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GEICO and Progressive are two of the country's largest car insurance companies, and you might find it tough to decide between them. After all, Flo and the adorable GEICO gecko each make a compelling sales pitch.
For most people, GEICO is the better option. The company has better financial strength and customer satisfaction ratings than Progressive and offers more affordable premiums on average, especially for liability-only coverage. The company also offers more discount opportunities.
However, Progressive has some unique coverage options that GEICO lacks, and the company may offer cheaper premiums to drivers in certain states. Progressive's usage-based program is also more widely available. Ultimately, I recommend considering several companies and comparing customized quotes before making a final decision.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
Geico pros and cons
- A++ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best
- Low premiums, especially for liability-only coverage
- Many discounts, including a multi-car discount of up to 25%
- Below-average claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
- Pending class action lawsuit for misleading policyholders about accident forgiveness
- Few additional auto coverage options
Learn more in our GEICO review.
Progressive pros and cons
- Many unique add-ons for customized coverage
- Tiered loyalty program with many perks
- Budget-friendly "Name Your Price" tool
- Poor claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
- Many poor customer service reviews
Learn more in our Progressive review.
Which company is better?
| GEICO | Progressive | |
| AM Best | A++ | A+ |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 692/1,000 | 672/1,000 |
| BBB | A+ (Not accredited) | A+ (Not accredited) |
| NAIC complaints | 0.75 (private passenger) | 0.97 (private passenger) |
GEICO has better third-party ratings than Progressive. AM Best, an independent credit rating agency for the insurance industry, gave GEICO its highest financial strength rating. This indicates the company was rated as superior for keeping up with its claim-handling obligations. Progressive received the second-highest grade available from AM Best.
GEICO also surpasses Progressive in multiple measures of customer satisfaction. The company received a higher rating than Progressive in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, though both insurers ranked below average. The study measures satisfaction with different aspects of the claims process, including the speed, ease, and fairness.
GEICO and Progressive both have poor customer reviews on multiple websites. While both companies have an A+ rating with the BBB, neither company is BBB accredited. However, GEICO has fewer NAIC complaints for private passenger insurance relative to its market share than Progressive, indicating that GEICO policyholders are less likely to file formal complaints.
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Which company is cheaper?
National average premiums for GEICO car insurance are lower than those for Progressive car insurance across all types of drivers. GEICO's liability-only insurance premiums are especially inexpensive relative to Progressive, with Progressive charging nearly twice the monthly premium that GEICO charges on average for drivers with infractions on their records.
Bear in mind that premiums vary by state and even by zip code. For example, Progressive offers cheaper full-coverage insurance to drivers in Mississippi than GEICO, but Progressive's rates in Florida are nearly triple GEICO's rates.
Car insurance premiums also depend on a combination of individual factors, like your age and driving record, the type of car you drive, your driving habits, your location, and the coverage limits you choose. That's why it's best to compare customized quotes from Progressive, GEICO, and other top car insurance companies before buying a policy.
Here's a look at GEICO's average premiums across coverage types:
| Driver type | GEICO liability-only monthly premium | GEICO full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $52 | $114 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $63 | $138 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $67 | $145 |
| DUI on driving record | $85 | $185 |
| Teen driver | $84 | $183 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $40 | $87 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $39 | $84 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
And here are Progressive's average rates for comparison:
| Driver type | Progressive liability-only monthly premium | Progressive full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $96 | $149 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $117 | $182 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $115 | $198 |
| DUI on driving record | $155 | $240 |
| Teen driver | $176 | $273 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $58 | $89 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $58 | $89 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
GEICO offers cheaper premiums than Progressive for drivers with a clean record, on average. But both companies offer savings for a clean driving record and telematics programs that can help you lower your car insurance premium based on your driving habits.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on record
Drivers with a speeding ticket on their record tend to pay lower premiums at GEICO than at Progressive for both full coverage and liability-only car insurance. For example, Progressive charges drivers with speeding tickets an average of $53 more per month for liability insurance than GEICO does.
At-fault accident on driving record
GEICO has lower average premiums than Progressive for drivers who have had an at-fault accident. But if you currently don't have an at-fault accident on your record, keep in mind that Progressive offers small accident forgiveness to policyholders free of charge, and you can also earn large accident forgiveness after a 5-year violation-free period. This can help keep your rates low if you cause an accident in the future.
DUI on driving record
While both companies increase premiums for drivers after a DUI, GEICO offers cheaper rates to drivers who have committed this serious offense, particularly for liability coverage. The average monthly premium for liability-only insurance after a DUI is just $85 with GEICO.
