USAA vs. Geico Auto Insurance Comparison
USAA and Geico have excellent financial and customer service ratings. USAA has better car insurance rates and customer satisfaction, but coverage is only available to military members.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- USAA typically has lower car insurance rates than Geico
- USAA car insurance is only available for veterans, military members, and their families, but Geico is available to all drivers
- USAA rates higher in customer satisfaction, but USAA and Geico both have superior financial and customer service rating
Deciding on a car insurance company can take time and effort, especially when comparing similar insurers. For example, USAA and Geico are two of the top car insurance companies in the country. However, while they offer low rates and excellent service, they are very different insurers.
We’ll compare USAA and Geico head to head to help you decide if either company is right for you. While low rates are essential, we will also look at coverages, ratings, and discounts.
Keep reading our USAA vs. Geico car insurance comparison to determine which insurer is right for you.
USAA vs. Geico: Which auto insurance company is best?
Since many factors affect car insurance rates and coverage needs vary, there’s not one company that’s best for all drivers. It’s best to compare multiple options to find the right insurance company for you.
However, USAA and Geico are typically the cheapest car insurance companies. They both offer various coverages and discounts and have great ratings. But USAA isn’t available to everyone.
USAA was founded in 1922 by Army officers and still insures military members today. In addition, USAA auto insurance is typically the cheapest among all top companies. However, USAA only provides coverage to veterans, military members, and their families. So, only some drivers qualify for coverage.
Geico, or Government Employees Insurance Company, began in 1936 and initially only insured government employees. However, it has since branched out to offer coverage to all drivers.
If you don’t qualify for USAA, Geico auto insurance is affordable and available to all drivers. In addition, Geico offers military discounts to lower rates further.
USAA and Geico are available in all 50 states, and both companies have excellent financial and customer service ratings.
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USAA and Geico Auto Insurance Comparison
Let’s look closely at the pros and cons of USAA and Geico. While they are both top companies, each has its advantages and disadvantages.
USAA Auto Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros of choosing USAA auto insurance include:
- Lowest rates for most drivers
- Available in all 50 states
- Knowledgeable about the challenges military personnel face
Cons of USAA auto insurance:
- Only available to military members and their families
- No additional discounts for military
USAA is a solid choice for car insurance if you qualify. However, many drivers don’t.
Geico Pros and Cons
Pros of Geico car insurance include:
- Available to all drivers
- Very low rates below the national average
- Military discounts
Cons of Geico include:
- Rates are higher than USAA
- Missing some coverages like GAP and glass coverage
If you don’t qualify for USAA, consider Geico. With low rates and various discounts, Geico rates can rival USAA for most drivers.
USAA vs. Geico car insurance: Which one is cheaper?
Many factors affect auto insurance rates, including your age, driving record, and credit score. Since these factors vary by driver, there isn’t a definitive answer to which company is cheaper.
We’ll break down rate information into several categories to give you an idea of which company has the lowest average rates.
Remember, these are average rates, and quotes vary.
USAA vs. Geico Car Insurance Rates Based on Age
It’s no secret that young drivers have higher car insurance rates due to a lack of experience behind the wheel. However, while rates start very high for young drivers, fortunately, they decrease as drivers age. Find out why auto insurance costs more for young drivers.
This table shows the average monthly car insurance rates from USAA and Geico for various ages.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender
Insurance Company 18-Year-Old Male 18-Year-Old Female 30-Year-Old Male 30-Year-Old Female 45-Year-Old Male 45-Year-Old Female 55-Year-Old Male 55-Year-Old Female 65-Year-Old Male 65-Year-Old Female
AAA $378 $328 $103 $99 $86 $88 $81 $83 $84 $86
Allstate $203 $180 $79 $74 $59 $59 $56 $56 $57 $58
American Family $414 $305 $137 $116 $117 $115 $111 $109 $114 $113
Farmers $629 $597 $167 $160 $139 $139 $131 $132 $136 $136
Geico $254 $220 $87 $90 $80 $80 $76 $76 $78 $78
Hartford $469 $407 $133 $126 $113 $115 $107 $109 $109 $112
Liberty Mutual $626 $626 $200 $174 $174 $171 $165 $162 $170 $96
Nationwide $387 $303 $136 $124 $115 $113 $109 $107 $114 $113
Progressive $662 $591 $136 $131 $105 $112 $100 $106 $103 $109
State Farm $284 $229 $103 $94 $86 $86 $82 $82 $84 $84
Travelers $740 $530 $108 $99 $99 $98 $94 $93 $97 $96
U.S. Average $501 $416 $139 $128 $119 $119 $113 $113 $117 $117
Is USAA cheaper than Geico for young drivers, or does Geico have the lowest rates? While Geico and USAA offer low rates for all age groups, the USAA rates are the lowest.
