GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Trustgard Auto offers significantly less expensive prices than GEICO
• GEICO offers more discounts than Trustgard Auto Insurance
• Trustgard Auto offers more affordable premiums for residents in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee

GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering large discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to GEICO or Trustgard Auto as potential options, but between the two, which company will offer you more affordable rates?

As you can see, GEICO has average rates that are about 25% per month more expensive than those from Trustgard Auto when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean Trustgard Auto will necessarily be cheaper than GEICO for each driver. Insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like how old you are, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, where you live, and all sorts of other factors, so premiums will vary quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of GEICO or Trustgard Auto is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each carrier broken down by multiple different rate factors.

GEICO or Trustgard Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

GEICO and Trustgard Auto only compete against each other in three states, with Trustgard Auto offering less expensive premiums to the average driver in all of them. If you live in Tennessee, GEICO is the more affordable of the two carriers when looking at the overall average prices. Trustgard Auto is the cheaper option in Illinois and Indiana.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance bill than just where you live. Keep reading to learn more.

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. That's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Trustgard Auto for their auto insurance pay more than $10 less than those who use GEICO. It's worth noting that GEICO offers insurance in 50 different states compared to Trustgard Auto's three, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

But both companies will decrease premiums once you turn 25. Trustgard Auto offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than a third of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. GEICO's average rates drop over 55% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to car insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest prices you'll ever see.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between GEICO and Trustgard Auto? Trustgard Auto gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older more than 35% more affordable than the national average for GEICO.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance premiums are normally more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married drivers? This usually boils down to married policyholders having several cars on their policy -- something lots of insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Trustgard Auto is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices around $38 a month less expensive than GEICO, on average. For married couples, the advantage is clear again - Trustgard Auto has the edge when it comes to average rates.

GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women usually pay less for auto insurance than men? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into accidents and file an insurance claim, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

Women typically pay nearly $10 per month less than men with GEICO, while with Trustgard Auto, the difference is closer to $9 a month.

When it comes to the most affordable prices for each gender, Trustgard Auto comes out on top for both men and women, with average premiums $47 less for men and $48 cheaper for women.

GEICO or Trustgard Auto: 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.

For most people, car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are a bunch of different coverages that account for a range of 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.

However, most policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Trustgard Auto generally offers cheaper rates of $79 compared to GEICO's $101. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Trustgard Auto again has the edge, with policies about $75 per month more affordable than GEICO, on average.

Is GEICO or Trustgard Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and collisions on your record, but which of these two companies offers the lowest prices to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

GEICO policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $35 a month if they get a ticket, while Trustgard Auto usually raises premiums around $50 per month, on average.

That being said, Trustgard Auto is generally the less expensive option for drivers both with clean records and with a speeding ticket, offering rates that are $17 and $2 more affordable, respectively, compared to GEICO.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase prices pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with GEICO climbing by $85. Trustgard Auto has a less extreme increase, but you can still expect to pay $35 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, the cheaper premiums come from Trustgard Auto, with monthly rates averaging $133 compared to GEICO's $200.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly car insurance bill -- typically a lot more than an accident or ticket. On average, GEICO will climb your prices about 58% after a DUI, while Trustgard Auto's average premiums climb by just under 45%.

Trustgard Auto has the overall cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $171 a month, but it's worth noting that GEICO's average rates come from 50 states compared to just three for Trustgard Auto, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact GEICO and Trustgard Auto Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can be used as one of the factors to calculate your monthly auto insurance prices. This isn't always the case (for example, Hawaii and California are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for a lot of drivers.

Car insurance companies argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

So, which company offers the most affordable premiums for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Trustgard Auto. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save nearly 15% compared to GEICO, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $36 or 22% less expensive every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower rates than GEICO when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $57 a month less with Trustgard Auto compared to GEICO, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around $83 per month.

Is GEICO or Trustgard Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a sizable impact on your monthly insurance cost? Generally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Trustgard Auto charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for GEICO, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car each year paying about $8 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Trustgard Auto is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can have a substantial impact on your monthly auto insurance payment. Usually, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas because there are a lot more vehicles on the roads in those areas.

Trustgard Auto tends to offer the lowest rates for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around $25 with Trustgard Auto compared to GEICO. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $53 less with Trustgard Auto compared to GEICO. In urban areas, Trustgard Auto Insurance's average premiums are around $64 less than GEICO.

GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be challenging to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts GEICO and Trustgard Auto offer their customers so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

GEICO knocks Trustgard Auto out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 28 different discounts to Trustgard Auto's 16.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but GEICO also offers ABS discounts, commercial drivers license discounts, deployed driver discounts, and more that Trustgard Auto does not.

On the flip side, Trustgard Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, advanced safety feature discounts, company car discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is GEICO or Trustgard Auto Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which company is the right carrier for you and your specific needs?

Trustgard Auto might be best for you if....

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your auto insurance.

GEICO might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national car insurance carrier.
• You're looking for discounts -- GEICO has the most.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare GEICO and Trustgard Auto and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just GEICO and Trustgard Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

GEICO vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is GEICO or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Trustgard Auto is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $137 per month compared to $185 for GEICO. Even so, Trustgard Auto won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are a variety of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, GEICO or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique auto insurance profile looks like.

Why do GEICO and Trustgard Auto offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at several different variables when calculating the premiums they charge drivers. Factors such as your driving record, gender, age, where your home is, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both GEICO and Trustgard Auto calculate rates using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

How do I know if GEICO or Trustgard Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be GEICO or Trustgard Auto 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.