USAA vs GEICO: Which is Better for You?
Read on to see which company is best for you.
USAA or GEICO: Which company is best for you?
USAA and GEICO have overall positive reputations and are among the most popular insurance companies in the United States. USAA policies are only available to members of the armed forces and certain family members. Membership is also required before you can purchase a policy. GEICO is also a popular company with nationwide brand recognition and claims second place in market share for auto insurance.
Both companies have coverage options that will satisfy the needs of most customers, and prices that are — at least on average — quite affordable. Have a look at our in-depth comparison to see which company comes out on top.
USAA car insurance
USAA is unique in that customers must be in the armed forces or be close family members. The company has many insurance options that can be paired with your auto policy. Membership also allows access to other benefits, like banking services. In terms of market share, USAA comes in fifth place.
In general, USAA receives stellar ratings from customers and third-party rating agencies alike, including the top score in The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey. If membership is an option for you, the company is definitely worth looking into.
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GEICO car insurance
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. We also found that it offers some of the most affordable rates compared to other insurers.
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Which company comes out on top?
USAA
While not all customers will be eligible for USAA's coverage, those who are can expect affordable rates and all-around great customer service. However, even those eligible may still find GEICO to be a good option with similarly budget-friendly premiums.
USAA vs. GEICO: car insurance rate comparison
Car insurance rates are determined by a number of factors, including where you live, your driving history and even your credit score (a factor in almost all states). Both USAA and GEICO weigh these factors differently, meaning that you are very likely to get a different quote from each company.
To give you a sense of how USAA and GEICO insurance rates compare rates, we've put together average rates based on a few different factors. Have a look at the figures below to get a sense of which company could be most affordable for you.
GEICO and USAA are both affordable options, coming in at $94 and $106 per month respectively.
USAA vs. GEICO: pricing by credit score
For drivers with very poor credit, GEICO could be the best option for you. Typically, GEICO offers more affordable premiums than USAA for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. But for those with Fair to Exceptional credit, our data indicate that USAA would be a more affordable option. View common insurance costs by credit tier for GEICO and USAA:
RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: GEICO VS. USAA
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | GEICO avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $2,051 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $1,358 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $1,485 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,120 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $1,064 |
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.
USAA vs. GEICO: rates for high-risk drivers
If you have an at-fault accident, speeding violation, reckless driving violation or DUI on your driving record, USAA could be a better choice than GEICO. Every car insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so don't be afraid to shop around to understand which insurer suits you.
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RATES BY CITATION: GEICO VS. USAA
| Violation | USAA avg. annual premium | GEICO avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $1,857 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $1,580 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $2,550 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $2,238 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $1,395 |
USAA vs. GEICO: rates by age
Auto insurance companies use a driver's age as an indicator of potential risk and price policies accordingly. Car insurance is commonly priciest for young drivers — due to their relative inexperience compared to older drivers. Because every car insurance company rates age brackets in a different way, it's worth shopping around and finding the best rate for you.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose USAA before GEICO: USAA offers average yearly savings of $644, compared to GEICO. USAA was also cheapest for drivers of all ages.
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RATES BY AGE: GEICO VS. USAA
| Age bracket | USAA avg. annual premium | GEICO avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $3,508 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $1,438 |
| 30s | $963 | $1,438 |
| 40s | $957 | $1,189 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,160 |
| 60s | $845 | $1,065 |
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Cost aside, USAA and GEICO each carry pros and cons, including discount programs, customer satisfaction ratings, add-ons and financial stability. Dive into the data before making your decision and be sure to shop around and see personalized quotes before purchasing a policy.
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Ratings comparison: USAA vs. GEICO
Both USAA and GEICO are among the highest-rated car insurance companies and continue to be very popular options. Third-party ratings and customer satisfaction scores are often quite high for each company. Compare recent ratings from each company below, including scores for financial strength, customer complaints and overall customer satisfaction.
| Ratings comparison | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Excellent | Average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Excellent | Average |
| NAIC rating | Excellent | Average |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | 4.6 | 4.4/5 |
Which company scores best?
USAA
As one of the top-rated insurance companies in America, it's no surprise that USAA scores better than GEICO. However, GEICO still maintains a high level of customer satisfaction and could be worth looking into if you don't qualify for USAA.
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey
To get a better sense of how the overall customer experience, The Zebra conducted an independent survey taking a look at many different factors. Below you'll find each company's results.
USAA topped the list as the best auto insurance carrier with an overall score of 4.6, winning in every category except Online Experience. Here are some other highlights:
- Top-rated overall
- Highly rated by both male and female respondents
- Highly rated by drivers in all age groups
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
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.
