GEICO vs. State National: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, State National offers less expensive rates than GEICO
• GEICO has cheaper premiums for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit
• State National offers more affordable average prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

GEICO vs. State National: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to GEICO or State National for your next policy, but which company will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, GEICO is about $26 more per month than State National.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean State National will be the cheaper option for every single driver. After all, auto insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your age, your credit score, your driving record, or even where you call home (among other things), so premiums will vary quite a bit from person to person.

Wanting to know if GEICO or State National is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

GEICO or State National: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

GEICO and State National only compete against each other in California, where GEICO offers the cheaper average rates. For California residents, GEICO offers car insurance for $142 monthly on average. State National's average premiums come out to be over 10% more expensive, at $159 per month.

There's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance bill than just where you live. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any group on the road. The reason is that young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. As you can see above, teens who use State National save more than $50 a month compared to those who use GEICO. It's worth noting that GEICO offers insurance in 50 different states compared to State National's one, which can skew the average premiums a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, both companies will decrease rates once you turn 25. State National offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. GEICO's average premiums drop over 55% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the most affordable prices out there.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between GEICO and State National? State National gets the edge here, with average prices coming in at around $118 a month compared to GEICO's $148.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married drivers tend to get slightly more affordable insurance premiums than single policyholders. That's because policies for married couples usually cover several cars, which many carriers will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, State National is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices about $27 per month cheaper than GEICO, on average. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - State National has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

GEICO vs. State National: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into accidents and file an insurance claim. That means when it comes to auto insurance men will generally end up paying a little more.

On average, women see rates nearly $10 a month less expensive with GEICO; and with State National, both genders end up paying the same monthly price.

When it comes to the cheapest premiums for each gender, State National comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $30 per month and women save around $22 with State National compared to the average GEICO policyholder.

GEICO or State National: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

Car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are multiple different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, State National typically offers more affordable prices of $79 compared to GEICO's $101. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, State National again has the edge, with policies about $30 a month cheaper than GEICO, on average.

Is GEICO or State National Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

Collisions and tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is GEICO or State National more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

GEICO policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $35 per month if they get a ticket, while State National normally raises rates around $40 a month, on average.

However, State National has less expensive premiums for drivers in both categories, offering rates that are $13 and $8 cheaper, respectively, compared to GEICO.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

GEICO drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices climb by just under 45%, while those who have insurance through State National will see about a 30% increase.

Overall, State National offers the lowest premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with monthly rates averaging $142 compared to GEICO's $200.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple speeding ticket or even a collision. GEICO drivers usually see a 58% increase in their insurance prices after a DUI charge, while State National will usually climb premiums by around 60%.

State National has the overall most affordable prices for drivers with a DUI on their records at $252 monthly, but it's worth noting that GEICO's average rates come from 50 states compared to just one for State National, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact GEICO and State National Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it does affect quite a few policyholders out there.

Insurance carriers argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with less expensive premiums.

So, which company offers the cheapest prices for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have excellent credit, GEICO will generally reward you. With GEICO, improving your score from "good" to "excellent" will typically save you about $35. On the other hand, because State National doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your rates.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit, it can cost you with GEICO. If your credit score is in the "poor" range, at GEICO, you may pay around 20% more per month compared to those with "fair" scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). On the other hand, State National doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means drivers with bad credit could find better rates with State National over GEICO.

Is GEICO or State National Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on your monthly premiums. Normally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with more affordable prices since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

State National tends to be the less expensive option for both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles annually, as well as those who average twice that figure. GEICO average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in about $40 more expensive than State National. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay around $11 more with GEICO over State National.

GEICO vs. State National: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can have a large impact on your monthly car insurance cost. Typically, drivers who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural policyholders because there are a lot more vehicles on the road in those areas, which increases the chances of an accident.

State National tends to offer the cheapest prices for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable premiums from both companies, but State National comes out on top with average rates about $143 per month. State National also has more affordable average premiums for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $38 and $22 a month respective difference when compared to GEICO drivers in similar areas.

GEICO vs. State National Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

The hard part is finding all of the discounts you can take advantage of, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts GEICO and State National offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

GEICO blows State National away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 28 different discounts to State National's 10.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like discounts for being a good driver, discounts for being a good student, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company. GEICO also offers ABS discounts, commercial drivers license discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, and more that State National does not.

On the flip side, State National has a couple unique discounts of its own -- auto-pilot discounts and renewal discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is GEICO or State National Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the variables insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers. But, when it comes down to it, which insurance company is the right one for you and your specific profile and needs?

State National might be best for you if....

• You have received a ticket within the last few years.
• You want basic auto insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

GEICO might be best for you if...

• Your credit is below-average.
• You have above-average credit.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between GEICO and State National and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just GEICO and State National. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

GEICO vs. State National FAQs

Is GEICO or State National cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, State National is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $159 per month compared to $185 for GEICO. Even so, State National won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for every policyholder, since there are a range of different factors (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, GEICO or State National?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique insurance profile. For example, State National offers more affordable prices for policyholders with an at-fault accident on their record, while GEICO is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do GEICO and State National offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at lots of different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Factors such as gender, your driving record, where your home is, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both GEICO and State National calculate prices differently, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if GEICO or State National is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be GEICO or State National at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.