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When shopping for car insurance, you want a company that combines competitive rates with excellent service. Both USAA and GEICO have built solid reputations in the industry, but they serve different audiences and offer distinct advantages.
USAA exclusively serves military members and their families, while GEICO welcomes all drivers. This fundamental difference shapes everything from their discount programs to their customer service approach.
Here’s everything you need to know about USAA and GEICO car insurance, including the key areas where they differ.
USAA offers exceptional value and military-focused benefits but requires military eligibility for membership.
GEICO provides competitive rates and extensive discount options to all drivers.
Both companies offer robust coverage options and telematics programs to help safe drivers save money.
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.5 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $52/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $101/mo |
USAA's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.6 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the prompt customer service and claims handling but are frustrated by the significant and frequent price increases.
USAA stands out as the premier choice for military families, offering insurance products specifically designed around the unique needs of service members. The company has built its reputation on understanding military life, from deployment-related benefits to specialized discounts for those stationed overseas.
What makes USAA particularly appealing is its commitment to member service. It’s consistently earned high marks for customer satisfaction and claims handling, reflecting the company’s focus on taking care of the military community.
Military-focused benefits and discounts
Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
Comprehensive coverage options
Limited to military members and families
Fewer agents nationwide
Stricter eligibility requirements than other insurers
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.6 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $81/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $145/mo |
GEICO's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.4 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.3 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.3 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.4 | 2.9 |
Drivers appreciate the easy communication and good customer service, but many are unhappy with the regular and significant price increases.
GEICO earns its place as one of America’s largest auto insurers by focusing on competitive pricing and efficient service. The company operates primarily through direct sales, which helps keep its overhead costs low to pass those savings on to customers.
Its approach centers on making insurance simple and accessible. From its user-friendly website to its mobile app, GEICO emphasizes convenience and speed in everything from getting quotes to filing claims.
Competitive rates for most drivers
Many discounts
Wide availability and accessibility
Not many local agents
Slightly lower customer satisfaction
Fewer military-specific benefits
When comparing these two insurers, you’ll want to consider several key factors beyond just price. Both companies offer solid coverage options, but they take different approaches to serving their customers.
The most important factors to consider when choosing between them include cost, customer service quality, available discounts, coverage options, and how well each company’s services align with your specific needs.
Here’s a breakdown showing how the two companies compare across five major categories, based on our research.
Category | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Policy management | 4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Availability | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Industry reputation | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Overall Score | 4.81/5 | 4.93/5 |
USAA typically excels in customer satisfaction and offers unmatched military-specific benefits, while GEICO shines with competitive pricing and broad availability. USAA’s military focus means deeper discounts and specialized services for eligible members, whereas GEICO’s mass-market approach provides consistent value across diverse customer segments.
Our editorial team analyzes and grades each insurer based on factors like its average rates, customer reviews, policy management features, availability, industry standing, and more. This includes countless hours of research and in-depth analysis of thousands of auto insurance quotes from real Compare.com customers.
We grade each factor on a weighted five-point scale to determine an insurer’s propriety Compare.com Rating, which highlights its overall standing among the industry’s best companies.
Insurance rates vary significantly — not just between companies but also from one driver to another. That’s because personal factors like your age, location, driving record, and the type of coverage you need all affect how much you pay for car insurance.
That’s why comparison shopping is so important. What’s affordable for your neighbor might not be the best deal for you, and vice versa. Your personal profile (including everything from your credit score to your annual mileage) affects your premium.
If you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, keep in mind that lenders typically require full-coverage insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage. This requirement protects their investment in your vehicle.
The table below shows how these two companies compare on average rates across different coverage levels, according to Compare.com data.
Driver Type | USAA | GEICO | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| All drivers | $101 | $145 | $184 |
| Teens | $184 | $259 | $346 |
| Seniors | $76 | $105 | $160 |
| Recent ticket | $133 | $198 | $238 |
| Recent accident | $139 | $193 | $247 |
| DUI conviction | $145 | $210 | $263 |
| Poor credit | $124 | $179 | $227 |
Policies start as low as $45 per month.
Insurance rates can also vary dramatically from state to state due to factors such as local accident rates, weather patterns, population density, and state insurance regulations.
For example, states with higher rates of vehicle theft, severe weather events, or dense urban traffic typically see higher premiums across all insurers.
Here’s how USAA and GEICO stack up in different states, according to our data.
State | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $97 | $147 |
| Alaska | $135 | $124 |
| Arizona | $144 | $175 |
| Arkansas | $100 | $136 |
| California | $201 | $191 |
| Colorado | $174 | $195 |
| Connecticut | $204 | $207 |
| Delaware | $103 | $214 |
| Florida | N/A | $209 |
| Georgia | $184 | $278 |
| Hawaii | $152 | $116 |
| Idaho | $68 | $90 |
| Illinois | $151 | $145 |
| Indiana | $88 | $97 |
| Iowa | $81 | $89 |
| Kansas | $109 | $159 |
| Kentucky | $192 | $186 |
| Louisiana | $149 | $200 |
| Maine | $73 | $96 |
| Maryland | $204 | $278 |
| Massachusetts | $127 | $128 |
| Michigan | $118 | $242 |
| Minnesota | $106 | $163 |
| Mississippi | $85 | $145 |
| Missouri | $110 | $196 |
| Montana | $77 | $140 |
| Nebraska | $129 | $134 |
| Nevada | $175 | $245 |
| New Hampshire | $109 | $104 |
| New Jersey | N/A | $288 |
| New Mexico | $128 | $144 |
| New York | $139 | $213 |
| North Carolina | N/A | $114 |
| North Dakota | $48 | $95 |
| Ohio | $92 | $97 |
| Oklahoma | $106 | $169 |
| Oregon | $123 | $135 |
| Pennsylvania | $205 | $158 |
| Rhode Island | $126 | $284 |
| South Carolina | $115 | $163 |
| South Dakota | $102 | $132 |
| Tennessee | $114 | $133 |
| Texas | $204 | $189 |
| Utah | $88 | $130 |
| Vermont | $78 | $103 |
| Virginia | $145 | $184 |
| Washington | $121 | $153 |
| District of Columbia | $299 | $284 |
| West Virginia | $88 | $139 |
| Wisconsin | $58 | $89 |
| Wyoming | $54 | $91 |
Every insurer structures its coverage offerings differently, and what’s included as standard versus optional can vary between companies.
Speaking specifically to USAA and GEICO, both companies offer the standard coverage types you’d expect from major insurers. That said, there are some differences in their additional coverage options and policy packaging.
Here’s how the two stack up when it comes to coverage options:
Coverage Type | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Liability coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collision coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Comprehensive coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uninsured motorist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical payments/PIP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental reimbursement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mechanical breakdown | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gap coverage | ✓ |
Both companies provide comprehensive protection, but USAA tends to offer slightly more specialized coverage options, particularly for military-specific situations.
Auto insurance discounts can significantly reduce your premium, and both companies offer extensive discount programs, even though they target different customer needs.
GEICO focuses on broad-appeal discounts that most drivers can potentially qualify for, while USAA emphasizes military-specific savings that can be substantial for eligible members.
Here’s a full breakdown of the two companies’ discount options. Keep in mind that some discounts vary by state.
Discount Type | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-policy bundle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Military/federal employee | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-theft system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Defensive driving | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ✓ | |
| Paperless billing | ✓ | |
| New vehicle | ✓ | |
| Deployed driver | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer reviews provide valuable insight into how well each company delivers on its promises, from the claims process to day-to-day customer service interactions. Looking at recent feedback from customers can help you understand what to expect from each company’s service quality and responsiveness.
Here’s what current and former customers have to say about their experiences with GEICO and USAA.
The average driver saves up to $867.*
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Usage-based insurance programs monitor your driving habits through smartphone apps or plug-in devices, potentially offering significant savings for safe drivers. These programs are particularly beneficial for drivers with good habits who want their premiums to reflect their actual risk level.
USAA’s SafePilot program offers discounts up to 30% for safe driving behaviors, and it’s available in 47 states. The program evaluates factors like hard braking, rapid acceleration, and phone usage while driving.
GEICO doesn’t currently advertise DriveEasy’s savings, but many customers report getting 5% to 15% off their policies. DriveEasy works similarly by monitoring driving patterns through your smartphone, and it’s available in 39 states plus Washington, D.C.
Both programs reward safer driving with lower premiums, though USAA’s potential savings appear to be higher.
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about GEICO and USAA.
Neither company is universally “better.” The right choice depends on your eligibility and priorities. USAA typically offers superior value and service for military families, while GEICO provides competitive rates and extensive availability for civilian drivers.
The best car insurance company depends on your needs, budget, and driver profile. That said, State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate score the highest in our Compare.com Rating system.
Rates vary based on factors like your age, location, driving record, and coverage needs. The average GEICO customer pays around $145 per month for coverage, according to Compare.com data. USAA policies average $101 per month.
Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more about our editorial process.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.