After comparing Geico and Progressive, we found that Geico offers more affordable rates on average and Progressive provides more coverage options.
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.
GEICO and Progressive are two of the biggest car insurance companies in the country, but how do you know what coverage would be best for your vehicle? In this GEICO vs. Progressive comparison, we’ll compare and contrast auto insurance coverage, costs, and customer service between these two companies. The providers each have advantages and disadvantages, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.
Anytime you shop for car insurance, we recommend comparing car insurance quotes from the best car insurance and cheapest car insurance companies before making a decision.
GEICO vs. Progressive: Overview
GEICO and Progressive have very similar reputations, but the right coverage for you will depend on what you’re looking for. For example, GEICO auto insurance might be a better choice for students and the military, while Progressive auto insurance rates are better on average for high-risk drivers.
Which Is Better, GEICO or Progressive?
In our industry-wide review, GEICO and Progressive both received similar scoring from our editorial review team in terms of industry standing, availability, coverage, affordability, customer service, and online experience. However, there are clear things that set these providers apart, which we’ll explain in further detail below.
| Review Category | GEICO | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Standing | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Availability | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Coverage | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Affordability | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Customer Service | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Online Experience | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Overall Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
According to our research, GEICO has some of the lowest car insurance rates in the industry and offers a plethora of discount opportunities for drivers. The provider also has a solid reputation in the car insurance industry, with high ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best. For these reasons, we awarded GEICO “Best Discount Selection” for 2023.
Like GEICO, Progressive is also a large insurer with a positive industry reputation and strong financial backing. We recognized Progressive as Best for High-Risk Drivers in 2023 due to its low rates for drivers with a DUI, at-fault accident, or speeding ticket.
| GEICO | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Best For | Students and military | High-risk drivers |
| Military Discount | Yes | No |
| Usage-Based Discount | Yes | Yes |
| BBB Rating | A+ | NR |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A+ |
| Market Share | 13.78% | 12.25% |
GEICO vs. Progressive Car Insurance Coverage
GEICO and Progressive offer standard car insurance coverage in all 50 states, including:
- Bodily injury liability (BI): Covers other drivers and their passengers in accidents that you cause
- Property damage liability (PD): Covers other vehicles in accidents that you cause
- Collision: Covers you vehicle regardless of who is at-fault in the accident
- Comprehensive: Covers your vehicle from environmental factors like floods and fires, as well as theft and vandalism
- Medical payments (MedPay): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for you and your passengers
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Covers you when you are in an accident with a driver that has little to no insurance
GEICO vs. Progressive Coverage Options
Beyond standard coverage, your options will vary. Here are the other types of auto coverage you can get from each provider:
| GEICO | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-Based Insurance | Yes, in some states | Yes, in 48 states |
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Accident Forgiveness | Yes, in 47 states | Yes |
| Rideshare Insurance | Yes, in 39 states | Yes, in 35 states and Washington, D.C. |
| Gap Insurance | No | Yes |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance | Yes | No |
Who Is Cheaper, GEICO or Progressive?
Based on our cost research, GEICO is significantly cheaper than Progressive for full coverage car insurance. GEICO usually costs an average of $109 per month or $1,308 per year, while Progressive averages about $134 per month or $1,611 per year. Both cost estimates are below the national average of $1,730 per year.
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates
Car insurance rates from GEICO and Progressive will vary depending on numerous factors, like age, location, and driving history. Younger drivers can expect to pay more for car insurance coverage with either provider, while costs for high-risk drivers are more than safe drivers.
The sections below will compare car insurance rates for GEICO and Progressive.
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Young Drivers
GEICO’s car insurance costs tend to be significantly lower for young drivers than Progressive. The table below compares rates for GEICO and Progressive for a 17-year-old driver.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $304 | $3,646 |
| Progressive | $788 | $9,457 |
| National Average | $468 | $5,612 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Young Adults
On average, GEICO’s car insurance rates for young adults are lower when compared with Progressive. The table below shows full coverage car insurance rates for a 25-year-old driver.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $118 | $1,420 |
| Progressive | $161 | $1,934 |
| National Average | $168 | $2,019 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Adults
GEICO and Progressive both tend to offer car insurance coverage below the national average for adults. The table below details GEICO and Progressive’s average car insurance cost for a 35-year-old driver.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $108 | $1,293 |
| Progressive | $147 | $1,758 |
| National Average | $149 | $1,785 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Seniors
Both GEICO and Progressive provide car insurance estimates below the national average for seniors. The table below shows the cost differences between GEICO and Progressive for a full coverage policy for a 65-year-old driver.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $102 | $1,227 |
| Progressive | $131 | $1,566 |
| National Average | $137 | $1,648 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates for High-Risk Drivers
Drivers with a recent speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI on their record can expect to pay more for car insurance overall. That’s because car insurance companies view high-risk drivers as a liability compared with safer drivers.
