GEICO vs State Farm: Which is Better for You?

Read on to see which company is best for you.

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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

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

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  • 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…

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

GEICO vs. State Farm: Which company is best for you?

GEICO and State Farm collectively take a large share of the car insurance market as two of the most popular names in insurance. While they both enjoy nationwide brand recognition, selecting the one you can depend on is an important decision you'll need to make when you're shopping around for the best price and coverage.

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

5 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon

Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

GEICO generally receives positive customer satisfaction ratings, and our data found that the company offers some of the most affordable rates compared to other insurers. As of 2020, GEICO has the second-largest share of the auto insurance market and is one of the most recognizable insurers in the country.

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5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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Pros Cons
  • Affordable rates for most
  • Wide-ranging coverage options
  • Great customer satisfaction scores
  • Lack of local agents                                          

State Farm car insurance

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Claiming 16% of the auto insurance market, State Farm is the most prominent car insurance provider in the U.S. State Farm has received good ratings from reputable third-party organizations and customers alike, especially in customer satisfaction and financial outlook. It also received strong ratings in The Zebra's independent customer satisfaction survey. State Farm has a large network of agents, a perk for customers who prefer a personalized experience.

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4.5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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Pros Cons
  • Lower than average rates
  • Wide range of coverage types
  • Great customer satisfaction scores
  • Local agents across the U.S.
  • Bad for drivers with poor driving records
  • Fewer add-on coverages for those with specialized needs
  • Much more expensive for drivers with poor credit

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


GEICO and State Farm are very comparable and performed well in most categories, including customer satisfaction, coverage options and price. We recommend looking into both companies for quotes and selecting a company based on cost and quality of coverage.


GEICO vs. State Farm: car insurance rate comparison

We've analyzed average rates from State Farm and GEICO to help simplify the comparison process. Companies use an array of pricing components, including credit rating, driving history and age to estimate quotes. Taking a look at these rates should help you recognize what a fair premium looks like from either insurer. Just remember that your rates are likely to be different than our samples since you likely don't match our driver profile in our methodology exactly — so these premiums should be used as a jumping-off point while you're shopping for auto insurance.

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.

Want to learn more about these two companies? Read our full reviews of GEICO and State Farm.

Cheapest average rates
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. State Farm: pricing by credit score

If you have very poor credit, GEICO could be the best option for you. In fact, GEICO offers lower premiums than State Farm at every credit tier level. View common insurance rates by credit level for State Farm and GEICO below.

 

RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: STATE FARM VS. GEICO
Credit level GEICO avg. annual premium State Farm avg. annual premium
Very Poor (300-579) $2,051 $3,522
Fair (580-669) $1,358 $2,003
Good (670-739) $1,485 $1,613
Very Good (740-799) $1,120 $1,451
Exceptional (800-850) $1,064 $1,260

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. State Farm: rates for high-risk drivers

If you have infractions like an at-fault collision, speeding ticket, reckless driving violation or DUI in your driving history, finding cheap car insurance can prove more difficult. However, we found that GEICO could be more affordable than State Farm if you have recent violations. Each auto insurance company has different post-violation pricing structures, so always do your due diligence and compare quotes to understand which insurer suits you best.
 
RATES BY CITATION: STATE FARM VS. GEICO
Violation GEICO avg. annual premium State Farm avg. annual premium
At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) $1,857 $2,849
At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) $1,580 $1,524
DUI/DWI $2,550 $3,854
Reckless driving $2,238 $2,895
Speeding ticket $1,395 $1,983

GEICO vs. State Farm: rates by age

Insurance companies use a driver's age to estimate potential risk and price premiums on a sliding scale. An auto insurance policy is commonly most expensive for teens — due to their inexperience — and relatively more affordable for drivers aged 25 or older. Since every insurance company evaluates age brackets differently, it's wise to compare rates and find great coverage.

As a general rule, teen drivers should choose GEICO before State Farm: GEICO offers average yearly savings of $2,312, compared to State Farm. GEICO was also cheaper for most drivers no matter their age.

 

RATES BY AGE: STATE FARM VS. GEICO
Age tier GEICO avg. annual premium State Farm avg. annual premium
Teens $3,508 $5,820
20s $1,438 $2,379
30s $1,218 $2,379
40s $1,189 $1,587
50s $1,160 $1,558
60s $1,065 $1,485

Costs aside, GEICO and State Farm both have pros and cons, including discount programs, customer satisfaction ratings, policy add-ons and financial stability. Continue reading to learn more about these companies' ratings, and make an informed decision by getting quotes and comparing rates before finalizing a policy.

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Ratings comparison: GEICO vs. State Farm

When looking for a new auto policy, cost shouldn't be the only thing to compare. Positive assessments from customers and third-party rating agencies can help you find an insurance company that provides good rates and great customer service. We compared a variety of ratings for both GEICO and State Farm to help you determine each company's customer satisfaction level, number of complaints and fiscal security. An insurer's financial outlook is crucial in its ability to pay out claims.

