Is GEICO the Best Choice for Car Insurance in 2024?

In the market for a new auto insurance policy and wondering if GEICO is the right choice for you? Find the answers you need in our latest guide.

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GEICO logo
Compare.com Rating ?
4.65

Pros

  • Wide variety of insurance products
  • Affordable rates for high-risk drivers
  • Highly-rated mobile app

Cons

  • Limited discounts
  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance
  • Few local agents

Bottom Line

Known for its competitive rates, GEICO is a popular choice among drivers looking for affordable car insurance. The company’s DriveEasy program offers good drivers additional savings, and the company also offers several other discounts.

GEICO Auto Insurance: At a Glance

Founded: 1936

Available in:  All 50 states and the District of Columbia

Ownership: Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Average Premium: $186 per month

Mobile App: iOS and Android

Customer Service: 1-800-207-7847, also available by online chat

Claims: 1-800-207-7847, can also file online or via the app

Primary Competitors: Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual

GEICO was founded in 1936 as the Government Employees Insurance Company. Designed to provide car insurance to federal employees and military officers during the Great Depression, GEICO expanded over the coming decades, and Warren Buffet eventually became an investor in the company. GEICO became a subsidiary of the Berkshire Hathaway investment firm in 1995 and has continued to expand, both geographically and in terms of the services offered.

Today, GEICO offers insurance coverage in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Not only does GEICO offer a full suite of car insurance coverages, but it also offers home, renters, boat, motorcycle/ATV, commercial auto, condo, business insurance, and more.

GEICO’s ads and their characters have reached celebrity status. The GEICO cavemen became beloved characters, appearing not only in ads but also on an interactive website. Perhaps most well-known, though, is the GEICO Gecko, who has become the company’s main mascot — appearing in countless advertisements and marketing campaigns.

GEICO has earned a reputation for offering some of the best car insurance rates in the United States. Pair that with the company’s easy online quote process and responsive customer service, and it’s easy to see why the company has 18 million auto policies in effect, insuring more than 30 million vehicles. According to A.M. Best, GEICO is currently the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the country.

Is GEICO a Good Choice for Car Insurance?

Category Score
Cost 5/5
Customer satisfaction 3/5
Ease of use 4.8/5
Availability 5/5
Industry reputation 5/5
Overall Score* 4.65/5
*Company ratings for each category are determined using our proprietary, objective rating formula. You can find more information on our unique scoring methodology at the bottom of this article.

GEICO is known for its cheap car insurance rates, and discounts like multi-car and safety feature discounts can help you save more on your car insurance. GEICO also offers discounts to members of partner groups, like certain universities, businesses, and military organizations. Thanks to these options, there are several ways to save money with GEICO while still getting the car insurance coverage you need.

It’s also easy to get insurance with GEICO. The online quote process is simple, and you can reach customer service by phone or live chat. You’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to not only car insurance, but other types of coverage like homeowner’s or business insurance, too. It’s easy to sign up and manage your car insurance policy entirely online, and while GEICO doesn’t have many local agents, the ability to do everything online is appealing to many drivers.

GEICO customer reviews

GEICO advertises great customer service, but its customer reviews are a mixed bag. GEICO’s website features an average customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on more than 14,000 reviews. Many of the reviews reference pleasant customer service experiences and a smooth quote and purchase process.

GEICO’s reviews on other platforms tell a different story. The company has a 1.2-star rating out of 5 stars based on nearly 700 reviews on Yelp. Many of the reviews describe frustrating and slow claims processes.

The positive reviews on GEICO’s website highlighted interactions with staff during the quote and insurance purchase process. Here, an existing policyholder praised a customer service agent for their thoroughness in helping them choose the coverage they needed.

Five star review of GEICO

Another user discussed a positive claims process on GEICO’s website. They described the claims process as “easy and painless” and highlighted the compassion of the adjusters and agents.

Five star review of GEICO

GEICO customer complaints

GEICO has a customer review rating of 1.15 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau. The rating is based on more than 1,000 customer reviews, many of which describe nuanced situations and poor experiences with GEICO customer service.

