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Geico vs. Progressive: Who Has the Best Car Insurance? (Rates Inside)

Affordable rates, strong auto insurance policy options, and reliable customer service.

Ask any driver, and they’ll agree — when it comes to their car insurance provider, quality matters. However, for drivers looking to choose between Geico and Progressive, the second and third largest private passenger auto insurers in the United States, the decision may not appear to be so simple.

Determining whether Geico or Progressive has the upper hand in your book will require a point-by-point comparison — one we’re providing in this in-depth guide.

Whether it’s cheap rates, discounts, online options, solutions for poor credit, or financial ratings, we’re leaving no stone unturned. Making the best decision for your car insurance needs is as easy as sticking with us.

You can also begin exploring rates by entering your ZIP code into our free car insurance comparison tool.

Table of Contents

Geico vs. Progressive: Who has better rates?

GeicoProgressive
Founded in 1936Founded in 1937
Headquarters in
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Headquarters in
Mayfield Village, Ohio
Available in all 50 statesAvailable in all 50 states
$33,075,434,000
in Direct Premiums Written
$27,058,768,000
in Direct Premiums Written
13.41% Market Share
(#2 in the Market)
10.97% Market Share
(#3 in the Market)
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Between Geico and Progressive, drivers are faced with two extremely successful, highly profitable, and culturally iconic (think Geico’s “gecko” or Progressive’s “Flo”) providers.

First, there’s Geico. Originally founded in 1936 as the Government Employees Insurance Company, the insurer was initially geared toward federal employees and certain members of the military. Fast forward to present times, and the insurer has grown tremendously, claiming to have issued its 17 millionth policy in early 2019.

And then, there’s Progressive. Founded in 1937 as the Progressive Mutual Insurance Company, the provider boasts several firsts, including being the first car insurance company to have a website that allowed customers to purchase policies online. Today, Progressive says it has more than 20 million policies in place and continues to expand in its offerings.

What Geico and Progressive have in common are aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns. Both are among the biggest advertisers in the space, with budgets in the billions. In other words, they’re after customers. So, which car insurance provider is a driver to choose?

That’s where we come in.

In our comparison of both providers, we’re turning to data purchased through Quadrant Information Services. These figures represent the actual cost of car insurance coverage bought by drivers throughout the United States, factoring everyone from high-risk drivers to those buying basic coverages, those with poor credit, and beyond.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by state?

It’s simple — where you live can have a tremendous impact on what you pay in premiums. When looking at rates from state to state, several factors come into play. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), this can include a state’s rate-setting policies, weather trends, or the frequency of insurance fraud or lawsuits.

In comparing Geico and Progressive at the state level, we’re examining a total of 48 locations:

  • This removes West Virginia, Minnesota, and Idaho, where data was not available for both providers.
  • This also includes the District of Columbia.

Here’s a breakdown of average rates by state:

StateGeicoProgressive
Alabama$2,866.60$4,450.52
Alaska$2,879.96$3,062.85
Arizona$2,264.71$3,577.50
Arkansas$3,484.63$5,312.09
California$2,885.65$2,849.67
Colorado$3,091.69$4,231.92
Connecticut$3,073.66$4,920.35
Delaware$3,727.29$4,181.83
District of Columbia$3,692.81$4,970.26
Florida$3,783.63$5,583.30
Georgia$2,977.20$4,499.22
Hawaii$3,358.86$2,177.93
Idaho$2,770.68Data Not Available
Illinois$2,779.16$3,536.65
Indiana$2,261.07$3,898.00
Iowa$2,296.16$2,395.50
Kansas$3,220.65$4,144.38
Kentucky$4,633.59$5,547.63
Louisiana$6,154.60$7,471.10
Maine$2,823.05$3,643.59
Maryland$3,832.63$4,094.86
Massachusetts$1,510.17$3,835.11
Michigan$6,430.11$5,364.55
Minnesota$3,498.54Data Not Available
Mississippi$4,087.21$4,308.85
Missouri$2,885.33$3,419.14
Montana$3,602.35$4,330.76
Nebraska$3,837.49$3,758.01
Nevada$3,662.09$4,062.57
New Hampshire$1,615.02$2,694.45
New Jersey$2,754.94$3,972.72
New Mexico$4,458.30$3,119.18
New York$2,428.24$3,771.15
North Carolina$2,936.69$2,382.61
North Dakota$2,668.24$3,623.06
Ohio$1,867.19$3,436.96
Oklahoma$3,437.34$4,832.35
Oregon$3,220.12$3,629.13
Pennsylvania$2,605.22$4,451.00
Rhode Island$5,602.63$5,231.09
South Carolina$3,178.01$4,573.08
South Dakota$2,940.29$3,752.81
Tennessee$3,283.42$3,656.91
Texas$3,263.28$4,664.69
Utah$2,965.57$3,830.10
Vermont$2,195.71$5,217.14
Virginia$2,061.53$2,498.58
Washington$2,568.65$3,209.52
West Virginia$2,120.80Data Not Available
Wisconsin$3,926.20$3,128.91
Wyoming$3,496.56$4,401.17
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In reviewing these figures, here’s what we quickly discovered — when it comes to the lowest overall rates, Geico takes a clear lead over Progressive.