The sections below will compare GEICO and Progressive rates for high-risk drivers.
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Speeding Tickets
Drivers with a recent speeding ticket may find lower rates with GEICO than Progressive. The tables below show the costs for a full coverage policy.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $155 | $1,856 |
| Progressive | $193 | $2,311 |
| National Average | $193 | $2,313 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: Recent Accident
According to our cost data, GEICO usually offers car insurance rates far below the national average for drivers with a recent accident. The table below compares cost data between GEICO and Progressive for a full coverage policy.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $197 | $2,364 |
| Progressive | $235 | $2,822 |
| National Average | $224 | $2,689 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Rates: DUI
Our research shows that Progressive provides rates far below the national average for drivers with a DUI. The table below shows the cost difference between GEICO and Progressive for 35-year-old drivers with a recent DUI.
| Company | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
| GEICO | $281 | $3,376 |
| Progressive | $194 | $2,328 |
| National Average | $273 | $3,277 |
GEICO vs. Progressive Auto Insurance Discounts
While GEICO and Progressive may have similar discount offerings, there are some differences between the providers.
| Discount | GEICO | Progressive |
| Good student | Yes (up to 15%) | Yes |
| Multiple vehicles | Yes (up to 25%) | Yes (up to 12%) |
| Multiple policies | Yes | Yes (up to 5%) |
| Anti-theft device | Yes (up to 25%) | Yes |
| Defensive driver | Yes | Yes |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Telematics | Yes | Yes |
| Military | Yes (up to 15%) | No |
| Anti-lock brake system | Yes (up to 5%) | No |
| Airbags | Yes | No |
| Good drivers | Yes (up to 26%) | No |
| Affinity Membership | Yes | No |
| Federal employment | Yes (up to 8%) | No |
| Homeowner | No | Yes (Up to 10%) |
| Continuous coverage | No | Yes |
| Paperless | No | Yes |
GEICO vs. Progressive Auto Insurance Quotes
The cost of car insurance varies greatly from person to person. The insurance quote you receive from GEICO or Progressive will depend on several factors.
Here are the factors that affect GEICO and Progressive rates:
- Age
- Gender
- Location
- Credit score
- Marital status
- Driving record
- Policy coverage
- Vehicle make, model, age, and mileage
GEICO vs. Progressive: Apps & Technology
If you’re looking for easy access, GEICO and Progressive both have mobile apps that can manage your account and claims. Additionally, both providers have some extras like safe driving apps and tools to improve the quotes process.
GEICO Technology
GEICO’s mobile app has a 4.7-star rating on Google Play with over 300,000 reviews. Here are a few of the app’s key features:
- Digital insurance ID cards: Customers can access ID cards 24/7.
- Roadside assistance: Towing and emergency roadside assistance is available 24/7.
- Photo estimates: Snap a photo of damage to your vehicle and get an estimate in about 20 minutes.
- Virtual assistant: GEICO’s virtual assistant can answer any questions you may have.
- Vehicle care: With GEICO Mobile’s Vehicle Care powered by CARFAX®, you can access your car’s service history, check for open recalls, create a maintenance schedule, and more.
GEICO also has the DriveEasy app, designed to reward safe driving and penalize drivers for things such as active phone use and handheld phone calls. The DriveEasy app gets a 3.4-star rating on Google Play with over 200 reviews. Recent GEICO reviews are mostly negative and are about the glitches of the app and inaccuracies while using the app.
Progressive Technology
When comparing GEICO vs. Progressive, Progressive has great mobile apps too. The car insurance company’s main mobile app is designed for policyholders to manage policies on the go. The app has over 39,000 reviews on Google Play, averaging a 4.1-star rating. Here are some of the app’s features:
- Policy information: View coverages and details for all vehicles.
- ID cards and documents: View, save, share, and print ID cards.
- Billing and payments: Make payments from your phone.
- Roadside assistance: Get roadside assistance from your phone.
- Claims assistance: Report a claim and send photos for assistance.
Progressive also has a usage-based app called Snapshot®, which allows customers to potentially save money based on their driving habits. The app has over 5,000 Progressive reviews on Google Play averaging 3.9 stars. The reviews are mostly positive, but some recent reviews mention technical issues as well as complaints about the app tracking your location in the background.
