Dairyland and The General are two of the most recognizable names in non-standard car insurance, and both specialize in SR-22 filings for drivers who got denied elsewhere. The real difference between them shows up in pricing, payment flexibility, and how each handles a recent coverage lapse.
Both carriers file the SR-22 form with your state on your behalf, so the paperwork side looks almost identical from the outside. What actually separates them happens behind the scenes, in how each one underwrites risk and structures your monthly bill.
How Dairyland and The General Handle SR-22 Filings
Dairyland built its entire reputation around drivers other insurers turn away. If you’ve had a DUI, a suspended license, or a gap in coverage, its underwriting is set up to expect that situation instead of treating it as a dealbreaker.
Once your policy is active, Dairyland typically files the SR-22 directly with your state’s DMV within a business day or two. For a deeper look at how the company evaluates high-risk applications, the Dairyland review breaks down the full underwriting picture.
The General takes a similar approach but leans harder into speed. Its entire pitch is built around fast online quotes for drivers who feel like every other company already said no.
Where the two start to diverge is payment structure. Dairyland tends to offer more flexible installment options, which matters if your budget is already stretched thin from legal fees or a rate increase tied to your record.
SR-22 Costs and Coverage: What the Numbers Suggest
Neither company publishes a fixed rate table, since SR-22 pricing depends heavily on your state, your specific violation, and how long ago it happened. Still, a few patterns tend to hold up across both carriers.
Neither column is a guarantee of what you’ll pay. Think of it as a rough map of what each company tends to prioritize when it prices a policy.
Dairyland specializes in DUI, lapse, and high-risk filings, with payment plans built for tighter budgets.
SR-22 Filing Handled For You
Dairyland files the paperwork directly with your state once your policy starts.
Flexible Payment Plans
Spread your premium into installments instead of one large upfront payment.
🔒 A licensed non-standard carrier used by drivers across the country.
What You Need to Know Before You Choose
Price isn’t the only thing that should drive this decision. Ask yourself how long you’ll actually need the SR-22 attached to your policy, because that window changes which company makes more financial sense.
If you’re not sure how long your state requires it, the guide on how long do you need an SR-22? walks through the typical timelines by violation type.
If you’re only a few months from clearing your filing requirement, a slightly higher premium paired with easier cancellation terms might beat a lower rate locked into a rigid contract. That’s one reason it’s worth reading the The General review before you commit to either carrier.
Also think about how each company treats a second violation while your SR-22 is active. Non-standard carriers can non-renew a policy if your record gets worse, and the fine print on that point varies more than most drivers expect.
“Drivers filing an SR-22 for the first time often focus only on the monthly rate, but the payment structure and lapse policy end up mattering just as much once real life gets in the way.”
✅ Read the full Dairyland review →
Conclusion
Dairyland and The General both solve the same core problem: getting you a working SR-22 policy after a DUI, a lapse, or a stack of tickets. Dairyland tends to edge ahead on payment flexibility, while The General leans on speed and a more automated online quote process.
Neither one is a clear universal winner. The right pick depends on your specific violation, your state’s rules, and how long you’ll actually be carrying the filing.