In fact, our analysis revealed:

  • Geico has the cheapest average rates in 40 states, and Progressive in eight.
  • On average, Geico premiums run about $800 less than premiums sold by Progressive.
  • The biggest difference in rates by dollar amount is in Vermont, where Geico runs about $3,000 less in premiums.
  • Rates between Geico and Progressive are closest in California, where Geico’s rates are roughly $36 higher than Progressive’s.
  • Geico has the highest increase in rates over Progressive in New Mexico, where Geico’s premiums are $1,339.12 higher.

Geico’s highest average rates are in:

  • Michigan ($6,430.11) (higher than Progressive)
  • Louisiana ($6,154.60) (lower than Progressive)
  • Rhode Island ($5,602.63)
  • Kentucky ($4,633.59) (lower than Progressive)
  • New Mexico ($4,458.30)

Geico’s lowest average rates are in:

  • Massachusetts ($1,510.17)
  • New Hampshire ($1,615.02)
  • Ohio ($1,867.19)
  • Virginia ($2,061.53)
  • West Virginia ($2,120.80).

When it comes to Progressive’s state-by-state numbers, we see that Progressive’s highest average rates are in:

  • Lousiana ($7,471.10)
  • Florida ($5,583.30)
  • Kentucky ($5,547.63)
  • Michigan ($5,364.55)
  • Arkansas ($5,312.09)

Conversely, Progressive’s lowest average rates are in:

  • Hawaii ($2,177.93)
  • North Carolina ($2,382.61)
  • Iowa ($2,395.50)
  • Virginia ($2,498.58)
  • New Hampshire ($2,694.45).

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by driving record?

Car accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence. They’re all serious infractions that can wreak havoc on your car insurance rates, causing them to increase overnight. Why? Because at the end of the day, car insurance is largely a matter of risk.

 As drivers continue to rack up tickets and violations, insurers will consider them to be higher risks and charge them higher rates.

What’s worse, is that as long as these infractions remain on your driving record, these rate hikes can stick with you for years.

Of course, the big question is this — who among Geico and Progressive has the lowest rates for drivers with speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs?

We found that when it comes to car accidents and speeding tickets, Geico has the lowest average rates, but when it comes to DUIs, Progressive’s rates are lower.

How Are Rates with One Speeding Ticket?

First, let’s talk about speeding tickets. When comparing the average rates between Geico and Progressive, the difference is significant:

Geico
One Speeding Ticket
Progressive
One Speeding Ticket
$2,645.43$4,002.28
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We can clearly see that drivers who are insured with Progressive and have one speeding ticket are paying, on average, $1,356.85 or 33.9 percent more in rates than those with Geico.

Keep in mind that the surcharge insurers decide to tack on to your annual car insurance premium can vary depending on the nature of your ticket. For instance, someone ticketed for going 10 miles over the speed limit may face a lower increase than a driver ticketed for going 25 miles over the speed limit.

How Are Rates with One Car Accident?

Having a car accident on your record – particularly, if you were found at fault – can also have a tremendous bearing on your bottom line. In terms of annual car insurance rates, we can once more see a significant difference between Geico and Progressive:

Geico
One Car Accident
Progressive
One Car Accident
$3,192.77$4,777.04
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What Is The Bottom line?

