Auto Insurance Comparison
Auto-Owners vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of Auto-Owners vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
Auto-Owners 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.
| Auto-Owners | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.05 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | Auto-Owners is one of those carriers you might not have heard of unless your independent agent recommended it | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | Auto-Owners review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | Auto-Owners | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 4.40 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 4.30 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.50 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
Auto-Owners
Full review →Pros
- Consistently among the top-rated carriers for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power studies
- Strong claims-handling reputation with low complaint volumes
- Competitive pricing in the 26 states where it operates
- Deep agent relationships — every quote runs through a local independent agency
Cons
- Agent-only distribution — no online quoting, no direct-to-consumer purchase
- Limited geographic footprint — only available in 26 states, primarily Midwest and Southeast
- Less brand recognition than national carriers, which can matter for some shoppers
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.
Auto-Owners
The General
The bottom line
Auto-Owners
If you live in Auto-Owners' footprint and prefer agent-based service, it's one of the most underrated carriers in the market. If you need 50-state availability or prefer online self-service, look elsewhere.
Read the full Auto-Owners 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.