Auto Insurance Comparison
Safety vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of Safety vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
Safety 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.
| Safety | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.00 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | Safety Insurance has been a Massachusetts mainstay since 1979 and competes seriously in MA, NH, and ME | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | Safety review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | Safety | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 4.20 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 4.00 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.80 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
Safety
Full review →Pros
- Strong Massachusetts market presence with deep regulatory expertise
- Solid customer satisfaction reputation in operating states
- Competitive bundling discounts when combined with home insurance
- Local agent network with strong state-specific knowledge
Cons
- Only available in MA, NH, and ME
- Mid-market pricing, not a low-cost option
- Limited national brand recognition
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.
Safety
The General
The bottom line
Safety
Safety is a fine choice for Massachusetts drivers in particular. Outside MA/NH/ME, it isn't relevant.
Read the full Safety 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.