Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
Key Takeaways
- Geico is a nationwide car insurance provider, while AAA auto insurance is only available through one of its member clubs.
- Geico typically beats AAA’s average car insurance rates by hundreds of dollars, but that may not be the case for all drivers.
- Both AAA and Geico have long lists of coverage options to help drivers customize their policy options.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
AAA might help you on the side of the road, but Geico’s got your back when it comes to your wallet. With more discounts and lower rates on average, Geico takes the lead in the affordability race. But is the cheapest car insurance always better? In this AAA vs. Geico comparison, the MarketWatch Guides team examines how the companies stack up against each other in terms of coverage, cost and customer service.
Compare AAA vs. Geico Car Insurance
AAA and Geico are reputable car insurance companies with good coverage options and customer service. However, our research team gives Geico an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 to AAA’s 4.1. Geico also ranks as No. 7 in our review of the best car insurance companies, winning the title of Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers.
We reached out to AAA about its overall review score but didn’t receive a response.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Is AAA Better than Geico?
Geico outscored AAA overall in our ratings, as well as in three out of five categories. In the table below, you can see how each company performed in industry ratings.
AAA vs. Geico Insurance Comparison
In our research, we found that Geico offers some of the lowest car insurance rates nationwide. The provider also has an impressive A++ financial strength rating from AM Best, showing its ability to pay out customers’ claims.
While Geico has an excellent rating from the BBB, neither Geico nor AAA has good customer review scores from the site. However, two of the three AAA regional chapters represented outperformed Geico in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
AAA vs. Geico Coverage
Geico has the upper hand with coverage options, but both companies score reasonably well for that category in our review. No matter what kind of insurance policy you need to fit your lifestyle and vehicle, you can most likely find it with either AAA or Geico. In our February 2025 auto insurance survey, 85% of Geico policyholders were either satisfied or very satisfied with their provider. Similarly, AAA was given good marks in our survey with 83% of AAA policyholders reporting satisfaction with their provider.
AAA and Geico offer most of the main types of car insurance, such as liability coverage for when you’re at fault for an accident. Here’s a complete look at the six standard types of car insurance coverage both providers offer.
- Liability: This includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. It helps pay for damages to other drivers’ vehicles and injuries to them and their passengers after an accident where you are at fault. This type of insurance is required in most states.
- Collision: This coverage helps cover repair costs for your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle.
- Comprehensive: This pays for repair costs if your vehicle is damaged by a natural disaster, animals or fire. This coverage also helps pay to replace your car if it’s stolen or vandalized.
- Medical payments: MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident.
- Personal injury protection: PIP helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers, in addition to pain and suffering damages and compensation for lost wages if you can’t work due to an accident-related injury.
- Underinsured/uninsured motorist: UIM/UM coverage pays for property and injury-related expenses if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident. It also helps cover accidents with drivers who are uninsured or don’t have high enough policy limits to cover the full cost of damages.
Additional Coverage Options
In addition to the standard types of car insurance listed above, AAA and Geico offer several add-on coverage options. The chart below compares coverage options between the two providers.
| Insurance Type | AAA Coverage | Geico Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Accident forgiveness | ✓ | |
| Classic car insurance | ✓ | |
| Commercial auto insurance | ✓ | |
| Gap insurance | ✓ | |
| Mechanical breakdown insurance | ✓ | |
| Mexico car insurance | ✓ | |
| New car replacement | ✓ | |
| Rental car reimbursement | ✓ | |
| Roadside assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
Usage-Based Insurance Comparison
AAA and Geico offer telematics insurance programs that track your driving behavior and allow you to earn discounts for good driving habits. AAA’s program, AAADrive, is only available in Puerto Rico and the 14 states in the Auto Club Group. Geico’s program, DriveEasy, is available in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
One major difference between AAADrive and Geico DriveEasy is that when DriveEasy detects unsafe driving habits, Geico may raise your insurance premium. With AAADrive, driving in an unsafe way only means you’ll miss out on your discount, the amount of which varies between states.
Each program uses a mobile app to track behaviors such as the time of day you’re driving, your distance driven and your speed. DriveEasy is a feature in the Geico Mobile app, and AAADrive is a tool in the AAA mobile app.
