Biller name
The General Insurance
HQ: Nashville, TN
Legal name
Permanent General Companies, Inc.
Website
Also known as
The General · The General® Auto Insurance
Deferit is unaffiliated with The General Insurance
Pay your The General Insurance bill with Deferit
Earn 2% cashback on every bill you pay with Deferit.
Financing Option
Deferit can pay your bill now, then you pay it back later.
How to pay Payment methods Support Late fees FAQ Split into installments
The General Insurance Account & Billing Support
| Department | Number / Channel | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service Main | 1-844-328-0306 | Mon-Thu 7 AM-9 PM CT · Fri 7 AM-8 PM CT · Sat 8 AM-4 PM CT |
| Claims (new claim) | 1-800-280-1466 | 24/7 for new claims · existing claims Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM local |
| Express Services portal | thegeneral.com/mypolicy/expressServices.htm | 24/7 |
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/about/contact · current departmental phone numbers and hours of operation.
The General Insurance Bill Types
About The General Insurance
The General® is an auto insurance brand managed by Permanent General Companies, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Property and casualty coverages are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group. The General specializes in non-standard and high-risk auto insurance and operates in 47 states (per The General's own marketing materials).
The General bills commonly include auto insurance premiums, down payments, installment charges, and any applicable transaction fees. Deferit is unaffiliated with The General Insurance.
How to Pay Your The General Insurance Bill
- Online (no login): thegeneral.com Express Services · policy number only, no account required.
- Online (MyPolicy): thegeneral.com MyPolicy · credit card or bank draft, scheduled payments available.
- Mobile app: The General app · iOS and Android · card, bank draft, split payments, PayNearMe cash.
- Phone: 1-844-328-0306 · Mon-Thu 7 AM-9 PM CT · Fri 7 AM-8 PM CT · Sat 8 AM-4 PM CT.
- Cash (in-person): PayNearMe at most 7-Eleven, ACE Cash Express, Casey's, CVS, and Family Dollar · $2.99 fee per transaction.
- With Deferit: Pay with Deferit and split the bill into 4 installments, once every two weeks. Deferit pays The General Insurance in full immediately. Learn more →
Payment Methods & Addresses
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/mypolicy/expressServices.htm?dropdown=payment ·thegeneral.com/app ·thegeneral.com/pay-in-cash ·thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/about/contact .
Late Fees & Payment Policies
| Policy / Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grace period after missed payment | May last from 10 to 30 days per the cancellation notice. Grace periods vary by insurer and state. | Duration stated in the separate Notice of Cancellation sent to the insured. Varies by state. Specific dollar late-fee amount not published on thegeneral.com. |
| Policy lapse | Coverage ends when grace period stated in notice expires | No additional grace period after official lapse. Insurer notifies customer of the final coverage date prior to lapse. |
| Reinstatement | Missed balance plus any applicable fees | Contact The General to check eligibility. Same policy number and coverage level may be preserved on reinstatement. |
| Cash payment fee (PayNearMe) | $2.99 per transaction | Applies to cash payments up to $1,000 made via PayNearMe at participating in-person locations. |
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/grace-period-for-lapsed-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/how-to-reinstate-cancelled-or-lapsed-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/pay-in-cash
Need to split your The General Insurance bill into installments?
The General specializes in high-risk and non-standard drivers, including those with prior policy lapses. If a payment is missed, a cancellation notice is issued specifying the grace period (typically 10 to 30 days, varying by state). Paying the outstanding balance within that window can restore coverage without an official lapse on record.
If the policy has lapsed, contact The General to confirm reinstatement eligibility. Reinstating may preserve the same policy number and coverage level, though additional fees or rate adjustments may apply. If reinstating is not possible, The General may offer a new policy at a competitive rate, with a potential discount for drivers previously insured within the last 5 years.
If the goal is to pay the full premium now and spread the cost into smaller repayments, Deferit can pay an eligible The General Insurance bill on your behalf and let you repay it in 4 smaller installments.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/grace-period-for-lapsed-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/how-to-reinstate-cancelled-or-lapsed-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance .
| The General Insurance Monthly Payment Plan |  Deferit | |
|---|---|---|
| How to access | Set up through thegeneral.com MyPolicy portal or the The General app. Payment due date can be chosen at policy start. | Sign up, take a picture of your bill, and Deferit pays it on your behalf. Online or in app. |
| Maximum split | Monthly installments over the policy term. Quarterly payment available in some states. Paid-in-full option earns a discount in most states for 6-month and 12-month policies. | 4 installments, once every two weeks, up to your Deferit balance |
| Eligibility & approval | Decided by The General Insurance at request time based on account status | Monthly Deferit membership, no lock-ins. Cancel anytime. |
| Fees & interest | Cash payments via PayNearMe carry a $2.99 transaction fee per payment up to $1,000. No fee published for standard online or bank draft payments. A late payment triggers a cancellation notice. The grace period varies by state (typically 10 to 30 days per the notice). Once coverage lapses, reinstatement requires paying the missed amount plus any applicable fees. | Monthly Deferit membership plus a $0.99 processing fee per bill. No interest. No late fees on eligible Deferit memberships.* |
| If you miss a payment | A cancellation notice is issued. Coverage lapses when the grace period stated in the notice expires. Reinstatement requires contacting The General and paying the outstanding balance plus any applicable fees. Re-shopping is possible. The General accepts drivers with prior lapses and may offer a discount if previously insured within the last 5 years. | You can reschedule a repayment date in the app before it's due. Late fees may apply depending on your Deferit membership.* |
| Works for | The General Insurance bills only | The General Insurance and most other US household bills |
| Learn more → |
*No late fees feature included with Max and Ultra memberships. Installments on the Lite membership may incur late fees if overdue. See Membership terms for details.
