Paying for auto insurance is a fact of life for nearly every car owner. And when you’re looking for an auto insurer, you probably want the option that will both save you money and keep your wallet protected in case you run into trouble on the road.
Below, we provide a review of GEICO, one of our favorite car insurance providers, including details on coverage options, additional features, discounts and more so you can determine whether it’s a good option for your vehicle — and your budget.
Geico Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Geico coverage and services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and there are 16 different types of discounts available. In addition to the standard coverage options, Geico offers various optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Read our Geico Auto Insurance review.
- Lowest average rates
- Inclusive coverage options, including high-risk drivers
- Available nationwide
- High premiums for high-risk drivers
- Fewer branches for in-person services
GEICO, available nationwide, provides the lowest average rates for both minimum and comprehensive coverage plans (according to our methodology) — which is why CNBC Select has picked it as our favorite cheapest auto insurance overall. It’s also earned a spot on our lists of the top car insurance companies for seniors, young adults and high-risk drivers.
Not only does GEICO offer some of the most affordable coverage, but it also has solid customer satisfaction ratings. The company maintains an A- rating with Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a relatively high J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction. And while high numbers of complaints are common for large insurance companies, GEICO car insurance has a lower complaint index from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners than many other large auto insurers.
GEICO offers a selection of coverage options and add-ons, including rental car reimbursement, emergency roadside assistance, mechanical breakdown insurance and others. Rates depend on the types and amounts of coverage you include in your policy, as well as your driving history, credit score (in most states) and discounts. According to our calculations, GEICO’s average annual premium for minimum coverage is $373. For maximum coverage, the average annual premium comes in at $1,353.
GEICO offers convenient features that help customers manage and use their insurance. You can access a personalized dashboard on the company’s website to track payments and any policy changes. You can also
- Download digital ID cards
- Start a new quote
- Change your current coverage
- Modify the address on your policy
- Add vehicles to your policy
- Report a claim
If you run into issues on the road, the website also offers options to get road assistance, such as for a flat tire or an empty gas tank. And should you need to contact GEICO, you can do so by email, online chat or phone. Alternatively, the company provides several addresses where you can send snail mail.
When you’re on the go, you can access all the same features via GEICO’s app. Additionally, GEICO partnered with CARFAX so you can check your vehicle’s service history and receive service reminders and recall alerts in the app. The service even shows you when your car registration is up for renewal and when your next recommended maintenance service should be (which you can schedule directly from the app), based on your vehicle’s mileage, which the app also tracks.
From including certain standard equipment in your car to good grades on your college report card, you have plenty of opportunities to qualify for discounts with GEICO, including:
- Vehicle equipment. An airbag and/or an anti-theft system in your car can save you up to 23% on your coverage. Anti-lock brakes can get you a 5% discount, and daytime running lights can earn you 3% off your insurance premium.
- New vehicle. If your car model is three years or newer, you can get a discount of up to 15%.
- Clean driving record. If you’ve gone without accidents for five years, you can potentially save up to 22% on most coverages at GEICO.
- Seat belt use. If you and your passengers consistently wear seat belts, GEICO can give you a discount on the personal injury protection and medical payments portion of your premium.
- Education. If you or a young driver in your family have completed a driver’s education course, you can qualify for a discount (eligibility requirements vary by state). Also, if you’re a full-time student and have a good academic record, you can save up to 15% on certain coverages.
- Military. Military policyholders who are part of an emergency deployment to a danger zone can qualify for a discount of up to 25%. Additionally, eligible active duty or retired military members, as well as members of the National Guard or Reserves can get 15% off certain auto insurance coverages.
- Membership and employment. Active and retired federal employees can save up to 12% on their total car insurance premium. Members of GEICO’s partner organizations can receive a special discount or premium reduction as well.
- Multiple vehicles. If you get insurance for more than one car, you can get as much as 25% off on most of the coverages.
- Multiple policies. Finally, drivers who use other types of insurance provided by GEICO, can also get a discount by bundling their coverages.
GEICO makes bundling policies easy since it offers multiple types of insurance. For instance, the company has also appeared on our best-of lists of motorcycle and RV insurance. Additionally, you can get homeowners insurance, including coverage for condos, renters insurance, flood insurance, umbrella insurance, life insurance — and the list goes on.
As one of the largest insurance providers, GEICO can provide coverage for just about anything under the sun. However, before you go ahead and bundle, collect a few quotes from other insurers to see where you can save the most money on the coverage you need.