Geico Car Insurance At A Glance
If you’ve ever watched TV, chances are you’ve seen that little green gecko pitching car insurance deals. But beyond the memorable ad campaigns, Geico has built a serious reputation as one of America’s largest auto insurers. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 1996, this company has the financial muscle to back up its promises while consistently offering some of the most competitive rates in the industry.
Geico operates in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and currently insures more than 28 million vehicles across roughly 17 million policies. The company’s direct-to-consumer model, which cuts out the middleman agent, allows them to pass significant savings on to customers. But is cheap always good? Let’s dig into what makes Geico tick and whether it’s the right fit for your situation.
Overall, we rated Geico car insurance 9.4 out of 10, earning it a spot on our list of the best car insurance companies. Read more and learn about Geico, and whether it might be right for you.
Key Strengths
- Geico holds the highest possible financial strength rating from AM Best at A++ (Superior) and maintains an “aaa” (Exceptional) long-term issuer credit rating, reflecting rock-solid capitalization and a strong track record of profitability.
- Geico’s average cost for full coverage comes in around $2,200 per year, which is roughly 18% less than the national average of $2,671.
- The company offers 23 different car insurance discounts, covering everything from good driving habits to vehicle safety features, with potential savings reaching up to 25% for multi-vehicle policies.
- With a 2024 NAIC complaint index of 0.53 for private passenger auto insurance, Geico receives fewer complaints than average for a company of its size.
Key Weaknesses
- Geico scored well below average (692 on a 1,000-point scale) in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
- The company doesn’t offer as many optional coverages as some competitors, lacking options like gap insurance and new car replacement that other major insurers provide.
- You must call Geico to cancel a policy, which can be inconvenient compared to insurers that allow online cancellations.
- Geico doesn’t offer rideshare insurance directly, only through third-party insurance partners, which can complicate things for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Who Is Geico Best For?
Geico shines brightest for drivers who prioritize savings above all else. Safe drivers with clean records may find significant savings with Geico, as they’ve earned recognition as one of the cheapest car insurance companies.
Teen and young adult drivers can particularly benefit, as Geico’s sample premiums run about 31-33% lower than the national average for teenage drivers and 22-26% lower for young adults.
Military personnel, federal employees, and members of partnered organizations also stand to save significantly through exclusive discount programs. If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable managing your policy through an app or website rather than talking to a local agent, Geico’s digital-first approach will feel right at home.
GEICO Car Insurance
What makes Geico Car Insurance a great option centers on its rock-solid financial stability and impressive reliability. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, the company boasts an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, representing the highest possible grade. This exceptional backing provides policyholders with peace of mind that Geico has the financial muscle—including approximately $632 billion in stockholders' equity as of September 2024—to consistently pay out claims, even in catastrophic scenarios. Furthermore, its 2024 NAIC complaint index of 0.53 suggests the company receives significantly fewer customer complaints than the average insurer of its size.
A second major strength is Geico's exceptional affordability and value proposition. The company's direct-to-consumer model allows it to offer highly competitive rates, with its average full coverage policy costing roughly 18% less than the national average. This value is further compounded by a wide array of over 23 different discount opportunities, allowing customers to stack savings for things like multi-vehicle policies, good driving habits, and vehicle safety features. These savings are particularly significant for budget-conscious drivers, safe drivers with clean records, and groups like military personnel and federal employees, who qualify for exclusive discount programs.
Finally, Geico stands out due to its leading digital experience and clear-cut target audience fit. The company operates with a successful digital-first approach, supported by a highly-rated mobile app (4.5 stars on Google Play) that allows users to manage virtually every aspect of their policy, including filing claims, requesting roadside assistance, and accessing digital ID cards. This makes it an ideal choice for tech-savvy customers who are comfortable managing their insurance without a local agent. While coverage is generally standard, the unique mechanical breakdown coverage is a standout option, and for the right customers—especially teen and young adult drivers who see rates 22-33% lower than the national average—Geico offers outstanding convenience and cost-effectiveness.
- Unbeatable Value: Rates are typically 18% below the national average for full coverage, making Geico one of the most affordable options for many drivers.
