GEICO vs. Progressive: Which car insurance company is best for me?

If you’re on a quest for auto insurance rates, you’re probably wondering if GEICO or Progressive could be right for you. These two popular auto insurers boast affordable rates and excellent customer service, but how do they compare?

Our in-depth review will reveal everything you need to know about each carrier and how to choose the right policy. We’ll show you what consumers and industry experts say about their first-hand experiences, mobile apps, premium rates, and service quality. We know that cheap car insurance rates help your budget the most, but it’s equally important to know what it’s like to be a policyholder with an insurance company, too.

GEICO Overview

Short for the Government Employees’ Insurance Company, GEICO covers over 28 million vehicles. The company has over 17 million current policies and 40,000 employees.

Since 1936, GEICO has been known for offering affordable car insurance. The company is well-known for its slogan, “15 minutes or less could save you 15% or more on car insurance.”

Progressive Overview

Progressive Insurance currently has over 20 million policies and is the third-largest auto insurer in the US. More than 18 million consumers have coverage from Progressive, which serves policyholders through its 35,000 employees.

In 1937, Progressive was founded under the premise of creating straightforward insurance policies that anyone could afford. The company claims to support an optimal experience through Direct Auto Quoting and consumer-centric technology.

How do GEICO and Progressive Stack Up?

What do customers have to say?

As you can see in the table above, customer reviews have Progressive and GEICO neck-and-neck. Both insurers hold A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau, but neither one boasts the most impressive scores when it comes to customer reviews.

The important thing to remember here is that low customer reviews are somewhat normal when it comes to car insurance. After all, auto insurance isn’t something you want, but it is something you have to have, and the only time customers generally interact with their insurers is after an accident, when stress levels are already high.

The key takeaway here is that neither company separates itself from the other when it comes to how customers see them. But what about those within the industry?

What does the car insurance industry have to say?

When it comes to industry ratings, GEICO begins to separate itself by the thinnest of margins. Standard and Poor’s (S&P), A.M. Best and Moody’s all give GEICO superior ratings when it comes to the longstanding insurance company’s credit worthiness and financial backing, but that should be no surprise since it is owned by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

But that’s not to say that Progressive is a slouch, either, as the company also receives extremely impressive rankings, even if they fall slightly behind GEICO.

When it comes to JD Power rankings, which put an emphasis on customer service and brand loyalty, GEICO again just edges out Progressive, but both companies are among the top ranked in the business. In fact, earlier this year, JD Power found that the two heavyweights captured 92% of all premium growth over the past year.

Which company has the best mobile app?

Once again, GEICO claims the top spot when it comes to what customers say about each company’s mobile app. On both the Apple App and Google Play stores, GEICO gets near-perfect scores. Customers praise the app’s easy to use interface and the overall pleasant experience for its users. The app allows you to manage and pay your bill, view digital ID cards, request roadside assistance, file and manage claims, update your policy, and even get 24/7 chat support.

Drivers using Progessive’s app also praised it for ease of use, but some complained about issues with roadside assistance and customer service. Much like GEICO, Progressive allows its customers to use the app to make payments, file claims, view ID cards and other useful features. Although it falls a bit far behind GE, customers are generally happy with Progressive’s mobile experience.

Which company offers cheap car insurance rates?

A wide range of factors contribute to the price of annual auto insurance premiums. Typically, insurance companies will ask for the following information about the car and drivers before calculating quotes.

Vehicle

• The make, model, and year
• The primary use (Do you commute for personal, commercial, or ridesharing purposes? Maybe you’re only driving to work or school.)
• Average mileage
• Whether you own or lease

Driver

• First and last name
• Birthdate
• Phone number
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Address
• Email
• License status
• Whether you rent or own a house
• Level of education completed
• Current insurance and length of coverage
• Accidents, claims, or tickets on record

If you want to find out exactly how much you’ll pay, enter your ZIP code at the bottom of this page to find the cheapest rate for you.
But if you just want to get an idea of how Progressive and GEICO stack up when it comes to rates, we can help.

According to a recent national study from U.S. News & World Reports, both insurance companies’ average annual premium rates are as follows:

As you can see, rates across the board were cheaper at GEICO for all types of drivers. But does that mean they’ll offer you the best rate? Not necessarily.

