The General and The Hartford are two well-known names in the auto insurance industry. The Hartford was founded in 1810, about 150 years prior to The General, which was founded in 1963. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, The General provides low insurance rates for high-risk drivers and also has a simple online quoting system. Whereas, The Hartford provides excellent claims management and support, not to mention excellent partnership with the AARP.
However, The Hartford and the General lack impeccable 24-hour, consistent customer service. Still, both companies have mobile apps and excellent roadside assistance programs for their customers.
So which one offers the kinds of discounts, services, and even customer ratings that best fit your car insurance wants and needs? Keep reading to find out.
The Hartford offers multiple discounts to save you money on your auto insurance premium. These discounts include:
Comparing quotes is the best way to get your lowest rates from top insurers like The General and The Hartford. QuoteWizard is an independent company that helps you find your right policy at your best rate.
| Bundling Coverage Discounts | The General | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Car | ||
| Home and Car | ||
| Car and Life | ||
| Vehicle Type and Safety Features | The General | The Hartford |
| Alternative Fuel | ||
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | ||
| Anti-Lock Brake | ||
| Anti-Theft | ||
| Passive Restraint | ||
| New Car | ||
| Economy Car | ||
| Utility Vehicle | ||
| Farm or Ranch Vehicle | ||
| Driving Record and Insurance History | The General | The Hartford |
| Accident Free/Good Driver | ||
| Prior Insurance | ||
| Long Term Policy Holder | ||
| Defensive Driving Course | ||
| Student, Professional, and Club Memberships | The General | The Hartford |
| Affinity Group | ||
| College Graduate | ||
| Good Student | ||
| Resident Student | ||
| Organization or Club Membership | ||
| Farm Bureau Member | ||
| Military | ||
| Special Circumstances | The General | The Hartford |
| Telematics Device | ||
| Low Mileage | ||
| Short Commute | ||
| Days Per Week Driven | ||
| Other Discounts | The General | The Hartford |
| Married | ||
| Paid in Full | ||
| Advance Renewal | ||
| Electronic Funds Transfer | ||
| Senior Driver | ||
| 55 and Retired |
| The General Auto Insurance | The Hartford Auto Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 13 | 30 |
| 2015 | 14 | 72 |
| 2014 | 3 | 69 |
| 2013 | 4 | 67 |
| The General Auto Insurance | The Hartford Auto Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Purchase Experience | Above average | Among the best |
| Policy Offerings | Above average | Among the best |
| Pricing | Above average | Among the best |
| Local Agent | Above average | Average |
| Call Center Representative | -- | Average |
| Insurer Website | -- | Among the best |
| The General Auto Insurance | The Hartford Auto Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | Average | Above average |
| First Notice of Loss | Average | Above average |
| Service Interaction | Above average | Below average |
| Appraisal | Average | Average |
| Repair Process | Average | Among the best |
| Rental Car Experience | Above average | Average |
| Settlement | Average | Above average |
| The General Auto Insurance | The Hartford Auto Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best | A- | A |
| Moody's | -- | A2 |
| S&P's | -- | A |
The General
The General Mobile AppThis app grants users easy access to their policy info on their mobile devices. It also lets them pay their insurance premiums, view their insurance ID cards, and even get a quote. |
The Hartford
The Hartford Smartphone App for Auto and Home lets you manage your insurance policies directly and conveniently from your mobile device. You can store and view your ID cards, pay your premiums, and track any claims you’ve made. Even without having to log in, you’ll have access to roadside assistance as well as an emergency checklist. Also available is a repair service finder, replacement vehicle locator, insurance agent locator, and much more. Download the Hartford Smartphone app for iPhone or Android. |
The General
The General 24/7 Roadside AssistanceThe General's roadside assistance plan is provided thru a partnership with Nation Safe Driver (NSD). Roadside assistance isn't purchased with you General auto insurance policy, it's a membership with Nation Safe Driver. Plans cost $10/month. Services Covered
|
The Hartford
The Hartford Towing and LaborTowing and Labor coverage is available on your existing auto insurance policy. It covers the tow and labor costs, but does not cover additional parts needed for repairs to the car. The Hartford offers Towing and Labor coverage, which includes all the services that a standard roadside assistance package would have. Services Covered
Contact Phone NumberFor immediate roadside assistance/claims service, call 1 (800) 322-7789. |