GEICO vs. Progressive: Which is Best for You?

GEICO averages $1,216/yr vs. Progressive's $1,546 for most drivers, but Progressive is cheaper after a DUI at $1,988 vs. $2,838. See MoneyGeek's full rate and coverage comparison.

Compare car insurance quotes from GEICO and Progressive below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: February 23, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

GEICO vs. Progressive: Key Takeaways

GEICO is cheaper than Progressive for most drivers — adults, young drivers, seniors and poor-credit drivers all pay less with GEICO.

Progressive is cheaper than GEICO after a DUI — $1,988/yr vs. $2,838/yr, an $850 annual difference.

Progressive offers more specialty coverage than GEICO, including custom parts protection and pet injury coverage.

GEICO vs. Progressive Car Insurance

GEICO and Progressive are the second and third-largest auto insurers in the country, and both hold strong financial ratings — GEICO an A++ from AM Best, Progressive an A+. The real difference is who they're cheaper for. GEICO costs less for most drivers and earns a higher J.D. Power satisfaction score (645 vs. 621), but Progressive is $850 cheaper per year after a DUI and offers more specialty coverage, including custom parts protection and pet injury coverage that GEICO doesn't.

Choose Progressive if you have a DUI, want custom parts or pet injury coverage, or plan to use rideshare coverage or Snapshot. For everything else, GEICO wins on price. See MoneyGeek's best car insurance companies for more insurance provider comparisons.


MoneyGeek Score	4.5/5	4.7/5
Overall Rank	#1	#1
Full Coverage (Good Credit, Adult)	$1,216/yr	$1,546/yr
Minimum Coverage (Good Credit, Adult)	$545/yr	$825/yr
J.D. Power Auto Satisfaction (2025)	645/1,000	621/1,000
J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction (2024)	692/1,000	672/1,000
AM Best Rating	A++ (Superior)	A+ (Superior)
NAIC Complaint Index (2024)	1.56 (below avg. is better)	2.80 (below avg. is better)

Is GEICO or Progressive Cheaper Overall?

GEICO is cheaper for most profiles. The gap starts at $330 per year for good-credit adults with a clean record and widens with violations to $429 after a speeding ticket and $485 after an at-fault accident. Young drivers see the largest difference at $1,679 per year. After a DUI, Progressive is $850 cheaper — the one profile where it wins on price. Drivers with a DUI should choose Progressive. All other profiles favor GEICO.

Keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and the cheapest car insurance for you may vary depending on many factors, including where you live, your age, your driving record and your credit score.


Young Drivers (Clean Record)	$2,969	$247	$4,648	$387	GEICO saves $1,679
Adult Drivers (Clean Record)	$1,216	$101	$1,546	$129	GEICO saves $330
Senior Drivers (Clean Record)	$1,492	$124	$2,010	$168	GEICO saves $518
Speeding Ticket	$1,634	$136	$2,063	$172	GEICO saves $429
At-Fault Accident	$1,896	$158	$2,381	$198	GEICO saves $485
DUI	$2,838	$236	$1,988	$166	Progressive saves $850

GEICO vs. Progressive: Discounts

Good student, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, accident-free and pay-in-full car insurance discounts are available from either carrier. The differences show up at the margins: GEICO has exclusive discounts for military members, federal employees and emergency deployment personnel that Progressive doesn't match. Progressive counters with an online quote and sign discount averaging 7–9%, a teen driver discount and a continuous insurance discount for drivers switching from another carrier.


Safe Driver (Telematics)	—	✓ (Snapshot, up to 30%)
Good Student	✓	✓
Multi-Vehicle	✓	✓
Multi-Policy (Bundle)	✓	✓
Homeowner	✓	✓
Military / Federal Employee	✓	—
Emergency Deployment	✓	—
Continuous Insurance	—	✓
Name Your Price Tool	—	✓
Pay in Full	✓	✓
Paperless	✓	✓

GEICO vs. Progressive: Telematics Programs

Both companies offer telematics programs that track driving behavior and can adjust rates in either direction — safe driving can lower your premium, but risky habits like hard braking, speeding or phone use can raise it. Progressive's Snapshot has a slight edge in flexibility, with a plug-in device option alongside the app and broader state availability.


Program Name	DriveEasy	Snapshot
Device	iOS or Android app	iOS or Android app or plug-in device
Can it raise rates?	Yes	Yes
Availability	37 states and Washington, D.C.	All states except California; not available from all agents
What it monitors	Braking, speed, distraction, acceleration, time of day, mileage	Braking, acceleration, phone use, time of day, mileage
Max discount	Varies	Up to 30% (avg. $231/yr including sign-up discount)

GEICO vs. Progressive: Customer Experience

GEICO edges out Progressive on third-party ratings — it scores higher on J.D. Power satisfaction (645 vs. 621 out of 1,000) and draws fewer complaints per the NAIC (1.56 vs. 2.80, where 1.00 is the industry baseline). Both companies operate as digital-first insurers without local agent networks, relying on phone and online support. For more on each company's service, see MoneyGeek's GEICO car insurance review and Progressive car insurance review.

Both companies support 24/7 claims filing online, through mobile apps and by phone. Progressive's app integrates Snapshot tracking and Name Your Price functionality directly. GEICO's app covers core tasks cleanly without the added complexity. Neither company has a local agent presence, so drivers who prefer in-person service should consider that before choosing either.