USAA vs. Geico Car Auto Insurance Rates Based on Driving Record
Your driving record is one of the most significant factors impacting your car insurance rates. Auto insurance companies check driving records, and, as a result, drivers with accidents, tickets, and DUIs see higher rates since they are considered risky drivers and are likely to cost the insurance company money.
This table shows the average monthly rates from USAA and Geico based on driving records.
Auto Insurance Monthly Rates Based on Driving Record
Insurance Company Rates with a Ticket Rates with a Clean Record Rates with a DUI Rates with an Accident
Allstate $195 $166 $303 $237
American Family $131 $116 $177 $167
Farmers $176 $140 $191 $199
Liberty Mutual $217 $177 $325 $237
Nationwide $145 $120 $252 $165
Progressive $143 $109 $147 $190
State Farm $102 $91 $124 $107
Travelers $148 $107 $230 $157
Average $152 $123 $218 $177
USAA rates are the lowest regardless of your driving record. However, these rates still increase significantly with infractions.
USAA vs. Geico Auto Insurance Rates Based on Credit Score
You might not know this, but your credit score impacts your auto insurance rates. This is because, typically, drivers with a higher credit score are more likely to pay for repairs themselves and avoid filing accident claims.
This table shows the average USAA and Geico monthly rates for drivers based on credit scores.
Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Rating
Insurance Company Rates with Poor Credit Rates with Fair Credit Rates with Good Credit
American Family $203 $136 $116
Farmers $269 $160 $140
Geico $148 $99 $82
Liberty Mutual $355 $226 $177
Nationwide $166 $133 $120
Progressive $206 $138 $109
State Farm $200 $117 $91
Travelers $194 $128 $107
Allstate $296 $197 $176
Average $226 $148 $123
While both companies’ rates increase if you have a bad credit score, USAA comes out to be the least expensive.
Keep in mind that some states, like California, don’t allow insurance companies to consider credit scores when calculating rates. However, most states still allow the practice.
Geico vs. USAA Auto Insurance Coverages
Geico and USAA are two of the top car insurance companies in the U.S. and offer many of the same coverages.
For example, they both provide:
- liability insurance,
- collision insurance,
- comprehensive insurance,
- uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and
- personal injury protection.
USAA and Geico also offer add-ons, including roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and usage-based insurance.
Both companies provide car insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the state minimum auto insurance requirements. However, there are some differences between the available car insurance options offered by Geico and USAA.
Keep reading for a detailed list of coverages.
Do USAA and Geico offer the same auto insurance coverage?
USAA offers GAP, glass repair or replacement, and car replacement coverages, all of which Geico doesn’t offer. On the other hand, Geico provides mechanical breakdown coverage, which helps pay for mechanical problems like a broken clutch.
Available coverages may determine if USAA or Geico is your best option. For example, drivers who lease a car may choose USAA since they’ll be required to carry GAP insurance coverage.
Geico vs. USAA Usage-Based Auto Insurance
Geico and USAA both offer usage-based car insurance discounts. Usage-based car insurance, or telematics, is a system that monitors driving habits and calculates a discount based on how safely you drive. However, there are differences between the programs offered by USAA and Geico.
Geico DriveEasy uses an app to monitor driving behaviors, including distracted driving, hard braking, and mileage. Drivers who score well on the monitored habits earn up to a 25% discount.
However, DriveEasy is only available in 28 states, and Geico may raise rates if the program records risky driving behaviors.
Geico DriveEasy is a good fit for low-mileage drivers who don’t use their phones while driving and don’t hit their brakes hard very often. Drivers uncertain of their safe driving skills may not want to risk the potential rate increase.
USAA SafePilot also uses an app to monitor driving habits like hard braking, phone use, and speed. Drivers can earn up to a 30% discount if they score well.
SafePilot is available in 41 states, and USAA doesn’t raise rates if you score poorly.
USAA SafePilot is a good option for drivers who stay off their phones and don’t routinely brake hard. In addition, there’s no risk to trying SafePilot since your rates won’t increase no matter how you score.
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USAA vs. Geico Auto Insurance Discounts
USAA and Geico offer various auto insurance discounts to help drivers get the cheapest coverage. Most insurers base discounts on the driver, policy, and vehicle, such as safe driver, multi-policy, and safety feature discounts.
While USAA and Geico offer many of the same discounts, there are some differences. For example, USAA provides a family discount, and Geico doesn’t. On the other hand, Geico offers a federal employee discount, and USAA does not.
