What National General Insurance Is

National General Insurance is a property and casualty insurer that sells auto, home, and umbrella policies directly to consumers and through independent agents. The company is owned by Allstate and operates as a separate brand, meaning it sets its own rates and underwriting rules even though Allstate backs the policies.

National General does not sell life insurance, health insurance, or annuities. Its focus is on protecting physical property and liability — the things homeowners and drivers need to cover if something breaks, burns, or causes injury to someone else. The company has been in business since 1982 and holds licenses to write insurance in most U.S. states.

Understanding how National General structures its policies, what it will and will not cover, and how claims work matters because insurance language is dense and the difference between what you think you bought and what you actually own can cost thousands when you need it.

Key Takeaways

  • National General sells auto, home, and umbrella insurance directly and through agents, but does not offer life or health coverage.
  • Homeowners policies from National General cover the structure, personal property inside, and liability if someone is injured on your property, but exclude flood, earthquake, and certain high-value items without endorsements.
  • Auto policies cover liability (damage you cause), collision (damage to your car), comprehensive (theft and weather), and uninsured motorist protection, with deductibles you choose.
  • National General uses credit scores, driving history, claims history, and home characteristics to set rates, so shopping quotes from multiple insurers usually saves money.
  • Claims are filed by phone, online, or through the National General mobile app, and the company assigns an adjuster who inspects damage and determines what the policy covers.

How National General Homeowners Insurance Works

A National General homeowners policy covers three main things: the structure of your home (walls, roof, foundation), the belongings inside it, and liability if someone is hurt on your property and sues. The policy is divided into sections, each with its own limit and deductible.

Coverage A protects the building itself — the cost to rebuild it if it burns or is damaged by wind, hail, or vandalism. National General calculates this based on the square footage, age, and construction type you report. Coverage B covers detached structures like sheds or garages, usually set at 10 percent of Coverage A. Coverage C covers your personal property — furniture, clothes, electronics — up to a percentage of Coverage A, typically 50 to 70 percent. Coverage D covers additional living expenses if you cannot stay in your home while it is being repaired.

Liability coverage (Coverage E) pays if someone is injured on your property and holds you responsible. It covers their medical bills and legal fees if they sue. National General typically offers limits of $100,000 to $500,000 on standard policies. If you own a pool, trampoline, or have a dog with a bite history, National General may exclude liability for those or charge extra.

What homeowners policies do not cover matters as much as what they do. Flood is excluded from every standard homeowners policy — you must buy a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Earthquake is also excluded unless you add it as an endorsement. Wear and tear, maintenance problems, and damage from pests are not covered. High-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles have limits (usually $1,500 to $2,500 total) unless you schedule them separately.

How National General Auto Insurance Works

National General auto policies have four main parts: liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist. You choose the limits and deductibles for each, which is why two people with the same car can pay very different premiums.

Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else. It has two limits: bodily injury per person and per accident, and property damage per accident. If you hit another car and injure the driver, your liability coverage pays their medical bills and repairs up to those limits. Most states require a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, but National General typically recommends higher limits.

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit something — another vehicle, a tree, a guardrail — regardless of who is at fault. You choose a deductible, usually $250, $500, or $1,000. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium. Comprehensive coverage pays for theft, vandalism, weather, and animal strikes. It also has a deductible you choose.

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance. It covers your medical bills and lost wages. Underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when the other driver's liability limit is too low to cover your damages. These are optional in most states but highly recommended.

What Affects Your National General Rate

National General uses several factors to calculate what you pay. Your driving record is one of the biggest — accidents and violations raise your rate significantly. Credit score is another; National General, like most insurers, assumes people with lower credit scores file more claims. Age matters too; drivers under 25 and over 75 typically pay more.

For home insurance, the age and condition of your house, the materials it is made from, its distance from a fire station, and whether you have security systems or smoke detectors all affect the rate. Claims history — whether you have filed homeowners or auto claims before — also raises your premium. Some insurers, including National General, offer discounts for bundling auto and home policies, going without claims for a certain period, or completing a defensive driving course.

