Advisor

Content on Jalopnik Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Jalopnik Editorial and Advertising. Jalopnik Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website.

Car collision. driver man and woman examining damaged automobile cars after crash accident in city

Geico Insurance Review

See if coverage from the second-largest provider in the U.S. is right for you.

Invalid Zip Code

Powered by  

09/21/2023 09:26 PM

Compare Car Insurance Rates

Answer a few simple questions to save money on your policy

×

Geico Pros And Cons

Pros Low rates for most drivers A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and A+ rating from the BBB High policy limits Many discount opportunities
Cons Limited usage-based insurance availability Some complaints about slow claims processing

If you’re shopping for car insurance, you’ve almost certainly heard of Geico. To see how the insurer compares to its competitors, our review team took an in-depth look at Geico insurance reviews along with its rates, coverage options, and industry reputation. We found that the company consistently offers some of the best rates on auto insurance.

In our industry-wide review of the nation’s best car insurance companies, Geico topped the list. Keep reading to learn more about the company and why we named it the Best Overall Provider.

Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks

Powered by

Geico Insurance Rating: 4.6 Stars

We award Geico a full 4.6 stars based on the company’s positive reviews, comprehensive coverage options, and well-established reputation. While some Geico insurance reviews mention a stressful claims process, such comments are in the minority.

Geico may not be the least expensive provider for every driver, but it is a low-cost option overall, especially for young drivers and those with poor credit.

Cost 4.7
Coverage 4.3
Reliability 4.9
Claims Service 4.5
Overall Rating 4.6

About Geico

Founded: 1936
Parent company: Berkshire Hathaway
States available: All states
AM Best financial strength rating: A++

Geico has been providing high-quality coverage since 1936 and is now the second-largest insurer in the U.S. The company offers every standard type of car insurance as well as mechanical breakdown insurance and coverage for rideshare drivers.

As a national company with an annual revenue in the billions, Geico is well equipped to meet customer claims obligations. Many Geico insurance reviews highlight a positive claims process, with well-trained agents providing prompt and courteous communication.

Further, our 2022 car insurance survey which polled 1,000 respondents found that nearly 12% of those surveyed had a Geico insurance policy. Out of the 117 people who had Geico coverage, 43% stated they were totally satisfied with the company.


Geico Car Insurance Cost And Discounts

Geico auto insurance rates are competitive and may be your cheapest option depending on your driver profile. Rates vary by state, and average Geico premiums range from around $735 to $1,565, according to our cost research.

Auto insurance companies set premiums based on a number of factors, which include:

  • Age
  • Location
  • Driving history
  • Credit score
  • Gender
  • Marital status
  • Vehicle type

The table below lists Geico rate estimates for a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary, but these numbers can provide an idea of what you might expect to pay for Geico insurance in each state.

State Annual Rate Estimate State Annual Rate Estimate
Alabama $977 Alaska $1,039
Arizona $1,084 Arkansas $1,558
California $1,668 Colorado $1,179
Connecticut $924 Delaware $1,398
District of Columbia $1,015 Florida $1,499
Georgia $1,251 Hawaii $851
Idaho $735 Illinois $1,170
Indiana $797 Iowa $965
Kansas $1,078 Kentucky $872
Louisiana $6,614 Maine $559
Maryland $1,715 Massachusetts $1,565
Minnesota $1,181 Mississippi $1,262
Missouri $2,049 Montana $1,349
Nebraska $1,272 Nevada $1,414
New Hampshire $861 New Jersey $1,340
New Mexico $1,007 New York $2,286
North Carolina $1,118 North Dakota $1,316
Ohio $748 Oklahoma $1,262
Oregon $1,218 Pennsylvania $1,111
Rhode Island $1,703 South Carolina $1,075
South Dakota $1,096 Tennessee $1,059
Texas $1,532 Utah $958
Vermont $851 Virginia $999
Washington $1,232 West Virginia $1,393
Wisconsin $760 Wyoming $1,565

*Cost information not available for Geico auto insurance in Michigan.

