GEICO Auto Insurance Review: Ratings and Quotes (2024)

9 years writing data-driven content

Lifestyle contributor to 30+ local news sites

Cassie Sheets has a background in home and garden and real estate content. At Insurify, she translates industry jargon into insights that empower insurance buyers.

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3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

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7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Updated May 7, 2024

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GEICO is the third-largest auto insurance company in the Unites States and a well-known brand. With catchy TV commercials and competitive rates, the insurer is a popular choice for drivers looking for reliable coverage at an affordable price.

The company’s intuitive website and mobile app make it easy for GEICO customers to file claims and manage policies. GEICO also offers numerous discounts, including the DriveEasy program, which rewards safe drivers who opt in on the GEICO app.

While GEICO offers 24/7 customer service, the company has mixed customer reviews concerning its claims process and level of agent support. Here’s what you need to know about GEICO car insurance so you can make the best decision for your coverage needs.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, the financial strength of one of the world’s largest conglomerates backs GEICO.

The company’s direct-to-consumer model enables GEICO to offer lower average rates than many competitors, but it only has about 300 local agents nationwide, so getting personal service can be challenging.   

GEICO is an affordable pick for drivers with a clean driving history, but rates for drivers with a DUI or at-fault accident on record are less competitive.

GEICO

A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.

Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers

Accident forgiveness available

High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs

No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available

Long-Time Customer Treated Poorly!

Excellent

AI-Run, Money-Hungry Company

What is GEICO auto insurance?

GEICO — which stands for Government Employees Insurance Company — launched in 1936. Now, the company is the third-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, offering a variety of products beyond auto insurance to customers regardless of employment.[1]

Innovation is likely a big reason for the company’s growth. GEICO was one of the first insurers to introduce a direct-to-consumer marketing approach, enabling the company to reach customers directly and offer competitive rates.[2]

The company’s modern technology and strong financial backing earned GEICO high ratings from influential organizations, including AM Best and JD Power.

GEICO pros and cons

Competitive rates and numerous available discounts

Intuitive website and mobile app

24/7 customer service

Rideshare and gap insurance not available

Doesn’t offer life insurance bundling

Limited agent network

What is GEICO’s DriveEasy app?

DriveEasy is an optional usage-based telematics program available through the GEICO app. If you’re a safe driver, DriveEasy could help you save up to 25% on your premium, including the initial sign-up discount of 15%.

The app automatically tracks your driving and determines your savings by looking at behaviors like speeding, phone use, and hard braking. DriveEasy offers reports and tips to help you improve your safe driving score, but bad habits behind the wheel can result in premium increases.

Learn More: Telematics Car Insurance: What to Know

Average cost of GEICO auto insurance 

GEICO offers competitive average monthly rates of $130 for liability-only insurance and $183 for full coverage. The national average is $170 for liability-only plans and $253 for full coverage. This means GEICO’s average liability and full-coverage rates are 23% and 27%, respectively, lower than the national average.

GEICO car insurance coverage

GEICO offers various auto insurance options, including liability-only coverage that meets state minimum requirements, comprehensive policies, and optional collision coverage. Whether you’re an occasional driver who rarely needs protection or a frequent driver who needs the peace of mind that comes with a full-coverage policy, GEICO likely has a policy that meets your needs.

Policyholders can also add optional auto coverage, including:

Emergency road service: With this coverage, help is just a phone call away through GEICO’s network of trusted service providers. Emergency road service is there for you if you’re stuck and need a tire change, towing services, or a jump-start.

Rental reimbursement: If your vehicle needs repairs after a covered accident, this insurance helps cover the cost of a rental car so you can stay mobile. Coverage is typically for a set number of days with a dollar limit per day.

Mechanical breakdown insurance: If your car breaks down or needs replacement parts, this additional insurance helps cover the cost of repairs so you have lower out-of-pocket expenses.

Accident forgiveness: This coverage may prevent your premium from increasing after your first at-fault collision.

Auto Repair Xpress: If you need to get back on the road quickly, this coverage expedites your claim for faster repairs.

GEICO car insurance cost by state

Where you live can heavily influence your car insurance rate. Insurers factor in your state’s minimum insurance requirements, local laws, and risk factors when pricing your policy.[3]

To illustrate the difference location can make, Insurify’s team pulled each state’s average monthly cost of GEICO car insurance, excluding any states with insufficient data.