On its website, Progressive has a couple of interesting tools that can help you shop for car insurance. A price comparison tool lets you compare Progressive plans side by side with competitors, while the Name Your Price® tool lets you enter the rate you want to pay for coverage to be matched with plans that fit your budget.
GEICO vs. Progressive Customer Service
GEICO and Progressive both have strong reputations when it comes to customer service. They both have solid ratings from the BBB with hundreds of reviews from customers.
GEICO Customer Ratings
GEICO has an A+ from the BBB, and it has resolved over 3,000 complaints in the last three years. Like all major car insurance companies, GEICO’s customer reviews are a mix of positive and negative experiences. Happy customers comment on the ease of the claims process, while negative reviewers mention poor communication.
Positive GEICO Reviews
“For the first time in my life, I care who my insurance carrier is. It never mattered in the past, and I always told people that they all do the same thing. Just go with the lowest premium. That isn’t true now.”
– Gregg R., BBB
Negative GEICO Reviews
“I have spoken to people in the claims department and salvage department over 20 times. No payment. No phone call. They have the worst customer service ever.”
– M.M. Moris, BBB
Progressive Customer Ratings
Progressive is not rated by the BBB, but has closed over 2,000 complaints in the last three years. Positive reviews highlight exceptional customer service, while negative reviews touch on rate increases.
Positive Progressive Reviews
“[My insurance agent is] always available to answer any question no matter how many times I annoyingly need to ask. Thank you for your service! I will always stay with Progressive.”
– Pierre P., BBB
Negative Progressive Reviews
“I am not happy. They raised my monthly payments without telling me, even though the lady on the phone said an email was sent out to my account on June 9th to let me know. I checked and it wasn’t.”
– Brittany, BBB
Is GEICO or Progressive Better?: Conclusion
With comprehensive coverage and competitive pricing, GEICO and Progressive are both great options for car insurance. If you’re comparing GEICO vs. Progressive, you might choose GEICO for its low rates for most drivers or Progressive for its easy quotes process.
As two of the largest and most reputable auto insurers in the nation, GEICO and Progressive are both strong choices for coverage. We recommend getting free quotes from both, as well as at least one other provider, before you make a final decision.
GEICO vs. Progressive Alternatives: Top Recommendations
GEICO and Progressive are two of our highest-rated providers, but it’s never a bad thing to have a few more choices. USAA and State Farm are both great options to look into as well if you qualify for auto insurance coverage.
USAA: Best for Military
USAA is an excellent option for car insurance if you or one of your family members are in the military. Our team gave the provider a 4.6 rating out of 5.0 because of its strong industry standing, availability, and top-of-the-line customer service.
USAA has many perks, such as usage-based insurance, accident forgiveness, and various discounts. For more information about coverage, read our comprehensive USAA car insurance review.
State Farm: Best Overall
State Farm is another great option with a 4.7 rating out of 5.0 from our team overall. State Farm likewise offers usage-based insurance, as well as a number of discounts and programs for students in particular. For more about coverage and how to get a quote, read our full State Farm auto insurance review.
GEICO Insurance vs. Progressive: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about Geico vs. Progressive.
Does Progressive have better rates than GEICO?
No, Progressive does not have better rates on average than GEICO. Our cost data shows that GEICO averages around $1,308 per year, while Progressive costs $1,611 per year for a full coverage policy.
What is the difference between GEICO and Progressive?
GEICO and Progressive are both reputable car insurance companies. However, there are vast differences between the two. GEICO tends to be a more affordable option than Progressive and offers cheaper rates on average for students and military members. On the other hand, Progressive provides more coverage options and discount opportunities for drivers.
Is Progressive insurance cheaper than GEICO?
Progressive and GEICO both offer cheap car insurance for many drivers. The most affordable provider for you will depend on a number of factors, including the discounts you qualify for. Overall, GEICO offers more discounts than Progressive and could be cheaper.
Is Progressive good insurance?
Progressive is one of the largest and most popular insurance providers in the United States. The company has extensive options for car insurance coverage, a variety of discounts, and high ratings from experts. With a 95-percent rating from our team, we think Progressive is a good choice for insurance.
Why is GEICO so much cheaper than competitors?
GEICO tends to be cheaper than other top car insurance providers because of the wide variety of discounts available. You can get cheap insurance from GEICO by taking advantage of usage-based savings, a military discount, good student discount, and more.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
