Auto Insurance Comparison
Pekin vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of Pekin vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
Pekin 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.
| Pekin | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.85 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | Pekin Insurance is an Illinois-headquartered mutual with a five-state Midwest footprint | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | Pekin review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | Pekin | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 4.00 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 3.80 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.70 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
Pekin
Full review →Pros
- Mutual structure — policyholder-aligned ownership
- Strong Illinois market presence with deep state-specific expertise
- Multi-line bundling discounts when combined with home or life
- Solid customer satisfaction in operating states
Cons
- Only available in IL, IN, IA, OH, and WI
- No online quoting — every policy through an agent
- Pricing is mid-market, not a budget choice
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.
Pekin
The General
The bottom line
Pekin
Pekin is a fine regional choice in its five operating states, particularly Illinois. Outside that footprint, it isn't an option.
Read the full Pekin 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.