What Discounts Does The General Offer for Car Insurance?

Last Updated on February 15, 2026

Many drivers know The General for affordable coverage—especially if you’re considered “high-risk” due to tickets, accidents, or a lapse in coverage. Like most insurers, The General’s final price comes down to your state, your driving profile, and which discounts you qualify for.

By stacking the right discounts (and adjusting your payment and coverage choices), you can often cut your premium by a meaningful amount. A lot of The General customers pay more than they need to for car insurance simply because they never ask for a discount review.

Below is an updated list of the most common discounts and savings opportunities to ask about with The General.

Discounts Vary by State: The General’s savings programs and eligibility rules differ depending on where you live, so always request a discount audit.
Start With the Biggest “Stacks”: Multi-car, homeowner, paid-in-full, and safe-driver savings are often the easiest ways to reduce your premium.
Students and Training Can Lower Rates: Good student and defensive driving discounts may apply if you provide the required documentation.
Shop Again After Your Record Improves: If you move from high-risk to standard status, switching insurers may save more than any single discount.

Table Of Contents

Important Note: Discounts Vary by State
Multi-Car Discount
Homeowner Discount
Military Discount
Paid-in-Full Discount
Prior Insurance and New Customer Savings
Good Student and Academic Achievement Discount
Defensive Driving and Driver Training Discounts
Safe Driver Discount
Double Deductible Savings Option
Driver Exclusion Savings
SR-22 Insurance With The General
Roadside Assistance and Rental Car Discounts
When Switching Away From The General Can Save You More
Final Word: The General Car Insurance Discounts
The General Contact Information
FAQs on The General Car Insurance Discounts

Important Note: Discounts Vary by State

Not every discount is available in every state, and eligibility rules differ by location and policy type. If you’re trying to maximize savings, ask your agent or customer service rep for a “discount audit” and compare what you’re offered to other carriers’ auto insurance discounts.

Multi-Car Discount

If you insure more than one vehicle on the same policy (usually at the same garaging address), you may qualify for a multi-car discount. This discount typically applies to all vehicles listed on the policy and is one of the easiest ways to lower your total premium. Learn the ins and outs here: a multi-car discount.

Homeowner Discount

Even if your homeowners insurance is with another company, owning a home can sometimes qualify you for lower auto rates. If you own your home, ask whether your state offers discounts to homeowners through The General.

Military Discount

The General advertises military savings in limited situations, and eligibility can be state-specific. If you’re on active duty, ask whether a military discount is offered where you live. For example, The General has historically listed military savings as Louisiana-only in some materials—so if you’re in Louisiana, it’s especially worth asking.

Paid-in-Full Discount

Paying your policy term upfront (often 6 or 12 months) can unlock a paid-in-full discount in many states. If your budget allows, compare the total cost of paying monthly vs. paying upfront: pay your car insurance in full.

Prior Insurance and New Customer Savings

Many insurers price policies more favorably when you’ve maintained continuous coverage. If you’re switching to The General from a different company, ask if you qualify for new customer savings based on your prior insurance history and time insured.

Good Student and Academic Achievement Discount

If you have a student driver on your policy, strong grades can lead to meaningful savings. Requirements vary, but many insurers use a “B average” or similar standard for Good students. Be prepared to submit your transcripts or other proof to activate and keep the discount.

Defensive Driving and Driver Training Discounts

Some states allow discounts for completing an approved defensive driving course. If you’ve completed an approved driver training course, ask whether The General recognizes it for a discount in your state and whether a certificate is required.

Safe Driver Discount

A clean record is still one of the biggest “discounts” you can earn over time. If you’ve gone several years without accidents or moving violations, ask about The General’s safe driving programs and how they define eligibility. More context: safe driving discount.

Keep in mind: insurers may review the history of all drivers on the policy, so households with a consistently safe driving record usually see the best pricing.