To find the best car insurance company for you, simply enter your ZIP below.

Which company offers the most discounts?

Both insurers offer discounts that most customers qualify for. Some savings programs have fixed percentage rebates, while others vary depending on the location and driver. A breakdown of each discount can be found below for both companies:

GEICO Auto Insurance Discounts

Progressive Auto Insurance Discounts

When comparing ways to save on auto insurance, you can see that both carriers can significantly lower premiums. At the same time, the total possible savings are highly dependent on the individual driver.

Additional Coverage Options

GEICO and Progressive both offer other additional coverages. Below is a list of vehicles covered by optional policies at both insurers.

• ATV/UTV
• Boat
• Collector Car
• Commercial Auto
• Golf Cart
• Mobile Home
• Motorcycle
• Personal Watercraft
• RV
• Segway
• Snowmobile

Both GEICO and Progressive offer extended coverage, riders, and separate policies to protect the vehicles above.

Other Policies from GEICO and Progressive

GEICO and Progressive sell non-auto policies that include the following coverages.

Bundling Business, Personal, and Auto policies can help you save on premiums at both insurers.

Comparing Payment Options

GEICO and Progressive offer similar payment options, except that Progressive allows PayPal billing.

At both Progressive and GEICO, customers can pay online, by mail, phone, text message, app, or automatic bank payment.

The Best Carrier if You Have DUIs

If you’re looking for auto insurance specific to your needs, you’re not alone. If you’re looking for affordable SR-22 coverage, you’ll find the ideal coverage for your unique circumstances and budget at Compare.com.

Progressive and GEICO both offer SR-22 insurance, required after a DUI charge. However, it’s unlikely that these companies will offer the best rates. Instead, look for an insurer that specializes in SR-22 policies and DUI convictions. You can compare all of these carriers quickly and easily by entering your zip code below.

GEICO FAQ

• How can I file a claim with GEICO? Call 1-800-841-3000. Alternatively, you can file a claim online or through their mobile app.
• How does GEICO handle minor claims? GEICO’s Easy Photo Estimate allows you to upload minor claims incident photos via the mobile app. The three-step process is simple to complete in 20 minutes or less.
• Does GEICO have a virtual assistant? Gabby is GEICO’s virtual customer service representative on both the iOS and Android versions of the app.
• Can I cancel my GEICO policy? Yes. Cancel your policy by calling 1-800-710-7751.
• Does GEICO offer auto insurance in my state? Yes. You can buy GEICO insurance in all 50 states.
• Is there a GEICO mobile app? Yes. You can find GEICO’s mobile app in the Google and Apple stores.
• Is GEICO insurance available in other languages? GEICO has a Spanish-speaking service number. Call 1-800-691-4240.

Progressive FAQ

• Are Progressive’s online rates the same as the agents’? No. Prices always vary and may be cheaper from a local agent or online.
• Is it easy to file a claim with Progressive? Yes. You can file a claim quickly online, via the mobile app, or by calling 1-800-776-4737.
• How can I cancel my policy at Progressive? Cancel your policy anytime by calling 1-866-416-2003.
• Can I change my Progressive policy online? You can make changes to your coverage on Progressive’s customer service website.
• Where does Progressive offer coverage? Progressive offers car insurance inall 50 states.
• Does Progressive have a mobile app? The app works on both Android and iOS mobile devices.
• Does Progressive offer Spanish services? Progressive has a website called Progressive Agent Espanol. You can also call 1-800-734-8767 to speak with a Spanish-speaking service representative.

Find the Right Coverage for you at Compare.com

Just because GEICO or Progressive are two of the largest car insurance providers in the U.S. doesn’t necessarily mean they are right for you, your vehicle, or, most importantly, your budget.

Unless you have a spotless driving record and good credit, chances are you’ll find a cheaper rate through another insurance company. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours shopping around. Compare.com is here to help.

We’re experts at matching individuals with the most comprehensive and affordable car insurance on the market. Our unique quote process, combined with decades of human expertise, helps you get the best savings on coverage designed to meet your specific needs and budgets.

Don’t believe us? Just enter your ZIP code below and you’ll be well on your way to finding the best car insurance for you in just a few minutes. After all, at Compare.com, seeing is saving.