Auto Insurance Comparison
American Family vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of American Family vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
American Family comes out clearly ahead The General in our overall scoring — but each carrier wins on different dimensions. See the breakdown below before deciding.
Head-to-head
Overall scores, key facts, and what each is known for.
| American Family | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.85 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | American Family is a Midwest-rooted mutual carrier that ranks consistently well on customer satisfaction and offers a usage-based program with real teeth | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | American Family review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | American Family | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 4.00 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 4.10 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.50 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
American Family
Full review →Pros
- American Family provides a variety of savings on vehicle insurance coverage.
- The firm also offers numerous other types of insurance, which may be combined to save money.
- American Family's mobile app is simple to use and includes features like tracking claim progress, scheduling payments, and calling roadside help.
Cons
- Because American Family does not offer a comprehensive list of extra coverage enhancements or endorsements for vehicle policies, customers with more sophisticated insurance needs should continue their research.
- While homeowners rated American Family vehicle insurance positively, renters rated this provider below average in our Customer Satisfaction Survey.
The General
Full review →Pros
- Strong specialization in non-standard risk — accepts drivers others reject
- Quick online quotes including SR-22 filings
- Available in 45 states, broader than most non-standard competitors
- Affordable for high-risk profiles that mainstream carriers price out
Cons
- Customer satisfaction and claims experience trend below industry averages
- Standard-risk drivers will pay more here than at mainstream carriers
- Coverage menu is intentionally minimal — limited add-on options
Coverage at a glance
What each carrier offers in standard policies.
American Family
The General
The bottom line
American Family
American Family is a solid pick in the Midwest and Western states where it operates. If you're outside its footprint or shopping purely on rate, broader carriers will usually price more aggressively.
Read the full American Family reviewThe General
If you've been denied by mainstream carriers or need SR-22 filing, The General is a legitimate option. If you're a standard-risk driver, you're paying for risk pooling you don't need — get quotes from GEICO and Progressive first.
Read the full The General reviewBefore you decide
Rankings are a starting point — your profile decides the rest.
These scores reflect our editorial research across cost, coverage, and customer experience. The right carrier for you still depends on your record, location, and vehicle, so read the full reviews before you commit.