GEICO is one of the most recognizable insurers in the country and, as of 2020, has the second-largest share of the auto insurance market. Among comparable major companies, GEICO generally receives positive customer satisfaction ratings, and that includes ranking third in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Edited By Kristine Lee
GEICO vs. Progressive: Which company is best for you?
GEICO and Progressive enjoy widespread brand recognition as two of the most popular names in insurance. Both insurers offer a robust selection of insurance products and coverage options, and collectively take a large share of the auto insurance market — but which one is best for you? We've compared both companies to give you an idea of what you can expect as a customer. Read on to find out more.
GEICO car insurance
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Progressive car insurance
Progressive has grown substantially in recent years, elevating the company as one of the most identifiable names in car insurance. It comes in third-largest, behind GEICO, in share of the auto insurance market. The company has a large selection of policy offerings and discounts, meaning it may appeal to drivers looking for reasonably affordable rates. The company has also become one of the top companies for commercial auto insurance coverage.
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Which company comes out on top?
GEICO
GEICO comes out on top in most categories, including customer satisfaction, coverage options and price. These factors make GEICO a strong choice for most drivers.
GEICO vs. Progressive: car insurance rate comparison
In an effort to simplify the comparison process, we've collected average rates from Progressive and GEICO. These rates cover an array of pricing components, including credit rating, driving history and age. Take a look at these rates to help you in your search for an affordable policy. Keep in mind, however, that your rates are likely to be different than our samples — these premiums should be used as a jumping-off point so you know what a fair car insurance quote looks like.
Because companies' rates differ by so many factors, including driving history, age, location and more, choosing a car insurance company can prove challenging, which makes it all the more important to compare their pros and cons.
Cheapest average rates
GEICO has the most affordable rates overall on average. However, this can vary from person to person according to the rating factors companies use to generate estimates. This is why it's always a good idea to get quotes from many different insurers to see which policy is best for you.
GEICO vs. Progressive: pricing by credit score
If you have very poor credit, GEICO could be more affordable than Progressive. On average, GEICO offers cheaper rates than Progressive for drivers at every credit level. Check out average insurance costs by credit level for Progressive and GEICO:
RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: PROGRESSIVE VS. GEICO
| Credit level | GEICO avg. annual premium | Progressive avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,051 | $3,602 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,358 | $2,127 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,485 | $1,708 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,120 | $1,453 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,064 | $1,320 |
Auto insurance data methodology
The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of The Zebra's State of Insurance car insurance pricing analysis. This analysis of more than 83 million insurance rates spans every U.S. ZIP code, using a sample user profile: a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord, good credit and full coverage at these levels:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per incident for property damage liability
- $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the driving profile based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies. These factors include credit score, coverage level, driving record and others.
In some instances, average rates from Liberty Mutual were derived from internally sourced sales data.
GEICO vs. Progressive: rates for high-risk drivers
If you have infractions like an at-fault collision, speeding ticket or reckless driving violation in your driving history, GEICO could be more budget-friendly for insurance coverage than Progressive. DUIs were the only exception — on average, Progressive offers a cheaper rate than GEICO after a DUI. Every car insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so don't hesitate to shop around to figure out which insurer is best for you.
RATES BY CITATION: PROGRESSIVE VS. GEICO
| Violation | GEICO avg. annual premium | Progressive avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,857 | $2,720 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,580 | $2,245 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,550 | $2,201 |
| Reckless driving | $2,238 | $2,457 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,395 | $2,091 |
GEICO vs. Progressive: rates by age
Insurance companies use a driver's age as an estimator of risk, pricing premiums accordingly. An auto insurance policy is usually priciest for teen drivers — due to their increased odds of being involved in an accident — and more affordable for older drivers. Because every car insurance company prices age brackets differently, it's worth doing some comparison shopping.
According to our data, teen drivers should choose GEICO instead of Progressive: GEICO offers average yearly savings of $4,740 compared to Progressive. At all ages, GEICO was the cheapest.
