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GEICO suits people who are happy to buy and manage a policy in an app. It is a legitimate, Berkshire Hathaway owned insurer and one of the cheapest national brands for good drivers and drivers with poor credit, with full coverage averaging $2,020 a year in NerdWallet's data. The weak spots are claims and service: it scored 697 in J.D. Power's 2025 claims study, just under the 700 average, its Trustpilot score is 1.3, and it is expensive after a DUI. Compare it with State Farm and, if you are eligible, USAA.
- Company
- Government Employees Insurance Company, founded 1936; wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 1996; 20 offices and 24/7 service3
- Average full coverage
- $2,020 a year ($168 a month) for a 35-year-old good driver in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis; national average $2,3614
- Average minimum coverage
- $492 a year ($41 a month); national average $6484
- Financial strength
- A++ (Superior) from AM Best, affirmed April 20266
- J.D. Power 2025 claims study
- 697 out of 1,000; study average 7005
- Market share
- Parent Berkshire Hathaway wrote 11.6% of 2025 U.S. private auto premiums ($42.9 billion)7
- Switcher savings claim
- GEICO says drivers who switch can save over $900 a year1
- Mechanical breakdown insurance
- For cars under 15 months and 15,000 miles (36 and 36,000 in some states); $250 deductible; renewable up to 7 years or 100,000 miles2
Pros
- Full coverage averages $2,020 a year, about $340 below the national average in NerdWallet's data
- Among the lowest prices for drivers with poor credit ($2,910 vs. $3,954 average)
- A++ (Superior) AM Best rating, the highest grade
- App rated 4.8 from about 4.78 million App Store ratings
- Discounts for military members, federal employees and members of hundreds of groups
Cons
- Above average price after a DUI ($4,760 vs. $4,437)
- Claims satisfaction slightly below the J.D. Power study average
- Mostly direct sales, with few local agents and no independent agents
- Trustpilot score of 1.3 and a 1.11 BBB review average
- Paid $9.75 million to New York regulators in 2024 over data security lapses
Best for: Good drivers, drivers with poor credit, and military or federal employees who are comfortable buying and managing a policy online.
Skip it if: You have a DUI, want a local agent who can quote several companies, or qualify for USAA.
GEICO vs. competitors
| Company | Full coverage average (NerdWallet) | Minimum coverage average | J.D. Power 2025 claims score | AM Best | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $2,020 a year | $492 a year | 697 | A++ (Superior) | A+, 2,608 complaints in 3 years |
| Progressive | $2,277 a year | $645 a year | 673 | A+ (Superior) | B-, 5,262 complaints in 3 years |
| State Farm | $1,985 a year | Not compared here | 716 | A+ (Superior) | D-, 4,342 complaints in 3 years |
| USAA | $1,587 a year | $352 a year | 741 (not rank eligible) | A++ (Superior) | A+, 3,389 complaints in 3 years |
GEICO pricing at a glance
GEICO average yearly full coverage rates vs. national average, NerdWallet October 2026 sample rates (BestGuide did not price policies)4
| Driver profile | GEICO | National average |
|---|---|---|
| Good driver, age 35 | $2,020 | $2,361 |
| Minimum coverage, age 35 | $492 | $648 |
| Age 20 | $3,778 | $4,722 |
| Age 60 | $1,854 | $2,029 |
| One speeding ticket | $2,751 | $3,028 |
| One at-fault crash | $3,510 | $3,524 |
| One DUI | $4,760 | $4,437 |
| Poor credit | $2,910 | $3,954 |
Sample rates for a 35-year-old driver unless noted, full coverage unless noted. GEICO does not publish average premiums; your quote depends on your state, car, record and, where allowed, credit-based insurance score.
GEICO, step by step
Get a quote
Quote online, in the GEICO Mobile app or by phone. A GEICO agent can help, but GEICO agents quote GEICO, not other insurers.
Stack discounts
Check the multi-vehicle, good driver, good student, military, federal employee and group discounts, plus bundling with home or renters.
Decide on DriveEasy
DriveEasy uses your phone to score braking, cornering and phone use. Your price can move with the score, and it isn't offered in California, Hawaii or Vermont.
Manage and claim in the app
Pay, get ID cards, report claims and track repairs in the app, which is rated 4.8 on the App Store.
Watch your documents
New policies can be reviewed and canceled if requested proof isn't sent, so answer GEICO's document requests quickly.
GEICO legitimacy and licensing
Yes. GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) was founded in 1936, has been wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 1996, and sells car insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. AM Best affirmed its A++ (Superior) financial strength rating in April 2026, the highest grade. Berkshire Hathaway’s insurers, mostly GEICO, wrote 11.6% of U.S. private auto premiums in 2025, about $42.9 billion.
Its regulatory record includes a 2024 settlement with New York’s Department of Financial Services and Attorney General: GEICO paid $9.75 million after hackers pulled driver’s license numbers from its online quoting tool. In May 2026 it agreed with the Pennsylvania Attorney General to give new policyholders more time to send documents before a policy is canceled, without admitting a violation.
GEICO car insurance cost
GEICO does not publish average premiums. In NerdWallet’s October 2026 analysis, a 35-year-old good driver paid $2,020 a year for full coverage, about $168 a month, versus a $2,361 national average, and $492 a year for minimum coverage. GEICO stayed below average for 20-year-olds ($3,778), after a speeding ticket ($2,751) and with poor credit ($2,910), and was close to average after an at-fault crash ($3,510).
The exception is drunk driving: after a DUI, GEICO averaged $4,760 a year, above the $4,437 national average and well above Progressive’s $3,122. GEICO says drivers who switch can save over $900 a year, a figure based only on people who switched and saved.