Double Deductible Savings Option

The General has offered a state-dependent “Double Deductible” savings option in some locations. The idea: you accept a higher deductible for a short period at the start of the policy in exchange for a lower premium. This can reduce the upfront cost of coverage, but it also increases what you’d pay out of pocket if you have a claim during that window—so only consider it if you can comfortably afford the higher deductible.

Driver Exclusion Savings

If you have a high-risk driver in your household, your rate can jump significantly. In some states, insurers may allow you to lower your premium by excluding that driver from the policy. This is a serious decision: the excluded driver typically cannot drive the insured vehicles under any circumstances, and violations can lead to major claim problems.

If you don’t own a car but still need coverage for borrowing or renting vehicles, The General may also be a fit for non-owners insurance policies.

SR-22 Insurance With The General

The General is widely known for helping drivers who need an SR-22 certificate. An SR-22 isn’t a special “type” of insurance—it’s a filing that proves you meet your state’s minimum coverage requirements. If you need a filing, ask The General about the process, the filing fee (if any), and how quickly the SR-22 can be submitted. For a deeper dive, see an SR-22 insurance discount with The General.

Roadside Assistance and Rental Car Discounts

If you add roadside assistance, you may also qualify for partner perks (including rental car discounts in certain programs). If you’re considering it, compare the cost to what you’d pay out of pocket for lockout service, towing, or a jump start. Details here: adding roadside assistance coverage.

When Switching Away From The General Can Save You More

The General is often most competitive for drivers with a tougher underwriting profile—especially if you need basic coverage and flexible payments. But if your record improves, you may save more by moving from high-risk to standard car insurance with a carrier that rewards clean driving with bigger long-term discounts.

Either way, the best way to know is to compare quotes with similar limits and deductibles. For many drivers, “the best discount” is simply shopping around once per renewal.

Final Word: The General Car Insurance Discounts

The General can be a strong option if you need affordable coverage now—especially for higher-risk drivers. To get the lowest possible price, ask about multi-car and homeowner savings, paid-in-full discounts, student and defensive driving discounts, safe driver programs, and any state-specific options like Double Deductible.

Need the fastest way to confirm what’s available in your state? Contact The General today and request a discount review.

The General Contact Information

Customer Service / Sales: 1-800-280-1466

Report a New Claim (24/7): 1-800-280-1466
Existing Claims Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm (local time)
Claims Email: Claims@thegeneral.com
Claims Fax: 1-833-464-9908
Mailing Address: PO Box 8001, Stevens Point, WI 54481-9820

FAQs on The General Car Insurance Discounts

What discounts does The General offer?

Discount availability varies by state, but common savings options include multi-car, homeowner, paid-in-full, good student/academic achievement, defensive driving, safe driver savings, and (in some states) a Double Deductible option.

Does The General offer a paid-in-full discount?

In many states, yes. Paying your 6- or 12-month term upfront can reduce the total premium versus monthly billing. Ask for a comparison of the full-term cost under each payment plan.

Is the military discount available everywhere?

No. Military savings are state-dependent. If you’re active duty, ask customer service whether a military discount exists in your state and what documentation is required.

What is the Double Deductible option?

In some states, The General offers a short-term savings option where you accept a higher deductible for a limited period at the beginning of the policy in exchange for a lower premium. It can reduce upfront cost, but it increases out-of-pocket risk if you have a claim during that window.

Can excluding a driver really lower my premium?

Sometimes. If your state allows driver exclusions, excluding a high-risk household member can lower premiums—but the excluded driver typically cannot drive the insured vehicles under any circumstances. Violations can create serious claim issues.

Does The General offer SR-22 insurance discounts?

An SR-22 is a filing requirement, not a discount. The General is known for helping drivers who need SR-22 filings, but you should ask about any filing fees, timelines, and how long you must maintain coverage to stay compliant.

How do I confirm which discounts I qualify for?

Call The General and request a discount review. Be ready to confirm details like vehicles and garaging address, prior coverage history, student documentation, defensive driving certificates, and payment preference (monthly vs. paid-in-full).

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