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Insurance

Geico auto insurance review 2024

Geico has some of the cheapest rates in the market and is available in all 50 states.

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Geico is a great choice for affordable car insurance, with some of the lowest rates in the market paired with ample discounts and nationwide availability.

Geico even has good rates if you have bad credit, speeding tickets or are a parent with a teen on your insurance — groups that typically face much higher premiums.

And because eligible drivers can qualify for free accident forgiveness with Geico, your rates won't increase after your first accident.

Geico Auto Insurance

  • Cost

    The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

  • App available

    Yes

  • Policy highlights

    Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It offers 16 discounts and a variety of optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.

  • Terms apply.

Pros

  • Low average rates
  • Can buy and manage policies online
  • Available nationwide

Cons

  • No gap insurance or rideshare insurance
  • Fewer branches for in-person services
  • Pay-per-mile car insurance not available

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Geico auto insurance pros and cons

Consider Geico's benefits and drawbacks before you buy.

Pros

  • Available nationwide: Unlike other low-cost insurers, Geico is available in all 50 states.
  • Low rates: Premiums for both full and minimum coverage are much lower than the national average.
  • Few complaints: Geico has far fewer complaints than other major car insurance companies.
  • Accident forgiveness: Your rates won't increase after a collision if you've been accident-free for five years.

Cons

  • Unexemplary customer service: Geico scored below average on J.D. Power surveys for both customer service and the claims process.
  • No gap insurance: If you have a leased or financed car, you'll have to look elsewhere for gap insurance.
  • No rideshare insurance: Geico doesn't offer coverage for those who drive for rideshare apps.

Types of Geico car insurance

Geico offers car insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Basic coverage

A full coverage policy is typically required if you leased or financed your car.

  • Liability car insurance: Minimum coverage allowed in most states, liability pays for damages if you or someone else driving your car is at fault for an accident. 
  • Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damages not caused by a collision, including theft, weather damage or hitting an animal.

Additional coverage

These policies are required in some states. Note: Geico does not offer gap insurance.

  • Personal injury protection insurance: Also known as no-fault insurance, PIP covers medical bills, lost wages, child care and even funeral costs.
  • Medical payments insurance: Covers medical bills for you, your passengers and any pedestrians, regardless of fault.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance: Covers repairs and medical bills if you are in an accident with a driver with little or no insurance.

Add-ons

Geico offers a selection of coverage options.

  • Accident forgiveness: Geico won't raise your rates after your first at-fault collision. Accident forgiveness is free if you remain accident-free for five years or it can be bought as an upgrade when you purchase or renew your policy.
  • Emergency road service: Helps with towing, winching, jump-starting, tire changing, lockouts, and fuel delivery through Geico's mobile app. It starts at $14 per year.
  • Mechanical breakdown insurance: This coverage can cover repairs after a manufacturer's warranty expires.
  • Rental car reimbursement: Pays for a rental while your car is being repaired

Geico car insurance rates

Geico provides low average rates for both minimum and comprehensive coverage, which is why we've named it one of the cheapest auto insurance providers on the market. companies.

The average rate for full coverage for a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record is $1,984 per year, according to Bankrate, hundreds less than the industry average of $2,311.

Geico rates by credit and driving history

Driver profile Sample Geico rate for full coverage Average annual rate
Good driver with good credit $1,984 $2,311
Good driver with poor credit $2,905 $4,261
Speeding ticket with good credit $2,464 $2,789
At-fault accident with good credit $2,841 $3,299
DUI conviction with good credit $4,588 $4,426

Source: Rates from Bankrate and are current as of July 2024.

Geico also has great rates for both seniors and young adults.

Geico car insurance cost by age

Age Sample Geico rate for full coverage Average annual rate
Age 16, on parents policy $4,383 $4,974
Age 18, on parents policy $3,741 $4,280
Age 20 $3,906 $4,697
Age 30 $2,051 $2,500
Age 40 $1,984 $2,311
Age 60 $1,877 $2,080

Source: Rates from Bankrate and are current as of July 2024.

Geico car insurance discounts

There are plenty of opportunities to lower your Geico premiums, with discounts based on driving history and habits, affiliation, education and customer loyalty. Not all discounts are available in all states and some discounts may not be combined

  • Anti-theft system: A car alarm, tracking system, VIN etching and other security features can save you up to 23% on comprehensive coverage.
  • Defensive driving: Save on your premiums when you complete an approved defensive driving course.
  • Driver's education. Young drivers who complete a driver's ed course can earn a discount on most policies.
  • Eagle discount: Current or retired federal employees may qualify for up to 12% off.
  • Good driver: If you remain accident-free for five years, you can save up to 22% off your rate.
  • Good student: Full-time students with a good academic record could get a discount of up to 15% on certain policies.
  • Military discount: Active duty or retired military are eligible for a discount of up to 15%. If you're part of an emergency deployment, you could receive a rate reduction of up to 25% 
  • Membership discount: Receive rate discounts and other benefits if you're a member of one of Geico's 500-plus partner organizations, including alumni associations, fraternities and sororities, and professional organizations
  • Multiple vehicles: Get 25% off most coverages when you insure more than one vehicle with Geico
  • Multiple policies: Save when you bundle auto and homeowners insurance from Geico.
  • New vehicle: If your car model is three years or newer, you can get a discount of up to 15%.
  • Safe driving: Eligible drivers can save up to 25% using Geico's DriveEasy app.
  • Seat belt use: Always buckle up and get a discount on the personal injury protection and medical payments portion of your premium
  • Safety equipment: Airbags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and other safety devices can save you as much as 23%