Teen driver
GEICO's average rates for teens are among the cheapest of the providers reviewed. Progressive charges more than GEICO, on average, for teen drivers, though the company still charges less than the national average for teens. Plus, Progressive offers a unique discount for policyholders who have been with the company for at least 1 year and add a teen driver.
Senior driver
Drivers in their 70s pay lower premiums at GEICO than Progressive for both full coverage and liability coverage, but not by much. The premium difference is just $1 for seniors buying full-coverage insurance. That said, in many states, GEICO offers a discount to seniors who complete a defensive driving course. Progressive doesn't offer a similar discount.
Discounts
GEICO offers a greater variety of discounts than Progressive, with particularly appealing options for new car owners. Unlike Progressive, GEICO offers an array of safety and security equipment discounts and a discount of up to 15% for new vehicles. The company also offers discounts for military members, federal employees, and members of certain organizations.
You can also save money on car insurance with GEICO by taking a driver's education course or defensive driving course, while Progressive doesn't offer these opportunities. But Progressive offers more perks for loyal customers, like its teen driver discount, accident forgiveness, and discounts on car rentals and other services through its Perkshare program.
Otherwise, the two companies share many discounts, including: for bundling, for students, and for paying in full and automatic payments.
| Discount | Does GEICO have it? | Does Progressive have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | No |
| Anti-theft | Yes | No |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | Yes | Yes |
| New car | Yes | No |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic payments | Yes | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | Yes |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
GEICO DriveEasy vs Progressive Snapshot
GEICO and Progressive both offer telematics or usage-based programs designed to save you money for safe driving behavior. However, Progressive offers its program to drivers in more states than GEICO. These similar programs offer savings based on factors such as how often you drive, when you drive, how hard you brake, and whether you use your phone while driving.
Progressive offers a discount just for enrolling in Snapshot, with an average savings of $169 for the first policy period. GEICO may offer a discount of up to 15% for eligible drivers who enroll in DriveEasy. Both companies collect driving data via a mobile app, but Progressive also offers the option of a plug-in device (in some states, it's the only option for existing customers).
While both programs may provide ongoing savings, there's also a chance your rates could increase due to risky driving behavior. Note that some other car insurance companies offer usage-based programs without the risk of a base premium increase.
Coverage
Progressive offers a wider array of coverage options than GEICO, including unique coverage add-ons that protect you from a variety of risks. If you're looking for a customized policy with more coverage, GAP insurance for a new vehicle, or a rideshare endorsement because you drive for Uber or Lyft, Progressive may be a better fit for your needs.
Both companies offer the standard coverage types that state laws require and a handful of optional coverage options, including:
- Bodily injury liability coverage
- Property damage liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay)
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Emergency roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Mechanical breakdown/major systems coverage (similar to a warranty)
Additionally, Progressive offers the following car insurance add-ons:
- Loan/lease payoff (GAP insurance)
- Trip interruption insurance for road trips
- Custom parts and equipment value coverage
- Rideshare coverage
- Pet injury coverage
- Deductible Savings Bank
FAQs
How do I contact GEICO?
To speak to customer service, you can use GEICO's live chat, call the 24/7 support line at 1-800-207-7847, or send an email through the company's website. As a policyholder, you can also use GEICO's online portal or mobile app, and you can call 1-800-424-3426 to use your roadside assistance coverage.
How do I contact Progressive?
Progressive has a live chat, an online email form, and a 24/7 phone support line at 1-888-671-4405. If you become a policyholder, you can also use the self-service support tools on Progressive's online portal and mobile app.
Is Progressive the best insurance?
While Progressive is a legitimate and respected car insurance company that offers affordable rates and an array of coverage options, it may be the best option for some drivers. It's neither the best-rated nor the cheapest company in most states. Consider your coverage needs and compare multiple car insurance options to find the right provider.
Why is GEICO so much cheaper?
GEICO is the third-largest auto insurer in the U.S. and attracts a broad demographic of customers by offering special discounts to seniors, young drivers, government employees, new vehicle owners, and others. Its national presence, diverse risk pool, and efficient processes may be a few of the reasons GEICO can offer more affordable rates than other companies.
Bottom line
When trying to decide between GEICO or Progressive for car insurance, consider that GEICO has better ratings, cheaper premiums, and more discount opportunities than Progressive. However, Progressive does offer more coverage options and a unique loyalty program.
While GEICO is generally the better choice for most drivers, individual factors (like your state of residence) can dramatically impact the cost and options available from each company. You should compare quotes from the best car insurance companies to make sure you get the best value for your coverage needs.
Average rate:
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