Auto Insurance Comparison
State Auto vs The General
Side-by-side comparison of State Auto vs The General auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
State Auto 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.
| State Auto | The General | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.75 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.25 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | State Auto Insurance is now part of Liberty Mutual (acquired 2022) but continues to operate under the State Auto brand through independent agents | The General writes non-standard auto insurance for drivers who can't easily get coverage from mainstream carriers |
| Read full review | State Auto review → | The General review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | State Auto | The General |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 3.80 | 3.00 |
| Coverage breadth | 3.90 | 3.00 |
| Affordability | 3.50 | 3.80 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
State Auto
Full review →Pros
- Now backed by Liberty Mutual financial strength
- Independent agent distribution with shop-around flexibility
- Multi-line bundling discounts
- Solid customer satisfaction in operating states
Cons
- Geographic concentration in Midwest and Southeast
- Recent acquisition means brand and service evolution still underway
- Mid-market pricing, not a budget option
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.
State Auto
The General
The bottom line
State Auto
State Auto is a fine regional choice in the Midwest and Southeast through an independent agent. The Liberty Mutual acquisition adds financial strength but the long-term brand identity is still settling.
Read the full State Auto 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.