Drivers with one car accident and who are insured with Progressive are paying $1,584.27 or 33.2 percent more in rates than their counterparts with Geico.

Rates with One DUI

Without a doubt, the impact of having a DUI conviction on your driving record is severe.

A DUI will not only remain on your record for several years, but it will also cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket.

If your insurer is willing to keep you as a customer, you can be certain that your annual car insurance rates will go up exponentially, as you are now considered a high-risk driver.

How do Geico and Progressive compare in their rates for drivers with one DUI?

In this instance, it’s Progressive that has the lower figures:

Geico
One DUI/DWI
Progressive
One DUI/DWI
$4,875.87$3,969.65
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In the end, Progressive customers with one DUI are paying $906.22 or 22.8 percent less than those insured with Geico.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by age and gender?

Male or female, older or younger. Experts say what often determines whether certain drivers pay more is a matter of data.

In terms of gender, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports male drivers as more likely to die in car crashes, as well as engage in riskier driving habits.

And in terms of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

These startling statistics are among the reasons why male drivers and younger drivers tend to pay higher-than-normal rates. But between Geico and Progressive, who has the best rates among these driver groups? Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Driver DemographicGEICOProgressive
Single 17-year old female$5,653.55$8,689.95
Single 17-year old male$6,278.96$9,625.49
Single 25-year old female$2,378.89$2,697.73
Single 25-year old male$2,262.87$2,758.66
Married 35-year old female$2,302.89$2,296.90
Married 35-year old male$2,312.38$2,175.27
Married 60-year old female$2,247.06$1,991.49
Married 60-year old male$2,283.45$2,048.63
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Based on these numbers, we see that:

  • For single male and female drivers who are 17 or 25, the rates are highest with Progressive. The provider’s highest rate is for 17-year-old male drivers at a staggering $9,625.49.
  • For married male and female drivers who are 35 or 60, the rates are highest with Geico. In fact, the Geico customers paying the most in these two age groups are married 35-year-old women at $2,302.89.
  • In the end, the average rate among drivers of these demographics is lowest with Geico at $3,215.01, compared to Progressive’s $4,035.52.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by credit score?

Whether you like it or not, the state of your credit matters and can have a lasting impact on your major purchases. That includes buying a home, qualifying for a loan, and even purchasing car insurance.

As providers set rates, they will often look to what is called your credit-based score, or insurance score.  Although this is not the same as your credit score, it’s largely based on your credit history. According to Credit Karma, this factors in variables such as:

  • Your payment history
  • Total debt
  • The length of your credit history
  • The pursuit of new credit
  • A mix of credit

Drivers with better scores will usually have better rates. With that in mind, here’s a look at what Geico and Progressive charge customers with good, fair, and poor credit:

Credit ScoreGeicoProgressive
Good$2,434.82$3,628.85
Fair$2,986.79$3,956.31
Poor$4,259.50$4,737.64
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We can see that Progressive customers are paying higher rates across the board, whether they have good, fair, or poor credit. In fact, the difference between the two companies is the largest among drivers with good credit, at $1,194.03.

However, where the rates between Geico and Progressive are closest are for those with poor credit. Even though Progressive has a higher average rate, the difference between the two is under $500.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by annual mileage?

For many drivers, more miles tend to translate into higher rates. The rationale? The more you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident.

When we compared what Geico and Progressive customers are paying according to their average annual mileage, we discovered that once more, Geico has the advantage:

Average CommuteGeicoProgressive
10-mile commute/
6,000 annual mileage
$3,162.64$4,030.02
25-mile commute/
12,000 annual mileage
$3,267.37$4,041.01
Compare RatesStart Now →
  • Geico customers with a 10-mile commute are paying $867.38 less than their counterparts with Progressive.
  • Additionally, Geico customers with a 25-mile commute are paying $773.64 less than their counterparts with Progressive.

But what should be noted among both insurers is this — the difference between what customers are paying with 10-mile or 25-mile commutes is minimal, particularly among Progressive customers. For Progressive drivers, the difference between the two is only $10.99.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by car make and model?