GEICO auto insurance rates by driving history

In addition to factoring in your location and vehicle, insurers consider your driving history.[3] While GEICO has average rates cheaper than the national average, your auto premium can significantly increase if you have a speeding ticket, DUI, or at-fault accident on your record.[4]These infractions could increase your rate for at least three years.

GEICO quotes for drivers with a previous speeding ticket pay nearly 34% more, on average, for full coverage than drivers with a clean record. And drivers with an at-fault accident have a 43% higher average premium, but drivers with a DUI have the highest rates. Drunk driving isn’t just dangerous — it can also cost you nearly 51% more for full-coverage insurance.

GEICO car insurance cost by age 

Insurance companies generally charge more for younger drivers because they’re higher risk and have less driving experience. GEICO is no exception. The average monthly quote for a stand-alone policy for teen drivers is 139% higher than for drivers in their 70s. While rates might seem unfair to young drivers, data supports the insurer’s age-based pricing.

Sixteen- to 19-year-olds are overrepresented in crashes, making up 3.6% of licensed drivers but accounting for 9.3% of drivers in crashes, according to the National Safety Council.[5] On the other hand, drivers age 65 to 74 are under-represented. Insurify pulled the average monthly quotes for seven age groups, and the trend is clear — GEICO rewards mature drivers with lower premiums.

How to get a GEICO car insurance quote from Insurify

Finding the right car insurance policy can be overwhelming, but Insurify’s quote-comparison tool gives you the best estimates from GEICO and other top insurers.

Follow these steps to get a quote for auto coverage:

Enter your ZIP code to start comparing quotes.

Fill out information about your vehicle’s make, model, and age.

Provide details about how you use your car.

To get the most accurate estimates, add whether you own or lease your vehicle.

Complete your personal information to see personalized quotes from GEICO and competitors. Insurify also identifies any discounts you may be eligible for so you can save as much as possible on your premium.

Finalize your policy online or talk to an experienced Insurify agent to complete your purchase.

Compare Rates from GEICO and Other Insurers

GEICO car insurance discounts 

GEICO offers numerous discounts based on vehicle safety features, driving history, driver’s education, affiliations, and loyalty. Here’s how you could save on your monthly premium:

Airbag discount: If your car has airbags, you could save up to 23% on the personal injury portion of your GEICO insurance.

Anti-lock brakes discount: Cars with an anti-lock braking system are eligible for up to 5% off certain coverages.

Anti-theft system discount: You could earn up to 23% off the comprehensive portion of your coverage if your car has a built-in anti-theft system.

Daytime running lights discount: Some cars come equipped with daytime running lights. If your model has this feature, you could save 3% on specific policies.

New-vehicle discount: Car models that are 3 years old or newer can earn up to 15% off certain insurance plans.

Five-year accident-free good driver discount: Responsible drivers are rewarded with a discount of up to 22% on most coverages if they’ve been accident-free for five years.

Seat belt use discount: If you and your passengers buckle up, you could receive a discount on the medical payments or personal injury protection portion of your premium.

Defensive driving discount: Completing an approved defensive driving course may help you save.

Driver’s education discount: Young drivers can earn a discount on most coverages after completing an approved driver’s education course.

Good student discount: Studying can lead to savings for full-time students. GEICO offers up to 15% off certain coverages for students in strong academic standing.

Military discount: Active-duty and retired service members are eligible for a discount of up to 15% on specific policies.

Emergency deployment discount: Military policyholders could be eligible for a discount of up to 25% if they’re part of an emergency deployment.

Federal employee discount: Active or retired federal employees could qualify for up to 12% off their total auto insurance premium.

Membership and employee discounts: If you belong to one of GEICO’s 500 and more partner organizations, you could receive an additional discount.

Multi-vehicle discount: Insuring more than one car with GEICO could save you up to 25% on most coverages.

Multi-policy discount: Bundling your homeowners, renters, condo, or mobile home policy can reduce your insurance rate.

Learn More: 12 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Premiums

GEICO insurance bundling options

In addition to car insurance, GEICO offers the following types of coverage through a partnership with a network of third-party insurers:

Homeowners insurance covers your home and personal belongings from theft or damages. GEICO’s plan also provides liability coverage in case someone gets injured on your property.

Renters insurance covers personal belongings and offers liability protection if you rent your home or apartment.