Several customers complained about their coverage being canceled without a valid explanation, and others described situations where their policies were modified after they had inquired about different coverages but hadn’t actually decided to switch.

Out of 65 reviews on ConsumerAffairs, GEICO has a 1.1 out of 5-star rating. Many reviewers described situations where their policies were abruptly canceled because of one missed payment or after a single accident claim. Reviewers often expressed their frustration that policies were canceled without any advance notice.

On the Better Business Bureau, one user described a similar situation to several other reviews. Many reviewers described instances when GEICO made changes to their policy, including adding in a new driver, without their consent. Those reviewers also noted significant difficulty in getting the policy changes reversed.

Customer complaint of GEICO on BBB

Another review on ConsumerAffairs describes yet another trend. They noted that they didn’t receive any alert that their policy was going to be canceled and ended up unknowingly driving without insurance.

GEICO complaint on BBB

Where is GEICO insurance available?

GEICO insurance is currently available in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. While the company is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, it maintains 18 offices across the country:

  • Buffalo, New York
  • Dallas, Texas
  • Fredericksburg, Virginia
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Lakeland, Florida
  • Macon, Georgia
  • San Diego, California
  • Tucson, Arizona
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Woodbury, New York
  • Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Kansas City, Kansas
  • Iowa City, Iowa
  • Houston, Texas
  • Marlton, New Jersey
  • Seattle, Washington

How Much is GEICO Car Insurance?

The national average for car insurance with GEICO is $186 per month. But keep in mind that factors like your location, driving history, the value of your vehicle, and the coverage you choose will affect your rates.

GEICO’s national average rates

All but two states require you to carry liability coverage, which helps to pay for any damages that you’re financially responsible for if you cause an accident. Beyond the minimum liability coverage that you’re required to carry, you may want to upgrade to full coverage. Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, which helps pay for damages to your vehicle caused by not only a car accident, but by plenty of other events, like a fire or vandalism.

GEICO’s national average rates for both liability insurance and full coverage can be found below:

Liability Only Full Coverage
$101/month $270/month

On average, full coverage auto insurance costs around 70% more than basic liability coverage with GEICO.

GEICO’s rates compared to top competitors

GEICO offers some of the lowest rates compared to its competitors. Of the five competitors below, GEICO has the second-lowest liability rates ($101 per month), coming in second only to State Farm’s $99-per-month average rates. When it comes to full coverage, GEICO’s $270 rate ranks fifth, with State Farm again leading the pack at $217 per month.

Company Liability Only Full Coverage
GEICO $101 $270
State Farm $99 $217
Allstate $109 $290
Nationwide $112 $229
Progressive $111 $250
Travelers $109 $225

GEICO Rates by State

Many factors influence GEICO’s car insurance rates in each state, including its population, cost of living, minimum car insurance requirements, and more.

State Liability Only Full Coverage
Alabama $82 $211
Alaska $67 $164
Arizona $83 $181
Arkansas $67 $204
California $67 $217
Colorado $81 $218
Connecticut $121 $226
Delaware $148 $297
Florida $98 $255
Georgia $134 $305
Hawaii $58 $149
Idaho $61 $160
Illinois $100 $254
Indiana $67 $165
Iowa $47 $169
Kansas $71 $300
Kentucky $157 $320
Louisiana $208 $1,569
Maine $50 $113
Maryland $118 $240
Massachusetts $80 $149
Michigan $293 $463
Mississippi $92 $299
Missouri $149 $374
Montana $127 $317
Montana $64 $273
Nebraska $74 $260
Nevada $119 $236
New Hampshire $80 $178
New Jersey $105 $229
New Mexico $92 $207
New York $292 $511
North Carolina $94 $223
North Dakota $72 $233
Ohio $62 $139
Oklahoma $81 $239
Oregon $138 $279
Pennsylvania $114 $294
Rhode Island $163 $385
South Carolina $74 $181
South Dakota $66 $254
Tennessee $58 $167
Texas $109 $233
Utah $70 $176
Vermont $90 $189
Virginia $61 $167
Washington $67 $172
Washington, D.C. $110 $243
West Virginia $35 $214
Wisconsin $92 $245

West Virginia drivers can find rates as low as $35 a month with GEICO — some of the best rates in the entire country. Even drivers in more expensive states like New York, Louisiana, and Michigan can find relatively affordable coverage with GEICO, even though it’s quite a bit more than many other states.

