The General vs. GEICO – What’s Better for Auto Insurance?
Last Updated on July 19, 2023
You have so many different choices when it comes to finding a car insurance company. If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, it can be difficult to determine which company is the best for you. Two popular nationwide car insurance providers you may consider are The General and GEICO. While these two insurers are very popular, they are very different in terms of the type of services that they offer. Here’s what to consider when comparing GEICO and The General.
About The General
The General is an insurance company specializing in auto insurance for high-risk drivers. They were founded in 1963 and were originally known as Permanent General Agency. The company changed its name in 2012 when it was acquired by American Family Insurance. They are based in Nashville and operate offices in several other cities nationwide. Their coverage is available in all states except Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
About GEICO
GEICO is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, with over 15 million policyholders. They are based in Maryland, but they offer insurance policies in all 50 states. They were originally founded in 1936, and they specialized in auto insurance for government employees. They later expanded to offer coverage for all types of drivers. They are known for their quirky ad campaigns, which feature their gecko mascot.
The General vs. GEICO Insurance Coverage Options
The General offers many standard coverage types, including liability insurance, personal injury protection, medical payments, and underinsured motorist coverage. They also offer comprehensive and collision coverage and rental car insurance. They are most well-known for their SR-22 coverage and their non-owners auto insurance coverage. If you’ve had several auto accidents or other traffic violations, the government may require you to have an SR-22 certificate proving your insurance status to drive. Many insurance companies will not issue these certificates or charge extremely high premiums to do so. The General issues SR-22 insurance at affordable prices. They also offer affordable premiums for those who have filed previous insurance claims or who don’t have good credit.
GEICO is known for its wide range of car insurance options and add-ons. They make it easy to customize your policy to suit your unique needs. Their standard coverage options include liability coverage, medical payments/PIP, underinsured motorist, collision and comprehensive coverage, and rental car reimbursement. They have an optional roadside assistance program that provides towing services, fuel delivery, battery jumpstarts, locksmith services, and other emergencies. Additionally, GEICO provides SR-22 coverage and non-owners policies.
GEICO is also unique in that they provide service for rideshare drivers. Rideshare coverage is specifically designed for those who work for Uber or Lyft and need additional passenger coverage.
To see an overview of the coverage options offered by The General and GEICO, please view the table below:
| Coverage Type | The General | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Accident Forgiveness | No | Yes |
| Collision Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive Claim Forgiveness | No | Yes |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Incident Forgiveness | No | Yes |
| Liability Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance | No | Yes |
| Medical Payments Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| New Car Protection | No | Yes |
| No Fault Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Yes | Yes |
| Rental Car Reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Rental Reimbursement | No | Yes |
| Rideshare Coverage | No | Yes |
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| SR-22 Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Umbrella Insurance | No | Yes |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage | Yes | Yes |
The General vs. GEICO Discounts
The General does not offer many discounts, but they do have some available to help you save more money on your policy. They offer discounts for homeowners as well as discounts for students and members of the military. They also have discounts for those who insure multiple cars. They offer 12-month policies and have a paid-in-full discount available for those who can pay their entire policy in advance.
One of the areas where GEICO has the advantage is the broad range of discounts that they offer. GEICO has excellent discounts for being a safe driver, insuring multiple cars, bundling policies, being a good student, installing safety devices on the car, telematics, and more. They also offer discounts for those who are in the military or those who work in certain government jobs. You can easily get a quote online to see which discounts you qualify for.
To see an overview of the discounts offered by The General and GEICO, please view the table below:
| Discount Type | The General | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Accident Free Discount | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Affinity Membership Alum | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Air Bags | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Anti-lock Brake Discount | Amount Varies | up to 5% |
| Anti-Theft Device Discount | Amount Varies | up to 25% |
| Continuous Coverage Discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Current insurance discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Daytime Running Lights Discount | Not Available | up to 3% |
| Defensive Driver Discount | up to 10% | Amount Varies |
| Driving training discount | Amount Varies | Amount Varies |
| Electronic Stability Control | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Emergency Deployment Discount | Not Available | up to 25% |
| Federal Employee Discount | Not Available | up to 25% |
| Good Credit Discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Good Driver Discount | Amount Varies | up to 26% |
| Good Student Discount | Amount Varies | up to 15% |
| Home Owner Discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Military Discount | Not Available | up to 15% |
| Motor club discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Multiple Policy Discount | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Multiple Vehicle Discount | Amount Varies | Amount Varies |
| No lapse in coverage discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Organization Discount | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Paid in full discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Passive Restraint Discount | Amount Varies | up to 25% |
| Preferred payment discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Prior carrier discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Use Discount | Not Available | up to 15% |
| Senior Adult Discount | Not Available | Amount Varies |
| Starting your auto quote online discount | Amount Varies | Not Available |
The General vs. GEICO Customer Service
The General gets mixed reviews for its customer service. They have an A+ review from the Better Business Bureau and an A rating from AM Best. AM Best is an organization that rates the financial strength of car insurance companies and other financial institutions. You can manage many aspects of your policy online, including making payments, but claims can only be filed over the phone. The General also has an app that you can use to make payments, monitor claims, or get support. For those that prefer to work with a local agent, that option is available as well.
GEICO gets generally positive reviews for its customer service. They have a low complaint ratio and get good customer service ratings. Users can get quotes quickly and easily online. It’s also very easy to file a claim online using their website or mobile app, which provides added convenience. GEICO is also very financially reliable, with an A++ rating from AM Best. This is the highest rating possible for financial strength.
Who Should Use The General for Auto Insurance?
The General is a good choice for anyone who may be struggling to find affordable car insurance due to their driving history. If you have multiple accidents or tickets on your record, it can be difficult to find a company that will insure you for an affordable price. It can also be difficult to find affordable insurance if you have filed several car insurance claims in the past or if your credit is less than perfect. If any of these things apply to you, you can benefit from using The General for your car insurance. The General could also be a good choice if you prefer to work with your insurance agent in person since they have physical offices throughout the country.
If you are a low-risk or medium-risk driver, however, The General might prove to be a bit too expensive for your taste. Because they target mostly the high-risk market, The General’s average auto insurance rates will seem costly to the average driver.
Who Should Use GEICO for Auto Insurance?
GEICO is a great choice for anyone who wants convenience and flexibility from their car insurance company. GEICO makes it so easy to purchase and manage your car insurance policy online, and they have many different add-ons that you can use for easy customization. Since they have an excellent website and mobile app, they are a great choice for those who are frequently on the go and may not have time to sit on the phone or go into an office to see an agent.
| Company Info | The General | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Number | 1-844-328-0306 | 1-800-207-7847 |
| Website | https://www.thegeneral.com/ | https://www.geico.com/ |
| Contact Link | Contact Link |