GEICO vs. State Farm
Ratings comparison GEICO State Farm
Financial strength (A.M. Best) Superior Excellent
JD Power (claims satisfaction) Average Above average
JD Power (customer satisfaction) Average Above average
NAIC rating Average Above average
The Zebra's editorial review score 5/5 4.5/5
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey 4.4/5 4.5/5

Which company scores best?

Tie


GEICO and State Farm both got high marks in The Zebra's annual Customer Satisfaction Survey, which you can see in more detail below. While GEICO has a better editorial review score, State Farm makes up for this with above-average assessments from JD Power and the NAIC.


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 logo
GEICO

GEICO came in fourth place overall with a score of 4.4 out of 5. 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
State Farm logo
State Farm

State Farm came in third place overall with a score of 4.5. Find more of the survey highlights below.

  • Scored well among younger drivers
  • Second place for Claims Satisfaction
  • Third place for Ease, Customer Service, Trust and Willingness to Recommend

The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology

Methodology:

These results are based on a survey of 2,722 U.S. insurance policyholders assessing satisfaction with their car and homeowners insurance providers. The survey was conducted using Survey Monkey and designed by our in-house team. It aimed to collect detailed insights from a census-balanced sample reflecting age, gender, and region.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire included demographic questions about age and gender identification and detailed inquiries into insurance experiences. Key topics:

  • Duration with insurance provider and coverage specifics, including teen drivers.
  • Claim filing experiences and satisfaction with claims handling.
  • Customer service interactions, trust in providers, and likelihood of recommending their insurance.
  • Use and satisfaction with digital tools and usage-based insurance programs.

Respondents rated their satisfaction on a Likert scale from 1 to 10 and provided qualitative feedback.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to identify satisfaction trends and demographic impacts. Data cleaning and weighting were applied to ensure accuracy, alongside strict confidentiality protocols to protect data security.


GEICO vs. State Farm: 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 State Farm stack up below.

GEICO vs. State Farm: discount comparison
Discount comparison GEICO State Farm
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

GEICO and Progressive both offer a similar number of discounts on car insurance. GEICO also offers a senior citizen discount to qualifying drivers. If unsure, ask a representative about which discounts for which you may qualify.


Telematics options: GEICO vs. State Farm

GEICO and State Farm both offer telematics car insurance programs that can be beneficial for certain types of drivers and help save money on their premiums. 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).

State Farm logo
State Farm Drive Safe & Save

State Farm Drive Safe & Save is available in most states and could be a good option for low-mileage drivers. The app collects data on your mileage and the way you drive in order to calculate your savings. The company claims that it can save customers up to 30% on premiums, though this may vary by state.

Zebra tip: Explore both companies for telematics options


The telematics options from both State Farm and GEICO could offer savings for careful 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. State Farm

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 State Farm 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)

 

State Farm

State Farm's Emergency Road Service offers the following:

  • Mechanical labor at the place of breakdown
  • Towing of your vehicle to a repair facility,
  • Removal of a stuck vehicle
  • Delivery of gas or oil
  • Assistance with changing a tire or a jumpstart
  • Locksmith services
tow truck

GEICO vs. State Farm: home insurance

Both State Farm and GEICO offer homeowners coverage 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

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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. Customer service scores and third-party ratings remain high, though the company doesn't offer very many discount opportunities on home insurance.

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4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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  • 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.

State Farm homeowners review

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

State Farm has a number of great options for add-on coverage, making it a great option for customers looking for flexible or unique coverages. However, State Farm's average rates tend to be higher than average. The company also suffers from a lack of available homeowners discounts — only three discount options at present. State Farm's home insurance options enjoy good ratings from third-party agencies, and the company ranked fifth place overall in The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey. Still, homeowners looking for basic insurance with not many bells or whistles may wish to look for an alternative.

Learn more about the company's home insurance in our detailed review below.

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4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.4/5: State Farm was given an above-average rating among the top 15 home insurance providers surveyed.
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: J.D. Power's most recent study rated State Farm as just shy of the industry average for property claims satisfaction.
  • Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Above average: State Farm was awarded an above-average rating for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's Home Insurance Study.
  • Financial strength — Excellent: A.M. Best rated State Farm as having excellent financial viability, signaling its ability to pay for claims.
  • NAIC Rating — Average: State Farm's home insurance received an average amount of complaints as logged by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


Both GEICO and State Farm can provide customers with good homeowners policies. If you go with GEICO, however, it's important to keep in mind that it doesn't actually underwrite its own policies.


GEICO vs. State Farm: home insurance rate comparison

State Farm's average annual homeowners insurance rate is $1,356, or about $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. Learn more about these rating factors.

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, State Farm 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. State Farm: homeowners discount comparison

Home insurance discounts are useful for saving some money on your policy. Both companies offer few discounts compared to other insurers.

GEICO VS. STATE FARM: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison GEICO State Farm
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 State Farm if you are seeking home insurance discounts


Neither company offers a large number of discount opportunities, but State Farm has a slight edge over GEICO — especially if your home has a newer roof. 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 State Farm 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. STATE FARM: Other insurance products
Other products GEICO State Farm
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 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.