- Exceptional Financial Strength: Backed by Berkshire Hathaway and holding an A++ (Superior) AM Best rating, ensuring rock-solid stability and claims-paying ability.
- Massive Savings Potential: Take advantage of over 23 discount opportunities, including multi-vehicle, military, and good student discounts, to maximize your savings.
- Top-Rated Mobile Experience: Manage your entire policy, file claims, and request roadside assistance anytime with the highly-rated Geico Mobile app (4.5 stars on Google Play).
- Fewer Complaints: The 2024 NAIC complaint index of 0.53 shows Geico receives fewer customer disputes relative to its company size.
Geico Affordability
When it comes to rates, Geico consistently ranks among the most affordable options on the market. The company’s average annual full coverage policy costs around $1,731, while minimum coverage runs approximately $517 per year. These rates come in notably lower than the national average cost of car insurance, which hovers around $2,700 per year for full coverage.
Your actual premium will depend heavily on your personal profile. Married 40-year-olds may pay less with Geico than with many competitors, with sample rates running 10-14% lower than the national average. Senior drivers also fare well, with Geico’s sample premiums for 60-year-old drivers coming in $160-$181 cheaper yearly than the national average.
Low-mileage drivers can see significant savings as well, with average annual premiums running $355 lower than the national average for those who drive 7,000 miles annually. However, keep in mind that if you’ve been in an at-fault accident, Geico’s rates jump considerably, with increases averaging around 72% compared to clean-record rates.
The discount opportunities with Geico are extensive. Military members can save up to 15% on car insurance, while emergency deployment discounts reach up to 25% off for service members deployed to imminent danger zones. Federal employees qualify for the Eagle Discount of up to 12% on their total auto insurance premium. Multi-car households can pocket up to 25% off most coverages, and good students maintaining a B average can save up to 15% on certain coverages.
Vehicle equipment discounts also add up quickly, with potential savings of up to 23% for vehicles with airbags and seat belts, up to 23% for anti-theft systems on comprehensive premiums, and 5% for factory-installed anti-lock braking systems. Stacking multiple discounts can significantly reduce your overall premium.
Geico Coverage Options
Geico provides all the standard coverage types you’d expect from a major insurer. Liability coverage handles property damage and injuries to others when you’re at fault, while collision and comprehensive coverages protect your own vehicle from accidents, theft, and natural disasters. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also available to protect you when the other driver can’t cover the damages.
One standout option is mechanical breakdown coverage, available for new or leased cars less than 15 months old with under 15,000 miles, which covers repair expenses on all parts and systems rather than just the specific items covered by dealer warranties. This can be a real money-saver compared to extended warranties from dealerships.
Additional coverage options include emergency road service for flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and towing. Rental reimbursement helps cover rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired following a covered loss. Accident forgiveness is also available in most states (excluding California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts), which prevents your first at-fault accident from hiking up your premiums.
Beyond standard auto coverage, Geico offers motorcycle, ATV, RV, boat, and classic car insurance policies through its main platform or partner companies. Commercial auto insurance is available for vehicles used for business purposes.
Where Geico falls short is in some newer coverage categories. The company lacks gap insurance, which covers the difference between your car’s value and what you owe on a loan if it’s totaled. Rideshare insurance is only available through third-party partners, which can create confusion and complications for gig economy drivers. If these coverages are important to you, another insurer might be a better fit.
Geico Reliability
Geico’s financial stability is about as solid as it gets in the insurance world. AM Best reaffirmed Geico’s Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aaa” (Exceptional) in February 2025, with stable outlooks. These ratings reflect Geico’s balance sheet strength, robust capitalization, and preeminent national market position in personal automobile insurance.
S&P Global rates Geico at AA+, the second-highest possible rating, indicating very strong capacity to meet policyholder obligations. Moody’s assigns an Aa1 rating for financial strength and Aa2 for long-term issuer credit, both representing very high quality and very low credit risk.
The company benefits significantly from its parent company, with Berkshire Hathaway’s financial profile including approximately $632 billion in stockholders’ equity as of September 2024. This backing means Geico has enormous resources to pay claims even in catastrophic scenarios.