GEICO rates for teens and young drivers

Teens and young drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates because of their lack of experience behind the wheel. Teens are at a higher chance of getting into a car accident than older, more experienced drivers, so car insurance companies charge teens higher premiums to make up for that increased risk.

However, once drivers reach age 25, their insurance rates start to drop as long as they maintain a clean driving record.

You can find GEICO’s average rates for both age groups below:

Age Liability Only Full Coverage
18-year-old drivers $201 $538
25-year-old drivers $87 $239

Rates drop significantly for GEICO policyholders once they turn 25. The average rates for a 25-year-old driver are less than half what 18-year-olds pay.

GEICO rates for adult drivers

Car insurance rates for adult drivers continue to decline as drivers reach their forties. You can see how GEICO’s rates change below:

Age Liability Only Full Coverage
25-year-old drivers $87 $239
40-year-old drivers $83 $222

GEICO rates for seniors

When drivers reach age 65, their car insurance rates again start to increase. Older drivers tend to have slower reflexes, which can increase their chances of getting into a car accident.

Age Liability Only Full Coverage
65-year-old drivers $84 $214

GEICO rates after an accident

Car insurance rates can increase significantly after an at-fault accident. GEICO’s premiums increase by nearly 50% after a single accident.

Driving History Liability Only Full Coverage
Clean Record $62 $169
With At-Fault Accident $108 $294

GEICO rates after a speeding ticket

Speeding tickets indicate risky behavior, so insurance companies may significantly increase your premiums after you get a ticket. GEICO’s increases are relatively small. The liability-only policy increases by just $20, while a full coverage policy increases by $50.

Driving History Liability Only Full Coverage
Clean Record $62 $169
With Ticket $82 $219

GEICO rates after a DUI

Car insurance companies consider a DUI an indicator that drivers are engaging in very risky behavior, meaning they’re at an increased risk of getting into an accident. Insurance rates tend to increase more after a DUI than any other sort of moving violation. GEICO’s rates nearly double for drivers who have a DUI on their record.

Driving History Liability Only Full Coverage
Clean Record $62 $169
With DUI $154 $396

GEICO rates for drivers with bad credit

Car insurance companies often use your credit rating when evaluating whether you’re a high-risk driver. Many insurers consider poor credit scores to signify that a driver may be less likely to pay their bill each month, which leads to more financial risk.

Credit Score Liability Only Full Coverage
Excellent Credit Score $73 $191
Good Credit Score $90 $239
Fair Credit Score $107 $287
Poor Credit Score $138 $368

GEICO offers low rates to drivers with excellent credit scores, but the rates for drivers with poor credit scores are nearly doubled.

GEICO Car Insurance Discounts

GEICO advertises 16 standard discounts, including vehicle equipment, driving history and habit, driver’s education, driver affiliation discounts, and customer loyalty discounts. Other discounts include:

  • Airbag
  • Anti-lock brakes
  • Anti-theft system
  • Daytime running lights
  • New vehicle
  • Good driver
  • Seat belt use
  • Defensive driving
  • Driver’s education course
  • Good student
  • Emergency deployment
  • Federal employee
  • Membership and employee
  • Military
  • Multi-vehicle
  • Multi-policy

Discounts range from 3% to 25% off of your total policy cost. Options like a good student discount make GEICO a practical choice for a wide variety of drivers, including families with kids.

