. These are not catastrophic scores — the company is not being sued for systematic claim denial — but they indicate that if you file a claim, you may experience longer wait times or less responsive service than you would with a top-ranked carrier.

Claims handling varies by state and by the type of claim. A straightforward liability claim (you hit someone else's car) often processes faster than a comprehensive claim (theft, weather, or collision on your own vehicle). National General's state-level performance also differs; the company may handle claims faster in some states than others, depending on local staffing and regulatory environment.

If you rarely file claims, this matters less. If you have filed claims in the past or expect to, the lower satisfaction scores are worth factoring into your decision.

Discounts and bundling options

National General offers the standard discounts available from most carriers: multi-policy bundling (auto plus home or renters), safe driver, paid-in-full, low mileage, and good student. The company also offers discounts for completing a defensive driving course and for certain safety features in your vehicle. However, the discounts are applied to a base rate that may already be higher than competitors, so a 15 percent bundling discount does not may provide you will end up cheaper overall.

Bundling home and auto insurance with National General can lower your total cost, but you should still compare the bundled price to competitors' bundled prices. Some carriers offer deeper bundling discounts than others, and the savings depend on the home or renters policy rate as well as the auto rate.

State availability and coverage options

National General operates in most states but not all. It is available in over 40 states for auto insurance and a similar range for home and renters. Before you spend time getting a quote, check the company's website to confirm it writes policies in your state. Some states have restrictions on what National General can charge or how it can use credit score, which affects both pricing and availability.

Coverage options are standard: liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and medical payments for auto; dwelling, personal property, liability, and additional living expenses for home. National General does not offer unusual or specialized coverage that you cannot find elsewhere. If you need high liability limits or specific endorsements, confirm the company offers them before committing.

When National General makes sense as a choice

National General is worth considering if you have been declined by other insurers or quoted at a very high rate due to accidents, violations, or poor credit. The company's underwriting is more flexible, and you may find a rate that is actually affordable. It is also worth a quote if you are bundling home and auto and want to compare the total cost across carriers.

National General is less attractive if you have a clean driving record and good credit, because you will likely find cheaper rates from GEICO, State Farm, or Progressive. It is also less attractive if claims service is a high priority for you, given the lower satisfaction scores.

The bottom line: National General is a functional insurer that can pay claims and offers competitive rates to certain drivers. It is not a top choice for most people, but it is a legitimate option to include in your comparison shopping, especially if you have been rejected elsewhere.

How to compare National General to other carriers

Get quotes from at least three carriers using identical coverage limits, deductibles, and vehicle information. Include GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, and your current insurer if you have one. Use the same email address and phone number for each quote to avoid being contacted repeatedly. Record the total annual premium for each carrier, not just the monthly payment, because promotional rates often expire after the first term.

Once you have quotes, compare not just price but also the claims satisfaction scores and customer service ratings for each carrier in your state. A savings of $200 per year may not be worth it if the carrier has a poor track record for claims handling. Read recent customer reviews on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website or your state's insurance department to see what complaints have been filed.

If you are considering National General specifically because you have been declined elsewhere, ask the company directly whether your driving history or credit will affect your rate. Some carriers will give you a preliminary assessment before you complete a full process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is National General owned by Allstate?

Yes. Allstate acquired National General in 2012 and operates it as a separate brand. National General maintains its own underwriting and claims operations, but Allstate provides financial backing and corporate oversight. This ownership structure means National General has the financial stability to pay claims, but it does not mean National General's rates or service are identical to Allstate's.

Will National General insure me if I have an accident on my record?

National General is more likely to insure drivers with accidents than some competitors, but it will still underwrite your process and may charge a higher rate. Having an accident does not may provide approval; the company will review the details, your age, the type of accident, and other factors. Getting a quote is the only way to know whether you will be approved and at what rate.

Can I bundle home and auto insurance with National General?

Yes. National General offers discounts for bundling auto and home insurance or auto and renters insurance. The discount typically ranges from 10 to 20 percent, but the final bundled price depends on both the auto and home rates. Compare the bundled total to competitors' bundled totals before deciding.

How long does it take National General to process a claim?

National General's average claims processing time is longer than top-ranked carriers, according to J.D. Power data. straightforward claims may be resolved in days; complex claims can take weeks. The timeline also depends on your state and the type of claim. Contact the company directly or check your state's insurance department for specific performance data in your area.

Should I switch to National General if it is cheaper?

Price is one factor, but not the only one. If National General is significantly cheaper and you have a clean driving record, it may be worth trying. If you have filed claims in the past or expect to, weigh the lower satisfaction scores against the savings. A difference of $50 per year is not worth worse claims service; a difference of $500 per year may be.