Below is more information about how each program works and where it’s available.
| Factor | AAADrive | Geico DriveEasy |
|---|---|---|
| Discount | Varies by state | Varies by state |
| Device | AAA mobile app | Geico mobile app |
| Behaviors Tracked | • Smooth driving • Speed • Mobile distraction • Time of day • Fatigue (how long you drive without taking a break) | • Hard braking • Speed • Distracted driving • Cornering • Time of day • Distance driven |
| Can Premiums Go Up? | No | Yes |
| Availability | Locations in the Auto Club Group’s territory, including: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C. |
Is AAA Auto Insurance Cheaper Than Geico?
Geico is one of the country’s more affordable car insurance options, generally falling well below the national average of $2,433 per year for full coverage. AAA’s average annual full-coverage cost is about 13% higher than the national average.
On average, Geico has some of the lowest rates in the nation for most drivers. That’s why it receives a 4.4 score in the cost category in our review. If you’re focused on finding affordable car insurance, comparing multiple providers is essential to ensure you’re getting the best rate for your needs.
AAA vs. Geico Cost Comparison
The table below lists the average costs for full- and minimum-coverage car insurance from AAA and Geico. AAA tends to be one of the more expensive options for insurance, especially compared to Geico. However, if you’re a AAA member already or you qualify for some of its many discounts, AAA car insurance might be a better option for you.
| Company | Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Cost | Average Annual Minimum-Coverage Cost | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Cost | Average Annual Full-Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $60 | $716 | $229 | $2,743 |
| Geico | $43 | $519 | $162 | $1,939 |
| National Average | $61 | $736 | $203 | $2,433 |
Factors That Influence Auto Insurance Rates
Your car insurance rate depends on many factors, including your:
- Age
- Gender (as listed on license)
- Marital status
- Location
- Vehicle
- Driving history
- Credit score (except in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan)
AAA vs. Geico Discounts
AAA and Geico offer many available insurance discounts to help you get a lower rate. You can get discounts for being a good student, having multiple cars on your policy or having anti-theft equipment on your vehicle, for example.
| Discount | AAA | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| Accident-free/good driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced purchase | ✓ | |
| Air bag | ✓ | |
| Anti-lock brakes | ✓ | |
| Anti-theft system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic payments | ||
| Daytime running lights | ✓ | |
| Defensive driving | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver’s education course | ✓ | ✓ |
| Emergency deployment | ✓ | |
| Federal employee | ✓ | |
| Good student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Membership and employee* | ✓ | ✓ |
| Military | ✓ | |
| Multi-car | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| New driver | ✓ | |
| New vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paperless payments | ||
| Pay-in-full | ||
| Prior insurance tenure | ✓ | |
| Seat belt use | ✓ | |
| Student away | ||
| Vehicle safety | ✓ |
AAA vs. Geico Bundling Options
AAA and Geico offer discounts for bundling your car insurance with other types of insurance from the same company. To save money with Geico, you can bundle your car coverage with renters, condo, mobile home, motorcycle or homeowners insurance. Of the available discounts, the majority of Geico policyholders (59%) take advantage of the good driver discount to save on their premiums.
With AAA, you can bundle your home and auto insurance policy to save even more on car coverage as a AAA member.
AAA vs. Geico Car Insurance Customer Experience
AAA scores lower than Geico overall in our review, but when it comes to customer experience, it has some advantages over Geico. While Geico was below the industry average for overall customer satisfaction among large insurers in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, two out of the three AAA chapters that were represented were above the study average.
Because many AAA groups have their own BBB pages, customer service ratings may vary with the affiliates in your region.
Our review team reached out to Geico and AAA for comment on their customer ratings but did not receive a response from either provider.
| Industry Rating | AAA | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| BBB Customer Review Score | 1 out of 5 | 1.1 out of 5 |
| J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study Score | • 705 out of 1,000 (Automobile Club of Southern California) • 679 (Automobile Club Group) • 673 (CSAA) | • 656 out of 1,000 |
| J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study Rank | • 1st place: California (Auto Club of Southern California), Southwest (CSAA) • 2nd place: Texas (Auto Club of Southern California) • 3rd place: Florida (Auto Club Group), Mid-Atlantic (CSAA) • Above regional average: California (CSAA), Central (Auto Club of Southern California) | Above regional average: • Florida • New England • New York • Texas |
AAA vs. Geico Mobile App Ratings
Geico and AAA have strong ratings when it comes to their mobile apps. Both are available on iOS and Android. Geico Mobile has 4.6 stars out of 5 on Google Play and 4.8 stars out of 5 on the Apple App Store. The AAA Mobile app has 4.6 stars on Google Play and 4.7 stars on the Apple App Store.
