GEICO vs. USAA Auto Insurance [2024]: Which Is Best?

You can’t go wrong with either GEICO or USAA auto insurance coverage because both are highly rated and available nationwide. Comparing them side to side, both companies offer robust basic and add-on coverage options, a user-friendly app, and multiple discounts. GEICO and USAA have a lot to offer customers, both claiming to save drivers hundreds of dollars a year if they switch. USAA has the best rates, on average, however. At the end of the day, though, only military members will qualify for USAA’s products. For those who do qualify, it’s well worth considering as USAA offers substantial discounts specifically geared to military members.

The biggest disadvantage with USAA is that you need to be military-connected to get coverage options, but since GEICO offers a discount up to 25% for select military personnel, it is important to get a quote from both companies if you are or were in the service.

For drivers outside of the military, GEICO offers one of the most robust lists of discounts out there. The company focuses on low-cost options that will appeal to many drivers — just be prepared to manage your insurance on your phone, as GEICO clearly values its mobile app over its slightly cluttered company website.

GEICO vs. USAA comparison

When to go with GEICO

If you’re looking for more flexibility and options in auto insurance, GEICO is the way to go. They offer a wider range of coverage, including unique options like mechanical breakdown coverage.

Unlike USAA, which is pretty much exclusive to the military community, GEICO is open to everyone. So, if you want more choices and better deals, GEICO is the clear winner.

GEICO is the better auto insurance choice if:

You want more coverage options

Although both USAA and GEICO offer the usual suspects such as liability, collision, and comprehensive, GEICO has a few additional coverage options such as mechanical breakdown coverage (MBC). This coverage provides protection for repairs on newer vehicles after the manufacturer's warranty expires.

It also offers other types of insurance products that you could bundle with your auto insurance, including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance, and life insurance.

You want more discounts

GEICO also offers more discounts than USAA, including airbag discounts and affinity membership discounts. Plus, GEICO offers military discounts up to 15% and 25% depending on where you are stationed. If you are a military member, be sure to compare GEICO’s discount with USAA’s low-cost coverage for military members.

You want wider availability

GEICO has a clear advantage as its services are available to virtually anyone. Whether you're a student, a young professional, or a retiree, as long as you meet standard insurance requirements, you can purchase a policy with GEICO. USAA, on the other hand, has restricted eligibility, offering its services exclusively to active military members, veterans, and their families.

Read our full GEICO review

When to go with USAA

Like we’ve already mentioned, if you’re in the military or a military family member, USAA is definitely the way to go. They offer exclusive discounts and perks tailored specifically to the military community. Plus, they consistently rank high in customer satisfaction surveys.

While USAA might not meet all study award criteria, their dedication to their members is undeniable. If you want to save even more, their telematics program, USAA SafePilot, is top-notch and widely available.

USAA makes the most sense to go with if:

You are military-connected

USAA is for military members only, which is why it can offer exclusive discounts to military-connected drivers. You can expect military-specific coverage options, as well as unique discounts, such as saving up to 15% on your premium if your car is parked in an on-base garage.

You want the highest-rated company

USAA ranks high, if not the highest, in many of J.D. Power’s auto surveys. It ranked number one in customer satisfaction and most trusted in the latest J.D. Power study. It also ranked number one in seven other categories, including product offerings and service availability.

However, the survey does say that USAA does not meet study award criteria. USAA says it might not meet eligibility because of its member practices.

You want to save money with telematics

Using telematics, an app-based device that tracks your driving habits, can save you money on your auto insurance plan. USAA ranks number one in user-based insurance (UBI) customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s survey. Additionally, using USAA SafePilot can save you up to 30% on your premium and is available in more states than GEICO’s DriveEasy telematics program. USAA SafePilot is available in 47 states; GEICO’s DriveEasy is available in 38 states.

Read our USAA auto insurance review.

Coverage and availability

Both GEICO and USAA are available nationwide and offer similar levels of coverage. GEICO stands out in its inclusivity though, since you don’t need to be in the military or military-connected to get a policy. Both companies offer add-on coverages, such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, but there are some coverage options both companies differ on.

• USAA offers car replacement coverage which will give you 20% more than your vehicle is worth if your vehicle is stolen or totaled.
• GEICO offers mechanical breakdown coverage for newer vehicles, which covers repairs beyond the typical manufacturer’s warranty.

Reviews and ratings

USAA ranks higher when it comes to J.D. Power customer satisfaction surveys, but GEICO still ranks above average in many categories, including UBI customer satisfaction. For overall customer satisfaction, GEICO scored 692 out of 1,000, beating out Allstate, Progressive, and Mercury. However, USAA scored higher at 726, ranking above GEICO, as well as State Farm and Liberty Mutual.

While both companies’ apps have high ratings in the Google and Apple store, GEICO’s mobile app has 4.1M reviews with a 4.8-average star rating versus USAA’s 1.9M reviews with a 4.8-average star rating. Both companies offer mobile apps that are more robust than its competitors, with digital ID cards, mobile claim filing, and quick estimations based on photos.

Both companies have the highest rating possible of an A++ (superior) from AM Best, which signifies that both companies are financially strong.

FAQs

Bottom line

GEICO and USAA are both well-known and respected car insurance companies offering a wide range of auto insurance options. Both companies offer competitive car insurance rates and excellent customer service, but customers should make sure to compare different plans, coverage options, and prices by getting multiple auto insurance quotes before settling on one provider.

Members of the military and their immediate family are the only ones who can access a policy through USAA, so that’s the only limitation there. For those who qualify, USAA offers a unique insurance experience that still comes with plenty of discounts and, potentially, lower rates.

For those outside of the military, GEICO offers much of the same, including a long list of discounts, an easy quote process, and the ability to manage your policy online or via the mobile app.

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