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GEICO and AAA are two major names in auto insurance (and in the latter case, cars more generally). The two companies perform similarly across various customer satisfaction and financial stability metrics, but the real difference comes down to how the two companies actually work.
GEICO is a centralized insurance provider, while AAA is made up of dozens of regional organizations called clubs, each of which represents members within a given territory, whether that be multiple states or specific metro areas. Because of this, it's difficult to make a one-to-one comparison, as the rates and services you'll get with one AAA club could be different from what you'd get with another.
One thing that is clear is that GEICO is significantly cheaper than the national average regardless of your record as a driver. But with a broad range of discounts available from both insurers, it's possible you could get a competitive rate with AAA as well.
GEICO pros and cons
- Available in all 50 states
- Lower premiums than many other insurers
- Wide range of discounts and coverage
- Fewer local agents than other big companies
- Some discounts can be difficult to qualify for
Learn more in our GEICO review.
AAA pros and cons
- Wide range of extra coverage options
- Many discounts available
- Strong financial stability ratings
- Only provides auto insurance in 14 states
- Rates vary by club but can cost more than other companies
- May be required to be an AAA member to qualify for coverage
Learn more in our AAA review.
Which company is better?
| GEICO | AAA | |
| AM Best | A++ | A+ |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 692/1,000 | 692/1,000 |
| BBB | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.75 | N/A |
GEICO and AAA are pretty evenly matched across the range of customer satisfaction and financial strength metrics we assess when reviewing insurers. While GEICO has a slightly higher AM Best rating for financial stability and thus its ability to fulfill its insurance obligations, AAA's A+ is no significant mark against it. The organization didn't get to be as big as it is by not being able to pay out on claims.
The two companies tied on J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, scoring just below the report's average of 697 out of 1,000 points. GEICO has an NAIC complaint index below the national index of 1.00, indicating that the company receives fewer complaints than expected.
AAA as an organization is composed of dozens of local clubs. As we'll cover in more detail below, that can make it difficult to get a holistic read on customer experience, given that each club will do things a little differently. While it's not specifically stated, that's likely the reason why the NAIC doesn't track AAA's complaints.
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Which company is cheaper?
Comparing these two insurers on price is a little difficult. As noted, AAA's policies and premiums vary by ZIP code, so there isn't really meaningful data available on average cost, as there could be differences in price between local AAA clubs even within one state.
But if you're looking to save money on your car insurance, for context, here are the national averages across insurers so you can get a rough idea of what you might expect to pay with AAA, but again, your own policy quote will vary:
| Driver type | National average liability-only monthly premium | National average full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $105 | $192 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $141 | $265 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $146 | $274 |
| DUI on driving record | $166 | $313 |
| Teen driver | $194 | $364 |
| Senior driver | $85 | $160 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Compare these numbers to GEICO's average rates below:
| Driver type | GEICO liability-only monthly premium | GEICO full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $52 | $114 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $63 | $138 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $67 | $145 |
| DUI on driving record | $85 | $185 |
| Teen driver | $84 | $183 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $40 | $87 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $39 | $84 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
As you can see, across the board, GEICO is cheaper than the national average rate for both full-coverage and liability-only policies, often by as much as 50%.
Keep in mind that you will also have to purchase an AAA membership before you can buy insurance. This will be an additional $64.99 to $124.99 per year, depending on which level of membership you get, but new members can get a massive discount on their first year. Some new members reported paying as little as $7 for their first year of membership.
But AAA membership will also give you roadside assistance, as well as other perks like identity theft monitoring and lock out car assistance that you won't necessarily get with your GEICO policy.
Discounts
Working with your insurer to see what discounts you might qualify for is one of the best ways to lower your car insurance premium. GEICO and AAA offer a very similar roster of discounts, as you'll see below.