The make, model, and cost of your car are all factors that insurers will consider when calculating your rates. But according to the III, it doesn’t stop there. Insurers will also consider:

  • If your car is commonly targeted by thieves
  • The cost of repairing your car
  • The size of your car’s engine
  • Your car’s overall safety record

We compared Geico and Progressive’s rates among three different cars over two different years:

Make and ModelGeicoProgressive
2015 Ford F-150$3,092.11$3,914.05
2015 Honda Civic Sedan$3,092.58$4,429.56
2015 Toyota RAV4: XLE$3,090.89$3,647.22
2018 Ford F-150$3,338.40$3,962.58
2018 Honda Civic Sedan$3,338.87$4,528.90
2018 Toyota RAV4: XLE$3,337.18$3,730.78
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When looking at these specific vehicles, Progressive has the highest overall rates. However, the difference in premiums varies depending on the make and model.

For instance, insuring a 2018 Toyota RAV4 is similarly priced across both providers — $3,337.18 with Geico, and $3,730.78 with Progressive.

On the other hand, Honda Civic sedans proved to be the priciest for Progressive and yields the biggest difference in rates when compared to Geico — a $1,336.98 difference for the 2015 model and a $1,190.03 difference for the 2018 model.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which is cheapest by coverage level?

No surprise here: As drivers opt to have higher levels of coverage, their rates will go up. This is clearly reflected among drivers insured with both Geico and Progressive:

Coverage LevelGeicoProgressive
High$3,429.14$4,350.96
Medium$3,213.97$4,018.46
Low$3,001.91$3,737.13
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Once more, Geico proves to be the lowest among the pair, no matter what coverage level their customers pursue. The biggest difference in rates can be seen among those who have higher levels of coverage. In fact, Progressive customers are paying an average rate of $4,350.96 for high coverage — that’s $921.82 more than what their counterparts with Geico are paying.

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How Do Financial and Customer Satisfaction Ratings Compare Between the Auto Insurance Companies?

There’s no question about it — the true quality of any car insurance provider goes far beyond the price of its policies.

Whether that provider is financially stable and meeting the needs of its customers is just as important as scoring a good deal.

Fortunately, several prominent groups and organizations exist for this very purpose — to aid consumers in discerning whether insurers like Geico and Progressive are trustworthy and financially secure. From the likes of the Better Business Bureau to A.M. Best, we’re revealing how Geico and Progressive stack up.

Geico vs. Progressive: What are their financial ratings?

Whether a provider has good credit or can meet its ongoing financial obligations are among the questions organizations such as A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s seek to answer. But before we dig deeper into each company’s insights, here’s an overview:

Financial Strength
Rating Issuer
GeicoProgressive
A.M. BestA++A+
Standard & Poor's (S&P)AA+AA
Moody's Investors ServiceAa1Aa
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A.M. Best Ratings

For well over a century, A.M. Best has existed to help consumers and industry insiders alike better understand the financial strength and creditworthiness of more than 3,500 insurers worldwide. Through its Financial Strength Ratings (FSR) system, A.M. Best seeks to measure an insurance provider’s “ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations.”

A.M. Best’s ratings range from an A++ at its highest, to a D as its lowest. As for Geico and Progressive:

  • Geico has an A++ rating. This means that A.M. Best has found that Geico has a “superior ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations.”
  • Progressive has an A+ rating. Although slightly lower than Geico, this rating still falls into A.M. Best’s superior rating range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5nClTxqZ1w

S&P Ratings

In the same way that banks and other lending institutions look to your credit score to determine your risk, companies such as Standard & Poor’s do the same for businesses. In fact, S&P is widely known as one of the top three credit rating agencies in the world.

In using a letter-grade system, S&P rates businesses according to their strengths and weaknesses, from AAA to D.

  • Geico has an AA+ rating. According to S&P, this means that Geico’s ability to meet its financial obligations is “very strong.”
  • Progressive has an AA rating. Again, even though this is slightly lower than Geico’s rating, which still means that S&P views Progressive’s ability to meet its financial obligations as “very strong.”

Moody’s Ratings

Like S&P, Moody’s Investors Service is also counted among the world’s top three credit rating agencies. Moody’s ratings range from an Aaa to a C.

  • Geico holds an Aa1 rating. According to Moody’s, this means that Geico’s obligations are “judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.”
  • Progressive holds an Aa rating. While a little lower than Geico, this still places Progressive in the same overall category. This means that Progressive is seen as a high-quality company with low credit risk.