On the complaint front, Geico performs well relative to its size, with a 2024 NAIC complaint index of 0.53 for private passenger auto insurance. Any number below 1.0 indicates fewer complaints than expected for a company of similar size, so Geico is doing better than average on this front.
Geico was founded in 1936 by Leo Goodwin Sr. and his wife, Lillian, originally to serve federal government employees. With nearly 90 years in business, the company has weathered economic downturns, industry disruptions, and everything in between, emerging as one of the most recognizable names in insurance.
Geico Customer Service
Customer service at Geico is a mixed bag, depending on how you interact with them and what you’re trying to accomplish. The company offers 24/7 phone support at (800) 841-3000 for claims and general inquiries, available 365 days a year.
Phone Support
Wait times have been a sore spot for some customers. Some reviewers report being on hold for over an hour when calling during busy periods. However, the company does offer callback options and 24-hour availability, which can help if you’re flexible about when you reach out.
Digital Support
The Geico Mobile app has earned solid ratings, with approximately 4.5 stars on Google Play from nearly 60,000 reviews and around four stars on the iOS App Store from over 18,000 reviews. The app essentially serves as a replacement for the website, allowing you to manage virtually every aspect of your policy from your phone.
Features include digital ID cards that can be added to Apple Wallet, bill payment through Apple Pay and other methods, claims filing, roadside assistance requests, and a virtual assistant named Kate for quick questions. The app recently added Live Activities for iOS, letting you track roadside assistance providers in real-time on your lock screen.
Third-Party Ratings
Geico is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but maintains a B rating. Trustpilot shows a mixed picture, with some customers praising savings and convenience while others express frustration with claims handling.
In J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Geico’s median ranking rose to fifth from sixth in 2024, with the largest year-over-year improvements coming in price for coverage and people categories. Across all regions, Geico’s average satisfaction score is roughly 637-645, which places it above Progressive but below State Farm.
Reddit discussions in communities like r/insurance tend to be polarized. Satisfied customers praise the easy-to-use app and competitive rates, while critics point to claims disputes and rate increases as pain points. The general consensus seems to be that Geico works great when everything goes smoothly, but can be challenging when issues arise.
Geico Claims Process
Filing a claim with Geico can be done through multiple channels. You can start by contacting Geico directly, and if your car is safe to drive, they’ll schedule an inspection, usually within 24 hours. Claims can also be filed online through the website or mobile app, or by phone.
Geico offers the Auto Repair Xpress program, which provides fast, hassle-free repairs at network facilities with a written lifetime guarantee good for as long as you own the vehicle. You’re free to choose any repair shop, but the Xpress program streamlines the process considerably.
For straightforward property damage claims, Geico advertises settlement times as quick as 48 hours. However, injury claims typically take longer, with the company reporting that most are settled within about six months. Complex cases involving disputes over fault or severe injuries can stretch out considerably longer.
Once a claim settlement is agreed upon, Geico provides payment digitally or by mail, covering repairs minus any deductible amount. Legally, Geico must send out a settlement check within 30 days of the agreement being reached. Claim satisfaction is an area where Geico has room for improvement. The company scored well below average in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study at 692 on a 1,000-point scale. Customer reviews on claims handling are mixed, with some praising responsive adjusters while others report communication difficulties and disputed settlements.
Geico Application Process
Getting started with Geico is remarkably straightforward, especially if you prefer doing things online. It takes less than five minutes to get an online quote, requiring standard personal and vehicle information.
The quote process shows a breakdown of premium costs and discounts, allowing you to adjust coverage and see how changes affect your premium in real-time. This transparency is a step up from some competitors that require speaking with an agent to finalize quotes.
Online binding is available, meaning you can purchase your policy and get proof of insurance immediately without waiting for an agent callback. The coverage calculator tool helps you determine appropriate coverage levels and deductibles based on your vehicle’s age, value, and personal driving habits.
