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You can't go wrong with either GEICO or USAA auto insurance coverage because both are highly rated and available nationwide. Comparing them side to side, both companies offer plenty of basic and add-on coverage options and multiple discounts.
USAA has the best rates, on average, however, only military members and their eligible family members will qualify for USAA's products. For those who do qualify, it's well worth considering as USAA offers substantial discounts specifically geared to military members.
The biggest disadvantage with USAA is that you need to be military-connected to get coverage options, but since GEICO offers a discount up to 25% for select military personnel, it is important to get a quote from both companies if you are or were in the service.
For drivers outside of the military, GEICO offers one of the most robust lists of discounts out there. The company focuses on low-cost options that will appeal to many drivers.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
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.
USAA pros and cons
- Offers lower than average premiums
- Family members of military members may be eligible
- Military-specific discounts
- Eligibility restricted to members of the military, veterans, and their families
- Fewer general discounts than some competitors
Learn more in our USAA review.
Which company is better?
| GEICO | USAA | |
| AM Best | A++ | A++ |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 692/1,000 (study average 697) | 726/1,000 (study average 697) |
| BBB | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.75 (Private Passenger) | 0.96 (Private Passenger) |
While USAA scored higher than GEICO in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, it only gets an honorable mention because it's technically not rank eligible due to its policies being unavailable to the general public.
GEICO fared pretty well in the J.D. Power study, though, scoring below average, but ranking above many major insurers, beating out Allstate, Progressive, and Travelers.
Both companies have the highest rating possible of an A++ (superior) from AM Best, which signifies that both companies are financially strong. Their shared A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau indicates a general strong record of customer service that's backed up by their respective complaint index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The NAIC complaint index compares insurance providers based on how many complaints they receive relative to a given year's study average across the industry. The NAIC calculates this by dividing the company's share of complaints by the total countrywide, with the national index set at 1.00, which means that a company with an index of 2.00 would have twice the expected number of complaints. Both GEICO and USAA have indices below 1, meaning they get less complaints than expected.
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Which company is cheaper?
Overall, GEICO is the more expensive provider, charging more than USAA for average monthly premiums across all driver types and coverage levels:
| 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 | ||
Compare GEICO's averages to USAA's below and you'll get a clearer picture of the difference in cost:
| Driver type | USAA liability-only monthly premium | USAA full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $46 | $96 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $55 | $116 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $58 | $122 |
| DUI on driving record | $74 | $156 |
| Teen driver | $79 | $168 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $35 | $74 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $36 | $75 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Again, if you're not in the military or a qualifying military family member, it won't matter that USAA is cheaper because you can't get a policy at all. But if you are eligible, USAA is the cheaper choice.
Clean driving record
While lower, USAA's average monthly rates for drivers with a clean record aren't significantly cheaper than GEICO's. For liability-only, GEICO charges an average $53 per month, versus USAA's $46. For full-coverage policies, GEICO charges an average of $114 per month compared to USAA's $96.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
At $65 average, GEICO only charges $10 more per month than USAA does for liability-only coverage with a speeding ticket on your record, but charges $22 more per month for full-coverage with a ticket.
At-fault accident on driving record
For drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, we again see a difference of $10 between GEICO and USA for liability-only, but a difference more than $20 for full-coverage, with GEICO charging $145 per month on average and USAA charge $122.
DUI on driving record
If you've got a DUI on your record, USAA is still going to be the cheaper choice, but again, not by too much. GEICO charges $87 per month on average for liability-only, compared to USAA's $74. For full-coverage, GEICO charges $186 per month on average while USAA charges $156, a bit more significant of a gap.
Teen driver
Starting to see a pattern? For teen drivers, GEICO is also more expensive, but only by $5 for liability-only, whereas it charges more than $10 per month more than USAA for full-coverage.
Senior driver
Again, for senior drivers, you can see that GEICO charges roughly $5 to $10 more than USAA. Overall, GEICO's just more expensive, but not by too terribly much, depending on your driving record and driver type.
Discounts
Both GEICO and USAA offer a roster of discounts to customers. GEICO's is slightly more expansive a list that USAA's, but USAA offers discounts targeted at military members and their families that could tip the scale in its favor if they apply to you.
For example, USAA offers discounts for deployed servicemembers and those who garage their cars on a military installation. While GEICO does offer a military discount, its discounts overall aren't as specially tailored to the needs of military members as USAA's are.
| Discount | Does GEICO have it? | Does USAA have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | Yes | No |
| New car | Yes | No |
| Pay in full | Yes | No |
| Automatic payments | Yes | No |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
USAA SafePilot vs. GEICO DriveEasy
Using telematics, an app-based device that tracks your driving habits, can save you money on your auto insurance plan. Both GEICO and USAA offer such programs.
According to USAA, its SafePilot telematics program can save you up to 30% on your premium. The service is available in more states than GEICO's DriveEasy telematics program. USAA SafePilot is available in 47 states, while GEICO's DriveEasy is only available in 39 states (including the District of Columbia).
Coverage
Both GEICO and USAA are available nationwide and offer similar levels of coverage. GEICO stands out in its inclusivity though, since you don't need to be in the military or military-connected to get a policy.
Both companies offer add-on coverages, such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, but there are some coverage options where they differ:
- USAA offers car replacement coverage which will give you 20% more than your vehicle is worth if your vehicle is stolen or totaled.
- GEICO offers mechanical breakdown coverage for newer vehicles, which covers repairs beyond the typical manufacturer's warranty.
Coverage types offered by both insurers include:
- Liability insurance
- Medical coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Rideshare driver coverage
- Emergency roadside service
- Rental reimbursement
FAQs
How do I contact GEICO?
To talk to a real person at GEICO, 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 USAA?
You may contact USAA customer service by calling 800-531-USAA (8722). Phone lines are open 24/7. Current customers can also send secure messages or contact online chat once logged in to their online account.
GEICO vs. USAA: Who costs less?
Both companies are known for its low-cost coverage options, but your quote will depend on your state, driving history, and credit history. GEICO, in general, quotes at higher rates than USAA, but even if you wanted to get a quote from USAA, you wouldn't be able to unless you meet the military-related qualifications.
Bottom line
GEICO and USAA are both well-known and respected car insurance companies offering a wide range of auto insurance options. Both companies rank among the best car insurance companies out there and are known for providing strong customer service.
Members of the military and their immediate family are the only ones who can access a policy through USAA, so that's the only limitation there. For those who qualify, USAA offers a unique insurance experience that still comes with plenty of discounts and, potentially, lower rates.
For those outside of the military, GEICO offers much of the same, but at a slightly higher premium.
Average rate:
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