Geico vs. Progressive: How do customers rate them?

And then, there’s the question of how Geico and Progressive interact with their customers. For instance:

  • Do they field a high number of complaints?
  • How easy is it to reach an agent?
  • Are customers satisfied with how their insurer handles claims?

They’re all questions we’re answering below as we break down each company’s customer service ratings. But first, here’s an overview:

Customer Service
Rating Issuer
GeicoProgressive
Better Business BureauA+A-
Consumer Reports
Reader Score (out 100)
8987
J.D. Power
Auto Claims Satisfaction
(out of 1,000 points)
879 856
NAIC Complaint Index
(National Index = 1.00)
0.740.88
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J.D. Power

Through J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, researchers analyze how customers feel their insurer measured up throughout the claims process — from their initial communication to the repair process and closure of the claim. J.D. Power’s most recent study involved responses from over 11,000 customers who recently settled claims with their providers.

We not only examined how each insurer performed in the study’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Index, but we also made note of each insurer’s Power Circle Ranking.

  • Geico earned 879 out of 1,000 points in its Overall Customer Satisfaction Index rating. Geico additionally earned a Power Circle Ranking of three out of five stars, also known as About Average.
  • Progressive earned 856 out of 1,000 points in its Overall Satisfaction Index rating. Like Geico, Progressive’s Power Circle Ranking was also three out of five stars, or About Average.

NAIC Complaint Index

To go from customer satisfaction to complaints, we turn to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The association annually gathers closed, confirmed consumer complaint data from state insurance departments. The NAIC reports:

The second-highest number of insurance-related complaints stem from auto insurance, with more than 30,000 complaints filed nationally in 2018.

For each insurer, the NAIC has calculated a Company Complaint Index. This figure is determined by dividing the company’s share of complaints in the U.S market by its share of premiums.

Here’s what you need to know — the National Complaint Index is always 1.00. This means that if a company has a complaint index of 2.00, it has twice the number of expected complaints in the market. Our research into both insurers revealed that:

  • Geico has a Company Complaint Index of 0.74, which is below the National Complaint Index.
  • Progressive has a Company Complaint Index of 0.88 — higher than Geico’s, but still lower than the National Complaint Index.

Consumer Reports

Through Consumer Reports ratings, customers are given a chance to provide feedback in eight areas tied to the claims process. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of how Geico and Progressive fared:

Consumer Reports
Claims Handling
GeicoProgressive
Agent courtesyExcellentVery good
Being kept informed of claim statusVery goodVery good
Damage amountVery goodVery good
Ease of reaching an agentExcellentVery good
Freedom to select repair shopVery goodVery good
Promptness of responseExcellentVery good
Reader Score8987
Simplicity of the processVery goodVery good
Timely paymentExcellentExcellent
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We can see that:

  • Geico had a Reader Score of 89 and scored Excellent marks in four categories — ease of reaching an agent, promptness of the response, agent courtesy, and timely payments.
  • Progressive had a Reader score of 87 and scored Excellent marks in timely payments.

Both Geico and Progressive earned Very Good marks in each of the remaining categories.

Better Business Bureau

For the Better Business Bureau, the question is simple — how are businesses really interacting with their customers? To answer that question, the BBB uses a letter-grade rating system based on several factors, ranging from the company’s complaint history to known licensing and government actions.

  • Geico has a BBB grade of an A+, the highest grade possible. But keep in mind that Geico has a low customer review score, averaging about one out of five stars.
  • Progressive has a BBB grade of an A-. It likewise has an average customer review score of about one out of five stars.

Geico vs. Progressive: What is their market share?

A strong indicator of a company’s influence can be seen in its market share.

A market share can be defined as a company’s portion of sales within the market that it’s part of.

Market share is always given as a percentage out of 100. The higher the market share, the more influence the company has within the market. We compared Geico and Progressive’s market share over four years:

Company2018201720162015
Geico13.41 %12.79 %11.89 %11.41 %
Progressive10.97 %9.84 %9.15 %8.77 %
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It’s clear — in spite of both companies showing signs of steady growth, Geico has consistently maintained a higher market share than Progressive.

As of 2018:

  • Geico had a 13.41 percent market share, the second-highest market share of the auto insurance industry
  • Progressive had a 10.97 percent market share, the third-highest market share of the industry.