Overall, Geico has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the country. Our cost data puts Geico among the three cheapest insurers (on average) for good drivers, drivers with poor credit, and young drivers.

Cheapest Car Insurance Estimates For Good Drivers

Car Insurance Company Annual Rate Estimate
USAA $1,013
State Farm $1,339
Geico $1,352

Cheapest Car Insurance Estimates For Drivers With Poor Credit

Car Insurance Company Annual Rate Estimate
USAA $1,807
Geico $2,077
Nationwide $2,227

Cheapest Car Insurance Estimates For Young Drivers

Car Insurance Company Annual Rate Estimate
USAA $1,422
Geico $1,627
State Farm $1,765

Geico Car Insurance Discounts

You can reduce your Geico rates further by taking advantage of the many Geico discount offers, which include:

Air Bag Discount For vehicles with air bags, applies to medical payments or personal injury protection auto insurance policies
Anti-Lock Brake Discount For vehicles with anti-lock brakes
Anti-Theft System Discount For vehicles with an anti-theft system, applies to comprehensive coverage
Daytime Running Lights Discount For vehicles with daytime running lights
New Vehicle Discount For vehicles 3 model years or newer
Accident-Free Discount For drivers who go 5 years without an accident
Seat Belt Discount Premium reduction on medical payments and personal injury protection policies if you and your passengers always wear a seat belt
Defensive Driving Discount For completing a defensive driving course
Driver’s Ed Discount For young drivers who complete a driver’s education course
Good Student Discount For full-time students with a good academic record
Emergency Deployment Discount For military members deployed to an imminent danger zone
Federal Employee Discount For active or retired federal employees
Membership Discount Premium reduction if you are a member of one of Geico’s 500+ affiliate groups
Military Discount For active-duty and retired military
Multi-Vehicle Discount Premium reduction when you insure more than one car with Geico
Multi-Policy Discount For customers who take advantage of bundling their Geico car insurance policy with a Geico homeowners insurance, renters insurance, condo insurance, or mobile home insurance policy

Geico offers a broad range of discounts. While many insurers offer similar discounts, policy reductions with Geico can be quite high–up to 25 percent. Of course, the best way to know how much you would pay for Geico insurance coverage is to reach out for your own personalized car insurance quotes.

Does Geico Charge A Cancellation Fee?

Geico does not charge a cancellation fee if you want to terminate your insurance policy. All you need to do is call 800-841-1587 to speak with a licensed representative. Before you cancel, make sure to have a plan in place for another car insurance policy to avoid any lapse in coverage.

How Long Does It Take Geico To Refund A Fee? 

Geico does not specify the amount of time it takes to refund a fee on its website. Most insurance companies process refunds within 30 days. If you paid by check, you can expect a longer refund process than if you paid by a debit or credit card.

Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks

Powered by


Geico Auto Insurance Coverage

Geico offers six standard types of car insurance. This includes:

Liability Bodily injury liability insurance covers the medical expenses for other drivers and their passengers after an accident where you are at fault. Property damage liability insurance pays for damages to other drivers’ vehicles after an accident where you are at fault.
Collision Collision insurance pays for damages that occur while your car is moving, either with another vehicle or a road hazard, or in the case that you flip your vehicle.
Comprehensive Comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your own vehicle that are caused by animals or natural disasters. It also pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is stolen or vandalized.
Medical Payments Medical payments (MedPay) covers medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident.
Personal Injury Protection Personal injury protection (PIP) pays the medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident. PIP may also cover other expenses such as lost wages.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you are hit by another driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to fully pay for the cost of damages.