The only significant differences between the two insurers when it comes to discounts is that GEICO offers a discount to members of the military, while AAA does not, and that AAA offers a loyalty discount for sticking with their coverage, while GEICO does not.
| Discount | Does GEICO have it? | Does AAA have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | Yes | Yes |
| New car | Yes | Yes |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic payments | Yes | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
Average rate:
GEICO DriveEasy vs. AAADrive
Both insurers offer a telematics program that uses a mobile app to track your driving habits, offering a discount on your policy for safe behavior on the road. GECIO's is called DriveEasy and AAA's is called AAADrive.
AAA offers 5% off your policy just for enrolling in their telematics program, provided you log your journeys in the app daily and meet the program goals. If all drivers on your policy enroll and meet the program requirements, you could save up to 10%, and when it comes time to renew your policy, you could get up to 25% off based on your driving score.
GEICO's DriveEasy program works similarly, with the company offering discounts of up to 15% just for enrolling, with a greater discount applied based on your driving record as tracked by the app. Note that the telematics programs offered by both insurers are not available in all states.
Coverage
Both companies provide similar types of car insurance coverage options. The only areas where there are significant differences between GEICO and AAA were with the add-on policies.
For example, AAA provided options for glass, OEM parts, and new car protections. But you could purchase mechanical breakdown insurance and upgraded accident forgiveness with GEICO. Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance is an optional coverage you can add on to your policy so you don't have to worry about your new vehicle. GEICO does not offer GAP insurance or new car replacement coverage, which allows you to get the same vehicle make and model no matter the cost, but AAA does.
For drivers living on the border, Geico offers Mexico tourist insurance that is simple to turn on and off when you need it. GEICO also offers coverage for collector's cars, RVs, ATVs, and even bicycles.
You can get roadside assistance coverage with both companies, which often includes changing a flat tire or towing services. But it makes sense to get an AAA membership instead of a car insurance add-on because it comes with more services, so even if you have GEICO it could make sense to get a AAA membership instead of adding on GEICO's roadside assistance policy add-on. AAA memberships typically include towing and locksmith services, fuel delivery, and partial reimbursement for locksmith fees.
One important difference we ran into with AAA is that it's separated into dozens of different clubs, and each AAA club has its own website. Each AAA club is an independent organization and covers a specific area, which could be several states, certain regions within states, or even certain cities within states. So your options and experience with AAA could be different depending on where you live.
In general, though, GEICO and AAA both offer the following standard coverages:
- Liability insurance
- Medical payments
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Emergency roadside service
- Mechanical breakdown
- Rental reimbursement
FAQs
How do I contact GEICO?
To speak with a GEICO representative over phone, call 1 (800) 207-7847. This is the company's general customer service line. You can also live chat with an agent through the site or app.
How do I contact AAA?
You can get general customer support by calling 800-564-6222, but to get more focused guidance, reach out to a local branch. Use the AAA office locator to search one of the company's 400+ locations.
Is GEICO better than AAA insurance?
GEICO and AAA are pretty evenly matched when it comes to customer service, and they each offer a standard set of coverage in addition to some interesting add-on options. Where they may differ more significantly is on price. GEICO is much cheaper than the national average across driver types, that's for sure. But AAA's company structure means sussing out average rates is a bit difficult, so in order to get a sense of which would be cheaper for you, you'll have to go through the quote process.
Bottom line
So, GEICO or AAA? It depends on your area and your needs. GEICO is without doubt quite affordable when compared to national averages and offers more add-on insurance options — though AAA does offer GAP insurance, an important consideration if you're leasing or have an auto loan.
AAA's hyperlocal structure and general member benefits, however, give it a unique edge over GEICO. Which one is better will boil down to where you live and your specific driving needs — i.e. if you are a driver that wants more options for insurance coverage, GEICO is the solid choice, but if you like the idea of included roadside assistance and coverage catered to your region, AAA might be better for you.
Overall, it makes sense to compare rates between all available insurance providers to find the cheapest coverage. Check out our best car insurance page to see what's available in your area.
Average rate:
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