GEICO vs Progressive: Which is Better for You?

  • The Zebra's pick: GEICO
  • GEICO is cheaper and has similar ratings as Progressive.
  • Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.
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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specialized in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

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Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

GEICO vs. Progressive: What's the difference?

The Zebra's choice: GEICO

GEICO scored similar ratings on multiple factors and offers cheaper rates than Progressive.

GEICO:

  • Cost: $79/month for full coverage
  • Customer service: 4
  • Claims handling: 2
  • Digital experience: 4.8
  • Trust: 4.5
  • Overall rating: 3.8

GEICO comes out on top when it comes to cheaper rates

Progressive:

  • Cost: $90/month for full coverage
  • Customer service: 4
  • Claims handling: 2.8
  • Digital experience: 4.8
  • Trust: 4.8
  • Overall rating: 4

Progressive takes the win for claims handling and trust scores


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

The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

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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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.

GEICO vs. Progressive: discount comparison
Discount comparison GEICO Progressive
Good student
Multiple policies
Multiple vehicles
Anti-theft device(s)
Anti-lock brake system
Air bags
Good driver
Defensive driver
Student away at school
Driver training
Green vehicles
Affinity membership alum
Advanced purchase
Pay in full
Home owner
eSign or ePay
Telematics
New Vehicle
Annual Mileage
Military
Continuous coverage

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 logo
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 telematics logo
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
tow truck

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

4 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 0.0% filled Star icon

Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

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.

100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 0.0% filled Star icon
4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Learn more
  • 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

3.5 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 50.0% filled Star icon 0% filled Star icon

Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

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.

100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 50.0% filled Star icon 0% filled Star icon
3.5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Get a Quote at Progressive
  • 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
Cheapest average rates

Based on the data we have available, Progressive has the cheapest home insurance rates at around $113 per month.

The Zebra’s homeowners insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


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.

GEICO VS. PROGRESSIVE: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
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.

GEICO VS. PROGRESSIVE: Other insurance products
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

Frequently Asked Questions: GEICO vs Progressive

GEICO is “better” overall, with stronger marks in satisfaction, pricing, and coverage—even though Progressive holds a slight advantage in NAIC complaint ratings.

On average, Progressive is almost never cheaper—except for drivers with a DUI/DWI, where Progressive’s rates are more favorable.

GEICO edged out Progressive in overall customer satisfaction and online experience. Progressive performs reasonably well digitally and has fewer complaints, but lags behind on J.D. Power satisfaction metrics.

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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 editorial 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.