USAA vs. GEICO: discount comparison
Discounts can be a good way for eligible drivers to save money on their premiums. While most discounts are quite small, they can add up to sizable savings. See each company's available discount selections below.
In addition to the discounts listed above, GEICO also offers a senior citizen discount to qualifying drivers. USAA offers fewer discounts on car insurance but could still offer a lower rate despite this shortcoming. If unsure, ask a representative about which discounts for which you may qualify.
Telematics options: USAA vs. GEICO
Telematics programs utilize technology to help track your driving habits and set a rate appropriate for the amount of risk that you pose. For safe drivers, this can translate to savings. Both USAA and GEICO offer telematics options. Have a look at the options available from both carriers below.
SafePilot offers customers the chance to have their driving habits monitored in exchange for cheaper car insurance rates. A discount of 10% is offered just for signing up, with up to 30% savings possible for safe drivers at policy renewal.
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).
Zebra Tip: Explore telematics offerings from each company if you are a safe driver
Both USAA's SafePilot and GEICO's DriveEasy Pro are good options overall. In fact, the two companies scored second and first place respectively for best online experience in The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey, indicating good app and website experiences from users.
Roadside assistance: USAA vs. GEICO
For those who find themselves on the side of the road after a breakdown, a roadside assistance program can be a blessing. It's a great safety net to have in case of emergencies. Below you can find a quick rundown of the roadside assistance options offered by both USAA and GEICO.
USAA
USAA offers the following roadside assistance services to policyholders:
- Towing
- Flat tire changing
- Fuel delivery
- Jump-starts
- Lock-out service
- Stuck vehicle assistance
Another perk of USAA membership is that these services are also available at reduced rates to policyholders without roadside assistance on their policy.
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)
USAA vs. GEICO: home insurance
As with auto coverage, both USAA and GEICO have home insurance options that are similarly popular. GEICO offers homeowners insurance through a number of partner companies instead of under its own banner. Below, we take a look at how the two companies compare.
USAA homeowners insurance review
Similar to USAA's car insurance, customer eligibility is limited to those in the armed forces and their families. The company's coverage is highly rated and quite popular — in fact, it's the third most popular option for homeowners insurance in the U.S. Most customers will find the coverage satisfactory for their needs, and policies can be amended with a good number of add-ons and opportunities to save with discounts.
USAA topped every category in the homeowners portion of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey, indicating a strong focus on the customer and affirming its esteemed standing in the home insurance market.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA topped every category of our homeowners customer satisfaction survey.
- J.D. Power Rating — Among the Best: J.D. Power rates USAA above average in claims and customer service satisfaction.
- Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by A.M. Best shows USAA's ability to pay out claims is solid.
- NAIC Rating — Excellent: Regarding USAA, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints when compared to the market median.
GEICO homeowners 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, and home insurance policies can easily be bundled with auto insurance.
- 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?
USAA
USAA has a strong reputation for taking care of its policyholders. Paired with affordable rates and a robust selection of coverage options, USAA is a great choice for homeowners insurance for eligible customers.
USAA vs. GEICO: home insurance rate comparison
USAA's average homeowners insurance rate is around $127 per month. Because GEICO does not underwrite its own homeowners policies, it's more difficult to provide accurate rate data.
Similar to auto insurance quotes, each company has its own underwriting methods for homeowners insurance. This means your rates are highly likely to vary from one company to another. Learn more about the factors insurers use to price your home insurance quote.
Things such as your claims history, crime rates in your area and your proximity to fire stations can have a big impact on how much you pay. As with car insurance shopping, we suggest getting home insurance quotes from many different companies when looking for home insurance policies.
Based on the data we have available, USAA has the cheapest home insurance rates at around $127 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.
USAA vs. GEICO: homeowners discount comparison
Homeowners insurance discounts can be a good way to bring down your premiums. To be eligible for such discounts, policyholders must meet certain criteria. See how the homeowners discounts from USAA and GEICO stack up below.
| Discount comparison | USAA | GEICO |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | |
| Recent home buyer | ||
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ||
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ||
| Early signing | ||
| Auto pay | ||
| Newer home | ✓ | |
| Renovated home | ||
| Senior citizen |
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.
Other insurance products and bundling options
USAA and GEICO both offer multiple lines of insurance. Oftentimes, these separate insurance lines can be bundled together, allowing you to streamline your insurance policies and potentially leading to savings. While shopping for auto or home coverage, you may want to check into coverages such as life, pet or small business insurance available from USAA and GEICO. Take a look at the additional coverage types available from each company below.
| Other products | USAA | 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.