Geico customer satisfaction

Geico hasn't exactly wowed users with its customer service: It scored below average in seven out of eleven regions in J.D. Power's 2024 US Auto Insurance Study, which polls customers on price, ease of doing business, product offerings, problem resolution and other categories.

It also ranked below average in J.D. Power's surveys on the claims process, on insurance shopping and the digital experience.

Despite this, Geico has close to 40% fewer complaints than other insurers of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company received a 0.62 on the NAIC complaint index, where the standard is 1.0.

A J.D. Power survey did rate Geico very highly on usage-based insurance, which includes pay-per-mile policies and safe-driving programs. ( Eligible drivers can save up to 25% with Geico's DriveEasy app.)

The Better Business Bureau also gave Geico an A+, its highest grade, based on factors like transparency, truthful advertising and how it responds to consumer complaints.

Other Geico insurance

How does Geico compare to other car insurance?

We compared Geico to two other major auto insurance providers.

Geico vs Progressive vs State Farm

Geico State Farm Progressive
AvailabilityAll 50 statesNot available in Massachusetts or Rhode IslandAll 50 states
Average cost for full coverage$1,984$2,624 $2,055
Customer serviceBelow averageAbove averageBelow average
Accident forgiveness YesYesYes
Gap insuranceNoNoOffers loan/lease payoff coverage
Best forDrivers with poor creditBundling discountBest for high-risk drivers

Source: Rates from Bankrate and are current as of June 2024.

Geico vs. Progressive

Progressive Auto Insurance

  • Cost

    The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote.

  • App available

    Yes

  • Policy highlights

    Progressive offers several lines of insurance to allow for bundling and convenient tools to help you keep your policy within your budget.

  • Terms apply.

Pros

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Low rates for drivers with DUIs
  • Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
  • Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness

Cons

  • Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
  • Above-average number of complaints
  • Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rates going up

Geico and Progressive are closely matched across the board: Both are available in all 50 states and have a strong online presence, including the ability to manage your policy on their apps.

Both companies also scored below average in J.D. Power's Auto Insurance Study, although Geico was ranked above Progressive in most regions. Geico has also received fewer complaints than Progressive, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners's complaint index.

On price, Geico scores a modest win: Full coverage averages about $1,984 per year, compared to $2,055 for Progressive.

Geico vs. State Farm

State Farm Auto Insurance

  • Cost

    The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

  • App available

    Yes

  • Policy highlights

    One of the largest auto insurers in the U.S., State Farm has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction and offers over a dozen discounts, including for safe driving, bundling and good students.

  • Terms apply.

Pros

  • High customer satisfaction
  • Largest car insurance company in the U.S.
  • Accident forgiveness

Cons

  • High volume of complaints
  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance
  • Premiums higher than average

State Farm charges an average of $2,624 for a full-coverage policy, or about 30% more than Geico's annual rate.

State Farm stands out for its customer service, however, rating above average in customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction J.D. Power surveys.

If you live in the Northeast, the deciding factor could be availability: State Farm doesn't offer auto insurance in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

How do I buy car insurance from Geico?

Geico makes it easy to buy car insurance online but you can also speak to an agent at 855-347-3749.

You'll need to give your driver's license number and your car's VIN number, as well as details about your driving history.

You'll choose coverage, limits and deductibles that meet your needs and enter your payment information. According to Geico, if you set up autopay you can save up to $36 a year on processing fees.

You can also manage your policy, get your insurance ID and even request roadside assistance on the Geico app.

Is Geico car insurance right for me?

Geico is a great choice if you're looking to save money and don't want to waste time with providers who don't serve your state. The easy-to-use website makes buying coverage, filing claims and making payments simple and fast.

While it tops for price, Geico has a ways to go with customer service. If that's a major concern, get quotes from several other providers.

FAQs

Because it sells insurance directly to consumers and doesn't have to pay commissions to brokers, Geico can offer some of the lowest rates in the market. Its many discounts allow policyholders to save even more.

Both Geico and Progressive are solid choices for auto insurance. Geico stands out for low rates and high customer satisfaction, while Progressive tends to offer lower premiums to high-risk drivers.

A Geico auto insurance policy typically extends coverage to a rental car but only to the limits you have for your vehicle. In addition, Geico will pay for a rental if your car is being repaired after a covered incident.

Geico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which also issues property and casualty reinsurance policies.

Geico doesn't offer gap insurance. Although it's usually more expensive, you may be able to buy coverage from your dealership.

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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of auto insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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