Dealing With National General Insurance After an Injury
National General Insurance is an auto and specialty insurer now owned by Allstate, which acquired the company in 2021. National General serves a broad market that includes nonstandard and high-risk auto policyholders — drivers who may have prior accidents, lapses in coverage, or other factors that make them harder to insure with mainstream carriers. This nonstandard focus shapes its claims operation, which is cost-sensitive and tends to scrutinize injury claims closely. National General adjusters commonly make low initial offers, request recorded statements early, and dispute the necessity and duration of treatment for soft-tissue injuries. Because the company now operates under Allstate ownership, some claims practices mirror Allstate's documented strategy of low offers and firm resistance to escalation. National General also frequently asserts policy coverage limits and exclusions to cap its exposure. If you are injured by a National General insured driver, expect a guarded, value-minimizing process. Carefully document your injuries and treatment, decline to give recorded statements without advice, and consult a personal injury attorney — especially when the company disputes liability, raises coverage issues, or offers a settlement that fails to reflect the full scope of your losses.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
Common Tactics National General Uses
Understanding these tactics before you engage with an adjuster puts you in a stronger position to protect the full value of your claim.
- 1Making low initial offers consistent with its nonstandard, cost-sensitive book of business
- 2Requesting recorded statements early to capture statements that can reduce the claim
- 3Disputing the necessity and duration of soft-tissue injury treatment
- 4Asserting policy limits and exclusions to cap the company's exposure
- 5Mirroring Allstate parent-company resistance to escalation under new ownership
Tips for Dealing With National General
These steps can help you protect your claim and maximize your recovery when negotiating with National General.
- 1.Confirm the at-fault driver's available policy limits early, as nonstandard policies are often low
- 2.Decline recorded statements until you have consulted an attorney
- 3.Document all treatment consistently and avoid gaps that can be used to dispute injuries
- 4.Investigate whether additional coverage (UM/UIM) applies if limits are inadequate
- 5.Retain a personal injury attorney when liability, coverage, or valuation is contested
Next Steps After an Accident With a National General-Insured Driver
- 1Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine, some injuries appear hours or days after an accident and a prompt evaluation creates a documented injury timeline.
- 2Document everything at the scene — photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, injuries, and any witnesses who saw the accident.
- 3Report the accident — file a police report and notify your own insurance company, but limit what you tell National General until you speak with an attorney.
- 4Consult a personal injury attorney — most offer free initial consultations and work on contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Legal representation consistently produces higher settlement outcomes against all major insurers including National General.
- 5Know your statute of limitations — most states give you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to compensation.