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. (GAIS) is a licensed insurance agency that is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance Company. Through its insurance company affiliates and their predecessors, GAIS has been writing automobile insurance in many states throughout the country for more than 60 years, and is a leader in the low-cost auto insurance field.

GAIS offers auto insurance primarily through members and affiliates of Sentry Insurance Group. Sentry Insurance Group has been recognized by AM Best for its financial stability with a rating of A+ (“Superior”), the 2nd highest out of 13 ratings. We have physical offices throughout the country, and 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!

2024

Sentry Insurance acquires The General^® Dec. 31, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is The General?

The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. (GAIS) is a licensed insurance agency that is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance Company. GAIS offers auto insurance primarily through members and affiliates of Sentry Insurance Group. Sentry Insurance Group has been recognized by AM Best for its financial stability with a rating of A+ (“Superior”), the 2nd highest out of 13 ratings.