If you choose to participate in the DriveEasy telematics program, you can potentially earn additional discounts based on your driving habits. The app monitors behaviors like hard braking, phone usage, and cornering speed. After 45 days, Geico develops a driving score that may adjust your rate up or down.
For those who prefer human interaction, quotes are also available by phone through Geico’s call center or through one of its local agent offices. However, the company’s strength lies in its digital-first approach, and the online experience tends to be smoother than the phone experience during peak hours.
Pros & Cons of Geico
Geico brings a lot to the table, but no insurer is perfect for everyone. Here’s the rundown on what works and what might give you pause.
Pros
- Rates typically run 18% below the national average for full coverage, making Geico one of the most affordable options for many drivers.
- A++ AM Best rating and backing from Berkshire Hathaway provide exceptional financial stability and claims-paying ability.
- More than 23 discount opportunities allow you to stack savings across multiple categories, including multi-vehicle, good driver, military, and student discounts.
- Highly-rated mobile app (4.5 stars on Google Play) offers comprehensive policy management, including digital ID cards, claims filing, and roadside assistance.
- Lower than average complaint ratio (0.53 NAIC complaint index) suggests fewer customer disputes relative to company size.
Cons
- Below-average claims satisfaction scores (692/1000 in J.D. Power) indicate room for improvement in the claims experience.
- Limited coverage options compared to competitors, lacking popular add-ons like gap insurance and new car replacement.
- Rideshare coverage is only available through third-party partners, creating complications for gig economy drivers.
- Policy cancellation requires a phone call, with no online cancellation option available.
- No local agent network for those who prefer face-to-face service, as the company operates primarily through direct channels.
Our Verdict & Rating for Geico
Geico has earned its spot as one of America’s largest auto insurers by doing one thing exceptionally well: offering competitive rates without compromising financial stability. For price-conscious drivers with clean records, the savings can be substantial, often hundreds of dollars per year compared to competitors. The company’s digital tools are among the best in the industry, and their financial backing from Berkshire Hathaway means your claims will get paid when you need them.
That said, Geico isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you value a personal relationship with a local agent, you’ll find the company’s direct model lacking. The claims experience, while functional, doesn’t generate the same enthusiasm as their pricing, and customers who run into complications may find themselves frustrated. Coverage options, while adequate for most drivers, lag behind competitors who offer more modern add-ons like gap insurance and direct rideshare coverage.
The bottom line? Geico delivers outstanding value for straightforward auto insurance needs. If you’re a good driver looking to save money, comfortable managing your policy online, and don’t need specialized coverage options, Geico should definitely be on your quote comparison list. Just go in with realistic expectations about the customer service experience and make sure the coverage options meet your specific needs before committing.
Who Should Consider Geico?
- Budget-conscious drivers who prioritize low premiums above all else
- Military members, federal employees, and members of partnered organizations are eligible for exclusive discounts
- Tech-savvy customers are comfortable managing policies through apps and websites
- Drivers with clean records who qualify for the best rates
- Multi-vehicle households looking to bundle for maximum savings
- Teen drivers and young adults, who often find Geico’s rates significantly below average
Who Should Consider Another Provider?
- Drivers who prefer working with a dedicated local agent for personalized service
- Rideshare drivers need seamless gig economy coverage
- Those who want gap insurance or new car replacement coverage
- Customers who prioritize claims experience over price
- Drivers with DUIs on their record, as Geico’s rates for this category are less competitive
- Anyone uncomfortable with primarily digital interactions for policy management
About Our Methodology
We use a weighted scoring system for car insurance reviews. We compared 20 companies on key factors, including their car insurance rates, to inform our ratings. Once we scored each company, we applied a curve based on the best overall product. Here’s what we look for:
- Financial Strength & Solvency: 20%
- Coverage Options: 10%
- Affordability: 30%
- Claims Process: 20%
- Customer Service: 20%
How Geico Scored
- Financial Stability: 10/10
- Coverage Options: 6/10
- Affordability & Value: 9/10
- Claims Process: 6/10
- Customer Service: 7/10
- Overall: 9.4/10
You can learn more about how each company scored and what curve was applied here: Car Insurance Reviews.
