General Insurance

If you don’t skip the commercials during daytime TV, you’ve probably seen an ad for The General insurance company, featuring The General, their pint-sized mascot. Whether posing next to a hot rod or driving a giant bus down a very narrow road, The General is on a mission to let drivers know about The General auto insurance, with the slogan: “For a great low rate you can get online, go to The General and save some time!”

While The General as a company has existed, under various names, for years, its mascot is a relatively recent invention. Adopted “a few decades” after the company was founded, The General is a decorated soldier with a gravelly voice and a very high mustache-to-height ratio.

He was designed by California-based Ken Roberts Productions, and has undergone several makeovers over the years. In his early days, he sported a cell phone – the kind you might associate with Gordon Gekko – and had a cartoony quality, but recently, both his technology and rendering have been updated. In 2007, he gained a third dimension, and in January 2013, ads began portraying him from a lower angle, so more of his face is visible, giving him a friendlier expression.

His current cell phone also fits in the palm of his hand. His spots gained the company three Telly Awards – an honor for outstanding local, regional and cable commercials and shows – in 2012, though there are reportedly thousands of Telly winners each year, so The General is in good company. 

Founded in 1963, the company currently called The General was first known as the Permanent General Agency. Subsequently, the PGA and its subsidiaries have has many other names, including the Permanent General Insurance Corporation. The organization adopted the name The General in 1997, and consolidated all of their operations under it in 2012. In January 2013, the company was purchased by American Family Insurance. The General is headquartered in Nashville, and has physical locations in Louisiana. Other customers do business over the phone or online, where The General’s auto insurance quotes are free, quick and anonymous. If you’re looking to sign up, however, be aware that coverage isn’t available in all states. 

Though less well-known than many of its competitors, The General may be your best bet if you have a spotty driving history. The company caters to those with a few tickets, a DUI or even SR-22’s. For this reason, you could likely get your best rate elsewhere if you have a clean driving record. If your lowest quote is from The General, though, know your reasonable premium could exclude a number of fees – according to former customers – and that their customer service is sometimes lacking. Those trying to process a claim with the company often report unresponsive agents and lower-than-agreed pay-outs. For others, the low prices are worth the risk. But whether you’re persuaded by their ads or not The General car insurance company and their mascot will be interrupting your talk shows for years to come. 

[Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/car-insurance-basics/the-general-insurance/]