Additional Geico Insurance Coverage Options

As a well-financed company, Geico offers some of the highest coverage limits in the country–liability limits in the millions are offered to some drivers. Geico also offers the following additional coverage options:

Roadside Assistance This allows you to request help through the Geico app and covers towing, battery jump-starts, tire changes, lockout services, winching, and fuel delivery.
Rental Reimbursement Rental reimbursement will cover your rental car costs while your vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance This add-on covers the cost to repair or replace mechanical parts after an unexpected breakdown and is available for new and leased cars less than 15 months old with fewer than 15,000 miles.
Accident Forgiveness Accident forgiveness can help keep your rates from going up after your first at-fault accident. While Geico’s website doesn’t specifically say how long it takes, the company rewards drivers with the add-on after some period of time without an accident. You can also purchase the option as additional coverage.
Rideshare Insurance This coverage is helpful if you use your car to drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft.

Roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, and rideshare insurance are offered by most major insurers. Mechanical breakdown insurance is a less common offering. This type of coverage is similar to an extended car warranty and can be useful for customers who want to better plan for the cost of vehicle repairs.

Geico Usage-Based Insurance: DriveEasy

The Geico usage-based insurance app is called DriveEasy®. This program is only available in the following states:

Alabama Arizona Colorado Connecticut
District of Columbia Florida Idaho Illinois
Indiana Iowa Louisiana Kentucky
Maryland North Carolina Nevada New Jersey
New Mexico Ohio Oklahoma Oregon
Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Utah
Virginia Wisconsin

Drivers who want to participate in the DriveEasy program can begin by downloading and installing the Geico mobile app. Once you enable the settings on your phone, your driving will be detected automatically. DriveEasy monitors driving habits such as phone use, speed, and hard braking. Good drivers can receive better auto insurance rates.

Geico also offers DriveEasy Pro for businesses that want to promote fleet safety. The DriveEasy Pro app has a 3.4-star rating out of 5.0 on Google Play and a 3.0-star rating on the App Store. Companies have reported issues with logging in and being able to access the app.

Does Geico Have Gap Insurance?

Geico does currently offer gap insurance, which pays the difference between a total loss settlement and what you owe on a loan. If you want gap insurance, you’ll need to consider other car insurance providers.

How Does Geico Pay Claims?

Geico pays out claims by issuing a check to cover repair costs, minus any deductible. The company mails out checks in as little as 48 hours after an accident.


Geico Mobile App

The Geico mobile app can be used to pay your bill, view policy details, and file claims. This is typical and at this point an expectation for modern insurance providers.

The Geico app has a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5.0 on the App Store, making it one of the highest-rated insurance apps. Reviewers praise Geico customer service and how easily they can access support through the app.


Geico Insurance Reviews

Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
BBB complaints in the past three years: 2,080
2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction index: 881 / 1,000

Geico has a relatively low volume of complaints for an insurer of its size with fewer than 2,100 complaints on the BBB in the past three years. Geico takes the time to address each complaint as well.

Geico has a slightly above-average complaint index score with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). An NAIC complaint index is a measure of the number of complaints an insurer receives relative to its market share. Geico (NAIC number 14139) has an NAIC complaint index of 1.04, which indicates it receives 1.04 times the average number of complaints for an insurer of its size.

Positive Geico Insurance Reviews

Positive Geico reviews regarding the claims process mention speedy resolution and reliable customer service.

“I’ve been in an accident and the claims process was super easy, my rates didn’t go up due to my first accident, rental was quick, everything went smoothly and I look forward to continuing my business with Geico.”

– Ethan R. via BBB

“From the time [my car] was hit to receiving the payout was less than 30 days and the accident happened in Canada. […] I have never had to wait more than 48 hrs for a response from Geico.”

– Carey H. via BBB

“My son had to file [a] claim and they were perfect, I could not have asked for better service.”

– Isha L. via BBB

Negative Geico Insurance Reviews

Not everyone is happy with Geico claims service. Though complaints are relatively rare, some customers have experienced long wait times for claims resolution.

“Instead of considering our truck a total loss they are attempting to repair it. The caveat is that the new frame is on a manufacturer backorder for 2+ months and we’re being told it could be 4-6 months before we get our truck back. In the meantime we’re required to pay the loan and insurance premium each month totaling $1100/month with no vehicle to drive.”

– Jacquelyn C. via BBB

“I had the worst experience ever with a claim in which one of their policyholders was at fault for an accident in which I was involved. I was shuffled around for 3 weeks to finally be told that they could not pay my claim. I had a police report and supporting photos.”

