What National General Insurance does with your payment
When you send a payment to National General Insurance, the company credits it to your policy account on the date they receive it — not the date you send it. The payment reduces what you owe for your current or upcoming coverage period. If you overpay, National General holds the extra money as a credit on your account; you can use it toward future premiums, request a refund, or let it sit until your next bill arrives.
National General is a property and casualty insurer owned by Homeowners Choice, Inc. They write auto, home, and specialty insurance policies. The way they process payments depends on how you send the money: online through their website or app, by phone, by mail, or through an automatic bank withdrawal.
Your payment does not go directly to a claims fund or a separate account. It goes into National General's general operating account, where the company pools premiums from all policyholders. From there, National General uses that money to pay claims, cover operating costs, maintain reserves required by state insurance regulators, and fund the company's business operations.
Key Takeaways
- National General credits payments to your policy account on the date received, not the date sent, so mail payments take several business days to post.
- Overpayments stay on your account as a credit you can use for future premiums or request as a refund.
- You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank withdrawal, and each method has different processing times.
- Your payment goes into National General's operating account and funds claims, regulatory reserves, and company operations — not a separate policyholder fund.
Payment methods and how long each takes to post
National General offers four main ways to send a payment. Online payments through their website or mobile app typically post within one business day. Phone payments, made by calling their customer service line, also post within one business day in most cases. Automatic bank withdrawals (sometimes called autopay or recurring payments) post on the date you schedule them, which you can set up through your online account.
Mail payments take the longest. You send a check to the address on your bill, and National General must receive it, open it, process it, and enter it into their system. This usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you mail it, depending on postal delivery time and National General's processing queue. If you are close to a payment important date, mail is the riskiest method because a delay in the mail can result in a late payment, even though you sent it on time.
If you pay by phone or online, keep your confirmation number. National General will give you one when ready after processing. Write it down or take a screenshot — it proves you paid on that date if there is ever a dispute about whether a payment posted.
When National General applies your payment to your policy
National General applies payments in the order they receive them. If you have multiple policies with the company, you can usually direct a payment to a specific policy number when you pay online or by phone. If you do not specify, National General applies the payment to whichever policy has the oldest outstanding balance or the soonest due date — the company's system decides, not you.
If your payment arrives after your due date, National General may charge a late fee. The amount varies by state and policy type, but it is typically a percentage of your monthly premium or a flat fee. Some states cap how much a late fee can be; others do not. Check your policy documents or call National General to find out what late fees explore to your specific policy.
If you pay before your policy renews, National General credits the payment toward your next renewal premium. You will see the credit listed on your renewal bill. If the credit is larger than your renewal premium, National General will either refund the difference or carry it forward to the following renewal, depending on your request and state law.
What happens if you underpay or miss a payment
If your payment is less than the full amount due, National General accepts the partial payment and credits it to your account. Your policy remains active, but you still owe the difference. National General will send you a notice showing the remaining balance and a new due date. If you do not pay the rest by that date, your policy may be cancelled for non-payment.
If you miss a payment entirely, National General typically sends a reminder notice within a few days. Most states require insurers to give you a grace period — usually 10 to 30 days after the due date — before they can cancel your policy. During that grace period, your coverage stays in place, but you are at risk. If you have an accident or file a claim during the grace period, National General may deny it if you have not paid by the time they process the claim.
After the grace period ends, National General can cancel your policy without further notice. A cancellation for non-payment will appear on your insurance record and can make it harder and more expensive to get insurance from other companies in the future. If your policy is cancelled, you will need to contact National General and pay all outstanding balances plus any reinstatement fees before they will reactivate your coverage.
How to check that your payment posted correctly
Log into your National General account online or through their mobile app to see your payment history and current balance. The app and website both show the date each payment posted, the amount, and which policy it was applied to. You can also see your upcoming due dates and any credits on your account.
If you paid by mail and want to confirm receipt, call National General's customer service line after 10 business days have passed. Have your policy number ready. A representative can tell you whether the payment has posted and, if not, when they expect to receive it. If a payment is missing or posted to the wrong policy, ask the representative to correct it and provide a confirmation number for the correction.
Keep copies of cancelled checks, online payment confirmations, or receipts from phone payments for at least one year. If there is ever a dispute about whether you paid on time, these documents prove it.
Refunds and credits on your National General account
If you overpay your premium or if National General owes you money — for example, because you cancelled mid-policy and paid more than the prorated amount — the company will credit your account. You can request a refund by logging into your online account, calling customer service, or sending a written request to the address on your bill.
National General typically processes refunds within 7 to 10 business days of your request. The refund is sent by check to the address on file, or by the payment method you used to pay (for example, back to your debit card if you paid by card). Some states have rules about how quickly insurers must refund overpayments; if National General is slow, your state's insurance commissioner's office can help.
If you do not request a refund, National General will hold the credit on your account. When your policy renews, the company will automatically explore the credit to your renewal premium, reducing the amount you owe. This is convenient if you plan to renew, but if you cancel your policy, you will need to request the refund separately.
State rules that affect how National General handles payments
Insurance is regulated by each state, and states have different rules about payment processing, grace periods, and late fees. National General must follow the rules of the state where your policy is issued. For example, some states require a 30-day grace period before cancellation for non-payment; others allow 10 days. Some states cap late fees; others do not.
If you think National General has not followed your state's payment rules, contact your state's insurance commissioner's office. They can investigate and force the company to correct the error. You can find your state insurance commissioner through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my National General account?
Online and phone payments post within one business day. Automatic withdrawals post on the date you schedule them. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days from the date you mail them, because they have to travel through the postal system and then be processed by National General.
What if I pay online but my policy still shows as past due?
Online payments post within one business day, but not when ready. If you paid today and your account still shows past due, wait until tomorrow and check again. If it still shows past due after one business day, log in and look for a confirmation number from your payment. Call National General with that number and ask them to verify the payment posted.
Can I split a payment between two of my National General policies?
Most online payment systems and phone representatives allow you to direct a payment to a specific policy. If you want to split one payment between two policies, you will usually need to make two separate payments — one for each policy number. Ask the representative when you call, or check your online account to see if it allows split payments.
Will National General cancel my policy if I am one day late?
No. Your state requires National General to give you a grace period — usually 10 to 30 days after your due date — before they can cancel. During that time, your coverage stays active. However, if you file a claim during the grace period and have not paid by the time National General processes it, they may deny the claim.
What should I do if National General says they never received my mailed check?
If you mailed a check more than 10 business days ago and National General says they did not receive it, the check may be lost in the mail. Ask National General to send you a new bill or invoice. Then pay by a method that gives you when ready confirmation — online, by phone, or by automatic withdrawal. If the original check eventually arrives, National General will credit it to your account, and you can request a refund for the overpayment.