Certain discounts are particularly appealing. For example, driving a vehicle that’s equipped with airbags can save drivers up to 23% on their medical payments or personal injury coverage. Insuring multiple vehicles with GEICO can lead to a discount of up to 25%. GEICO also offers multi-policy discounts, so drivers can save when they insure a vehicle and have homeowners, renters, condo, or mobile home insurance through GEICO.

In addition to these discounts, members of certain groups may be eligible for additional savings. GEICO partners with hundreds of groups, including professional organizations, alumni organizations, and fraternities and sororities, to offer extra discounts.

Drivers can also potentially save money if they choose to sign up for GEICO’s DriveEasy program, a telematics program that monitors and logs driving habits. GEICO states that drivers could see “significant savings” on their bill, but savings will vary based on program participation and the driver’s driving habits. More on that later.

Purchasing a GEICO Car Insurance Policy

Buying a GEICO car insurance policy is relatively simple. You can get a quote online in about 10 minutes, or you can call GEICO’s customer service phone number for a quote. When you get a quote online, you can also purchase your policy fully online, making for a seamless and streamlined experience. While GEICO has few local offices, the ability to use the online quote feature or to contact customer service via phone still gives you plenty of options.

How easy is it to get a quote from GEICO?

GEICO’s car insurance quote generator is available right on its homepage. You can choose from several different types of insurance, including auto, motorcycle, and homeowners insurance. The quote generator even allows you to create a quote for multiple types of insurance at once, like auto and homeowners, or auto and renters, so you can see what your bundled price would be.

GEICO home page

To begin the quote process, you’ll need to enter some basic information, including your first and last name, ZIP code, and date of birth. You will also need to provide your address.

Next, GEICO asks for information about the vehicle you want to insure, including its year, make, and model. Follow-up questions include details about any anti-theft devices present in the vehicle, as well as whether you are the original owner. GEICO also asks whether your vehicle is owned, financed, or leased.

GEICO quote page asking for information about driver's vehicle

The next step in the quote process focuses on your driving habits. You’ll be asked whether you use the vehicle to commute, for pleasure, or for business purposes. (GEICO offers specialized car insurance for commercial vehicles.) The quote process also asks you to specify your vehicle’s annual mileage.

Next, you will need to input how many years you have been driving.

GEICO also asks about your driving history, including any accidents, traffic tickets, thefts, or vandalism that occurred in the last six years. You will also need to report any DUIs, or license suspensions or revocations in the last 10 years.

Adding an incident is easy, thanks to the drop-down menu listing different incident categories. You’ll also be asked for an estimated or exact date of the incident.

GEICO quote page asking about driver's past incidents

Can you purchase a GEICO policy 100% online?

Yes, you can purchase a GEICO policy entirely online. Once you’ve completed your quote process, GEICO shows your payment options, including monthly payments and paying in full. From that quote summary page, you can pay for your policy.

Final GEICO quote for $177.12

The quote summary page also outlines any discounts that are included in the policy. Emily, the driver profile we used to generate this quote, reported a speeding ticket for more than 20 miles over the speed limit between two and five years ago. Despite this ticket, she was still eligible for the excellent driver discount of $46.50.

Discounts offered on GEICO quote

GEICO does a good job of providing detailed information about each type of coverage. Clicking on the “information” symbol to the side of each option generates a summary of the type of coverage and how it works. The page also highlights the state minimum requirements for the type of coverage, so you can verify you’re buying enough insurance.

GEICO website's description of additional coverages

What types of coverage does GEICO offer?

GEICO offers all of the standard car insurance coverages that states might require, as well as several additional coverage options. The sample quote we generated included the following options:

  • Bodily injury liability: Bodily injury liability coverage helps to pay for medical expenses for anyone injured in a crash in which you are at fault.
  • Property damage liability: Property damage liability coverage helps to pay for the expenses to repair or replace property, like a house or car, from an accident in which you are at fault.
  • Personal injury protection: Personal injury protection (PIP) helps to pay for healthcare-related costs, including loss of income and funeral expenses, resulting from a car accident, no matter who is at fault.
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage helps to cover expenses that you face resulting from a car accident caused by the other driver. This insurance helps to prevent a situation where you are left responsible for expenses because the other driver isn’t insured or has low insurance limits.
  • Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage helps to pay for damage or replacement costs for your vehicle resulting from any event aside from a car accident. That event might be a falling object, vandalism, fire, or an act of God.
  • Collision: Collision coverage helps to pay for replacement or repair costs for your vehicle after it is in an accident with another car, no matter who is at fault.

