What’s Better for Car Insurance – GEICO or Progressive?
Last Updated on August 15, 2022
GEICO and Progressive are two of the most popular car insurance companies in the United States. Approximately 9% of American drivers are Progressive customers, while 11% are GEICO customers.
Which insurance company is better – GEICO or Progressive? Which company offers a better value on their car insurance policies? Which company handles claims more honestly and fairly? Which company works best for your unique needs? Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about deciding between GEICO and Progressive.
Both GEICO and Progressive Are Extremely Competitive – So Don’t Expect Major Differences
The important thing to remember is that the big American insurance companies are extremely competitive with one another. When one company offers a unique product, another quickly matches it. GEICO and Progressive are two of the most popular insurance companies in the United States – so don’t expect to see major differences between the two.
Some drivers will have a better experience with GEICO. For example, you might have certain indicators that make you a less risky driver in the eyes of GEICO’s algorithm. Or, you might benefit from working with Progressive’s popular “Name Your Price” program – which could help some drivers save some money.
Ultimately, the best way to compare GEICO and Progressive is to get a quote from both insurance companies. Take a few minutes to fill out your basic information and receive a customized quote.
After getting a quote from both companies, then you’ll either reach two conclusions:
- One company will offer a significantly lower price than the other
- The two will offer fairly similar prices on fairly similar policies
If you requested a car insurance quote from both GEICO and Progressive and received a similar offer, then keep reading to find other differences between GEICO and Progressive.
J.D. Power Recently Ranked GEICO Higher than Progressive In All Categories
GEICO received a 4/5 on overall claims satisfaction, while Progressive received a 3/5 on overall claims satisfaction according to the 2019 J.D. Power rankings, which you can view here.
GEICO’s strong score in the recent J.D. Power rankings is a big deal. All other major insurance companies, including Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, Esurance, Progressive, Travelers, MetLife, Farmers, and CSAA received an identical score of 3/5 in overall claims satisfaction. GEICO was the only major insurance company to receive a 4/5 score.
To put that score into perspective, the only insurance companies with a higher ranking than GEICO in 2017 were The Hanover, Hartford, Erie Insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance, and Amica Mutual. All of these insurance companies have a market share below 1.3%, while GEICO’s share sits at around 11%.
Here’s how GEICO and Progressive compared in other J.D. Power rankings criteria:
| Rating | GEICO | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| First Notice of Loss (FNOL) | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Claim Servicing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Estimation Process | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Repair Process | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Rental Experience | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Settlement | 4/5 | 3/5 |
As you can see, GEICO edges out Progressive in every category but two: repair process and rental experience. GEICO beats Progressive in 5 categories, while Progressive beats GEICO in 0 categories.
What about other ranking organizations and other criteria? How do GEICO and Progressive stack up outside of J.D. Power rankings? Keep reading to find out.
GEICO Versus Progressive: Other Comparisons
Availability
GEICO: All 50 states
Progressive: All 50 states
Good Driver Discounts
GEICO: Up to 26% discount; must have at least five years accident-free
Progressive: Up to 31% discount; must have no tickets or accidents within the last three years
Good Student Discounts
GEICO: 15% discount; must be a full-time student between 16-24 years with at least a 3.0 GPA to qualify
Progressive: Discount varies; must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and be under 22 years of age; additional discounts are available if your school is 100+ miles away from home.
Telematics Discounts
GEICO: You can receive up to a 20% discount on your premiums with GEICO’s DriveEasy
Progressive: You can save an average of $145 annually by using Progressive’s Snapshot
Other Discounts
GEICO: Discounts for bundling with homeowner’s insurance, paying for insurance in full, being active duty or retired military (up to 15% discount), and being a federal employee (up to 8% discount).
Progressive: Discounts for bundling with home, renters, or condo insurance; discounts for bundling multiple car insurance policies, discounts for paying for insurance in full, and customized discounts through the “Name Your Price” tool
Vehicle Discounts
GEICO: Discounts for anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, and airbags
Progressive: Discounts for anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, and passive restraints
Remember: Car Insurance Companies Charge Different Rates in Different States
You might be a lifelong GEICO customer. You might be satisfied with your current insurance plan – but when you move to a new state, you find that you have other options available.
All major American car insurance companies – including GEICO and Progressive – are available in all 50 states. However, the plans and policies can vary widely between states – even within the same company. Drivers in certain states – like Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana – pay infamously high rates for car insurance whether they’re with GEICO or Progressive, for example.
On the other hand, certain insurance companies are known for offering especially cheap prices in certain states. Here are the states where Progressive and GEICO are comparatively cheap:
GEICO: Cheapest in Alaska, Maine, and Vermont
Progressive: Cheapest in Alabama, Iowa, and Idaho
Final Word – Which Is Better GEICO or Progressive?
Overall, the most important thing to remember is to compare auto insurance quotes to find the best insurance company for your unique needs. GEICO will offer the best plans for certain drivers, while Progressive will offer superior plans to other drivers.
Start comparing car insurance today to decide whether Progressive or GEICO is the right choice for you.