The insurer with the highest market share? That designation goes to State Farm, at 17.02 percent.

Geico vs. Progressive: What are their coverage options?

We get it. In the face of the worst-case scenario, you want to be sure that you’re covered. Whether a car insurance company offers the coverages you’re looking for will make all the difference in the world.

For some, it’ll be a matter of simply carrying basic coverages. For others, the distinguishing factor will be in the extras. It’s why we’re breaking down Geico and Progressive’s coverage options below.

Geico vs. Progressive: What are their coverage options?

When it comes to basic car insurance coverages, you can count on both Geico and Progressive to have what you need:

Geico
Basic Coverage
Progressive
Basic Coverage
Liability (BI and PD)
Collision
Comprehensive
Property Damage Liability
Medical Payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist
Liability (BI and PD)
Collision
Comprehensive
Property Damage Liability
Medical Payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist
Compare RatesStart Now →
  • Liability auto insurance. This covers injuries or property damage resulting from an accident that you caused. Includes both bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability.
  • Collision auto insurance. This covers damage to your car as a result of a collision with another car, or another object.
  • Comprehensive auto insurance. This covers damage from non-collision events such as weather, vandalism, or theft.
  • Medical payments coverage. Regardless of who was at fault, this covers medical expenses for you and other passengers in your car.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP). This covers medical expenses and sometimes lost wages for you and your passengers, regardless of who was at fault. PIP coverage is required in states with no-fault car insurance laws.
  • Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist. This helps cover costs if you’ve been involved in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have car insurance or has insufficient coverage.

What about additional coverages? Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of what each insurer has to offer:

Geico
Additional Coverages
Progressive
Additional Coverages
Emergency Road Service
Rental Reimbursement
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Rideshare
Accident Forgiveness
Umbrella Insurance
Roadside Assistance
Gap Insurance
Rental Reimbursement
Custom Parts and Equipment
Rideshare
Accident Forgiveness
Umbrella Insurance
Deductible Savings Bank
Compare RatesStart Now →

When it comes to additional coverages, here’s where Geico and Progressive have common features:

  • Accident forgiveness. This typically prevents your rates from increasing as a result of an accident (usually your first one). With Geico, accident forgiveness can either be free or purchased as an upgrade. With Progressive, accident forgiveness is tied to its Loyalty Rewards Program.
  • Rental reimbursement. This helps cover the costs of a rental car while your car is being fixed as a result of a covered claim.
  • Rideshare insurance. This is geared toward drivers of rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft.
  • Emergency/roadside assistance. This provides various emergency services, such as towing.
  • Umbrella insurance. This provides extra liability coverage on top of your car insurance coverage as a source of extra protection in accidents and lawsuits.

Here are the additional coverages that Progressive offers, but Geico does not:

  • Gap insurance. If a car that you’re financing or leasing is totaled or stolen, gap insurance covers the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe. For instance, let’s say your car is worth $5,000 but you have a balance of $10,000. If your car were to be totaled, your gap insurance would pay the $5,000 difference.
  • Custom parts and equipment. According to the insurer, this form of insurance will repair or replace items that you add on to your car (such as a stereo, navigation system, custom wheels, or a paint job).
  • Deductible savings bank. This coverage allows drivers to subtract $50 from their collision and comprehensive deductible for every claim-free policy period.

Here’s what Geico offers, but Progressive does not:

  • Mechanical breakdown insurance. This additional coverage is similar to a car warranty and is available to customers with new or leased cars that are less than 15 months old and with less than 15,000 miles.

Drivers, beware — not all of these additional coverages are available in every state. And where they are available, the terms and conditions may vary. Customers will need to speak with an agent or representative to learn more.

Do Either Of Them Have Usage-Based Insurance Programs?

Drivers looking to take advantage of a usage-based insurance (UBI) program have options with both insurers. However, what drivers need to keep in mind is that these programs are vastly different.

What is usage-based insurance? Drivers allowing their insurers to track their mileage and driving behaviors in hopes of earning a safe-driver discount. With Progressive, drivers have access to what is commonly known as a pioneer in the UBI market — Snapshot.