RATES BY AGE: PROGRESSIVE VS. GEICO
| Age bracket | GEICO avg. annual premium | Progressive avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,508 | $8,248 |
| 20s | $1,438 | $2,287 |
| 30s | $1,218 | $2,287 |
| 40s | $1,189 | $1,644 |
| 50s | $1,160 | $1,542 |
| 60s | $1,065 | $1,403 |
Costs aside, GEICO and Progressive both have pros and cons, including discount programs, customer satisfaction ratings, policy add-ons and financial stability. Make an informed decision by getting quotes and comparing auto insurance rates before finalizing a policy.
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Ratings comparison: GEICO vs. Progressive
When looking for a new auto policy, cost shouldn't be the only thing to compare. While affordability is important, positive assessments from customers and third-party rating agencies can help you find an insurance company that provides good rates and great customer service. To help, we've found a variety of ratings for both GEICO and Progressive to help you determine each company's customer satisfaction level, number of complaints and fiscal security outlook.
| Ratings comparison | GEICO | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Average | Below Average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Average | Below Average |
| NAIC rating | Average | Good |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Which company scores best?
GEICO
GEICO scored higher than Progressive in most areas, including The Zebra's own editorial review and our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey, which you can see in more detail below.
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey
The Zebra conducted a survey to get a sense of which major car insurance providers are viewed by their customers. Find a rundown of the results below.
GEICO
GEICO came in fourth place overall with a score of 4.4. Below are some highlights from the survey.
- GEICO placed first for Online Satisfaction (website and apps)
- Scored well for Customer Service and Willingness to Recommend
- Viewed most favorably by drivers in the Boomer generation
Progressive
Progressive car insurance placed among the top five companies overall with an overall score of 4.3, signifying that customers are generally pleased with the level of service they receive from the company. The company placed in the top three for online satisfaction, indicating that Progressive's website and app selection are considered useful by its customers.
- Top five overall for car insurance
- Top three for Online Satisfaction
- Among the top five companies for home and auto bundling
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2023.
GEICO vs. Progressive: discount comparison
Car insurance discounts can help you save money on your insurance premiums. While individual discounts tend to be quite small, they can add up. Take a look at how discounts from GEICO and Progressive stack up below.
In addition to the discounts above, GEICO also offers a senior citizen discount to qualifying drivers. Compared to GEICO, Progressive offers fewer discounts on car insurance. If unsure, ask a representative about which discounts for which you may qualify.
Telematics options: GEICO vs. Progressive
GEICO and Progressive both offer telematics car insurance programs that can be beneficial to certain types of drivers. Have a look at the comparison below to see if one stands out as a better option for your insurance needs.
GEICO DriveEasy
GEICO Drive Easy Pro is an app that tracks your driving habits to better assess your level of risk. For safe drivers, this can sometimes result in cheaper rates. Currently, the app is rated on app stores at 3.5 out of 5 stars (both Google Play and the Apple Store).
Progressive Snapshot
Snapshot is Progressive's telematics option. The app tracks drivers' behavior while behind the wheel (including hard braking, speeding and more) to give a more accurate level of risk. Good drivers stand to save an average of $145 on their premium according to the company.
Zebra tip: Explore both companies for telematics options
The telematics options from both Progressive and GEICO could offer savings for safe drivers. However, keep in mind that depending on your driving habits, you may not save as much as you'd expect — but nonetheless, these programs are worth exploring to potentially save money on your premium.
Roadside assistance: GEICO vs. Progressive
Roadside assistance is a great safety net against getting stranded on the side of the road due to a breakdown. Check out the different roadside assistance packages offered by both GEICO and Progressive below.
GEICO
GEICO's roadside assistance offers the following benefits:
- Towing
- Jump starts
- Tire changes (when you have a spare)
- Up to $100 for lockout services
- Fuel delivery
- Winching for stuck vehicles (depending on severity)
Progressive
Progressive partners with a company called Agero to provide roadside assistance. These services can be used for more than just your car — it also applies for boats, motorcycles or RVs. When added to your policy, Progressive's roadside assistance program offers:
- Fuel delivery
- Flat-tire changes
- Battery jump-start
- Battery recharge for EVs
- Lock-out services
- On-scene labor
- Winching services
GEICO vs. Progressive: home insurance
Both Progressive and GEICO offer homeowners insurance options. These can be purchased as individual policies or bundled together with auto or other coverage types. Progressive has a much larger presence in the auto insurance space than it does homeowners, and some policyholders may find its policy options limiting. GEICO offers homeowners insurance through a number of partner companies instead of under its own banner.
