Both compete for the same acceptance-first, low-down-payment segment of the SR-22 market, and on price alone SafeAuto looks like the cheaper option — SmartFinancial's estimate puts it around $156 a month versus WalletHub's roughly $1,253-a-year (about $104/month) average for The General's SR-22 policies specifically. The catch is that SafeAuto's customer review scores are considerably worse, which matters more here than usual because of how long you'll likely be locked into whichever policy you choose.
The Price Comparison, Side by Side
|
The General |
SafeAuto |
| Reported average SR-22 cost |
$1,253/year ($104/month), per WalletHub |
$156/month ($936 per 6-month term), per SmartFinancial |
| At-fault accident driver average |
$4,332/year, per AutoInsurance.com |
Not independently benchmarked at this granularity |
| Non-owner SR-22 average |
~$1,004/year, per ValuePenguin |
Not independently benchmarked |
| WalletHub customer rating |
Not separately listed in our research at time of writing |
1.9 / 5 (284 reviews) |
| AM Best rating |
Rated |
Not rated, per InsuredBetter |
Why the Review Gap Matters More Than the Price Gap
A single specific complaint on WalletHub's SafeAuto page describes a $150-a-month quote that became $230 plus a $50 add-on within ten days — the kind of post-quote change that, if it reflects a broader pattern rather than an isolated incident, is a genuine risk when you're about to commit to a multi-year SR-22 requirement. The General has its own documented complaints about pricing running above the national average for higher-risk profiles, but nothing in our research surfaced the same kind of "the quote changed after I signed up" pattern that shows up specifically in SafeAuto's reviews.
The Financial-Strength Difference
The General carries a standard financial-strength rating; SafeAuto, per InsuredBetter's review, does not carry an AM Best rating. This doesn't automatically mean SafeAuto can't pay claims — but it does mean you have one less independent check available before committing, which matters more over a multi-year SR-22 term than it would for a policy you might switch out of after six months.
What Each One Actually Optimizes For
The General optimizes for acceptance breadth — it's built to say yes to drivers other companies decline, and its pricing reflects that risk. SafeAuto optimizes for low upfront cost and low down payments, which is genuinely useful if cash flow is your immediate constraint, but the review pattern suggests it's worth extra diligence on the final quoted number before you commit.
Our Take
If your priority is a documented financial-strength rating and a company with a longer track record of independent review coverage, The General is the steadier choice even though it's not the cheapest on paper. If a low down payment is your immediate priority and you're willing to get the final quote confirmed in writing before signing anything — specifically because of the pattern in SafeAuto's reviews — SafeAuto's advertised pricing is worth pursuing, with that extra step built in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SafeAuto cheaper than The General for SR-22 insurance?
Independent averages suggest SafeAuto's advertised pricing runs somewhat lower, but get quotes from both directly — actual pricing varies significantly by state, violation, and driving history.
Why does SafeAuto have a lower customer rating than The General?
SafeAuto's WalletHub reviews include specific complaints about price increases after an initial quote, while The General's complaints more commonly center on overall cost being higher than expected rather than the quote itself changing.
Does The General have a better financial-strength rating than SafeAuto?
The General carries a standard AM Best rating; SafeAuto does not, per independent review data — worth factoring in in if long-term financial stability is important to your decision.
Which company accepts higher-risk drivers, The General or SafeAuto?
Both explicitly target high-risk and SR-22 drivers as their core business; neither has clearly documented broader acceptance criteria than the other in independent reviews.
Should I get the final quote in writing before choosing either company?
It's a reasonable precaution with any SR-22 insurer, but especially relevant for SafeAuto given the specific pattern of post-quote price change complaints in its customer reviews.