GEICO vs. Progressive: Coverage Options

Both car insurance companies offer the standard types of car insurance. Progressive leads in specialty coverage with custom parts and equipment protection for aftermarket modifications and pet injury coverage for vet bills after an accident — options GEICO doesn't offer. GEICO counters with Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, a coverage type similar to an extended warranty that covers repairs not related to accidents, which Progressive doesn't match.


Liability	✓	✓
Collision	✓	✓
Comprehensive	✓	✓
Medical Payments (MedPay)	✓	✓
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)	✓ (where required)	✓ (where required)
Rental Car Reimbursement	✓	✓
Roadside Assistance	✓	✓
Rideshare Coverage	✓	✓
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance	✓	—
Custom Parts & Equipment	—	✓
Pet Injury Coverage	—	✓
Accident Forgiveness	✓	✓

If you drive a modified vehicle or want pet injury protection, Progressive's coverage is the better fit. If you want mechanical breakdown protection, GEICO is the only option between these two. For rate comparisons, see MoneyGeek's guides to cheapest full coverage car insurance and cheapest liability-only car insurance.

GEICO vs. Progressive: Online Tools

Progressive wins this category for its Name Your Price tool, which lets you browse policies by budget rather than starting with coverage selections. Drivers shopping for the lowest required coverage can also see state minimum car insurance requirements to understand what's legally required in their state.

Its app also integrates Snapshot tracking natively. GEICO's app handles core tasks cleanly — claims filing, roadside requests, ID cards, bill pay — without behavioral monitoring built in. Both support 24/7 claims filing by phone, app and online.

GEICO vs. Progressive: FAQ

Is GEICO Cheaper Than Progressive?

For most drivers, yes. GEICO averages $1,216 per year for adult drivers with good credit and a clean record, compared to Progressive's $1,546, a $330 difference. The exception is drivers with a DUI, where Progressive averages $1,988 per year versus GEICO's $2,838. See MoneyGeek's cheapest car insurance companies for a broader comparison.

Which Is Better After a DUI — GEICO or Progressive?

Progressive by a wide margin. After a DUI, Progressive averages $1,988 per year versus GEICO's $2,838, an $850 annual difference. Many states also require an SR-22 filing after a DUI — see MoneyGeek's guide to cheap SR-22 insurance. For drivers with a DUI, Progressive is the clear choice between these two. See MoneyGeek's guides to cheapest car insurance after a DUI and high-risk drivers for more options.

Does GEICO or Progressive Have Better Telematics?

Progressive's Snapshot is the only telematics program between the two — GEICO doesn't offer one. Snapshot tracks speed, braking, phone use and mileage, with savings potential up to 30%. It can also raise rates for risky behavior, so it's best suited to drivers confident in their habits.

Does GEICO or Progressive have better coverage options?

Progressive offers more specialty options, custom parts and equipment coverage, and pet injury coverage that GEICO doesn't. GEICO counters with Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, which functions like an extended warranty for non-accident repairs. For drivers with modified vehicles, Progressive is the stronger choice. For breakdown protection, GEICO is the only option here.

Is GEICO or Progressive better for young drivers?

GEICO is substantially cheaper for young drivers, averaging $2,969 per year versus Progressive's $4,648, a $1,679 annual difference. GEICO's good student discount and straightforward pricing make it the default choice for most young drivers. See MoneyGeek's guide to cheapest car insurance for young adults for more options.

Is GEICO or Progressive the cheapest car insurance company for seniors?

GEICO is cheaper for seniors at $1,492 per year versus Progressive's $2,010, a $518 annual difference. Seniors should also consider whether to drop collision or comprehensive coverage on older vehicles to further reduce premiums.

Which Company Has Better Customer Service - GEICO or Progressive?

Progressive scores slightly higher — 3.1/5 versus GEICO's 3.0/5 in MoneyGeek's customer experience analysis. Both companies are primarily digital and phone-based with no local agent network. Neither has a decisive edge for in-person service. For senior drivers who prefer agent relationships, both companies may be a better fit than insurers with local offices.

GEICO vs. Progressive: Our Methodology

GEICO and Progressive were analyzed by MoneyGeek based on affordability, coverages, service, financial stability and online tools.

Customer satisfaction and complaints data were drawn from J.D. Power surveys and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Financial strength was based on ratings from A.M. Best, an insurance credit rating agency.

The MoneyGeek team compiled data on available coverages and discounts for each insurer. Quotes were compiled from hundreds of ZIP codes across the country for a sample car insurance policy for a 40-year-old male. The policy covers:

$100,000 on bodily injury liability insurance per person
$300,000 on bodily injury liability insurance per accident
$100,000 on property damage liability insurance per person
Comprehensive and collision insurance with a $1,000 deductible

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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sources

GEICO. "Car Insurance Coverage Calculator." Accessed November 13, 2024.
GEICO. "Home & Auto Insurance: Combine Policies & You Could Save." Accessed November 13, 2024.
Progressive. "Bundle Home and Auto Insurance." Accessed November 13, 2024.
Progressive. "Use the Name Your Price Tool." Accessed November 13, 2024.