Pay your The General Insurance bill with Deferit
Earn 2% cashback on every bill, redeemed off your next payment. No subscription fee.
Common Questions About The General Insurance
Does The General Insurance charge a late fee? ›
The General sends a Notice of Cancellation when a payment is missed. That notice specifies a grace period that typically runs 10 to 30 days from the due date, and the exact length varies by state. A specific dollar late-fee amount is not published on thegeneral.com. The main consequence of non-payment is potential policy lapse once the grace period stated in the notice expires.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/grace-period-for-lapsed-car-insurance
What happens if I miss a The General Insurance payment? ›
Missing a payment triggers a Notice of Cancellation that states the grace period (typically 10 to 30 days, varying by state). If the outstanding balance is paid within that window, coverage can continue without an official lapse. If the grace period expires without payment, the policy lapses and coverage ends. Reinstatement requires contacting The General to confirm eligibility and paying the missed balance plus any applicable fees. The General accepts drivers with prior lapses and may offer a discount if previously insured within the last 5 years.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/grace-period-for-lapsed-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/going-places/blog/car-insurance/how-to-reinstate-cancelled-or-lapsed-car-insurance
Can I split my The General Insurance bill into installments? ›
Yes. The General offers a monthly installment plan where you see the down payment and all subsequent monthly installment amounts in your quote, and you can choose your payment due date. Quarterly payment options may be available in some states. Paying the full 6-month or 12-month premium in one payment earns a discount in most states. For an additional 4-installment split option, Deferit can pay your The General bill in full and let you repay across 4 bi-weekly installments, subject to eligibility.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance
How do I pay my The General Insurance bill online? ›
There are two online options. The Express Services quick-pay tool at thegeneral.com lets you pay using only your policy number, with no account login required. The MyPolicy portal requires you to log in and lets you pay via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex) or bank draft, and also allows you to schedule future payments. You can also pay through The General app on iOS or Android.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/mypolicy/expressServices.htm?dropdown=payment ·thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/app
Can I pay The General Insurance bill in cash? ›
Yes. Cash payments are available through PayNearMe at participating locations including most 7-Eleven, ACE Cash Express, Casey's General Store, CVS, and Family Dollar locations. Open The General app, go to Payments, tap Pay Now, select Cash, enable location, choose a nearby store, and show the barcode to the cashier. A $2.99 transaction fee is charged by PayNearMe per payment up to $1,000. Payments typically take 1 to 2 business days to credit to your policy.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/pay-in-cash
How do I contact The General Insurance billing support? ›
Call customer service at 1-844-328-0306 (Mon-Thu 7 AM-9 PM CT, Fri 7 AM-8 PM CT, Sat 8 AM-4 PM CT). For a new claim, call 1-800-280-1466, which is available 24/7. Existing claims can be discussed Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM local time.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/about/contact
Does The General Insurance offer a discount for paying in full? ›
Yes. In most states, customers who pay the full premium in one payment receive a discount. Discounts are available for both 6-month and 12-month policies where applicable. Quarterly payment may also offer a discount in some states. Your free quote will show the monthly installment cost and the paid-in-full cost side by side.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance
Customer Service Tips for The General Insurance Customers
Have these ready before you call. Policy number, billing ZIP, vehicle details, last payment amount, and preferred payment method. For billing and account questions call 1-844-328-0306 (Mon-Thu 7 AM-9 PM CT, Fri 7 AM-8 PM CT, Sat 8 AM-4 PM CT). For a new claim call 1-800-280-1466, available 24/7.
How to read your The General Insurance bill. Your statement shows the down payment amount (due at policy start), the monthly installment schedule, and the due date you selected. If paying in cash via PayNearMe, a $2.99 transaction fee is added per payment (this charge comes from PayNearMe and is separate from your premium). Paid-in-full payments in most states qualify for a discount. Your quote will show both the monthly and paid-in-full options side by side.
How to lower your bill. Paying the full 6-month or 12-month premium at once earns a discount in most states. Quarterly payment may also be available in some states at a lower effective rate than monthly. If the challenge is affording the lump sum upfront rather than reducing recurring costs, Deferit's Pay-in-4 option can split the premium into 4 installments, subject to eligibility.
Retrieved June 2026 · Sources: thegeneral.com/car-insurance/cheap-car-insurance ·thegeneral.com/about/contact ·thegeneral.com/pay-in-cash .
Updated: June 2026