Although USAA typically has lower rates than Geico, available discounts may make Geico the better option.
Do USAA and Geico offer military discounts?
USAA doesn’t offer a military discount since it provides very low rates to military members. However, it does provide other discounts that military members can take advantage of, including a 15% garaging discount if you leave your car on a military base while deployed.
On the other hand, Geico does offer a 15% military discount for active members and veterans. It also provides a 25% discount to drivers deployed in imminent danger pay areas.
Geico vs. USAA Auto Insurance Financial and Customer Satisfaction Ratings
While rates are significant, your car insurance company must also be dependable. Financial and customer satisfaction ratings are also crucial, as you want your insurance company to be there when you need it.
Keep reading to learn how Geico and USAA rank in multiple categories.
Financial Stability
A.M. Best rates companies on financial stability. A.M Best gave USAA an A++; however, Geico also earned an A++ from A.M Best, which shows a superior ability to meet financial obligations for both companies. So, if you have to file an auto insurance claim, USAA and Geico can easily pay.
Customer Satisfaction
J.D. Power rates companies on customer satisfaction in areas like billing, products offered, and customer service. While USAA scored above average in all regions, Geico scored around or below average in most areas.
Customer Service
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates companies on how well they interact with customers. The BBB gave Geico an A+ rating. USAA also received an A+ rating, showing a willingness to work with customers and resolve complaints.
USAA vs. Geico Auto Insurance: The Bottom Line
USAA and Geico are two of the top car insurance companies with low rates and multiple coverage options. Although USAA car insurance is typically cheaper than Geico, only military members can take advantage of USAA coverage.
USAA and Geico offer multiple car insurance discounts, have excellent ratings, and are available in all states.
Since rates vary widely by the driver, it’s best to compare USAA and Geico car insurance quotes to determine which is right for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does USAA and Geico car insurance compare to other companies?
USAA and Geico are among the cheapest car insurance companies, but rates vary by driver. In addition, while both companies offer a variety of coverages and discounts, USAA is only available to military members and their families.
Can you get USAA and Geico car insurance online?
You can get USAA and Geico quotes online. However, you must first prove you qualify for USAA insurance. You can also get quotes from each company over the phone and through local agents.
Should I get USAA car insurance?
USAA is an excellent fit for veterans, members of the military, and their family members. In addition, between USAA’s low rates and numerous discounts, costs are typically lower than with other insurers.
Should I get Geico car insurance?
Geico provides affordable car insurance to most drivers, including those with poor credit. Geico also offers various car insurance discounts to decrease rates.
What is the difference between USAA and Geico auto insurance?
USAA and Geico are both popular auto insurance providers, but they cater to different customer segments. USAA primarily serves military members, veterans, and their families, while Geico offers insurance coverage to the general public. Here are some key differences to consider:
- Eligibility: USAA is available exclusively to military personnel, veterans, and their immediate family members, while Geico is open to the general public.
- Customer service: USAA is well-regarded for its exceptional customer service and consistently receives high ratings in customer satisfaction surveys. Geico also has a good reputation for customer service, with a 24/7 customer support line and a user-friendly website.
- Coverage options: Both USAA and Geico offer a wide range of coverage options, including liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and more. However, the specific details and options may vary between the two companies, so it’s essential to compare their offerings to find the coverage that suits your needs.
- Pricing: Pricing can vary depending on factors such as your location, driving record, and the type of coverage you choose. USAA is known for providing competitive rates to military members, often offering discounts and benefits tailored to their needs. Geico, on the other hand, is recognized for its affordability and frequently advertises competitive rates for the general public.
Which company offers better discounts?
Both USAA and Geico offer various discounts that can help policyholders save on their premiums. The specific discounts available may vary based on your eligibility and location. USAA provides discounts exclusive to military members and their families, such as deployment discounts, military installation discounts, and membership tenure discounts. Geico offers a wide range of discounts, including multi-policy discounts, safe driving discounts, and discounts for certain professional organizations and affiliations. To determine which company offers better discounts for your specific situation, it’s advisable to obtain quotes from both and compare the available discounts.
Can I switch from USAA to Geico or vice versa?
Yes, you have the option to switch from USAA to Geico or vice versa. However, it’s important to consider any contractual obligations or policy terms you may have with your current insurer. Additionally, eligibility criteria may apply when switching to USAA, as it is exclusively available to military members, veterans, and their families. Before making a decision, it’s recommended to compare quotes, coverage options, discounts, and customer reviews to ensure you are making an informed choice that aligns with your needs.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.