Condo insurance covers your unit, personal belongings, and injury liability. The policy addresses the specific needs of condominium owners.

Mobile home insurance covers your mobile or manufactured home and detached structures on the same land, like garages or sheds. The policy includes liability protection and coverage for your personal belongings.

Motorcycle insurance covers your motorcycle or scooter. GEICO’s plan includes coverage for collisions, theft, fire, towing, medical payments, and bodily injury.

GEICO offers bundling discounts if you pair any of the above types of coverage with your auto insurance policy. Bundling doesn’t just save you money — it also simplifies managing your insurance by consolidating your policies with one company. However, getting quotes from multiple insurers is important, since you can sometimes find a better deal on individual insurance policies.

GEICO doesn’t currently disclose its bundling discount, so you should expect savings to vary. Some companies also offer life insurance bundling; GEICO doesn’t, so you’ll need to go elsewhere for that policy.

GEICO insurance reviews and ratings

To better understand how GEICO policyholders feel about their coverage, Insurify looked at user Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer reviews. Insurify also pulled ratings from consumer watchdog groups and credit-rating organizations to learn more about GEICO’s customer service and financial stability.

GEICO customer reviews

Read reviews from verified GEICO customers.

Long-Time Customer Treated Poorly!

Excellent

AI-Run, Money-Hungry Company

Unexpected Increase in Premium

GEICO ratings

Credit-rating and consumer watchdog groups provide ratings that indicate the reliability and quality of insurance companies. When comparing policies, it’s always smart to check the company’s standing with organizations like J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and A.M. Best. For example, in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, the average rating of large insurers is 861 out of 1,000 points, but GEICO scores just below average, at 857.

Here’s how GEICO measured up:

AM Best: A++

J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction: 818 average rating across regions

Better Business Bureau: A+

Standard & Poor's: AA+

Moody’s: Aa1

NAIC Complaint Index: 0.91

GEICO vs. other insurance companies

Auto insurance buyers have an abundance of options. While competition is good news for customers, the variety of policies can be overwhelming. Comparing policies from national insurers Allstate, Progressive, and State Farm with GEICO’s car insurance coverage can give you a better idea of what to look for in your policy. The following table compares GEICO's average monthly quotes, AM Best score and Insurify Quality Score with those of other top insurers.

Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

GEICO vs. Allstate

Allstate and GEICO are trusted insurers offering coverage in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but the insurance companies have a few important differences. If your insurer’s claims-paying ability is your top concern, GEICO received an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) — the highest level possible, and a better score than Allstate’s A (Excellent).

Allstate has higher premiums than GEICO, with an average of $152 for liability-only coverage and $218 for full-coverage insurance. GEICO customers pay an average of $35 less monthly for full-coverage insurance and $22 less for liability-only policies.

Allstate also offers rideshare insurance, which isn’t available on a GEICO policy. Policyholders can save by bundling Allstate’s term life insurance, but GEICO doesn’t offer life insurance policies. Unlike GEICO, Allstate also offers gap insurance to cover the difference between your car’s market value and your auto loan in the event of theft or total loss.

Allstate might be the right fit if:

You drive for Uber or Lyft and need rideshare coverage.

You prefer in-person or phone support from a robust network of local agents.

You want to manage your home, car, and life insurance in one place.

GEICO vs. Progressive

In 2022, Progressive surpassed GEICO to become the second-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share. [1] GEICO and Progressive received high ratings from A.M. Best, indicating both companies are financially strong and can pay claims following a catastrophic event like a hurricane or wildfire. While GEICO focuses on self-service through its robust mobile app, Progressive takes a hybrid approach, with a mix of digital convenience and local agent support.

There are a few differences between the types of coverage and discounts each company offers. Progressive provides two important coverages GEICO doesn’t. If you need gap or rideshare insurance, Progressive is the way to go. Progressive also offers five types of life insurance coverage.

Progressive doesn’t offer some discounts that GEICO provides. GEICO partners with more than 500 employers and affinity groups to increase savings for members. The insurer also reduces some premiums for low mileage, new cars, safety features, and anti-theft equipment.

GEICO beat out Progressive on average monthly premium prices. Progressive’s average monthly rate for full-coverage insurance is $258, making the plan $75 more per month than similar coverage with GEICO.

A Progressive auto policy could work for you if:

You work for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.

