Where to send your National General payment
National General accepts payments through three channels: their online account portal, automatic bank draft, or mailed check. The online portal is the fastest route — you can pay when ready with a debit or credit card, and the payment posts within one business day. If you set up automatic payments, National General withdraws the amount directly from your bank account on the date you choose, usually between the 1st and 28th of each month.
For mailed payments, National General provides a payment coupon with your bill that includes the correct mailing address and your policy number. Checks take 7 to 10 business days to clear after they arrive at their processing center, so mail early if your due date is approaching. Do not mail cash.
You can also call National General's payment line at the number on your bill or policy documents to pay by phone using a debit or credit card. Phone payments process the same day if you call before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through your National General account post within one business day and are the fastest way to pay.
- Automatic bank draft payments are deducted on a date you select and eliminate the risk of missing a due date.
- Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to clear, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a lapse in coverage.
- Phone payments by debit or credit card process the same day if you call before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a weekday.
- Always include your policy number on any payment to may support it is credited to the correct account.
Setting up automatic payments through your account
Log into your National General account on their website or mobile app, then navigate to the Billing or Payments section. Select "Set Up Automatic Payment" or "Manage Payment Methods." You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number, or authorize a debit or credit card for recurring charges.
Choose the date you want the payment withdrawn each month — National General typically allows dates between the 1st and 28th. If you select the 29th or later, the system will move it to the 28th to avoid month-end processing delays. You can change the payment date or amount at any time through your account, and you can pause or cancel automatic payments without penalty.
After you confirm the setup, National General sends a confirmation email with the payment schedule. Keep this for your records. If a payment fails because of insufficient funds or an expired card, National General will attempt to retry it, but you are responsible for ensuring the payment goes through by the due date.
What happens if your payment is late
National General typically provides a grace period of 10 days after your due date before your policy lapses. During this window, your coverage remains active, but you may be charged a late fee. The amount of the late fee varies by state and policy type, so check your policy documents or call National General to confirm the exact amount.
If payment is not received by the end of the grace period, your policy will be canceled for non-payment. You will receive a cancellation notice in the mail, usually 5 to 7 days before the cancellation takes effect. Once canceled, you must reapply and may face higher rates or underwriting delays to restore coverage.
If you know a payment will be late, contact National General before the due date. Some agents can arrange a short extension or work out a payment plan, though this is not may provide and depends on your account history.
Paying by phone or through customer service
Call the payment phone number on your bill or policy documents. A representative will ask for your policy number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, or with a debit card. National General charges no fee for phone payments made with a debit card, but credit card payments may incur a processing fee — the representative will disclose this before you authorize the charge.
Payments made by phone before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day post the same day. Payments made after hours or on weekends are processed the next business day. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the time and date of your call in case you need to dispute the payment later.
If you have questions about your bill or need to discuss payment options, the same phone line can connect you to a billing specialist. They can review your account, explain charges, and discuss whether you are may be able to access for any discounts or payment adjustments.
Understanding payment posting and your due date
Your due date is printed on your bill and is typically 30 days from the date the bill was issued. National General considers a payment "posted" when it is received and processed by their accounting system, not when you send it. Online payments post within one business day. Mailed checks post 7 to 10 business days after arrival. Automatic bank drafts post on the date you selected during setup.
If you pay online or by phone, the payment is usually applied to your account when ready, even though it may take a day to show in your online portal. If you mail a check, the postmark date does not matter — only the date National General receives it. For this reason, mailing a check close to the due date is risky.
Your next billing cycle begins on the date your current payment is posted. If you pay early, your next bill will be due 30 days after that payment posts, not 30 days after the original due date. This can shift your billing cycle, so plan ahead if you want to keep your due date consistent.
Paying a past-due balance or reinstatement fee
If your policy lapsed because of non-payment, you will owe the unpaid premium plus a reinstatement fee to restore coverage. The reinstatement fee varies by state but is typically $25 to $50. National General will outline the total amount due in the cancellation notice or when you contact them to reinstate.
You can pay the reinstatement amount using any of the methods listed above — online, by phone, by automatic draft, or by mail. Coverage usually resumes the same day if you pay online or by phone before 5 p.m. Eastern time. If you mail a check, coverage resumes once the check clears and posts to your account.
Some states require National General to reinstate your policy within a certain number of days if you pay the full amount owed, even if you are outside the grace period. Check your state's insurance regulations or ask National General directly how long you have to reinstate after cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay National General with a credit card online without a fee?
National General does not charge a fee for online credit card payments made through their website or app. However, your credit card issuer may charge a cash advance fee if they classify insurance payments as a cash advance, which is rare. Call your card issuer if you are unsure.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up in my account?
Online payments typically post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and the payment does not appear, log into your account and check the payment history or transaction status. If it still does not show, call National General with your confirmation number from the payment screen.
Can I change my automatic payment date after I set it up?
Yes. Log into your account, go to the Billing or Payments section, and select "Manage Automatic Payment" or "Edit Payment Schedule." You can change the date, amount, or payment method at any time. Changes usually take effect on your next scheduled payment.
What happens if my bank account is closed after I set up automatic payments?
National General will attempt to withdraw the payment on the scheduled date and the transaction will fail. You will receive a notice that the payment could not be processed. Update your payment method in your account when ready or call National General to provide a new bank account or card number.
Is there a discount if I pay my annual premium all at once instead of monthly?
Many National General policies offer a discount for annual or semi-annual payment, though the discount amount varies by policy and state. Check your policy documents or ask National General during your next billing cycle whether you are may be able to access and what the savings would be.