AAA vs. Geico Customer Survey Results
In April 2024, our team conducted a consumer survey that asked 2,000 customers how they felt about their car insurance companies. In the table below, you can see how AAA and Geico scored in our survey.
| AAA Policyholders | Geico Policyholders | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | 48% were very satisfied | 48% were very satisfied |
| Biggest Complaint | 60% of those who filed a complaint said it was for unsatisfactory claim handling | 42% of those who filed a complaint said it was due to coverage disputes |
| Unexplained rate hikes | 61% haven’t experienced a rate increase without an obvious cause | 55% haven’t experienced a rate increase without an obvious cause |
| Claim resolution speed | Of those who filed a claim, 45% said it was resolved in two weeks or less | Of those who filed a claim, 54% said it was resolved in two weeks or less |
| Loyalty | 78% said they plan on renewing with AAA | 82% said they plan on renewing with Geico |
AAA or Geico: The Bottom Line
Our team finds that, for many drivers, Geico is a better option than AAA. Our review gives Geico better scores in all categories except for coverage and customer experience. However, both Geico and AAA are strong insurance companies with good coverage options and customer service.
Geico often has cheap car insurance compared to AAA, but with AAA discounts, that might not be the case. Our team recommends getting auto insurance quotes from both companies to get the best price on car insurance. You can learn more about the companies individually in our AAA auto insurance review and Geico insurance review.
Other Recommended Car Insurance Companies
Geico and AAA are quality insurers, but there are other options worth looking at when you’re searching for the right car insurance policy for you. Our team recommends Travelers and State Farm as two companies to consider.
Travelers: Best for Most Drivers
Travelers has an A++ rating for financial strength from AM Best, and it has a wide range of coverage options. The company offers a variety of discounts for good drivers and similar discounts for customers with multiple covered vehicles. Travelers’ IntelliDrive program can reduce insurance costs through safe driving habits.
State Farm
State Farm is a quality auto insurance company for a variety of reasons. It has many discounts, as well as local insurance agents all over the country. This makes it easy to find and save on your coverage. State Farm is also a top option for young drivers with its Steer Clear program, which helps policyholders under 25 years old save money when they practice safe driving habits.
Compare: State Farm vs. Geico
Geico vs. AAA Insurance: FAQ
Geico tends to be a cheaper option for most drivers because it sells insurance policies directly to consumers and offers various discounts. This direct-to-consumer model eliminates the need and costs for middleman and allows Geico to have fewer offices and agents compared to companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
In our 2025 review of the best car insurance companies, we ranked Geico as the seventh-best based on reputation, availability, coverage, cost and customer experience. It was named Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers by our editorial team.
On average, Geico is a cheaper car insurance company than AAA. Our team found the average annual premium for full-coverage insurance from AAA is $2,743, while Geico’s is $1,939. The national average for full-coverage car insurance is $2,433 per year.
Geico can be a good option for car insurance since its average cost for full coverage is about 20% below the national average. Geico also offers a lot of discounts, including a usage-based insurance program called Geico DriveEasy, which rewards safe driving with a discount.
On average, AAA car insurance costs about $229 a month for a full-coverage policy or $60 per month for minimum coverage. However, your rate will depend on factors such as your deductible, the type of vehicle you drive and the discounts you’re eligible for.
Yes, AAA car insurance can be a solid option for most drivers. The auto insurer offers coverage through various motor clubs in the U.S. and typically has additional options beyond standard insurance coverage.
Our Methodology:
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800+ hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
Studies and Ratings We Cite
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Our provider reviews cite several key industry studies and ratings, including:
- J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study The annual J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study measures customer satisfaction and purchase experience with auto insurance providers based on five categories: brand, price, distribution channel, quote process and policy offerings. The study average score is 676/1,000.
- J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study The annual J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Study rates the claims experience customers have with different providers based on eight categories: trust, fairness of settlement, time to settle a claim, people, communication, ease of resolving a claim, ease of starting a claim and digital channels. Car insurance providers are assessed at the national level. The study average score is 697/1,000.
- NAIC Complaint Index The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index is a representation of the number of complaints auto insurance providers receive relative to the average number of complaints for the industry based on their size. A score of 1 represents the average number of complaints for the industry.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
