- USAA offers great flexible payment options and customer service, but their availability is limited.
- GEICO has a strong industry reputation and easy-to-use communication tools, but has had some customer service issues in the past.
- Read our comparison between these two leading providers to make the best choice for your auto insurance needs.
With the ever-changing auto insurance landscape, it can be difficult to decide which company is right for your needs, especially if you're choosing between two leading providers like GEICO or USAA. To make it easier, we researched the top 32 auto insurance companies in areas such as customer satisfaction, cost, and coverage.
Now we compare GEICO and USAA side-by-side. Learn how each car insurance company handles claims and protects its customers, as well as how the top providers perform in terms of affordability.
To get free quotes from both suppliers, fill out the form below.
A review of Geico vs. USAA
| GEICO | USAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 87% | 87% |
| The best thing for | Most drivers | Military personnel and their families |
| Accessibility | 50 states | 50 states |
| Coverage | 90% | 80% |
| Expenses | 90% | 80% |
| Customer service | 80% | 95% |
| Military discount | yes | yes |
| Utilisation-based discounting | yes | yes |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating | А + | А- |
| Best AM Financial Strength Rating | А ++ | А ++ |
| Market share | 13,78% | 6,01% |
What are the pros and cons of each company?
Below we have listed the most important factors that distinguish GEICO from USAA.
GEICO
- Pros: a large number of discounts, Geico's advanced mobile app and access to insurance representatives at any time.
- Minuses: mixed customer feedback.
USAA
- Pros: Low rates for military families, payment flexibility and accident forgiveness.
- Minuses: for military families only.
GEICO, established in 1936, is one of the leading auto insurers in the United States. In addition to auto insurance, the company offers homeowners and life insurance policies. GEICO has received high industry ratings of AM Best and BBB. One of the hallmarks of GEICO auto insurance is 24/7 access to representatives and support.
With a similar reputation, USAA began operations in 1922. USAA car insurance is available to active military members, veterans and their families. It also covers junior officers. The auto insurer has also received high industry ratings from AM Best and J.D. Power.
GEICO v. USAA: coverage
Both GEICO and USAA offer six standard types of coverage, including:
- Liability insurance (BI / PD)
- Bodily Injury Liability (BI): if you cause an accident, other drivers and their passengers are covered.
- Property Damage Liability (PD): if you cause an accident, the other vehicles involved are covered.
- Medical Payments (MedPay). Medical expenses are covered for you and your passengers.
- Injury protection (PIP): covers medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. If you are driving in good health, you are expected to have PIP coverage.
- Collision: your car is insured irrespective of the fault.
- Comprehensive : covers damage to your car caused by theft and vandalism, as well as environmental factors such as flooding.
- Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (UM / UIM): if you are in an accident with a driver with no insurance or too little insurance, you are covered. Some states also cover hit and run.
When comparing GEICO and USAA, you'll want to go beyond standard coverage. The best providers are differentiated by the extra coverage you can get.
| Additional coverage by GEICO | Additional coverage from the USA |
|---|---|
| Emergency roadside assistance: you can request 24-hour roadside assistance for quick battery jump-starts, flat tyre servicing and lockout services for up to $100. | Roadside assistance: this extra protection covers things like towing, flat tyres, lockout services and gas delivery. |
| Rental reimbursement: If you need a rental car and have a covered claim, GEICO can help pay for the cost of the rental car. | Rental Reimbursement: This additional coverage may cover the cost of renting a car after a covered claim. |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): If you have a new or leased vehicle with less than 15,000 miles, you are eligible to purchase GEICO mechanical breakdown insurance. MBI replaces the extended warranty and covers repair costs for up to seven years / 100,000 miles. | Accident Forgiveness: the highlight of USAA's additional coverage options is accident forgiveness insurance, which keeps your premiums unchanged after one at-fault incident. The catch? Stay accident-free for five years. |
GEICO vs. USAA: Cost
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. in 2017 was $1,000.68. So, how do GEICO and USAA's numbers compare to the average?
GEICO was considered «about average» in most regions of the US, according to the JD Power 2019 US auto insurance survey based on customer satisfaction. On the other hand, USAA was considered «among the best» in all regions of the U.S. Price as one of the key factors in customer satisfaction.
What kind of discounts should you expect?
Beyond the base price you pay for auto insurance, you want to know what discounts you may qualify for between Geico and USAA. A few good discounts can significantly lower your monthly or annual insurance premium.
| GEICO Discounts | USAA Discounts |
|---|---|
| A few politicians | Multiple policies (up to 10%) |
| Multiple vehicles (25%) | A few cars |
| Military (15%) | Military installation (up to 15%) |
| Emergency deployment (25%) | Vehicle storage (up to 60%) |
| The Good Student (15%) | Good student |
| Good Driver (26%) | Safe driver |
| Driver training course | Driver training |
| New vehicle (15%) | Defensive driving |
| Federal employee (8%) | New car |
| Membership / Employee | Annual mileage |
| Anti-theft system (25%) | Family Discount (up to 10%) |
| Anti-lock brakes (5%) | Term of membership |
| Airbags (25 to 40%) | |
| Daytime running lights (1%) | |
| Seat belt use (15% discount on MedPay or PIP) |
GEICO v. USAA: Customer Service
We gave GEICO an 80 per cent customer service satisfaction rating, which reflects some of the problems customers have experienced with local agents and company representatives. According to the aforementioned J.D. Power study, GEICO's overall customer service experience was rated «average» compared to other insurers. However, the auto insurer offers customers multiple ways to contact representatives, including the GEICO Mobile app and GEICO Voice.
On the other hand, USAA received a 95 per cent rating in our industry survey. Although the car insurance company has no physical locations, it received one of the highest claim satisfaction ratings in JD Power's 2019 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Survey. To contact a USAA representative, you can reach them online, by phone, or through the mobile app. The USAA mobile app allows you to request roadside assistance, submit claims and view a crash checklist.
Final thoughts on GEICO vs. USAA
GEICO and USAA are two of the largest companies in the auto insurance industry for a reason. Both providers have a wide range of coverage choices, reasonable prices, and high ratings from industry experts. If you are an active or retired military member, USAA is probably the best choice for you. For drivers who don't qualify for USAA, GEICO was voted the best car insurance company in our industry review.
Get free personalised offers from both companies by entering your postcode below.
Other top tips for car insurance
Before signing up for any auto insurance plan, it is best to get quotes from several providers. This way, you ensure that you are not only getting the best coverage, but also the most favourable quote. Auto insurance rates are based on many factors, including the age and mileage of your car, your driving history, and your location. Here are two other providers to consider when shopping for insurance.
Progressive: the best online experience
Progressive has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and high scores from us in many categories, including coverage options and price. The popular auto insurance company has one of the most streamlined and comprehensive tech solutions of any insurer. On Progressive's website, you can use the «Name Your Price» tool to find a plan that fits your budget. There's also a price comparison tool that allows you to compare Progressive with competitors.
State farm: the best for students
State Farm is another great choice for auto insurance, especially for student drivers. The insurer offers many different discounts, including the Drive Safe & Save programmes ™ and Steer Clear ® . By braking effectively and avoiding night driving, you can save money on car insurance, even if you're a young driver facing traditionally high rates.
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