The General After a DUI: Who They Cover and What It Costs

The General is a non-standard auto insurance carrier — meaning they specifically write coverage for drivers with DUIs, license suspensions, violations, and lapses on their record. The coverage itself is identical to standard auto insurance: liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection. What differs is the carrier's willingness to write drivers who have been declined or overpriced by preferred carriers like State Farm, Geico, or Allstate. The General operates in 44 states and accepts most DUI convictions, but not all. They typically decline drivers with multiple DUIs within a three-year period, drivers with a DUI combined with an at-fault accident in the same incident, and drivers with an active license suspension that has not yet been resolved. If your conviction falls into one of these categories, you will need to compare quotes from other non-standard carriers like Progressive, Dairyland, or Bristol West. The General files SR-22 certificates in all states where they operate. SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it is a certificate your insurer files with the state, proving you carry the required minimum coverage. Not all insurance companies offer SR-22 filing; you will likely need a carrier that specializes in high-risk drivers. The General adds a filing fee of approximately $25 to $50 to your premium for the SR-22 service, depending on your state.

The General's DUI rates vary widely by state, age, violation history, and the time elapsed since your conviction. A single DUI conviction typically increases your premium by 70% to 130% compared to a clean-record driver at a standard carrier. A 25-year-old male driver in California with a DUI might pay $2,400 to $3,600 annually for minimum liability coverage through The General, while a 45-year-old female driver in Ohio with the same conviction might pay $1,800 to $2,400. Your rate also depends on whether your state requires SR-22 filing and for how long. Most states require SR-22 for two to three years after a DUI conviction, though some states mandate five years. The SR-22 filing itself adds $25 to $50 to your total premium, but the underlying high-risk classification drives the larger rate increase. The General's pricing is generally competitive with other non-standard carriers, but you should compare quotes from at least three carriers — Dairyland, National General, and Acceptance Insurance are direct alternatives. Your rate will decrease as you move further from your conviction date. After three years with no new violations, many drivers see a 20% to 40% reduction in premium. After five years, some drivers regain access to standard carriers, though this timeline varies by state and insurer. The General does not automatically lower your rate — you will need to request a re-quote at each renewal period.

The General does not set the duration of your high-risk insurance requirement — your state does. After a DUI conviction, most states require you to maintain continuous SR-22 coverage for two to three years. Florida and Virginia do not use SR-22 — they require FR-44, a similar certificate with higher minimum liability limits. In Florida, FR-44 requires 100/300/50 coverage; in Virginia, 50/100/40. Both states typically mandate FR-44 for three years after a DUI. If you allow your policy to lapse or cancel during the required filing period, The General is legally obligated to notify your state immediately. Your state will then suspend your license until you reinstate coverage and refile. A coverage gap also resets your filing period in some states, meaning you start the two- or three-year clock over from the date you reinstate coverage. You can switch carriers during your filing period without penalty, as long as the new carrier files SR-22 on your behalf before your current policy cancels. The General will cancel your SR-22 filing on the date your policy ends. If your new carrier's SR-22 filing is not active by that date, a gap appears on your record and your license suspends automatically. Coordinate the switch with both carriers directly — do not rely on overlap.

The General writes non-standard auto insurance in 44 states. They do not operate in Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, or Rhode Island. If you live in one of these states, you will need to find coverage through a regional non-standard carrier or a national carrier like Progressive or Dairyland that operates there. The General excludes certain DUI profiles even in states where they operate. Drivers with two or more DUIs within a three-year period are typically declined. Drivers with a DUI conviction that occurred during an at-fault accident — particularly one involving injury or significant property damage — are also frequently declined. Drivers with an active license suspension that has not been resolved through their state DMV cannot obtain coverage until the suspension is lifted and reinstatement requirements are met. If The General declines your application, the next step is to compare quotes from other non-standard carriers. Progressive writes high-risk drivers in all 50 states and accepts most multi-DUI profiles. Dairyland and Bristol West specialize in drivers with multiple violations. SafeAuto operates in 17 states and offers state-minimum liability coverage for drivers declined elsewhere. Do not assume one declination means universal declination — non-standard carriers use different underwriting guidelines.

Step 1: Confirm your state's SR-22 or FR-44 requirement within 10 days of your conviction. Contact your state DMV or check your court paperwork for the specific filing requirement, minimum coverage limits, and filing duration. If you miss your state's filing deadline, your license suspends automatically and you will need to complete reinstatement before you can legally drive. Step 2: Request quotes from The General and at least two other non-standard carriers within 15 days of your conviction. Compare total premium, coverage limits, SR-22 filing fees, and payment plan options. Do not purchase the first quote you receive — non-standard pricing varies significantly by carrier even for identical coverage. Use a comparison tool to request multiple quotes simultaneously rather than contacting each carrier individually. Step 3: Purchase coverage and confirm SR-22 filing at least 5 days before your state's deadline. Verify with the carrier that they have submitted your SR-22 certificate to your state DMV and request a copy of the filed certificate for your records. If your carrier does not file on time, your license suspends and you incur additional reinstatement fees. Step 4: Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before each policy renewal to compare quotes again. Your rate will not improve automatically — you must actively re-shop your coverage at each renewal period. After three years with no new violations, request quotes from standard carriers to determine whether you qualify for preferred pricing again. If you remain with a non-standard carrier past the point where you qualify for standard coverage, you overpay by an average of 40% to 60%.