| The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. | |
| Foundation: | 1963 |
| Location: | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Area Served: | United States |
| Parent: | Sentry Insurance (Pending) |
| Industry: | Insurance |
| Products: | Auto insurance |
The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc., or simply The General, is a licensed insurance agency that is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance that focuses on auto insurance. In 2012, the company was acquired by American Family Insurance; The General brand still remains as a separate brand.[1] In 2024 Sentry Insurance announced that it has acquired The General from American Family Insurance for $1.7 Billion and both Sentry Insurance and American Family Insurance have announce that the acquisition will be finalized in January of 2025 pending regulatory approval. The General specializes in insuring drivers who are considered "high risk" whose car insurance premiums are typically more expensive.[2] Tiku Raval is the current president of The General. [3]
The General began selling insurance in 1963, under the company name Permanent General Agency.[4] Later, the name was changed to Permanent General Assurance Corporation (PGAC), and in 2012, it was announced that Permanent General and all affiliated companies will unify under the one brand name "The General."[5]
Since 2016, retired professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal has endorsed and appeared in numerous commercials for the company.[6]
The General is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and has several physical store operations throughout the state of Louisiana, and internal offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas among other states.
In 2012, The General and Ken Roberts Productions received three Telly Awards for television commercials in the Animation category. A Silver Award was won for the "Baseball" commercial, and Bronze Awards were won for "Football" and "Snowboard".[7] In 2019, The General was certified a "Great Place to Work".[8]