USAA vs. Geico: Pricing and Coverage Comparison (2024) (2024)

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So, if you’re comparing USAA vs. Geico, which is the better auto insurer? Both providers are reputable, offer low average rates and have good customer service reputations. USAA has the higher score overall, with a 9.2 out of 10.0. However, Geico is not far behind, with a score of 9.1 and is available to more people. Ultimately, we named Geico our Editor’s Choice and celebrated USAA for Low Rates for Military.

Compare USAA vs. Geico

Based on our methodology we use to systematically rate every insurance provider, you can compare USAA and Geico in the table below:

USAA began when 25 Army officers decided to insure each other’s vehicles in 1922. Today, the company still serves military personnel and their families. You’re eligible for USAA car insurance if:

• You are active-duty military personnel or a retired veteran
• You are a cadet or officer candidate
• Your spouse or parent has had a USAA auto or home insurance policy

Find out more about USAA’s services in our USAA Car Insurance Review.

Geico began as the Government Employees Insurance Company in 1936 and initially insured government employees. Today, it provides coverage to drivers nationwide and still has discounts for federal employees.

Find out more about Geico’s services in our Geico Car Insurance Review.

USAA and Geico both provide the six standard car insurance coverages to drivers nationwide. These insurers also offer several add-on coverage options, including roadside assistance, rental car coverage, rideshare coverage and usage-based insurance in some states.

The main difference between USAA and Geico car insurance policies is that Geico offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which is similar to an extended car warranty. If defective materials or workmanship cause damages, MBI coverage pays for the repair. USAA, on the other hand, has coverage for glass as well as leased vehicles.

USAA and Geico Coverage Comparison

Below is a table that provides information about the specific auto insurance coverage options (and other insurance products) offered by USAA and Geico:

*Accurate at time of publication.

Usage-based Insurance Comparison

USAA and Geico both offer usage-based insurance programs that provide discounts based on your driving habits. However, neither program’s eligibility extends to every state.

SafePilot is available in all states except California, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.

You can get DriveEasy if you’re based in Washington, D.C., or one of the following 28 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

USAA’s SafePilot won’t raise your rate. The program can only give you a discount, which can extend up to 30%, or maintain your current rate. On the other hand, Geico can use data from DriveEasy to recalculate your rate and increase your insurance premium if you’re deemed a risky driver.

Here’s how both companies’ average costs for full coverage auto insurance compare to other leading national providers:

Keep in mind that your car insurance quotes may not reflect the above rates shown. Your actual rates may also be different from your quotes. Rates depend on a number of factors about you and your vehicle — such as your driving history, age, coverage options and the deductible you choose.

USAA vs. Geico Discounts

Geico offers more discounts, but that doesn’t mean policyholders get the lowest car insurance rates. USAA is often the cheapest option even though it offers fewer car insurance discounts in total.

Keep in mind that car insurance costs are highly variable and depend on factors like your vehicle, location, credit score, driving history, deductible and more.

USAA vs. Geico Military Discounts

If you’re a military member or veteran, there are key differences to note between USAA and Geico auto insurance.

USAA does not offer a military discount that applies to veterans, but it does offer other military-specific savings opportunities, such as a 15% discount for garaging your car on a military base. Geico provides a 15% discount to active members of the military and veterans as well as a 25% discount for deployment into an imminent danger pay zone.

Since USAA is built around supporting military life, it offers an extensive knowledge base and checklists for joining the military, deployment, changing stations and leaving the military. USAA also has a job-finding program and discounts on various partner services.

Customer satisfaction is another category where USAA comes out on top. The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study^SM rates auto insurance companies on their repair process, estimate process and rental experience. Based on this criteria, USAA received 875 out of a possible 1,000 points, which is the second-highest score in the study, while Geico received 853 points, which is just below the industry average.

However, Geico received mostly above-average scores and higher rankings in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study^SM, where it came in third place for New York and the Central and Northwest U.S. regions. In that same Auto Insurance study, USAA scored the highest across most U.S. regions.

According to NAIC data, USAA has a smaller number of complaints relative to its size than Geico. Still, both companies offer strong mobile app experiences with high ratings on Google Play. Though USAA and Geico BBB customer review ratings may seem concerning, these low scores are common among insurance providers and only represent a small number of customer experiences.

After comparing every major car insurance company on the market, we recognized USAA for having Low Rates for Military and Geico as a great pick for most drivers and our Editor’s Choice. If you’re eligible for coverage from both auto insurers, we recommend comparing quotes.

Geico and USAA Competitors: Top Picks

Even though USAA and Geico are excellent car insurance providers, it’s a good idea to get auto insurance quotes from multiple providers to compare your options. We also recommend reaching out to Travelers and State Farm.

Travelers: Best for Most Drivers

Travelers is a great option for most drivers. The company offers a wide range of coverage options and policy add-ons, making it easy for drivers to customize their insurance policies. Travelers also has a usage-based IntelliDrive program, helping drivers stay safe on the road and get discounted rates.

Keep reading: Travelers insurance review

State Farm: Best Customer Experience

State Farm can be a smart choice for students and people who have younger drivers on their policy. The insurer offers a generous good student discount and other programs to help young drivers find lower rates. In addition, State Farm has more local insurance agents than any other provider, meaning you’ll have an easier time getting assistance in person if you need it.

Keep reading: State Farm insurance review

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
• Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

• 800 hours researched
• 45 companies reviewed
• 8,500+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.