Progressive advertises average savings of $26 for enrolling in Snapshot and $145 for drivers who demonstrate safe driving behaviors. To participate, drivers must agree to have their behaviors monitored by a mobile app or plug-in device for about six months.

As a word of caution, Snapshot participants who don’t demonstrate safe-driving behaviors can face a rate hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmVGMta-7I

Geico’s DriveEasy is relatively new, and among the newest players in the UBI space. As of now, Geico’s website promises savings of up to 20 percent to those who enroll but does not elaborate on any additional savings.

DriveEasy is powered by a mobile app, with a focus on developing safer driving habits. Right now, DriveEasy is only available in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, but the insurer promises to continue its expansion into other locations.

Geico vs. Progressive: What discounts do they offer?

There’s no question about it — car insurance discounts are a surefire way to get more bang for your buck. At the end of the day, your best bargains will rely entirely on which insurer can most closely meet you where you are.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most common car insurance discounts, noting whether Geico or Progressive (or both) offer them:

DiscountGeicoProgressive
Adaptive Cruise Controlx
Adaptive Headlightsx
Anti-lock Brakesxx
Anti-Theftxx
Claim Freexx
Continuous Coveragexx
Daytime Running Lightsxx
Defensive Driverxx
Distant Studentxx
Driver's Edxx
Driving Device/Appxx
Early Signingxx
Electronic Stability Controlx
Emergency Deploymentx
Engaged Couple
Family Legacyxx
Family Plan
Farm Vehiclex
Federal Employeex
Forward Collision Warningx
Full Paymentxx
Further Educationx
Garaging/Storing
Good Creditx
Good Studentxx
Green Vehicle
Homeownerxx
Lane Departure Warningx
Life Insurance
Low Mileagexx
Loyaltyxx
Marriedx
Membership/Groupx
Militaryx
Military Garaging
Multiple Drivers
Multiple Policiesxx
Multiple Vehiclesxx
New Address
New Customer/New Plan
New Graduate
Newer Vehiclexx
Newly Licensed
Newlyweds
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker
Occasional Operator
Occupationx
On Time Payments
Online Shopperx
Paperless Documentsx
Paperless/Auto Billingx
Passive Restraintxx
Recent Retirees
Renter
Roadside Assistance
Safe Driverxx
Seat Belt Usex
Senior Driver
Stable Residencex
Students & Alumnix
Switching Providerx
Utility Vehiclex
Vehicle Recoveryxx
VIN Etchingx
Volunteer
Young Driverx
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Progressive has Geico narrowly beat on the number of discounts offered — a total of 36, versus Geico’s 32. Just a few notable discounts offered between both insurers include:

  • Anti-lock brakes
  • Anti-theft devices
  • Driver’s education courses, as approved by the insurer
  • Full payment, versus paying in monthly installments
  • Good student, generally a B average or 3.0 grade point average
  • Low mileage
  • Multiple vehicles on one policy
  • Multiple policies, or bundling with home, auto, etc.

Some discounts specific to Geico include:

  • Emergency deployment, specifically for members of the military
  • Federal employees
  • Farm vehicle
  • Further education, generally four-year degrees or higher
  • Military

Some discounts specific to Progressive include:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Adaptive headlights
  • Electronic stability control
  • Good credit
  • Married
  • Paperless/auto billing
  • Switching provider
  • Young driver

Discount availability and amounts will vary from state to state. Be sure to consult with an agent to learn more.

Geico vs. Progressive: How Are Their Websites and Apps?

To be able to check coverages, pay premiums, and view policy documents online is a luxury most car insurance customers have come to expect.

The good news? Geico and Progressive are both up to speed on the latest online and mobile offerings.

The key for any prospective customer will be in understanding what each provider has to offer — whether that’s on the web, or through an app.

What’s on Geico’s website and app?

As for Geico’s website, customers are promised 24/7 access to the following:

  • Policy management. This includes making payments, getting ID cards, going paperless, and adding a vehicle.
  • Claims center. This includes filing a new claim, tracking and managing an existing claim, emergency roadside assistance, reporting glass damage, and finding claim estimate and repair locations.
  • Contacting customer service representatives.

Customers must create an online account to view their personal policy information.

