Root vs GEICO: Which is Better for You?
Read on to see which company is best for you.
Root or GEICO: Which company is best for you?
Root and GEICO both offer car and home insurance but have different approaches in pricing — GEICO is the more traditional option while Root is more tech-forward with its app-based model. Depending on who you are as a driver or homeowner, one insurer may be better than the other.
Read on to learn more about these companies and decide which one is right for you.
Root car insurance
Root was among the early adopters of telematics technology, which helps to assign insurance rates based on driving habits instead of traditional rating factors. In fact, the company aims to discontinue using credit scores — a practice it calls "discriminatory" — by the year 2025. Root car insurance could be a solid option for those with a clean driving history or those who drive limited mileage.Â
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GEICO car insurance
GEICO has the second-largest share of the auto insurance market and is one of the most recognizable carriers in the country. The company generally receives good customer satisfaction ratings. Furthermore, GEICO is known for having some of the most affordable rates among major carriers.
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Which company comes out on top?
Tie
These companies cater to different customer bases, so we're calling this a tie; GEICO may be the better option for drivers who commute regularly and value coverage options and discounts, while Root's pricing strategy could appeal to people looking to save because they don't drive often.
Compare rates and start saving today!
Ratings comparison: Root vs. GEICO
Unbiased third-party publications evaluate insurance companies, measuring claims satisfaction, the number of customer complaints and other factors. We've gathered some of these ratings to provide perspective on the two companies' customer satisfaction standards, complaint ratios and financial stability.
| Ratings comparison | Root | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Not Rated | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Not Rated | Average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Not Rated | Average |
| NAIC rating | Below Average | Average |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | Not Rated | 4.4/5 |
Which company scores best?
GEICO
GEICO was evaluated by more organizations than was Root, earning positive assessments for financial security, customer service, claims satisfaction and record of customer complaints. It also scored a strong 4.4 out of 5 in The Zebra's in-depth customer satisfaction survey. Additionally, The Zebra's editorial reviews — taking into account myriad factors — placed GEICO above Root.
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.
Root vs. GEICO: discount comparison
Car insurance discounts tend to be quite small but can add up. GEICO generally offers more discount opportunities than Root. See below for a comparison of the companies'Â discount options for car insurance.
| Discount comparison | Root | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Good student | ✓ | |
| Multiple policies | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-theft device(s) | ✓ | |
| Good driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Defensive driver | ✓ | |
| Affinity membership alum | ✓ | |
| eSign or ePay | ||
| Telematics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Mileage | ✓ |
Telematics options: Root vs. GEICO
Each of these companies stands as a solid option for drivers interested in usage-based insurance. Telematics sits at the heart of Root's product, powering its entire pricing strategy. GEICO's DriveEasy, like Root, prices premiums based on an app that evaluates how you drive.
Root is one of the most prominent telematics-first insurance companies. Root uses its telematics app to gather information and calculate premiums for its customers. Rates are then set based on the insured's driving habits and frequency, rather than solely on demographic and historical information like past driving record or credit history.
GEICO DriveEasy 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).
Zebra Tip: Turn to Root for telematics
Root's intuitive app and usage-based pricing model places it at the forefront of insurance technology.Â
Roadside assistance: Root vs. GEICO
Find below summaries of the roadside assistance offerings available from Root and GEICO.
Root
Every Root policy includes roadside assistance, helping drivers in the event of car trouble. One of the few extra coverages available from Root is rental car coverage. If you purchase this coverage, Root will reimburse costs up to a specific amount for a rental car until your vehicle is fixed or replaced after a collision. Root also reimburses its customers for rides through Lyft.Â
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GEICO
GEICO's roadside assistance offers the following:
- 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)
Root vs. GEICO: home insurance
Something Root and GEICO have in common is that these insurers offer homeowners insurance through partner companies instead of under their own banners, and it can be bundled with car insurance. Consult our comparison below to find out which company might be the best fit for you and your home.
Root homeowners insurance review
Root partners with Homesite to allow existing auto insurance customers to bundle homeowners insurance. Root home insurance is not available as a standalone insurance policy — a customer must be enrolled in Root's car insurance program to be eligible and could receive a 10% discount by bundling.
Though the company is seen as financially stable, it receives more customer complaints than average. Customers looking for top-notch customer satisfaction may do well to look into a policy with a more established insurance provider. In addition, Root homeowners insurance quotes can only be found via the company's mobile app, not its website.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated: Root’s home insurance partner, Homesite, is currently unrated by J.D. Power.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated
- Financial strength — Excellent: Homesite’s financial outlook is considered stable by AM Best.
- NAIC Rating — Above average: Homesite received more customer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
GEICO homeowners review
While not as significant a portion of its business as car insurance, GEICO's homeowners coverage remains an important part of the company's product offerings. GEICO partners with many insurance providers throughout the nation to provide home insurance. Despite this, 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 ratedÂ
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) – Not ratedÂ
- Financial strength (AM Best) – Superior: GEICO received an 'A' rating from AM Best, underlining its solid financial standing.Â
- NAIC Rating – Excellent: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received fewer customer complaints than average regarding GEICO homeowners insurance in 2020.
Which company comes out on top?
GEICO
GEICO is much more established compared to Root, although both have positive ratings for homeowners insurance. However, if you're already a Root car insurance customer, Root home insurance may be a good option, especially with the 10% bundling discount.
Root vs. GEICO: homeowners discount comparison
GEICO and Root both offer home insurance discounts for customers. Compare these discounts below.
| Discount comparison | Root | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ||
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New home construction | ✓ |
Zebra tip: Check out Root if you are seeking home insurance discounts
Root has more discount opportunities than GEICO for homeowners insurance. Be sure to do your due diligence to ensure you qualify for as many of these discounts as possible when signing your contract.
Other insurance products and bundling options
Root and GEICO offer a variety of insurance products, along with the option to bundle policies for extra savings. Compare product offerings from the two carriers below.
| Other products | Root | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | |
| Umbrella | ✓ | |
| ATV insurance | ✓ | |
| Pet insurance | ✓ | |
| Commercial insurance | ✓ |
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.