Quick answer
National General is a legitimate insurer that suits budget-focused drivers and high-risk customers who need affordable coverage. The low premiums are real, but customer service scores are mixed and BBB complaint volume is high. If price matters most to you it can work, but if smooth claims handling matters most, weigh your options carefully.
National General Insurance is a legitimate, Allstate-owned insurer that works best for budget-focused drivers and high-risk customers who need affordable coverage. Its low premiums are real, but so are the trade-offs: customer service scores are mixed, BBB complaint volume is high, and claim experiences vary widely. If price is your top priority and you set realistic expectations, National General can deliver. If smooth claims handling matters most, you’ll want to weigh your options carefully.
Key Takeaways: Is National General Insurance Worth It?
It can be, if you’re a higher risk driver who needs nonstandard auto coverage, but compare quotes and service reviews with mainstream carriers first.
Who National General Insurance is best for
National General tends to be a good fit for:
- Drivers with tickets, accidents, or DUIs who struggle to find coverage elsewhere
- Homeowners in non-standard markets looking for lower premiums
- People who want basic, no-frills coverage without paying for extras they won’t use
- RV and specialty vehicle owners (National General has a strong niche here)
It’s less ideal for people who want white-glove customer service, have complex claims, or prioritize high satisfaction ratings over cost.
Quick snapshot: ratings across major review platforms
| Rating source | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | A+ rating, but 1.1/5 customer reviews | High complaint volume |
| A.M. Best | A (Excellent) | Strong financial strength |
| Google Reviews | ~2–3/5 (varies by location) | Claim delays most cited |
| Yelp | 1–2/5 | Predominantly negative |
| Consumer Reports | Below average | Customer satisfaction |
The pattern you’ll notice across almost every platform: the company is financially solid, but customer experience reviews are consistently below average.
National General Insurance BBB Rating and Consumer Complaints
What the BBB accreditation and rating actually mean
National General holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau — which sounds impressive until you understand what the BBB actually measures. The A+ reflects how the company responds to complaints, not how few complaints it receives or how well it treats customers overall. A company can have thousands of unhappy customers and still hold an A+ if it responds promptly and formally resolves complaints.
The customer review score on BBB tells a different story: it sits at roughly 1.1 out of 5 stars, which is about as low as it gets.
Common complaint themes on BBB
Reading through the BBB complaints, a few themes repeat:
- Claim denials or delays — Policyholders report waiting weeks or months for resolution
- Billing issues — Unexpected charges, difficulty canceling, and premium increases mid-policy
- Poor communication — Adjusters going silent, calls not returned, conflicting information
- Cancellation problems — Customers struggling to cancel policies or get refunds
How National General compares to industry complaint averages
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks complaint ratios for every licensed insurer. National General’s complaint index has historically run above 1.0, meaning it receives more complaints than the industry median for its size. That’s not a dealbreaker by itself — larger insurers naturally attract more complaints — but combined with the low review scores, it’s a pattern worth taking seriously before you sign up.
National General Home Insurance Reviews
NatGen Premier homeowners insurance: what’s covered
National General’s flagship home product, NatGen Premier, is marketed as a comprehensive homeowners policy. Standard coverage includes:
- Dwelling and other structures
- Personal property (with options for replacement cost)
- Liability and medical payments
- Loss of use
Add-ons include equipment breakdown, water backup, and extended replacement cost — features that put it in line with most standard carriers. On paper, the coverage looks solid.
Home insurance customer reviews on BBB and Yelp
Home insurance reviews on BBB and Yelp lean negative, though not uniformly. Positive reviews mention affordable premiums and a straightforward sign-up process. Negative reviews — which far outnumber the positives — focus almost entirely on claims:
- Settlements offered well below actual repair costs
- Disputes over what’s covered in the policy language
- Long timelines between filing and payment
Claim experience for home insurance policyholders
If you’re shopping for home insurance and reading this because National General came up as the cheapest option, the claim experience is the most important variable to understand. Multiple reviewers describe a pattern where the initial claim response is acceptable, but the adjuster’s estimate comes in far lower than contractor quotes. This leads to drawn-out negotiations that many policyholders feel they lose. If you have a significant loss, be prepared to document everything carefully and potentially push back on settlement offers.
Why Is National General Insurance So Cheap?
Mostly because it sells through independent agents with lean overhead and writes basic, nonstandard policies, so the low quote often reflects thinner coverage and service.
How National General keeps premiums low
A few structural reasons explain National General’s lower-than-average pricing:
- Specialty market focus — They target non-standard and high-risk customers, and they’ve built underwriting models specifically for that segment
- Leaner coverage defaults — Base policies sometimes carry lower default limits than competitors
- Allstate’s scale — As an Allstate subsidiary, National General benefits from shared infrastructure and purchasing power
- Selective discounts — Bundling, paperless, and pay-in-full discounts can stack up quickly
Trade-offs: where low cost may mean less coverage
Cheap premiums don’t always mean a bad deal, but they sometimes mean thinner coverage. With National General specifically, watch for:
- Lower personal property sublimits on home policies
- Actual cash value (ACV) payouts instead of replacement cost by default
- Higher deductibles baked into the base quote
Always compare what’s included, not just the monthly number. A $100 premium difference can evaporate if your deductible is $2,000 higher.
