Geico and Progressive are top car insurance companies with policies available nationwide. If you’re shopping for car insurance, you’ll most certainly want to check out Geico and Progressive to see if either is the best fit for your situation and budget.
We analyzed the rates, coverage features and discounts of Geico and Progressive to give you an overview of what each has going for—and against—it.
Which Is Better: Geico or Progressive?
Geico
Geico had the “best rates overall” in our best car insurance companies ratings.
Geico ranks in the top tier of our ratings with a 5-star rating. The company’s strength lies mainly in its competitive rates for many driver types and its low level of complaints. On the other hand, Geico doesn’t offer as many coverage features as Progressive and other companies.
- Terrific car insurance rates for good drivers and also those with a speeding ticket.
- Superb rates for both young and senior drivers, who typically can be costly to insure.
- Decent auto insurance prices for drivers with poor credit or were caught driving without insurance.
- Offers SR-22 insurance for those who are required to file the form.
- Has a low level of complaints about its auto insurance to state insurance departments.
- Good drivers can try its usage-based insurance program (DriveEasy) to seek a reduction in rates based on safe driving habits.
- Geico’s car insurance rates for adding a teen driver are only mediocre.
- Drivers with DUIs might get high rates with Geico.
- Doesn’t offer common coverage features such as gap insurance, new car replacement or a vanishing deductible.
- If you need rideshare insurance you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Progressive
Progressive received only 3.5 stars in our analysis. One of Progressive’s strengths is its very readable website. That’s vital if you’re trying to cut through insurance jargon and understand what a policy actually covers. However, a major weakness is Progressive’s car insurance rates, which are on the higher side for most driver types.
- Relatively decent rates for drivers with a DUI.
- Offers the SR-22 insurance.
- Offers rideshare insurance coverage for drivers for Uber, Lyft and similar services.
- Offers a usage-based insurance program called Snapshot. Drivers can sign up and try to snag savings by showing good driving skills.
- Offers gap insurance, which is helpful to new car owners that may owe more on a car loan than their car is worth.
- Complaints lodged against Progressive for car insurance are below the industry average.
- Progressive’s average auto insurance rates tend to fall in the middle of the pack for most driver types compared to other large car insurance companies.
- Car insurance rates for seniors, young drivers and teens are on the high side.
- Progressive’s collision repair processes received a C grade from auto body shop professionals.
- Does not offer new car replacement.
Geico vs. Progressive: Which Is Cheaper?
Geico’s average nationwide rates are cheaper than Progressive’s for nearly every type of driver.
Geico has cheaper car insurance for good drivers as well as those with a speeding ticket or accident. Geico is also the cheaper car insurance company for both young drivers and senior drivers.
Progressive’s bright spot is being cheaper for drivers with a DUI conviction on their driving records.
Geico vs. Progressive Car Insurance: Coverage Comparison
Geico and Progressive offer all the standard coverages drivers look for in a car insurance policy, such as liability car insurance and collision and comprehensive coverage. But there are extra features and add-on coverages that can set one company apart. Progressive offers more of these extras to drivers when compared to Geico.
If you’re interested in having certain perks—such as saving on deductibles over time, having a new car replaced without depreciation if it’s totaled, or getting an SR-22—it’s essential to know which company offers what you need.
Geico vs. Progressive Car Insurance: Which Has Fewer Complaints?
Geico and Progressive both have levels of complaints that are lower than the industry average, based on data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Geico has a slightly lower complaint level than Progressive.
Car insurance complaints about Geico and Progressive are mainly concerning claims handling, including delays and unsatisfactory settlement offers.
Geico vs. Progressive: Collision Repair
To assess how Geico and Progressive respond to claims, we reviewed grades from the CRASH Network. The CRASH Network surveys collision repair professionals who deal with insurance companies, so they have insight into the companies’ claims service and processes. They can see whose procedures impede the repair process and if anyone tries to cut corners.
In the 2022 survey, Progressive came in a bit better than Geico, but both are about average for collision repair.
Geico vs. Progressive: Car Insurance Discounts
Geico and Progressive both offer a variety of car insurance discounts to help reduce the cost you pay for insurance.
- Geico offers more vehicle discounts, such as anti-theft and air bag, plus discounts for being part of the military or a federal government employee. Also, Geico lists over 500 groups, such as alumni associations and recreational associations, eligible for discounts on car insurance.
- Progressive has a “sign online” discount that Geico doesn’t offer. Progressive offers separate automatic payments and paperless billing discounts. With Geico, they’re connected under the heading of an E-Banking discount, so you must enroll in both to get the discount.
Both Geico and Progressive offer usage-based insurance programs that monitor your driving behavior for a potential discount. You must sign up for these programs, and the discount isn’t guaranteed. Also, something to watch out for with Progressive’s Snapshot program is that your rates could go up if you don’t score well on your driving.
Summary: Geico vs. Progressive Auto Insurance
Geico and Progressive are both national car insurance companies that can fulfill many drivers’ needs, but when comparing head to head, Geico comes out on top if price is what matters most to you.
Geico stands out for its cheaper average auto insurance rates for a variety of driver types, while rates for Progressive are less competitive, on average, for most drivers. If add-on coverages and extra coverage features are important, Progressive has more to offer in that area.
Geico and Progressive have similar grades regarding their claims processes, and both have low levels of complaints. If you’re comparison shopping for car insurance, both companies are worth a look, but if cost is king, Geico will likely be the one wearing the crown.
Methodology
We used rates from Quadrant Information Services, a provider of insurance data and analytics. Average rates, unless otherwise noted, are based on a female driver insuring a Toyota RAV4 with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability, uninsured motorist coverage and any other coverage required in the state. The rate also includes collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible.
