THE VERDICT
Geico is better than Progressive overall, per WalletHub’s grading criteria. Geico beats Progressive in terms of cost and discounts offered, though the two companies are fairly evenly matched when it comes to the types of insurance available and customer reviews.The average cost of a Geico policy in California is $66 per month, while the average cost of a Progressive policy is $86 per month.
Compare Geico vs. Progressive
- Types of Insurance:Progressivebeats Geico
- Cost: Geico beats Progressive
- Discounts: Geico beats Progressive
- NAIC Rating: Geico beats Progressive
- J.D. Power Rating: Geico beats Progressive
- Market Share:Geico beats Progressive
Learn More About How Geico and Progressive Compare
Geico has a slightly higher customer satisfaction rating across a variety of platforms, including J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and user reviews on WalletHub. Both insurance companies have their share of detractors, though. Geico customer complaints are mostly about unsatisfactory settlement offers and poor claims adjust handling practices, while Progressive customer complaints highlight unexpected delays in the claims handling process and payment denials.
Geico beats Progressive when it comes to attracting customers, too. Geico was the second-largest auto insurance provider in the country in 2021, having captured 14.4% of the market for private-passenger car insurance that year, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute. Progressive ranked third, having written 13.8% of personal auto insurance premiums in 2021.
In terms of financial strength and claims-paying ability, both Geico and Progressive are in good standing with leading credit rating agencies like AM Best, S&P, and Moody’s Investors Service. Below, you can find even more details about how Geico and Progressive stack up against one another.
Geico vs. Progressive: Customer Satisfaction Ratings
| Source | Geico | Progressive |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.23 | 1.45 |
| J.D. Power Rating (Customer Satisfaction) | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| J.D. Power Rating (Claim Satisfaction) | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| WalletHub Editor's Rating | 4.4/5 | 3.7/5 |
| WalletHub User's Rating | 2.2/5 | 2.5/5 |
The NAIC Complaint Index is calculated by dividing the company’s number of complaints by its share of market premiums. The average is always 1.00, which means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 has twice as many complaints as the national average for a company its size. Both Geico and Progressive have more complaints than average, scoring over 1.00.
To learn more about what sets these two auto insurance providers apart, check out WalletHub’s full Geico insurance review and Progressive insurance review.
GEICO vs. Progressive: Key Characteristics
GEICO | Progressive | ||
Get a Quote |
Get a Quote | ||
| Rating | |||
| Complaint Index | Complaint Index | Complaint Index | |
| 1.23 | 1.45 | ||
| Number of Discounts | Number of Discounts | Number of Discounts | |
| 17 | 13 | ||
| Geographical Coverage | Geographical Coverage | Geographical Coverage | |
| 50 States + DC | 50 States + DC | ||
| Pros | Pros | Pros | |
|
| ||
| Cons | Cons | Cons | |
|
| ||
| Overall Winner | |||
GEICO | |||
GEICO vs. Progressive: Cheapest Rates by Category
GEICO | Progressive |
| Men | |
| CHEAPER | |
| Women | |
| CHEAPER | |
| Young Driver | |
| CHEAPER | |
| Adult Driver | |
| CHEAPER | |
| Senior Driver | |
| CHEAPER | |
| Good Driver | |
| CHEAPER | |
GEICO vs. Progressive: Discounts
GEICO | Progressive |
| Air Bags | |
| Anti-Lock Brake System | |
| Anti-Theft Device(s) | |
| Automatic payment | |
| Continuous insurance | |
| Daytime running lights | |
| Defensive Driver | |
| Distant student | |
| Driver Training | |
| Emergency deployment | |
| Federal employee | |
| Good Driver | |
| Good Student | |
| Home Owner | |
| Military | |
| Multiple Policies | |
| Multiple Vehicles | |
| New Vehicle | |
| Online quote | |
| Paperless | |
| Partnered-organization | |
| Pay in Full | |
| Safe driving program | |
| Seat-belt-use | |
| Sign online | |
| Teen driver | |
GEICO vs. Progressive: Types of Insurance
GEICO | Progressive |
| Boat Insurance | |
| Business Insurance | |
| Car Insurance | |
| Commercial Auto | |
| Cyber Risk | |
| Flood Insurance | |
| Health Insurance | |
| Home Insurance | |
| Identity Theft Insurance | |
| Life Insurance | |
| Motorcycle Insurance | |
| Personal Articles | |
| Pet Insurance | |
| Professional Liability Insurance | |
| Renters Insurance | |
| Travel Insurance | |
| Umbrella Insurance | |
| Workers Compensation | |
GEICO vs. Progressive: FAQ
Most Popular
16
Upvotes
Why is Geico so cheap?
Reply
16
2
McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer
@mckayla_girardin
Geico is so cheap because it sells insurance directly to consumers and offers a lot of discounts. Direct-to-consumer insurance sales eliminate the cost of middlemen and allow Geico to have significantly fewer local offices and agents than companies like State Farm and Allstate. Having a smaller agent network lowers Geico's overhead costs so they can pass those savings on to consumers.
