National General Insurance, acquired by Allstate in 1, is a significant player in the insurance market, particularly for high-risk drivers. Offering a range of insurance products including auto, homeowners, renters, and more, National General is known for its specialized policies catering to drivers with less-than-perfect records. This review will delve into the pros and cons of National General, its pricing, customer satisfaction, and coverage options, providing a comprehensive understanding of what potential policyholders can expect.

National General Overview

National General, also known as NatGen, has been in the insurance industry since 1920. The company offers various insurance products, including auto, home, RV, motorcycle, and commercial auto insurance. Despite its long history, National General is often highlighted for its focus on high-risk drivers, providing essential services such as SR-22 filing for those with DUI convictions.

Key Highlights:

• Ownership: Acquired by Allstate in 2021.
• Target Market: High-risk drivers, including those with DUI offenses.
• Special Features: Emergency expense allowance, DynamicDrive telematics program, and lifetime repair guarantees.

Customer Satisfaction and Complaints

Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Customer satisfaction is a crucial factor when selecting an insurance provider. National General has mixed reviews, particularly regarding its customer service and claims handling processes.

NerdWallet Rating:

• Overall: 3.0/5
• Pros: Policies for DUI offenders, SR-22 filing, emergency expense allowance.
• Cons: Higher-than-expected complaints to state regulators, below-average customer satisfaction ratings.

J.D. Power Rankings (2023):

• Auto Insurance Shopping Satisfaction: 8th out of 10 companies.
• Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction: 20th out of 24 companies.

Complaints Index

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), National General has far more complaints than expected for its size, indicating potential issues in customer satisfaction and claims handling.

NAIC Complaint Index:

• Far more than the expected number of complaints relative to its size.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews on platforms like Reddit and TrustPilot provide additional insights into policyholder experiences. While some customers appreciate the company's willingness to insure high-risk drivers, others express dissatisfaction with high premiums and poor customer service.

Reddit User Reviews:

• Positive: “National General is actually pretty good. They took my loyalty of 5 years into consideration and covered the damages despite a mistake on my part.”
• Negative: “Their service sucks and they don’t want to pay out claims.”

Coverage Options

National General offers a broad range of coverage options to cater to various needs. These include standard auto insurance coverages as well as additional options for enhanced protection.

Standard Auto Insurance Coverages

• Liability Insurance: Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Pays for damages and injuries if you're hit by a driver with insufficient or no insurance.
• Collision Insurance: Covers repairs to your car after an accident.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Pays for damages from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Similar to MedPay but also covers lost wages and other related expenses.

Additional Coverages

• SR-22 Filings: Required for drivers with serious violations like DUIs.
• Emergency Expense Allowance: Up to $500 for food, lodging, and travel expenses after a covered claim.
• DynamicDrive Telematics Program: Offers discounts based on safe driving habits tracked via a mobile app.
• Lifetime Repair Guarantees: Repairs done at designated shops are guaranteed for life.

Pricing and Discounts

National General's pricing varies significantly depending on the driver’s profile, with premiums often higher than the national average, especially for high-risk drivers.

Average Premiums

Age-Based Premiums

Younger drivers tend to pay higher premiums due to increased risk factors.

Annual Premiums by Age:

Discounts

National General offers several discounts to help lower premiums:

• Multi-Policy Discount: For bundling auto and home insurance.
• Low Mileage Discount: For driving fewer miles annually.
• Safe Driver Discount: For maintaining a clean driving record.
• Pay-in-Full Discount: For paying the premium in full upfront.
• Paperless Discount: For opting into electronic document delivery.
• DynamicDrive Discount: For participating in the telematics program.

Claims Handling

Claims handling is a critical aspect of any insurance provider's service quality. National General's performance in this area has been mixed, with several customers expressing dissatisfaction.

Claims Process

National General offers multiple ways to file a claim, including online, via phone, or through their MyNatGenPolicy portal. Minor claims can often be resolved over the phone and paid within 48 hours.

Key Features:

24/7 Claims Service: Available around the clock via phone and online.

Virtual Estimating Service: MyClaimPics allows for photo submission of damages, potentially speeding up the claims process.

Conclusion

National General Insurance offers a variety of coverage options and discounts, making it a potential choice for high-risk drivers who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere. However, its higher-than-average premiums and mixed customer satisfaction reviews indicate that it might not be the best option for everyone. Potential policyholders should carefully consider their specific needs and compare quotes from multiple providers to ensure they get the best deal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What types of insurance does National General offer?

National General offers a variety of insurance products including auto, home, renters, RV, motorcycle, and commercial auto insurance.

How does National General cater to high-risk drivers?

National General is known for its specialized policies for high-risk drivers, including those with DUI convictions. They offer services like SR-22 filing and have programs such as the DynamicDrive telematics program to help high-risk drivers save on premiums.

What are the customer satisfaction ratings for National General?

National General has mixed customer satisfaction ratings. According to NerdWallet, they have an overall rating of 3.0/5. J.D. Power ranks them 8th out of 10 for Auto Insurance Shopping Satisfaction and 20th out of 24 for Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction. They also have a higher-than-expected number of complaints according to the NAIC Complaint Index.

What discounts does National General offer?

National General offers several discounts including Multi-Policy Discount, Low Mileage Discount, Safe Driver Discount, Pay-in-Full Discount, Paperless Discount, and DynamicDrive Discount.

How can I file a claim with National General?

Claims can be filed with National General online, via phone, or through the MyNatGenPolicy portal. They offer a 24/7 claims service and a Virtual Estimating Service called MyClaimPics that allows for photo submission of damages.