Updated January 8, 2025
Who is Jerry?

GEICO Auto Insurance Review 2026

  • Get personalized options in minutes.

  • Buy, bundle and switch right in the app.

  • Licensed agents are ready to help if you need them.

Car insurance review featured image

Geico
5.0
Jerry rating
Our take
GEICO car insurance includes many policy discounts and is available in all 50 states. This insurer is an exceptional option for good drivers seeking a stable insurer and for “high-risk” drivers struggling to find adequate coverage.
Pros
  • Consistently among the most affordable rates for major insurers.
  • Many rate discount opportunities.
  • High financial strength rating (AM Best A++).
  • Available in all 50 states.
  • Files SR-22 and FR-44 forms for high-risk drivers.
Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power scores for shopping and claims satisfaction.
  • Limited agent availability; primarily direct/digital service.
  • Home insurance is underwritten by third-party partners, not GEICO directly.
  • Some customers report difficulty reaching customer service by phone.

GEICO car insurance: Jerry’s verdict

For the right driver, GEICO is one of the best deals in auto insurance. The question is whether you’re that driver.

GEICO, formally the Government Employees Insurance Company, was founded in 1936 by Leo Goodwin Sr. in Fort Worth, Texas, originally to serve federal employees. Today, headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway, it’s one of the three largest auto insurers in the U.S. That ownership matters: Berkshire Hathaway’s backing is a core reason GEICO holds an AM Best A++ rating, the highest possible financial strength grade.

The strongest case for GEICO is discount depth. With 13+ ways to reduce your premium — including military service, federal employment, defensive driving courses, good student GPA and multi-vehicle bundling — GEICO rewards specific driver profiles in ways many other competitors don’t. In our analysis, drivers qualifying for three or more GEICO discounts consistently landed among the lowest premiums available in their state.

GEICO also plays a unique role for high-risk drivers. Many major carriers quietly decline drivers with a DUI conviction, multiple at-fault accidents or a history of lapsed coverage. GEICO typically accepts them, and critically, it will file SR-22 and FR-44 forms on your behalf, a requirement in most states after a serious violation. For drivers in that situation, GEICO may be one of the few viable options for car insurance at a reasonable price.

The tradeoffs are real: GEICO’s customer satisfaction scores lag behind many competitors, its home insurance is handled by third-party partners rather than GEICO directly, and it offers limited options for drivers who want specialized coverage like rideshare or gap insurance. But for the driver who fits its profile (discount-eligible, digitally comfortable or simply looking for reliable coverage at a competitive rate), GEICO consistently delivers. It’s not the right insurer for everyone, but for the right driver, it’s hard to beat on price.

Who GEICO is best and worst for

The budget-conscious driver. GEICO consistently ranks among the cheapest major insurers for full and minimum coverage, and is among the most affordable in 39 out of 50 states.

A young or teen driver. GEICO’s rates for teen and young adult drivers are well below the national average, making it one of the better options for new drivers and their families.

High-risk drivers. Unlike many major carriers, GEICO typically accepts drivers with a DUI, lapsed coverage or multiple at-fault accidents, and will file necessary SR-22 or FR-44 forms on your behalf.

Someone who values hands-on agent support. GEICO operates primarily as a direct insurer with limited local agent access, which can be frustrating for drivers who prefer in-person guidance.

Drivers seeking specialized coverage. GEICO doesn’t offer gap insurance or pet injury protection, which some competitors do. Rideshare coverage may be available but only to select drivers.

A driver prioritizing claims satisfaction. GEICO ranked 14th out of 20 in JD Power’s 2025 Auto Claims Satisfaction study, and some customer reviews cite difficulty resolving claims or reaching service representatives by phone.

Lifestyle2 1

Compare GEICO and 50+ other insurers through Jerry in less than 5 minutes

Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance

How much does GEICO car insurance cost?

GEICO may offer affordable premiums to drivers with clean records. Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy, and the amount of coverage you want.

Based on our analysis of 849,694 real GEICO customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level.

Minimum

$51$107/mo

Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.

Full

$112$220/mo

Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.

Standard

$154$339/mo

Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.

Preferred

$197$422/mo

Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.

Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.


Learn more: Best car insurance companies


Industry ratings of GEICO car insurance

GEICO has an average rating across industry reports but stands out for a low number of consumer complaints and an exceptionally high financial strength rating.

RatingGEICO’s score
NAIC consumer complaint index (2025)Better than average (0.87).
CRASH Network report card (2026)C-.
JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025)No. 12 of 18.
JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025)No. 14 of 20.
AM Best (2025)A++ (Superior).
  • NAIC details
  • CRASH Network details
  • JD Power details
  • AM Best details
Gemini Generated Image qotsuzqotsuzqots

Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.

GEICO car insurance coverage options

Like most insurers, GEICO offers standard protections like collision, comprehensive, liability for bodily injury, liability for property damage, medical expense, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist.