While the quote process did not give us control over customizing coverage levels, GEICO does offer this option if you call and talk to a customer support representative. GEICO allows you to customize your coverage limits as long as they are above your state minimums, and you can also choose your deductible on certain types of coverage. The company also offers the option to add on coverage like roadside assistance, rental car coverage, or mechanical breakdown coverage, which helps to cover repair costs if your vehicle breaks down.

What Other Types of Insurance Does GEICO Offer?

GEICO offers a comprehensive selection of car insurance options:

  • Auto
  • Motorcycle
  • ATV
  • RV
  • Boat
  • Collector auto
  • Commercial auto
  • Mexico auto

In addition to car insurance, the company offers several types of property insurance:

  • Homeowners
  • Renters
  • Condo
  • Mobile home
  • Landlord
  • Flood
  • Earthquake

GEICO also offers an excellent assortment of business insurance:

  • Business owners
  • General liability
  • Professional liability
  • Cyber liability
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Medical malpractice
  • Wellness and fitness

There are also several additional insurance types available:

  • Umbrella
  • Life
  • Travel
  • Overseas
  • Identity protection
  • Pet
  • Jewelry
  • Event
  • Bicycle

Does GEICO offer auto & home insurance bundling?

Yes, GEICO allows you to bundle an auto insurance policy with a homeowner’s, mobile home, or renters insurance policy.

Other GEICO products, services, and perks

The greatest perk of choosing GEICO is the ability to choose several different types of insurance coverage. GEICO offers some uncommon coverage options, including pet, jewelry, and even bicycle insurance, making it an all-in-one solution for your insurance needs.

GEICO DriveEasy Program

The GEICO DriveEasy program is a telematics app-based program that tracks driving behavior and offers good drivers discounts on their car insurance policies. To use it, you need to download the app on your phone and enable a setting that allows the app to automatically track your driving.

The DriveEasy dashboard provides details on your driving history, including your score. The app monitors activities like hard braking, hand-held calling, and phone handling to ensure that you are driving safely and distraction-free.

Reviews of the DriveEasy program note that the app doesn’t recognize real-world driving scenarios and scores unfairly. One reviewer found that driving in a way to score well with the app actually created an unsafe situation on the road:

1-star review of DriveEasy app on app store

Another reviewer received a negative score every time she navigated a roundabout by her house:

3-star review of DriveEasy app on app store

GEICO Customer Service

Getting in touch with GEICO’s customer service is easy. Customer service is available 24/7, and wait times are minimal. We called GEICO at 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon and were connected with a customer service agent within about 30 seconds. The live chat function, which we used 10 minutes later, was equally fast, and we were connected in less than one minute.

Several users posted a review on GEICO’s site, praising the company’s friendly customer service.

5-star review of GEICO customer service

One new customer user also praised GEICO customer service agents for being friendly and professional.

GEICO Claims Process

GEICO advertises a claims process that is “as hassle-free as possible” and notes that some claims may be settled in just 48 hours. You can file a claim by phone, online, or through the mobile app. You can also track the claims process online or through the app.

GEICO offers a Photo Estimate feature that allows you to submit photos through the mobile app. This feature is suitable for smaller fender benders with minimal damage and can help to speed up the claims process.

While GEICO promises a smooth claims process, many customer reviews and complaints say otherwise. One user posted on ConsumerAffairs that despite the other driver admitting fault, GEICO determined that they were 80% responsible for the accident.

1-star review complaining about GEICO claims process

Another policyholder described a similar situation. They noted that GEICO refused to pay the estimated cost that they had received from a dealership.

