Auto Insurance Comparison
Selective vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of Selective vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
Selective 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.
| Selective | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.85 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | Selective Insurance is a Northeast-rooted multi-line carrier where personal auto sits alongside a substantial commercial book | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | Selective review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | Selective | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 3.90 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 4.00 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.60 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
Selective
Full review →Pros
- Strong claims-handling reputation across personal and commercial lines
- Multi-line bundling potential including commercial coverage
- Independent agent distribution with shopping flexibility
- Solid financial strength
Cons
- Geographic limitation — Northeast/Mid-Atlantic focus
- No online quoting — independent agents only
- Mid-market pricing in a competitive region
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.
Selective
The General
The bottom line
Selective
Selective is a fine regional choice in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, particularly for buyers bundling personal and commercial lines through an independent agent.
Read the full Selective 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.