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Millions of drivers choose Geico or Progressive for auto insurance. They’re two of the three largest car insurance companies in the U.S.
But Progressive and Geico take different approaches to providing car insurance, so which one you should choose depends on what’s most important to you.
- Progressive has thousands of agents while Geico primarily does business online or by phone.
- Geico often beats Progressive’s rates, but not for all drivers or in all states.
- Both have long — but different — lists of coverage options to customize policies.
To help you find the best policy for you, here’s a detailed look at how the two companies compare.
Geico vs. Progressive: Average car insurance rates
If price is your top concern, Geico is likely to have the edge — but it depends on where you live.
NerdWallet analyzed rates in 34 states and the District of Columbia where both Geico and Progressive are among the largest auto insurance companies. In those states, Geico was about $19 a month cheaper than Progressive, on average, for good drivers with good credit buying a full-coverage policy.
And for drivers with poor credit or a recent at-fault accident buying the same coverage, Geico’s rates were about $56 a month lower than Progressive’s, on average.
But in Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina and the District of Columbia, Progressive was cheaper than Geico, on average, for all three situations. In eight other states, Progressive was cheaper than Geico for one or two of the driver profiles.
However, in 21 states Geico was cheaper than Progressive for all three situations.
Since rates vary so much by state and by the driver’s circumstances, it’s important to get quotes from both companies to know whether Progressive or Geico is cheapest for you.
Here are the annual average rates we found for full coverage for four driver profiles, plus minimum coverage rates for good drivers with good credit.
These prices are averaged across 34 states and Washington, D.C., and may not reflect prices in your state.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s Progressive review
Geico vs. Progressive: NerdWallet ratings
Both companies earned 3.5 stars in NerdWallet’s ratings of the best car insurance companies, but Geico ranked 15th while Progressive ranked 19th out of 24 insurers.
NerdWallet’s rating is a score based on:
- J.D. Power ratings for customer service, claims satisfaction and shopping satisfaction.
- Consumer Reports customer satisfaction ratings.
- Consumer complaints against the insurer, based on data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s Geico review
Geico vs. Progressive: Customer satisfaction
Customers report a better experience with Geico than with Progressive, both when they’re shopping for insurance and after an insurance claim, according to J.D. Power.
The independent ratings firm ranked Geico 12th out of 19 companies in the 2019 J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study while Progressive ranked 18th. Both companies earned a rating of “about average” in the study.
In J.D. Power’s 2018 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, the latest available at the time of publication, Geico tied for 10th among 22 insurers, while Progressive landed at 17th. Again, both companies were considered “about average.”
Geico vs. Progressive: Insurance options
Progressive offers coverage options in some states that aren’t available from Geico:
- The Snapshot usage-based insurance program lets drivers earn discounts for safe driving.
- Gap insurance covers what you owe on a vehicle, less your deductible, if your car is totaled or stolen and your regular coverage isn’t enough to pay off the loan.
Geico, on the other hand, offers mechanical breakdown coverage. That option isn’t available from Progressive.
» MORE: Compare car insurance rates
Geico vs. Progressive: Online and mobile tools
Both Geico and Progressive have websites and mobile apps where drivers can manage their auto insurance policy online. The mobile apps also let you pay premiums, get ID cards, call for roadside assistance and upload damage photos.
Other digital tools at Geico include:
- Vehicle Care, which alerts you when your car needs maintenance.
- Locators for gas, parking and nearby attractions.
- Voice assistance through Google Home, Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa.
- Find a Ride, which lets you use Geico’s mobile app to connect with a Lyft driver.
At Progressive, other online and mobile tools include:
- Name Your Price, which helps you find a policy that fits your budget.
- The Snapshot mobile app for Progressive’s usage-based insurance program. The app can give you details about your driving behavior and your trips.
- Virtual assistance through Google Home or via Progressive’s Flo Chatbot, a Facebook Messenger app.