Is cheap National General insurance too good to be true?
Not necessarily. For drivers or homeowners who genuinely can’t get coverage from standard carriers — or who need minimum legal coverage at the lowest possible cost — National General fills a real need. The price is real. The trade-off is that customer service quality and claims satisfaction aren’t their strongest suit, so the low price works best when you never have to file a claim.
National General Insurance Google Reviews and Yelp Ratings
What customers say on Google
Google reviews for National General vary by location (since some reviews hit local agent offices), but the national pattern hovers in the 2–3 out of 5 range. Positive reviewers mention ease of sign-up and competitive rates. Negative reviewers almost always circle back to two issues: claim handling and communication breakdowns after an incident.
Yelp reviews: recurring praise and red flags
Yelp skews even more negative — typically 1 to 2 stars across most National General listings. The praise that does appear focuses on price and initial responsiveness. The red flags are consistent: customers feeling lowballed on settlements, difficulty reaching adjusters, and frustration with the appeals process. Yelp reviewers tend to write when they’re either very happy or very upset, so take the extreme tilt with some context — but the volume of complaints is still notable.
National General Insurance Reviews on Reddit
What real policyholders report on r/Insurance
Reddit’s r/Insurance community is one of the more useful sources for unfiltered policyholder experiences because users tend to share specific details rather than vague ratings. Searching National General on Reddit surfaces a mix of experiences, but several threads share a common arc: low premiums upfront, frustration during claims, and regret about not choosing a higher-rated carrier.
Reddit verdict: home insurance vs. auto insurance experiences
The Reddit split is interesting. Auto insurance reviews tend to be more neutral — many high-risk drivers report National General accepted them when others wouldn’t, and basic coverage worked fine until they needed to use it. Home insurance reviews trend more negative, with multiple users describing disputes over claim payouts and structural damage assessments. The consensus on Reddit: fine if you never file a claim, risky if your home takes a serious hit.
National General Insurance Consumer Reports and A.M. Best Rating
A.M. Best financial strength rating explained
A.M. Best rates National General’s insurance subsidiaries at A (Excellent) for financial strength. This is the rating that matters if your primary concern is whether the company can pay a claim — and on this metric, National General is solid. An A rating means A.M. Best believes the company has an excellent ability to meet its insurance obligations. This is meaningful. Fly-by-night insurers don’t get A ratings.
Consumer Reports satisfaction scores
Consumer Reports surveys policyholders on their actual experience — not financial strength, but whether customers felt treated fairly during claims. National General scores below average in Consumer Reports’ insurance satisfaction data, consistent with the pattern across other review platforms.
What third-party ratings tell you about claim reliability
Here’s the honest synthesis: National General is financially capable of paying claims (A.M. Best A rating), but the experience of getting a claim paid — communication, settlement amounts, speed — rates below industry average across multiple independent sources. That distinction matters. A company that can pay and one that pays promptly and fairly aren’t always the same thing.
National General Insurance vs. Geico and Progressive
National General vs. Geico: price, coverage, and service
Geico consistently scores higher in customer satisfaction surveys and has stronger digital tools. National General’s edge is in non-standard markets — if you have a spotty driving record, National General may quote you where Geico won’t or will price you out. For standard-risk customers, Geico typically offers comparable or better pricing with stronger service.
National General vs. Progressive: which is better for high-risk drivers?
This is the more interesting comparison. Both Progressive and National General specifically market to high-risk drivers. Progressive generally edges ahead on customer satisfaction scores and has more robust digital claims tools. However, National General can sometimes beat Progressive on price for specific risk profiles, particularly for older vehicles or drivers with multiple incidents.
Side-by-side comparison table
| Feature | National General | Geico | Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best rating | A (Excellent) | A++ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| High-risk driver acceptance | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Customer satisfaction | Below average | Above average | Average |
| Digital tools | Basic | Strong | Strong |
| Price for standard risk | Low | Competitive | Competitive |
| Price for high-risk | Very competitive | Less available | Competitive |
If you’re shopping for home or auto coverage and want to see whether National General’s rates beat what you’re paying now, getting a free quote takes just a few minutes.
National General Insurance Lawsuits and Legal Complaints
Notable class action lawsuits
National General has faced legal action over the years, including class action suits related to total loss vehicle valuations — a common battleground in auto insurance where policyholders argue the insurer undervalued their totaled car. There have also been complaints and legal filings related to force-placed insurance (insurance the lender buys on your behalf, typically at higher cost) on financed vehicles.
What ongoing legal issues mean for policyholders
Lawsuits alone don’t mean a company is predatory — every major insurer has been sued. What the type of lawsuits reveals is more useful. The total loss valuation cases suggest a pattern of aggressive low-ball settlements, which aligns with the claim experience reviews across BBB and Reddit. It doesn’t mean they’ll deny your claim, but it does suggest you should document everything and be prepared to negotiate.