You want plenty of local agent options but like digital services, too.

You want to obtain a bundling discount by purchasing car insurance and life insurance from the same insurer.

GEICO vs. State Farm

As the largest insurance company by market share in the U.S., State Farm offers multiple coverage types, including auto, homeowners, and life insurance. State Farm has a robust network of 19,000 agents exclusive, captive agents. On the other hand, GEICO focuses more on a streamlined, online-first approach.

While GEICO is known for low average car insurance prices, State Farm has even more affordable average rates. State Farm policyholders pay $129 monthly for liability-only coverage and $178 for full-coverage insurance. Some coverage options differ between the insurers. For example, GEICO offers mechanical breakdown insurance, but State Farm doesn’t.

State Farm could be right for you if:

You’re looking for an auto insurer with low average rates.

You want to bundle several types of coverage, including life insurance.

You prefer talking to a local agent when you have questions about your policy.

How to file an auto insurance claim with GEICO 

If you get into an accident, your vehicle is vandalized or stolen, or its damaged due to fire, weather, or other covered event, you'll need to file an auto insurance claim .

You can file a GEICO claim through 24/7 through the mobile app, online, or by phone by following these steps:

First, collect essential information. Note the date, time, and location of the accident. Get contact details of all involved people, including witnesses. You should also take photos of any damage.

Report the claim to GEICO as soon as possible. You can call GEICO’s 24/7 customer service line at (800) 841-3000 or submit the claim through the website or mobile app. When you file your claim, GEICO will ask you to provide specific information about the accident or other covered incident. These details could include a description of the event, the extent of damage, and any injuries.

You might need a vehicle inspection to evaluate the damage. Be sure to go through a GEICO-approved repair shop when you get your estimate.

Provide thorough documentation. This ensures GEICO will process your claim as quickly as possible. Keep all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair receipts, and police reports.

GEICO will review your claim. Then it’ll determine your reimbursement and pay for damages, repairs, and medical bills according to your policy limits and coverage.

Compare Rates from GEICO and Other Insurers

GEICO insurance FAQs

Choosing the right car insurance plan can be tricky, and comparing insurance companies often leaves buyers more uncertain. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about GEICO car insurance.

Is GEICO legitimate?

Yes. GEICO isn’t just a legitimate insurance company — it’s also the third-largest U.S. auto insurer based on market share, and is one of the most well-known brands across the country.

Is GEICO car insurance worth it?

It depends. GEICO is a trusted insurer with competitive rates for full-coverage and liability-only insurance. The company also offers numerous discounts that can reduce your monthly premium. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, GEICO could be right for you.

However, if you drive for a rideshare service, GEICO doesn’t offer additional coverage. GEICO also doesn’t provide gap insurance, which covers the difference between your vehicle’s cash value and your loan or lease balance in the event of theft or a total loss. Comparing several insurance plans is the best way to find a policy that fits your needs.

What is the average cost of GEICO car insurance?

The average monthly cost of GEICO car insurance is $183 for full coverage and $130 for liability-only coverage. GEICO’s rates are $70 lower for full coverage and $40 lower for liability coverage than the national average.

Who owns GEICO insurance?

GEICO has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since Warren Buffett purchased outstanding company stock in 1996.

Who should get GEICO insurance?

GEICO car insurance is good for people who want an insurer with low average rates, a highly rated digital app experience, multiple coverage options like mechanical breakdown insurance, and a trusted name in car insurance.

Is GEICO good at paying claims?

Yes. GEICO earned an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, the highest level available. A.M. Best rates companies on financial strength, so if you file a claim, you can be assured GEICO has the ability to pay claims, including those stemming from major natural catastrophes like a hurricane, when thousands of policyholders file claims simultaneously.

Sources

Cassie Sheets has more than nine years of experience creating compelling content for clients, brands, and local news sites. She started her career at Movoto Real Estate, where she transformed dry data into interesting insights for potential homebuyers. She’s since covered a wide range of topics, from pop culture news to home and garden trends. Before joining Insurify, Cassie wrote engaging landing pages and blog posts for medical practices at MyAdvice. Now, she uses her knack for diving into the latest data and pulling out key details to empower insurance buyers. Cassie holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. In her free time, you can find her exploring the city with her dog, trying not to fall over in yoga classes, and petting cats at the shelter.

3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Read Editorial Guidelines

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

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