GEICO discounts and DriveEasy
GEICO lists up to 25% off most coverages for insuring more than one vehicle, up to 22% for a clean driving record, up to 15% for full-time students with good grades, up to 25% for deployed military, and 5% off certain coverages for anti-lock brakes. It also offers military, federal employee and membership discounts for more than 800 groups, plus bundle, defensive driving course, safety equipment and pay in full discounts. Amounts vary by state.
DriveEasy runs in the GEICO Mobile app and scores how hard you brake, how fast you corner and how often you use your phone. Your premium can change with that score, so it can cost careful drivers less and risky drivers more. GEICO says it does not sell DriveEasy data to third parties. It is not offered in California, Hawaii or Vermont.
What customers say about GEICO
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Low prices for good drivers and drivers with poor credit
- Fast online quotes and a well rated app
- Military, federal employee and group discounts
- Easy policy changes without calling
Common complaints
- Rate increases at renewal
- Slow or disputed claim payouts and total loss values
- Phone trees, long holds and few local agents
- Policies canceled after document requests or missed payments
What GEICO covers
GEICO sells standard liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, medical payments and personal injury protection where required, plus emergency road service, rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage and accident forgiveness, which drivers can earn after five years of continuous GEICO coverage.
It also sells mechanical breakdown insurance, which works like an extended warranty for newer cars. To qualify, the car must be under 15 months old with fewer than 15,000 miles (36 months and 36,000 miles in some states), and you usually must be the first owner. After a $250 deductible it pays for covered repairs to most original mechanical parts, and you can renew it for up to seven years or 100,000 miles.
GEICO complaints
GEICO’s BBB profile lists 2,608 complaints in three years and 677 in the last 12 months, with a 1.11 out of 5 average from 1,156 customer reviews, though the BBB letter grade is A+. Trustpilot reviewers rate it 1.3 out of 5. Common themes are renewal rate increases, slow or low claim payouts, long phone holds and cancellations tied to document requests or missed payments. Adjusted for its size, NAIC data shows fewer complaints than expected.
To avoid problems, answer document requests on a new policy right away, keep proof of payments, and on a total loss ask for the valuation report and compare it with local listings. If GEICO won’t resolve a dispute, file with your state insurance department.
Cancelling GEICO
You can cancel a GEICO auto policy at any time by calling GEICO; refunds of unused premium and any fees depend on your state and policy. Start your new policy before the GEICO policy ends so you don’t have a gap, which can raise future rates and is illegal in most states. Tell your lender if your car is financed.
Who should look elsewhere
If you have a DUI, Progressive averaged about $1,600 a year less than GEICO in NerdWallet’s data. Military families should quote USAA, which averaged $1,587 for full coverage. If you want a local agent who knows your town, State Farm or an independent agent fits better than GEICO’s direct model.
Alternatives to GEICO
- USAA Cheaper on average and rated higher on claims if you or a parent or spouse served in the military. Read review
- State Farm Similar price for good drivers, a higher claims score and more than 19,000 local agents. Read review
- Progressive Far cheaper than GEICO after a DUI in NerdWallet's data ($3,122 vs. $4,760) and sold through independent agents. Read review
- An independent agent Free to use, and can quote regional insurers that GEICO's direct model leaves out.
GEICO reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is GEICO a good insurance company?
It is financially strong (A++ from AM Best) and one of the cheaper national brands for good drivers. Claims satisfaction is slightly below average, and online reviews of its service are poor.
How much is GEICO car insurance a month?
About $168 a month for full coverage and $41 for minimum coverage for a 35-year-old good driver, based on NerdWallet's October 2026 averages. Your price depends on your state, car and record.
Is GEICO cheaper than Progressive?
For many drivers, yes. NerdWallet's full coverage averages are $2,020 at GEICO and $2,277 at Progressive, but Progressive is much cheaper after a DUI. Quote both.
Is GEICO cheaper than State Farm?
They are close. NerdWallet's averages are $2,020 at GEICO and $1,985 at State Farm for a good driver, while GEICO is usually cheaper with poor credit.
Who owns GEICO?
Berkshire Hathaway, which has owned all of GEICO since 1996.
What is GEICO's BBB rating?
A+, but it is not accredited, and its profile lists 2,608 complaints in three years with a 1.11 out of 5 customer review average.
Does GEICO have accident forgiveness?
Yes. Drivers can earn it after five years of continuous GEICO coverage; terms vary by state.
Does DriveEasy raise your rates?
Your premium can change with your DriveEasy score, so risky driving can cost more. It is not offered in California, Hawaii or Vermont.
Does GEICO offer a military discount?
Yes, plus up to 25% off for emergency deployment. If you are eligible, also get a USAA quote.
Was GEICO fined for a data breach?
Yes. In 2024 GEICO paid $9.75 million to New York regulators after hackers took driver's license numbers through its online quoting tool.
Sources (15)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- GEICO: Car insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GEICO: Mechanical breakdown insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GEICO: At a glance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- NerdWallet: GEICO auto insurance review (October 2026 rates) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- J.D. Power: 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (Oct 28, 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Business Wire: AM Best affirms credit ratings of members of GEICO (Apr 16, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Insurance Information Institute: Top writers of private passenger auto insurance, 2025 (NAIC data) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GEICO: Car insurance discounts (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GEICO: DriveEasy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: GEICO profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: GEICO reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: GEICO Mobile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- NY DFS: DFS and Attorney General secure $11.3 million from GEICO and Travelers over data breaches (Nov 25, 2024) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Insurance Journal: GEICO agrees to modify cancellation process (May 26, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- NAIC: Consumer Insurance Search (accessed October 12, 2026)
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