Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
Key Takeaways
- Geico has a cheaper average rate estimate than Progressive in 90% of U.S. states, according to our research.
- Geico and Progressive are comparable in terms of customer experience and provide good service nationally.
- Progressive offers more coverage options, add-ons and customizations than Geico.
Is Geico Or Progressive Car Insurance Better?
Geico and Progressive earned similar scores in most categories in our latest auto insurance study. While Geico has the edge over Progressive in the cost category, Progressive wins when it comes to add-on coverage 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.
Who Geico Is Best For
Because of its often lower cost, wide range of discounts and more, Geico is often better than Progressive for:
- Federal employees and military members
- Budget-conscious drivers with clean records and few risk factors
- Drivers who want to buy mechanical breakdown insurance coverage from their insurer instead of an extended car warranty plan
Geico Pros and Cons
Consistently low rates, often among the cheapest
Large number of insurance discounts
Discounts for federal employees, including active and retired military
Less-than-stellar customer reviews
Only offers usage-based insurance in 43 states
Doesn’t offer guaranteed asset protection coverage
Who Progressive Is Best For
Progressive can be a better option for:
- Drivers looking for usage-based coverage (programs that monitor driving habits and reward safe and low-mileage drivers)
- People who want an online customer experience
- Drivers who fall into high-risk categories, such as those with multiple accidents or a DUI
Progressive Pros and Cons
Affordable rates for drivers in some high-risk categories
Strong selection of additional coverage options
Offers large and small accident forgiveness
Higher rates than Geico for drivers in many categories
No discounts for safety equipment
Average customer service ratings
Geico vs. Progressive: Cost Comparison
Geico has minimum-coverage rates that are 28% cheaper and full-coverage rates that are 21% cheaper overall, according to our research. In other words, on average, you might save $199 per year on minimum-coverage plans and $513 per year on full coverage by choosing Geico over Progressive.
| Car Insurance Category | Cheaper Provider | Annual Savings With Cheaper Provider** |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | Geico | $199 (28% cheaper) |
| Full coverage | Geico | $513 (21% cheaper) |
| Good driver, good credit, age 16 | Geico | $194 (3% cheaper) |
| Good driver, good credit, age 21 | Geico | $475 (13% cheaper) |
| Good driver, good credit, age 65 | Geico | $192 (10% cheaper) |
| Drivers with bad credit | Geico | $961 (25% cheaper) |
| Drivers with a DUI | Progressive | $738 (19% cheaper) |
| Drivers with an accident | Geico | $437 (12% cheaper) |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | Geico | $601 (19% cheaper) |
Geico vs. Progressive: Car Insurance Discounts
We found that Geico offers more options with a greater amount of savings and transparency than Progressive.
| Discounts | Geico | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Accident forgiveness | ✓ | |
| Accident-free driver | ✓ | |
| Anti-lock brakes | ✓ | |
| Anti-theft system | ✓ | |
| Automatic payment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Continuous insurance | ✓ | |
| Defensive driving | ✓ | |
| Distant student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drivers education | ✓ | |
| Emergency deployment | ✓ | |
| Federal employee | ✓ | |
| Good student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowner | ✓ | ✓ |
| Membership and employee | ✓ | |
| Military | ✓ | |
| Multi-car | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| New vehicle | ✓ | |
| Online quote | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paperless policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pay-in-full | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat belt use | ✓ | |
| Sign online | ✓ | |
| Teen driver | ✓ | |
| Telematics program | ✓ | ✓ |
Geico vs. Progressive: Usage-Based Programs
If you don’t drive very often or travel long distances, and are careful with following the rules of the road — you might be a great candidate for savings through a telematics program like Geico’s DriveEasy program and Progressive’s Snapshot:
| Telematics Program Category | Geico DriveEasy | Progressive Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Discount | Up to 15% | Average of $169 at signup and $322 at program completion, according to Progressive’s site |
| Device | Mobile app | Plug-in device or mobile app |
| Behaviors tracked | • Braking • Time of day • Phone use • Road type • Weather conditions | • Braking • Acceleration • Time of day • Mileage driven • Phone use |
| Can premiums go up? | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Not available in 7 states* | Not available in California. No initial participation discount in New York. |
Geico vs. Progressive Customer Experience
Progressive and Geico have similar customer service scores. When it comes to claims, both companies received lower-than-average scores in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Geico scored 692 out of 1,000, indicating a slightly better claims reputation, while Progressive scored 672. The industry average was 697. In our 2025 MarketWatch Guides survey of 1,000 auto insurance customers, however, the vast majority of Geico and Progressive customers had positive claims experiences — 93% of Progressive customers and 98% of Geico customers said they were satisfied.
Both companies have low customer satisfaction ratings on the BBB, which isn’t uncommon for the insurance industry. Reviewers rate Progressive with nearly 1.1 out of 5 stars overall, and Geico with 1.1 stars. Keep in mind that the number of reviewers only accounts for a small fraction of total customers. In our survey, 84% of Progressive customers and 85% of Geico customers were satisfied with their providers’ service overall.
| Ratings Category | Geico Rating | Progressive Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau customer review rating | 1.1 out of 5 stars | 1.1 out of 5 stars |
| BBB industry score | A+ | A+ |
| Trustpilot customer review rating | 1.3 out of 5 stars | 1.2 out of 5 stars |
| J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study | 660 out of 1,000 | 645 out of 1,000 |
| J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study* | 645 out of 1,000 | 621 out of 1,000 |
| J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study | 692 out of 1,000 | 672 out of 1,000 |
| A.M. Best financial strength | A++ | A+ |
| NAIC market share (2024) | 11.63% | 16.72% |
We reached out to both companies for comment on their performance ratings, scores and customer reviews, but neither has responded.
Geico vs. Progressive: Auto Insurance Coverage Options
Along with standard auto insurance policy options, both Geico and Progressive offer additional coverage add-ons that help cover other costs related to auto insurance losses and claims. Progressive has more options.
| Coverage Option | Does Geico Offer It? | Does Progressive Offer It? |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental car reimbursement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rideshare insurance | ✓ | |
| Mechanical breakdown insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gap insurance | ✓ | |
| Custom parts and equipment coverage | ✓ | |
| Disappearing deductible | ✓ | |
| Pet injury coverage | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Progressive vs. Geico
Both Geico and Progressive are reputable insurers with positive industry reputations and multiple discounts, but which is better for you depends on your situation. We found Geico offers slightly better rates for the average driver, while Progressive tends to have lower rates for some high-risk drivers. We recommend getting quotes from both providers.
One reason Geico may be cheap for many drivers is due to its long list of available discounts — it offers 17 discounts that many drivers qualify for.
Geico is not owned by Progressive — it’s owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The Progressive Corporation is an independent company.
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.