When it comes to Geico’s mobile app, customers are promised the same amount of accessibility, but on the go. This includes viewing your policy cards, making payments, accessing emergency roadside assistance, and more. The app also features Geico Mobile’s Vehicle Care, which partners with CARFAX® in providing alerts for upcoming car services.

Geico’s app is available in both the App Store and Google Play. And when it comes to customer feedback, the news is good for Geico. In both the App Store and Google Play, Geico Mobile has an overall 4.8/5-star rating.

What’s on Progressive’s website and app?

Progressive also provides its customers with 24/7 online access to the following:

  • Policy management. This includes making payments, viewing policy details, printing ID cards, and more.
  • Reporting and tracking claims. This includes the initial filing of a claim and reviewing previous claims.
  • Contacting customer service representatives.

Progressive customers must also create an online account to view their personal policy information.

The Progressive mobile app gives drivers 24/7 access to their policies, ID cards, billing and payments, emergency roadside assistance, the claims center, Snapshot, and more.

Progressive’s app is also available in the App Store and in Google Play. As for its ratings? Customers have given it 3.4/5 stars in the App Store, and 4.3/5 stars in Google Play.

Geico vs. Progressive: Which company is the best?

From rates to ratings and from discounts to online access, we’ve compared Geico and Progressive point-by-point. Now the question remains — which provider is best?

Geico Car Insurance
Best for...
Progressive Car Insurance
Best for...
Cheaper RatesDiscounts
Financial Strength RatingsAdditional Coverages
Customer Service RatingsUsage-Based Insurance
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Here’s our final analysis for Geico:

  • In terms of rates, Geico is hard to beat. Our analysis revealed in just about every single category, Geico offered the lowest option. That isn’t to say, however, that Progressive rates were never lower. In some states, Progressive will be your cheaper option. And for drivers with a DUI, Progressive had the lowest average rates.
  • Although Geico had stronger financial strength ratings, it was only by a narrow margin. In fact, both insurers ended up in the same rating categories for A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P. However, in each instance, Geico held a slight edge in scoring.
  • It’s a similar story for customer service ratings. Geico edged out Progressive in every point of comparison, but often by narrow margins. The most noticeable differences could be seen in Geico’s J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, as well as its NAIC complaint index.

Another notable advantage for Geico? A higher market share. Although both companies continue to show signs of continued growth, Geico maintains an edge as the insurer with the second-highest market share in the auto insurance industry.

As for Progressive, we’ve reached the following conclusions:

  • Progressive offers more discounts than Geico. The insurer also offers several discounts tied to newer car safety technology, such as adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control.
  • By offering more additional coverage options such as gap insurance and custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage, Progressive is appealing to audiences who specifically want those protections.
  • Finally, Progressive’s usage-based insurance program Snapshot is light years ahead of Gieco’s DriveEasy. With Snapshot, customers have access to a program with longevity, a potential for significant savings, and lots of availability.

In terms of online access, we consider Geico and Progressive to be fairly equal. However, we give Geico’s app a slight edge due to higher overall ratings in both the App Store and Google Play.

What’s the bottom line?

  • If you remove rates from the equation, we find that Geico and Progressive are neck and neck in overall quality.
  • However, if cheaper rates are your priority, your best option will be Geico.
  • If having additional car insurance coverage options and discount programs are a priority, Progressive will be worth pursuing.

Now is the time to begin shopping rates, and comparing your options. You can start now by entering your ZIP code into our free car insurance comparison tool.

References:

  1. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-insurance-company-rankings
  2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/264968/ad-spend-of-selected-insurance-companies-in-the-us/
  3. https://www.quadinfo.com/
  4. https://www.iii.org/article/what-determines-price-my-auto-insurance-policy
  5. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/091815/can-your-car-insurance-company-check-your-driving-record.asp
  6. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/question-how-long-will-dui-dwi-33680.html
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  14. https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/index
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  16. https://www.moodys.com/
  17. https://www.moodys.com/Pages/amr002002.aspx
  18. https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2019-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study
  19. https://www.jdpower.com/business/ratings/study/U.S.-Auto-Claims-Satisfaction-Study/10212ENG
  20. https://content.naic.org/
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  22. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm
  23. https://www.naic.org/prod_serv/MSR-PB-19.pdf
  24. https://content.naic.org/cipr_topics/topic_usage_based_insurance.htm

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