GEICO also offers the following coverages as optional add-ons:

  • Mechanical breakdown coverage is similar to a warranty, but helps pay for repairs to new or leased vehicles, including parts that aren’t covered by most dealer warranties.

  • Emergency road service, which covers roadside assistance for things like flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts and towing.

  • Rental reimbursement helps cover a rental car while your car is out of commission.

In addition to car insurance, GEICO also offers other coverages like home insurance. Bundling home and auto insurance together saves Jerry drivers up to 40% on their overall premium, and you can even mix-and-match coverage from different insurers.

  • Coverage Definitions

GEICO car insurance discounts

GEICO offers more than a dozen car insurance discounts. Some of the most common include those for:

🚘🚗

Multiple vehicles on the same policy

📋

Owning multiple policies and bundling coverage

🛡️

Certain vehicle safety features like crash avoidance systems

New vehicles

🌟

Remaining accident-free for at least a year

🎓

Completing a defensive driving course

📝

Young drivers who complete a driver’s education course

📖

Full-time students with good grades

🪖

Active and retired military affiliation

🇺🇸

Active and retired federal employees

👥

Certain affiliations like AAA, alumni programs, etc.

Does GEICO offer insurance based on driving behavior?

GEICOs insurer’s DriveEasy program rewards safe drivers with lower premiums and is available in many states. The program tracks participants’ driving via a smartphone app. It considers the following behaviors:

  • Phone use while driving
  • Hard braking and rapid acceleration
  • Cornering speed
  • Speed consistency
  • Late-night driving
  • Trip distance
  • Route consistency

DriveEasy gives participants a score based on those factors. A higher score improves your chances of a lower rate at renewal.

Lifestyle2 1

Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.

Filing a claim with GEICO

Most GEICO claims follow a predictable path, and you have many options for filing a claim if you’re involved in an accident or have another related loss.

File through app, online or by phone
You can report a loss through the GEICO mobile app, at geico.com/claims or by calling 800-207-7847. Be sure to have photos of the damage ready along with your policy details and the other driver’s info (if applicable).

Get assigned an adjuster
GEICO will assign an adjuster to your claim, who typically reaches out within one business day to gather more information, take a statement and begin processing your claim. While many claims are assessed remotely, your vehicle may require an in-person inspection depending on the damage.

Repair authorization
GEICO will provide you with a repair estimate, which you can use to begin repairs. (The exception is if your vehicle is considered a total loss.) GEICO does have a network of shops that carry a carrier-backed repair guarantee, but you can choose any licensed shop you want.

Repair and rental
If you have rental reimbursement, GEICO will authorize a rental car during repairs, up to your coverage limits. If your shop finds additional damage as they begin work, they will communicate with your adjuster to extend the repair estimate and/or your rental car term.

Settlement or payout
For total losses, GEICO offers a settlement based on your car’s actual cash value (ACV), not its replacement cost. If you disagree with GEICO’s determination, you can dispute and negotiate, especially if you have comparable data to support a higher settlement value.


Agent insight
If you simply can't come to a fair agreement with your carrier on a settlement, you have options. You can 1) Hire a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf. 2) File a complaint with your state insurance department. 3) Consult with an attorney in your state.
Mitchell Mccray
Mitchell Mccray
Licensed insurance agent

Customer reviews of GEICO

Thousands of Jerry customers have used and reviewed GEICO’s auto insurance products and have given the company a solid overall score. Customers most frequently praise GEICO for its helpful mobile app, but also enjoy this carrier’s pricing and customer service experience.

Geico
4.0
3,164 Reviews
5 Stars
48%
4 Stars
21%
3 Stars
18%
2 Stars
6%
1 Star
8%

Is GEICO a good insurance company?

GEICO may be a good choice for drivers who qualify for one or more of its many discounts. The company’s high financial strength rating also makes it a strong option for drivers seeking a stable insurer. However, drivers looking for more tailored coverage — such as rideshare in certain areas, pet injury or gap insurance — may be better served by another carrier.

It’s best to compare GEICO with other insurers to find the right coverage at the lowest price.

Lifestyle9

See coverage options for your car.

How to contact GEICO

GEICO’s contact web page directs consumers to self-service as much as possible. Customers can report incidents, track claims, get quotes and view policy documents at https://www.geico.com/contact-us/. Policyholders can also submit claims, get roadside assistance and make payments on the company’s well-rated mobile app.

To reach a customer service representative, call 800-207-7847.

FAQ

  • Does GEICO car insurance cover rentals?
  • How do I file a claim with GEICO?
  • How do I lower my GEICO car insurance costs?
Lifestyle1

Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.

Methodology

We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation. 

How we rate car insurance companies

Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.

We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.

Expert-driven. Built for you.
Our experts
meet-experts-thumbnail
Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.

Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.

When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.

Let Jerry find you personalized quotes in minutes.