Is National General Insurance Legit?
Yes, it’s a licensed, state regulated insurer with real policies and real claims payouts, though customer reviews of its service are mixed.
Company background and Allstate ownership
Yes, National General Insurance is a real, licensed insurance company — not a scam. Founded in 1939, it operated independently before being acquired by Allstate in 2021. It’s headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and underwrites auto, home, RV, and specialty vehicle insurance across the country.
Licensing, financial backing, and regulatory standing
National General is licensed in all 50 states, holds an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best, and operates under Allstate’s financial umbrella — one of the largest insurance groups in the United States. Regulatory standing is solid. This is not a surplus lines fly-by-night operation; it’s a mainstream insurer with deep backing.
National General Car Insurance Reviews
Auto coverage options and discounts
National General offers a standard suite of auto coverages: liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, medical payments, and rental reimbursement. Where it stands out is in specialty auto — classic cars, RVs, and modified vehicles. Discounts include multi-policy, safe driver, anti-theft, and pay-in-full.
Customer satisfaction for auto claims
Auto claim satisfaction reviews follow the same pattern as home insurance: financial strength is there, but the experience of getting a claim resolved — especially for total loss situations — draws consistent criticism. Customers report lowball offers, slow adjuster response, and difficulty reaching supervisors when they disagree with a settlement.
Is National General car insurance good for high-risk drivers?
For drivers with DUIs, multiple accidents, or SR-22 requirements, National General is one of the more accessible options in the market. They accept risk profiles that many standard carriers decline, and their SR-22 filing process is straightforward. If you’re in that situation, the trade-off between service quality and availability often tips toward National General being a practical choice — just document everything when you drive and in the event of any incident.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose National General Insurance?
Choose it only if a mainstream carrier won’t write you or beats nothing on price, and even then read the claims reviews before you commit.
Best fits for National General
- High-risk drivers who need SR-22 or can’t get coverage from standard insurers
- Budget-focused buyers for whom monthly premium is the deciding factor
- RV and specialty vehicle owners who want a carrier with specific expertise
- People who want basic, get-covered coverage and have an emergency fund to handle disputes
When to look elsewhere
- You have a standard risk profile and can qualify with higher-rated carriers
- You’ve had claims experiences in the past and know you want responsive service
- You’re buying home insurance in an area prone to major weather events, where claim handling quality really matters
- Customer service responsiveness is a dealbreaker for you
How to get a quote and what to watch for
If National General looks like a fit, compare quotes carefully. Check the default deductibles, confirm whether personal property is replacement cost or actual cash value, and read the exclusions on your specific policy — not just the coverage summary page. A low premium that comes with a $5,000 deductible or ACV-only payouts may not be the deal it appears to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Progressive or National General?
For most drivers, Progressive edges ahead on customer satisfaction scores, digital tools, and overall claims experience. But National General can win on price for specific high-risk profiles and is a strong option for RV and specialty vehicles. If you qualify with both, get quotes from each and compare the full coverage terms — not just the monthly premium.
Why is National General so cheap?
National General keeps premiums low through a combination of leaner base coverage defaults, a focus on non-standard markets where they’ve built efficient underwriting models, and Allstate’s scale and infrastructure. Cheaper policies sometimes carry lower default limits or ACV payouts instead of replacement cost, so always check what’s included before signing.
Is National General a high risk insurance company?
No, the label describes its customers, drivers with DUIs, accidents, or SR-22 needs, while the company itself holds an A rating from A.M. Best.
National General specializes in high-risk customers — drivers with DUIs, accidents, or SR-22 requirements — but that doesn’t make it a risky company to buy from. It holds an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best, meaning it’s financially strong. The “high risk” label applies to the customers it serves, not the company’s financial stability.
Is National General better than Geico?
For standard-risk drivers, Geico typically offers better customer satisfaction scores and stronger digital tools at comparable pricing. National General’s advantage shows up when you have a driving record that makes Geico decline to quote or price you out. If both will insure you at similar rates, Geico’s service scores give it the edge.
What car insurance company to stay away from?
Rather than one name, avoid any insurer with a high NAIC complaint index and weak customer reviews, checking your state insurance commissioner’s complaint data first.
No single company is universally bad for everyone, but you should approach any insurer with a high NAIC complaint index and low customer review scores with caution — especially if you’re in a situation where you might need to file a claim. Research your specific state’s complaint data through your state insurance commissioner’s office, since performance varies by region.
Is National General Insurance good or bad?
Somewhere in the middle: it’s licensed and pays claims, but satisfaction scores run below average, especially on claims handling, so it suits price shoppers.
It’s genuinely mixed. National General is financially legitimate, licensed, and capable of paying claims — so it’s not “bad” in the sense of being a scam. But customer satisfaction scores across BBB, Consumer Reports, Google, and Yelp consistently run below industry average, particularly for claims handling. It’s a reasonable choice when price is the priority and you understand the trade-offs going in.