Average Rates for Geico vs. Top Competitors
Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
Geico | $39 per month | $163 per month |
State Farm | $60 per month | $219 per month |
Progressive | $46 per month | $189 per month |
Note: Premiums are representative of a 45-year-old good driver in California; individual premiums will vary.
Every insurance company determines their rates differently, so even though Geico is among the cheapest car insurance companies, the best way to make sure you're getting the cheapest rate is to compare quotes from multiple insurers.
To learn more, check out WalletHub's review of Geico and see Geico's full profile.
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3
Upvotes
Does Progressive Insurance raise rates after 6 months?
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3
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Yes, Progressive does raise rates after 6 months in some cases. If you're a new Progressive customer, you'll see your auto insurance premium go up after your first 6-month policy period if you file a claim or traffic violations get added to your driving record during that time.
Auto insurance rate increases are usually related to increases in the insurance risk of the policy holder. But another reason that Progressive might raise rates after...
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20
Upvotes
How can I lower my Geico car insurance?
Reply
20
Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer
@candacebaker
You can lower your Geico car insurance costs by taking advantage of Geico discounts, opting for a higher deductible, and reducing your coverage, among other things. Geico considers a variety of factors when calculating your premium, though some – like your age and location – are out of your control. Fortunately, you can take steps to influence other factors in order to lower your rate.
How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance from...
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1
Upvote
Is Progressive cheaper than Geico?
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1
Delaney Simchuk, Car Insurance Writer
@delaney_simchuk
No, Progressive is not cheaper than Geico for car insurance. A minimum-coverage car insurance policy with Progressive costs $1,033 per year, on average, while a minimum-coverage policy with Geico costs an average of $796 per year. Full coverage from Geico costs less than Progressive's coverage, too.
Average Annual Cost of Car Insurance From Progressive vs. Geico
Age Range | Coverage Level | Progressive | Geico |
16-35 | Minimum | $1,161 per year | $888 per year |
16-35 | Full | $5,767 per year | ... |
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13
Upvotes
Does Geico offer pay per mile insurance?
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13
Lilah Butler, Car Insurance Writer
@lilah_c
No, Geico does not offer pay-per-mile insurance. Instead, Geico has a usage-based insurance program called DriveEasy that takes mileage into account, along with driving habits such as hard braking and distracted driving, when determining your premium. Registering for Geico's usage-based insurance program could save you money if you're a good driver who isn't on the road too much.
DriveEasy vs. Other Insurance Options
The Geico DriveEasy app monitors driving habits like speeding, hard...
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23
Upvotes
Can Progressive Snapshot raise your rates?
Reply
23
1
McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer
@mckayla_girardin
Yes, Progressive Snapshot can raise your rates, unlike the usage-based insurance programs offered by some other major auto insurance providers. Roughly 20% of drivers see their auto insurance rates increase after using Snapshot, according to Progressive. Good drivers save an average of $145 per year with Progressive Snapshot, however. Plus, in most states, new Progressive customers get an automatic discount just for participating in the Snapshot program (an average of $26), though the discount expires...
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11
Upvotes
Why did Geico raise my rates?
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11
Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer
@candacebaker
Geico may have raised your rates because of changes to your policy or circ*mstances. Examples include adding a new type of coverage, becoming eligible for an additional type of discount, being involved in an accident, or buying a new car. Recent economic trends have also driven up auto insurance costs overall, and Geico's average premium has increased over the past few years.
Possible Reasons Why Your Geico Insurance Went Up
- Changes in...
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26
Upvotes
How can I lower my Progressive car insurance?
Reply
26
Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer
@candacebaker
You can lower your Progressive car insurance costs by taking advantage of Progressive discounts, opting for a higher deductible, and reducing your coverage, among other things. Progressive considers a variety of factors when calculating your premium, though some – like your age and location – are out of your control. Fortunately, you can take steps to influence other factors in order to lower your rate.
How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance from...
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14
Upvotes
How does Geico windshield replacement coverage work?
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14
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Geico windshield replacement is part of the company's comprehensive coverage. When a windshield is damaged by anything other than a car accident, Geico will arrange for repair or replacement as long as the policyholder has comprehensive coverage. Windshield repairs are not subject to Geico's regular comprehensive deductible, but full windshield replacement with Geico requires a deductible in most states.
If your windshield is damaged in a collision caused by another driver, his or her...
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2
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Is Geico a good insurance company?
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7
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Yes. Geico is a good insurance company. Geico has been providing insurance since 1936, boasts an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and is one of the cheapest major car insurance companies according to WalletHub's research.
However, Geico's NAIC rating is 1.33, which means it has received more complaints than the average insurance company. On the other hand, it may be encouraging to note that Geico is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which...
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