Both companies write SR-22 policies for high-risk drivers as their core business, and neither will blink at a DUI or a lapse on your record — that's not where they differ. The real difference shows up in what each one is actually built around: Dairyland leans into fast, no-friction SR-22 filing and a broader non-standard lineup that includes motorcycles and RVs, while The General leans into aggressive marketing and acceptance breadth, with pricing that independent reviews describe as inconsistent — sometimes competitive, sometimes not, depending on your specific risk profile.
What Each Company Actually Specializes In
Dairyland built its reputation specifically around SR-22 speed. The Zebra's independent review calls fast SR-22 filing "one of the things Dairyland does best," and Dairyland's own site states it files the SR-22 for free as part of the policy in most cases — not as an add-on fee. It also covers motorcycles, RVs, and ATVs, which makes it a reasonable fit if your high-risk situation extends beyond a single car.
The General is built around acceptance breadth and volume — it's the insurer most associated with "low down payment, anyone can qualify" advertising, and it does explicitly accept SR-22 drivers as a core part of its business. But that same acceptance-first model shows up in its pricing pattern: AutoInsurance.com's 2026 review found The General's average for an at-fault-accident driver runs $4,332 a year, well above the $3,156 national average for the same profile, and one independent reviewer on Dragon Insurance Services noted The General "costs significantly more than the national average" for drivers who don't fit its ideal risk profile — which can include some SR-22 cases.
What They Actually Cost, Side by Side
|
The General |
Dairyland |
| Average SR-22 policy (annual) |
~$1,253/year (WalletHub), ~6% above a standard policy |
$97/month ($1,164/year), per Insurify's average across its user base |
| Non-owner SR-22 |
~$1,004/year average (ValuePenguin) |
Filed as part of standard non-owner policies; no independent average found — verify by quote |
| SR-22 filing fee |
Included in the SR-22 insurance fee, per The General's own site |
Filed for free as part of the policy in most cases, per Dairyland's own site |
| Best fit for |
Drivers who've been declined elsewhere and need broad acceptance |
Drivers who need SR-22 filed fast, or who also need motorcycle/RV coverage |
These are averages from independent reviews, not quotes for your specific violation, state, or driving history — the gap between the two for your exact situation could be smaller or larger than what's shown here. Get quotes from both before deciding.
Where Complaints Cluster
WalletHub's review page for The General includes a specific complaint worth flagging: a driver reported an SR-22 bond "over $200" a month despite what they described as a not-bad driving record — a reminder that The General's acceptance-first model can mean paying a premium for flexibility rather than for price. Dairyland draws fewer SR-22-specific cost complaints in the same review channels, though Reddit threads on r/Insurance note its pricing "in my experience" runs higher than some competitors depending on state — so neither company is uniformly cheap; both vary by where you live and what triggered your SR-22.
Our Take
If your priority is getting the SR-22 filed quickly and without extra fees, and especially if you also need coverage for a motorcycle or RV, Dairyland is the more consistent fit based on what it's actually built to do well. If you've already been declined by other insurers and need the widest possible acceptance net regardless of the exact price, The General is worth quoting — but go in expecting to compare its number against at least one other high-risk specialist rather than assuming "low down payment" advertising means it's the cheapest option for your specific case. It frequently isn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The General cheaper than Dairyland for SR-22 insurance?
Not consistently. Independent reviews show The General's average SR-22 policy running slightly higher than Dairyland's average, and The General has documented complaints about above-average pricing for drivers outside its ideal risk profile. Get quotes from both — the cheaper option depends on your state and specific violation.
Does Dairyland charge extra to file an SR-22?
According to Dairyland's own site, it files the SR-22 for free as part of most policies rather than charging it as a separate add-on fee.
Which company accepts riskier drivers, The General or Dairyland?
The General is more explicitly built around broad acceptance, including drivers other insurers have declined. Dairyland also writes high-risk and SR-22 policies but is more associated with speed of filing than with accepting the very highest-risk profiles.
Can I get non-owner SR-22 coverage from either company?
Yes, both offer non-owner SR-22 policies. Independent data shows The General's non-owner average around $1,004 a year; no independently verified average exists yet for Dairyland's non-owner pricing, so get a direct quote to compare.
Does either company cover motorcycles or RVs alongside an SR-22?
Dairyland does, and it's one of its stronger differentiators — useful if your high-risk situation involves more than just a standard car. The General's lineup is more centered on standard auto coverage.