Rates vary by state and even by zip code because different areas have different claim frequencies and costs. A homeowners policy in Florida costs more than the same coverage in Ohio because of hurricane risk. An auto policy in an urban area costs more than in a rural one because of theft and accident rates. This means the price you see from National General may be very different from what a neighbor pays, even if you have similar homes and driving records.

How to File a Claim with National General

If you have damage or an accident, you can report a claim to National General by phone, through the website, or using the National General mobile app. You will need your policy number and details about what happened — the date, time, location, and what caused the damage.

For auto claims, National General will ask whether anyone was injured, whether police were called, and the names and contact information of other drivers or witnesses. For home claims, you will describe the damage and when you discovered it. National General will then assign an adjuster to inspect the damage in person (for larger claims) or review photos and receipts you submit.

The adjuster determines what the policy covers and what the company will pay based on the policy language and the damage. If you disagree with the adjuster's decision, you can request a second opinion or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. The process typically takes two to four weeks for straightforward claims and longer if the damage is extensive or liability is disputed.

National General Versus Other Insurers

National General is one option among many, and rates and coverage vary significantly across insurers. State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive all sell auto and home insurance, but each has different underwriting standards, discounts, and claims processes. A quote from National General might be cheaper than State Farm for one person and more expensive for another, depending on driving history, home characteristics, and location.

The best way to find the lowest rate is to get quotes from at least three insurers. Most will give you a quote online in minutes without committing you to anything. When comparing, make sure the limits and deductibles are the same across quotes so you are comparing apples to apples. A $500 deductible is not the same as a $1,000 deductible, and a $100,000 liability limit is not the same as $300,000.

National General's advantage is that it is owned by Allstate, which means the company has the financial backing to pay large claims. Its disadvantage is that it may not be the cheapest option for your specific situation. Shopping around is always worth the time.

Understanding Policy Exclusions and Limits

Every insurance policy has exclusions — things it will not cover — and limits — the maximum amount it will pay. Understanding these before you buy is critical because discovering them after a loss is too late.

For homeowners insurance, common exclusions include flood, earthquake, wear and tear, maintenance, and damage from pests or rodents. If you live in an area prone to flooding or earthquakes, you need to buy separate coverage or add endorsements. For auto insurance, exclusions typically include damage from racing, using your car for commercial purposes, or driving under the influence.

Limits are equally important. If your home is worth $400,000 to rebuild but your Coverage A limit is only $300,000, you will be underinsured and will pay out of pocket for the difference. If your liability limit is $100,000 and you cause an accident that injures multiple people with total damages of $250,000, your insurance covers only $100,000 and you are responsible for the rest. This is why umbrella insurance exists — it sits on top of your auto and home policies and covers claims that exceed those limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does National General cover flood damage?

No. Flood is excluded from all standard homeowners policies, including National General. You must purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. If you have a mortgage and live in a high-risk flood zone, your lender will require you to buy flood coverage.

Can I cancel my National General policy anytime?

Yes, but the timing matters. Most policies renew annually, and you can cancel without penalty if you do it before the renewal date. If you cancel mid-term, National General may charge a cancellation fee depending on your state and the reason for cancellation. Contact National General directly to understand the fee structure for your policy.

What happens if I miss a premium payment?

National General typically gives you a grace period of 10 to 30 days after the due date before canceling your policy. If you miss a payment, contact the company when ready to make it. If your policy lapses, you will have no coverage, and in most states you cannot reinstate it without reapplying and undergoing underwriting again.

Does National General offer discounts for bundling auto and home?

Yes. National General offers a discount when you buy both auto and home policies from them, typically 10 to 15 percent depending on your state. Other discounts may include paying your premium in full upfront, maintaining a clean driving record, completing a defensive driving course, or having safety features in your home or car.

How do I file a complaint about National General?

If you have a dispute with National General that the company will not resolve, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. Each state has an insurance department that investigates complaints and can force insurers to pay claims or refund premiums if they violated state law. The complaint process is free and does not require a lawyer.