– Deborah W. via BBB

Overall, Geico insurance reviews indicate a reliable company that will honor claims obligations in a quick manner. With any company of Geico’s size, not everything runs perfectly, though most customers can expect speedy claims resolution.

Is Geico Customer Service Good?

Geico offers excellent customer service. In many cases, claims are resolved quickly and several Geico insurance reviews praise the company for its fast payout process. However, as a large company, there are bound to be some issues. Some Geico customers have reported lower claims satisfaction, citing a slow process and difficulty receiving payouts.


Geico: Types Of Insurance

Geico offers the following types of insurance products:

  • Auto insurance
  • RV insurance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Condo insurance
  • Motorcycle insurance
  • ATV insurance
  • Boat insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Business insurance
  • Motorhome insurance

Geico Homeowners Insurance

Geico does not sell homeowners insurance policies itself. Instead, it offers them through several partner agencies. Coverage can be purchased in all 50 states and includes personal property coverage, property damage coverage, and limited jewelry coverage. Some homeowners insurance policies also include personal liability and medical bills coverage.

When you purchase both an auto insurance policy and homeowners insurance policy with Geico, you qualify for additional savings with the multi-policy discount. 

Geico Life Insurance

You can purchase a life insurance policy through Geico. Its policies are administered through Geico’s partners and include several coverage options that fit a variety of needs. Term life insurance covers a person for a specific period of time and helps to replace income and expenses. Whole or universal life insurance protects you for your lifetime and provides income replacement or supplemental income. 

To learn more about life insurance through Geico, you can contact the company directly or call 888-532-5433 for more information. 


Best Car Insurance Companies

Geico isn’t your only choice for quality car insurance coverage. We recommend drivers compare car insurance options from several insurers before selecting a provider. Only by comparing car insurance quotes can you find the right coverage for the best possible price. We recommend considering two other top-rated insurance companies in your search: USAA and Progressive. 

USAA: Best For Military Members

USAA auto insurance is available only to military members and their families but is one of the best options for those who qualify. The company boasts some of the lowest average rates and highest customer satisfaction ratings of any insurer.

USAA has an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and ranks high in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction index. Good drivers are likely to find the lowest rates through USAA.

You can learn more about this provider, including its average cost data, by reading our complete USAA insurance review.

Progressive: Best Usage-Based Insurance

Progressive is one of the largest insurers in the U.S. and offers full coverage car insurance and valuable add-on options. Rates for drivers with a recent traffic violation or DUI are often the lowest with Progressive.

Progressive’s usage-based insurance program, Snapshot®, is well reviewed on both Google Play and the App Store. This makes Progressive an attractive option for those who don’t drive very often or have excellent driving habits.

Learn more by reading our full Progressive insurance review, where we list Progressive cost estimates and explain all Progressive coverage and discount options. We also compare Geico and Progressive head-to-head in our Geico vs. Progressive review.

Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks

Powered by

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Geico a reliable insurance company?

Yes, Geico is one of the most reputable car insurance companies. In our 2022 review of the best extended car warranty companies, we recognized Geico for being the Best Overall Provider.

Is Geico an A rated insurance company?

Yes, Geico has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best. This shows that Geico responds to complaints from customers and has strong financial backing.

Is Geico insurance good at paying claims?

Yes, Geico is known for being a reliable company that pays out claims in a timely manner. The company has an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best, demonstrating its financial backing and ability to reliably pay out claims to customers.

What is Geico's claims department number?

If you want to file a claim with Geico, you can contact the claims department at 800-841-3000 or submit a claim online. 

What time does Geico process payments?

Geico doesn’t have a set time when it processes automatic payments. If you made a payment with an online bank account, charges will typically show within five business days. 

How long has Geico been in business?

Geico has been in business for 85 years. The company was founded by Leo Goodwin Sr. and his wife Lillian Goodwin in 1936 to provide insurance to government employees. 

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.