1-star review of GEICO complaining about poor claims experience

To be fair, complaints related to claims processing are some of the most common complaints car insurance companies receive from their customers, and few insurers score well here. After all, the claims process can be inherently stressful for most who go through it, so we understand there won’t be many glowing reviews here.

GEICO Mobile App

GEICO’s mobile app is full of valuable features and has received largely positive feedback from customers. The app allows you to access digital insurance ID cards, request roadside assistance, submit photos of vehicle damage using the Easy Photo Estimate feature, monitor your vehicle’s care history, and even ask the GEICO virtual assistant questions.

The app has a 4.6-star rating out of 5 stars on the Google Play store and has been downloaded more than 10 million times. Several users have posted reviews praising the app’s convenience.

5-star review of GEICO's mobile app

While there are many positive reviews, some describe technical difficulties with the app. One user described difficulty getting the app to work correctly.

1-star review of GEICO's mobile app

Bottom Line: Is GEICO Car Insurance Right for You?

Regardless of a car insurance company’s pros and cons, it’s important to consider whether the company is the right fit for your needs.

Where GEICO stands out:

GEICO offers a comprehensive selection of insurance products, including car insurance coverages as well as homeowner’s, commercial auto, condo, and renters insurance. As a result, it’s suitable for all sorts of drivers.

While some car insurance companies won’t insure high-risk drivers, like drivers with a DUI on their record, GEICO offers coverage to them. The company will also provide an SR-22 certificate to drivers who need it.

GEICO also has an excellent mobile app available for both iOS and Android. Using the app, you can access your insurance cards, pay a bill, and file and track the progress of a claim.

Where GEICO falls short:

While GEICO offers plenty of discounts and its DriveEasy program, its discounts are still somewhat limited. For example, a pay-per-mile policy would be an excellent option for drivers who are retired or who live in a city and spend minimal time behind the wheel, but at this time, GEICO doesn’t offer this type of discount.

GEICO offers standard coverage options as well as some specialty coverage, like classic car insurance, but it doesn’t offer gap insurance, which is relatively common. As a result, GEICO is not a good fit for anyone who owes a significant amount of money on a vehicle that they are buying or leasing.

Although GEICO offers strong customer support by phone and chat, the lack of local offices throughout the country means that you can’t really engage with local agents. This can lead to a less personal feel when interacting with the company.

GEICO is best for drivers who…

GEICO is an excellent choice for drivers with good driving records who want to save money on their car insurance. It’s also suitable for high-risk drivers, though they should be prepared to pay higher rates.

With GEICO’s operations being entirely remote, the company is best for drivers who don’t mind calling or using a live chat to connect with customer service.

GEICO’s quality app and DriveEasy program also make this company a good fit for drivers who are technologically inclined and who want an insurance company that embraces current technology.

Popular GEICO Alternatives

GEICO Auto Insurance FAQs

Want to learn more about GEICO’s auto insurance offerings? Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked by drivers like you.

Is GEICO a reliable insurance company?

GEICO is a reliable company and has assets of over $32 billion, meaning it is financially stable.

Does GEICO really have the cheapest car insurance?

GEICO offers cheap car insurance, but many factors will affect the rates that you will pay. Drivers with accidents on their driving history, teen drivers, and drivers of expensive vehicles will pay more for insurance.

Is GEICO hard to deal with?

GEICO has limited local offices, so if you need help, you will have to call or use the live chat function to connect with customer support. GEICO has short wait times and is easy to connect with, though some reviewers have expressed frustration with communication during the claims process.

Is GEICO actually good?

GEICO offers many different coverage options, affordable rates, and an easy quote process. Customer experiences with the company vary, with some reviewers praising the customer support team and others describing difficulties with coverage cancellations and claims processes.

Is GEICO good at paying claims?

Customer feedback about the claims process is mixed. Many reviews describe slow claims processes with poor communication from GEICO, but other reviews describe a fast and easy claims process.

How long has GEICO been in business?

GEICO was founded in 1936 and has offered car insurance ever since.

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