GEICO homeowners insurance review
While not as large a portion of its business as auto insurance, homeowners coverage remains an important part of GEICO's product offerings. The company partners with many insurers throughout the nation to provide home insurance. Still, customer service scores and third-party ratings remain high.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey – 4.4/5: GEICO's home insurance coverage earned a relatively high score in The Zebra's 2021 customer satisfaction survey.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) – Not rated
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) – Not rated
- Financial strength (AM Best) – Superior: GEICO received an 'A' rating from AM Best, underlining its solid financial standing.
- NAIC Rating – Excellent: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received fewer customer complaints than average regarding GEICO homeowners insurance in 2020.
Progressive homeowners review
Progressive comes in 10th place in market share for home insurance and offers coverage in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. While the company provides standard coverage options, homeowners looking for more robust policies might find Progressive's options lacking.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey – 4.1/5: While a rating above 4 stars is sufficient, Progressive home ranked last overall among the 15 carriers surveyed.
- J.D. Power Rating – Below average: J.D. Power rates Progressive auto insurance as below-average in overall customer satisfaction.
- Financial Strength – Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating from AM Best shows Progressive has a solid ability to pay out claims.
- NAIC Rating– Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received significantly more customer complaints than average regarding Progressive homeowners insurance in 2020.
Which company comes out on top?
GEICO
Both GEICO and Progressive can provide customers with good homeowners policies. While it's important to remember that GEICO doesn't actually underwrite its own policies, the company still ranked above Progressive in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction survey and has logged fewer complaints according to the NAIC.
GEICO vs. Progressive: home insurance rate comparison
Progressive's average annual homeowners insurance rate is $1,355, or just under $113 a month. Because GEICO does not underwrite its own homeowners policies, it's more difficult to provide accurate rate data.
Your individual rates will vary from one company to another. This is because every insurance company has different methods for underwriting. Your rates are highly dependent upon both where you live and your individual profile, and each company will weigh factors such as area crime, proximity to fire-fighting services and the age of your home differently.
For this reason, it's highly recommended that you shop for homeowners quotes from a number of different sources, as this will likely lead you to the best rate. While cost is an important factor when shopping for homeowners insurance, it's most important to have good coverage from an insurer that you can trust.
Cheapest average rates
Based on the data we have available, Progressive has the cheapest home insurance rates at around $113 per month.
Homeowners insurance data methodology
The homeowners insurance rates published in this guide are based on The Zebra's analysis of the cost of home insurance in every U.S. ZIP code. These rates are based on a sample user profile: a 45-year-old married homeowner living in a 2,500-square-foot single-story home built in 2011 with these coverage levels:
- $200,000 for the dwelling
- $20,000 for other structures
- $100,000 for personal property
- $100,000 for personal liability
- $1,000 deductible
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the homeowner profile based on common pricing factors used by major home insurance companies. These factors include location, coverage limits, claims record and others.
GEICO vs. Progressive: homeowners discount comparison
Home insurance discounts are useful for saving some money on your policy. Both companies offer such discounts, though Progressive provides more opportunities to save.
| Discount comparison | GEICO | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ||
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ✓ | |
| Auto pay |
It's important to note that there may be more options for discounts through GEICO's partner companies. Be sure to verify with each insurer that you're getting all of the discounts you qualify for before finalizing your policy.
Zebra tip: Check out Progressive if you are seeking home insurance discounts
Progressive generally offers more home insurance discounts than GEICO. However, even with extra discounts, other companies may still offer more affordable rates. Compare quotes from both to see which is a better fit and a better price.
Other insurance products and bundling options
GEICO and Progressive both have options for bundling multiple policy types. Bundling policies can lead to savings in many cases. See our table below for a side-by-side comparison.
| Other products | GEICO | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Umbrella | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offroad vehicles and ATVs | ✓ | ✓ |
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.