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GEICO and State Farm are insurance giants. Their commercials featuring Jake (and his khakis) and the gecko are television mainstays, and they both offer a broad range of coverage options.
Both companies have strong records for customer satisfaction, reliability, and financial stability, but they do differ significantly in several ways. While State Farm is likely the better choice for those who prefer in-person assistance, GEICO offers a stellar digital experience, making it easier to buy coverage online.
In this breakdown of GEICO vs. State Farm, learn about how these companies compare in terms of availability, extra benefits, and discount programs.
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
- Lower-than-average premiums
- Wide range of discounts
- Available in all 50 states
- Gap insurance only available in one state
- Fewer insurance agents
- Lower than average customer-satisfaction ratings
Learn more in our GEICO review
State Farm pros and cons
- Strong customer satisfaction ratings
- Large agent network
- Rideshare coverage can be added to personal policy
- No longer serves all states
- Higher rates for non-standard drivers
- No accident forgiveness
Learn more in our State Farm review
Which company is better?
Both GEICO and State Farm are well-known, reliable companies. While GEICO is available in all 50 states, State Farm is more limited. As of 2025, State Farm does not issue new policies to residents of Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
For those torn between the two insurers, here's how their financial stability, customer satisfaction ratings, and claims handling measure up.
| GEICO | State Farm | |
| AM Best | A++ (Superior) | A++ (Superior) |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | Ranked 14th out of 21 | Ranked 6th out of 21 |
| BBB | A+ | F |
| NAIC complaints | 0.75 | 0.84 |
| Crash Network | C- | C- |
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Drivers who switch their auto insurance and save with State Farm save $764 on average!
Financial Stability
When choosing an insurer, it's wise to look up the company's financial stability rating to ensure it is financially sound and able to pay out future claims. AM Best is a credit rating agency that evaluates insurance companies and issues ratings based on its opinion of companies' financial strength. Both State Farm and GEICO earned AM Best's highest financial strength rating of A++.
Customer Satisfaction
When I'm shopping for insurance, one of the factors I keep in mind is customer ratings. While a few bad reviews aren't enough to deter me, if the overwhelming majority tend to be negative, that's a red flag for me because it indicates that the company is unlikely to be helpful if I have questions or need to file a claim.
In the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, State Farm scored better than most; it was ranked sixth out of 21 insurers with a score well above the industry average. By contrast, GEICO didn't perform so well; it ranked 14th out of 21 with a score below the average.
Average rate:
Contact
When researching companies, think about how you like to communicate with your insurer. If you prefer a completely digital experience — from online quote to completing the purchase of coverage — GEICO is likely a better fit. You can get a quote, adjust your coverages, and purchase a policy entirely online.
If you, like me, prefer the ability to contact a local agent and have in-person assistance, State Farm is the better choice. The company has a network of over 19,000 agents throughout the country, so you likely have a State Farm office near you. After my car was damaged in a hurricane, having a local agent to talk to about the claim and how auto and homeowners insurance work was a huge help.
Claims
Hopefully, you won't have to use your insurance policy. But if you are in an accident, you want to know that your insurance company can be relied on to handle the claim quickly and efficiently.
One excellent resource to check on how well a company handles claims is The Crash Network's Insurer Report Card. The report card surveys body shop owners and mechanics about their experience working with insurance companies to repair customers' vehicles after accidents.
Both GEICO and State Farm received C- grades on the report card (a typical grade for large insurers). State Farm just edged out GEICO, placing one spot higher.
Which company is cheaper?
GEICO and State Farm both have lower-than-average rates for liability policies that meet state-minimum requirements and for full-coverage policies that package collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance.
GEICO average premiums
| 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 | ||
State Farm average premiums
| Driver type | State Farm liability-only monthly premium | State Farm full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $53 | $115 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $63 | $136 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $66 | $143 |
| DUI on driving record | $86 | $186 |
| Teen driver | $98 | $212 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $38 | $83 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $34 | $74 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
On average, full coverage policies — which include collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance, cost $114 per month with GEICO. With State Farm, you can expect to pay $115 per month.
Speeding ticket on driving record
In general, costs are similar between the two carriers if you have a speeding ticket on your record. GEICO's monthly premium for full coverage in this situation is $138, while State Farm's is $136.
At-fault accident on driving record
Rates are also similar between the two carriers when it comes to having an at-fault incident on your driving record. GEICO's average monthly premium for full coverage in this situation is $145, while State Farm's is $143.
DUI on driving record
The similar rate trend continues with those who have a DUI on their driving record. GEICO's average monthly premium for full coverage in this instance is $185, while State Farm's is $186.
Teen driver
The rates for teen drivers tend to be more expensive with State Farm. For example, full coverage for teen drivers with State Farm is an average of $212 per month, while GEICO's coverage is $183 per month.
Senior driver
For senior drivers, meaning those in their 60s or older, State Farm is slightly cheaper than GEICO with lower insurance rates.
Discounts
State Farm and GEICO have multiple discount programs that can help you save money on car insurance with some minor differences. State Farm offers a loyalty discount while GEICO offers a discount for customers who enroll in automatic payments.
| Discount | Does GEICO have it? | Does State Farm have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| GAP insurance | Only in Washington | Payoff Protector applies to vehicles financed with a loan originated from State Farm Bank |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | Yes (select states) |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
GEICO DriveEasy vs. State Farm Drive Safe & Save
Usage-based insurance (UBI) or telematics policies use mobile apps or devices to track your driving habits and vehicle usage. Those who drive fewer-than-average miles, watch their speeds, and avoid using their phone while they drive can substantially lower their premiums by enrolling in UBIs. For example, I work from home, so I drive much less than most drivers. Because I signed up for a UBI policy, I was able to cut my premiums by about 30%.
GEICO's program is called DriveEasy, while State Farm's is Drive Safe & Save.
GEICO's DriveEasy program is only available in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
With State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program, you can qualify for a 10% discount for enrolling in the program and additional discounts if you drive safely. However, the program isn't available in California, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island.
Coverage
GEICO and State Farm offer broad coverage options, including full coverage policies and specialty policies for antique or collector cars. However, there are two key distinctions.
- Rideshare coverage: For those who drive for services like Uber, Lyft, or Instacart, State Farm allows policyholders to add rideshare insurance to their personal policies for added protection. GEICO doesn't offer rideshare insurance, but it does partner with other companies to connect users to coverage options.
- Mexico coverage: If you plan to drive your car into Mexico, you'll need a specialty policy to protect your vehicle. GEICO offers policies for those traveling to Mexico.
| GEICO | State Farm | |
| Collision | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes |
| Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured/Underinsured | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare | No | Yes |
| RV insurance | Yes | Yes |
| ATV & off-road vehicle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Antique/collector cars | Yes | Yes |
| Mexico coverage | Yes | No |
FAQs
How do I contact GEICO?
GEICO is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact GEICO via online chat, the mobile app, or phone.
How do I contact State Farm?
You can contact State Farm via the mobile app, online chat, phone, or by calling or emailing your local agent. State Farm has over 19,000 agents located throughout the country.
Who is GEICO's biggest competitor?
While GEICO is the third-largest insurer based on market share in the private passenger market, State Farm is its biggest competitor as the top insurer.
Bottom line
Both GEICO and State Farm offer excellent coverage options and competitive rates. If you're trying to decide which insurer to choose, keep in mind that GEICO tends to excel in its digital platform and online account management, while State Farm is a better fit for those who want the option of visiting an agent in person.
Before selecting an insurer, request quotes from the best car insurance companies to compare your options and find the best rates.
Average rate:
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