The General After a DUI: Where They File and What to Expect

The General operates in 45 states but does not write policies in Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, or North Carolina. Within the 45 states where they do operate, SR-22 filing availability depends on which underwriting entity writes your policy and whether your state requires The General to maintain an active filing agreement with the DMV. In states like California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas, The General files SR-22 certificates through multiple underwriting companies including The General Automobile Insurance Company, Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin, and MIC General Insurance Corporation. Each entity maintains separate DMV filing agreements, which means your policy may be written by one entity and filed by another depending on your county and violation history. In smaller markets like Montana, South Dakota, or Wyoming, The General may offer coverage but route SR-22 filing through a third-party service or decline to file altogether if the administrative cost exceeds the premium volume. If you live in one of these states, confirm SR-22 filing capability before purchasing a policy. A coverage quote does not guarantee filing availability.

The General charges a one-time SR-22 filing fee between $15 and $35 depending on your state, paid when the policy is issued. This fee covers the cost of submitting the certificate to your state's DMV or Department of Insurance. The fee is separate from your premium. Your monthly premium after a DUI typically ranges from $180 to $320 per month for state minimum liability coverage, depending on your state's required limits, your age, your prior insurance history, and how long ago the DUI occurred. Drivers under 25 with a DUI conviction in the past 12 months consistently see rates at the higher end of that range. Drivers over 30 with a DUI from 18 to 24 months ago and no other violations see rates closer to $180 to $220 per month. The General recalculates your rate at each six-month renewal. If you maintain continuous coverage, avoid new violations, and complete any required alcohol education programs, expect your rate to drop 10 to 15 percent at your first renewal and another 8 to 12 percent at your second renewal. Full rate normalization typically takes three to five years from the conviction date.

The General specializes in high-risk drivers and writes policies for DUI convictions, license suspensions, and SR-22 requirements as a core part of their business model. Unlike Progressive or State Farm, which may offer SR-22 filing but tier DUI drivers into separate high-risk programs with limited customer service access, The General structures all policies around violation drivers from the start. This means you get direct access to agents who understand reinstatement timelines, proof-of-insurance filing deadlines, and DMV compliance requirements. The General also allows monthly payment plans without requiring a down payment larger than your first month's premium, which matters if you need coverage immediately after a conviction and cannot afford a lump-sum six-month payment. The tradeoff is coverage selection. The General offers liability, uninsured motorist, and medical payments coverage, but most underwriting entities do not offer collision or comprehensive coverage to DUI drivers in the first 12 months after conviction. If you finance a vehicle and your lender requires full coverage, you may need to shop Dairyland, Bristol West, or National General instead.

The General can cancel your policy mid-term for nonpayment, material misrepresentation, or license suspension that occurs after your policy starts. If you miss a payment, most states require The General to provide 10 to 20 days' notice before cancellation. If your license is suspended for a new violation while your policy is active, The General will cancel your policy and notify the DMV that SR-22 coverage has lapsed. When SR-22 coverage lapses, your state's DMV receives electronic notification within 24 to 72 hours. Most states respond by suspending your license again and restarting your SR-22 filing period from zero. In California, Illinois, and Florida, a single day of SR-22 lapse adds 90 to 180 days to your total filing requirement and triggers a new reinstatement fee between $125 and $250. If The General non-renews your policy at the end of your six-month term, they must provide 30 to 60 days' notice depending on your state. This gives you time to find replacement SR-22 coverage before a gap appears. Non-renewal is not the same as cancellation. Non-renewal does not trigger an immediate DMV notification, but if you do not secure replacement coverage by your policy end date, the gap has the same consequences as a mid-term cancellation.

In Florida, The General writes policies but does not file FR-44 certificates, which Florida requires after a DUI instead of SR-22. FR-44 requires higher liability limits than standard SR-22 (100/300/50 in Florida compared to 25/50/25 for standard liability). If you have a DUI conviction in Florida, you need a carrier that files FR-44 specifically. Progressive, Dairyland, and National General all file FR-44 in Florida. The General does not. In Virginia, The General files SR-22 for most violations but does not file FR-44 for DUI convictions. Virginia requires FR-44 for DUI offenses and SR-22 for other violations like reckless driving or driving on a suspended license. Confirm which certificate your conviction requires before purchasing coverage. In New York, The General operates but does not maintain consistent SR-22 filing agreements across all counties. New York uses a different proof-of-insurance system than most states, and The General routes New York SR-22 filings through Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin only. If you live in a county where Viking does not write new policies, The General cannot file your SR-22 even if they offer you a liability quote.

Step 1: Confirm your state's SR-22 or FR-44 requirement within 7 days of your conviction or DMV notice. Call your state's DMV or check your suspension letter. If your state requires FR-44 (Florida or Virginia for DUI), The General cannot help you. If your state requires SR-22, move to step 2. Step 2: Get quotes from at least three non-standard carriers that file SR-22 in your state within 10 days of your conviction. Include The General, Progressive, Dairyland, and one regional carrier like Bristol West or Acceptance Insurance. Rates vary by 40 to 80 percent between carriers for the same driver profile. The lowest quote saves you $800 to $1,900 over a three-year SR-22 filing period. Step 3: Purchase coverage and confirm SR-22 filing before your state's deadline. Most states require SR-22 filing within 30 days of conviction or license suspension. If you miss this deadline, your license remains suspended and your SR-22 clock does not start. Ask your agent for the SR-22 filing confirmation number and the date the certificate was transmitted to the DMV. Follow up with the DMV 7 days after purchase to confirm receipt. Step 4: Set a calendar alert for 25 days before your policy renewal date. If The General non-renews your policy, you need replacement coverage in place before your current policy ends. A single day of SR-22 lapse restarts your filing period in most states. Confirm renewal or start shopping for replacement coverage 30 days before your term ends, not the day you receive a non-renewal notice.