Many car owners who lived in the ‘60s and ‘70s might be well familiar with The General insurance company. It's a licensed car insurance
agency and a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corporation, an affiliate of American Family Insurance. Through its subsidiaries and affiliated insurance agency, PGC offers reduced-cost auto insurance
in many states across the U.S. As an insurance agency that has been serving vehicle owners since the heydays of the American muscle cars, The General has evolved over the years. From introducing a mascot and logo changes to creating a powerful slogan, the company has undoubtedly grown as it expanded its auto insurance offerings to Americans, the details of which we’ll discuss below.
How did The General get its name?
Curious about how The General got its name? You need not search further than its original name—Permanent General Agency—which later changed to “The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc.” But to understand the origin of the company's name, it would be best to first recap its history.
The General was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1963. It was then called Permanent General Agency. Years later, it changed to Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGAC). In 2012, American Family Insurance acquired the company and announced that PGAC and its affiliated brands would unify under one overarching brand name, "The General."
That announcement served only to integrate PGAC's subsidiaries under one name, but according to The General
, the company had been selling its insurance products under "The General" name since 1997. In 2000, the company introduced their logo/mascot, the animated General character with a white mustache and a phone almost as big as he is. A year later, the company's slogan was created: "Auto insurance for less, The General says Yes!" How consumers feel about The General
With almost 60 years in the car insurance sector, The General leverages its extensive experience and history in the industry to serve its customers well. The numbers don't lie—the Nashville-based insurance agency has an 81% rating in excellence.
The company has a number of positive customer reviews to its name, too. On The General's
site, one customer named Lisa gave The General a "thumbs up" for its exceptionally quick insurance purchase process. She said, "Wonderful and simple because I didn't have to sit on the phone for hours. I filled out the quote billing information and got my car insurance policy at a reasonable cost. Thank you!" Another client called Michael remarked, "The procedure was easy and understandable. With a reduction, our premium was lowered." Kelsie also had positive feedback, saying that it was her first time purchasing insurance, and thanked The General for making the process easy. These are only a few reviews, but they indicate The General's commitment to its consumers.
Interesting facts about The General insurance agency
Since its founding, The General has moved on from in-person insurance offerings and adopted a more online-based approach to its insurance products. Today, it offers car insurance online underwritten by several companies, including Permanent General Assurance Corporation, Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio, and The General Automobile Insurance Company.
Did you know that The General is an award-winning insurance agency? The three insurance carriers mentioned above have been honored by A.M. Best
for their financial stability, which has an A-rating for excellence, the third-highest out of 13 ratings. Because of its solid financial backing, the company ranks highly among carriers with the most affordable and reliable car insurance policies. That's not all. The General also boasts some exciting TV commercials, some featuring the former basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. In 2012, the company won the three Telly Awards for best animation in a commercial.
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