About The General^®
Company History

The General Car Insurance - About Us - webpage header image of The General giving two thumbs up with a smile.

The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. (The General) is a licensed insurance agency that is a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC) which is an affiliate of American Family Insurance. Through its insurance company subsidiaries and their predecessors, PGC has been writing automobile insurance in many states throughout the country for nearly 60 years, and is a leader in the low-cost auto insurance field.

The General (an agency) offers auto insurance online underwritten by the following insurance companies: Permanent General Assurance Corporation (NAIC #37648), Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio (NAIC #22906), and The General Automobile Insurance Company, Inc. (NAIC #13703). These insurance companies have been recognized by AM Best for their financial stability with ratings of A (“Excellent”), which is the 3rd highest out of 13 ratings. Although our physical offices are in Louisiana, we offer coverage across 47 different states. Do not confuse cheap car insurance with insurance of lesser quality. The General car insurance is both affordable and reliable.

Why Choose The General?

Low Down Payments

The General offers auto insurance for drivers that have had a history of driving violations or accidents, have not kept their insurance in force, or have less-than-perfect credit. So, you can still find a good price for your auto insurance needs. We offer some of the best low-cost auto insurance options for drivers who might otherwise have difficulty finding insurance.

Convenient Monthly Payments

We combine our budget-sensitive payment plans with electronic verification of driver information and vehicle information when you are buying the policy so there are no surprises to you down the road. We know you work hard for your money. When you purchase The General car insurance, you will always know what kind of coverage you are receiving and just how much it will cost, so you can budget accordingly.

Quality Claims Handling

Both our policies and our customer service practices are focused on meeting our customers’ needs for a positive experience end to end. Experiencing a car accident or otherwise damaging your vehicle is an unpleasant experience at best, but hassle-free claims service makes a difficult situation somewhat easier.

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The History of The General

In 1963, we began selling insurance under the company name Permanent General Agency. Over the years, we’ve sold insurance through various companies including Permanent General Assurance Corporation (Permanent General or PGAC for short). Although our iconic mascot didn’t join the team until a few decades later, we have nearly 60 years of experience in providing quality coverage. We’re proud of our long history of serving our customers when they need us.

See how The General has evolved over the years with this timeline:

1963

Permanent General Agency founded.

2000

Began selling insurance online.

2013

The General is acquired by American Family Insurance® and our character gets an update.

2018

Launched our new mobile app.

2021

Updated our slogan to, “For a great low rate, go with The General.”

2023

Our logo and character evolve with a fresh and modern look!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is The General?

The General is a licensed insurance agency that’s a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp (PGC). We offer auto insurance online from Permanent General Assurance Corporation, Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio and The General Auto Insurance Company, Inc. These insurance companies have been recognized by A.M. Best for their financial stability and excellent “A” ratings.

Where Are The General’s Offices Located?

The General’s corporate offices are in Nashville, TN. We also have regional call centers in Ohio, Arizona and Louisiana. Visit our local insurance agent page to find an expert on regional insurance requirements near you.