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Geico Vs. Metromile

Both Geico and Metromile offer full and minimum coverage car insurance, but Metromile’s pay-per-mile plans are only available for drivers in select states.

Find out if you’re paying too much for auto insurance here.

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Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
02/02/2024 08:45 PM

Key Points:

  • Both Geico and Metromile offer comprehensive and liability coverage options, but Metromile uses a pay-per-mile fee structure, while Geico bills monthly and annually.
  • Geico offers more specialty coverage and insurance add-on options than Metromile, but both companies offer roadside assistance.
  • Geico’s usage-based insurance programs offer options for drivers outside of Metromile’s limited service area.

Geico is one of the largest auto insurance companies in the nation, but Metromile can be a smart choice for drivers who prefer to pay by the mile for coverage. In this review of Geico vs. Metromile, we’ll dive deep into car insurance coverage, pricing, and customer reviews to see which provider is the right choice for you.

Any time you shop for insurance, we recommend getting free quotes from a few sources so you can compare sample policies side by side. To go ahead and get connected with some of the best car insurance companies, enter your zip code above.

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Geico Vs. Metromile Highlights

Our research resulted in a higher rating for Geico than Metromile, but these two companies have some significant differences. Namely, Metromile only offers pay-per-mile car insurance. Geico offers a broader selection of car insurance products but only offers usage-based insurance in select locations.

Additionally, most Geico insurance products are available for drivers nationwide. Unfortunately, Metromile is limited to drivers in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. However, Metromile was acquired by Lemonade in 2022, meaning the company’s pay-per-mile insurance products may be available to more customers soon.

In the chart below, you’ll also notice Metromile has low scores in our reliability and customer service categories. These low scores are primarily due to Metromile not qualifying for select consumer surveys, having no AM Best rating, and having a history of poor ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

MetromileGeico
Overall Rating3.84.5
Reliability34.9
Availability8 states50 states
Coverage4.24.2
Cost3.14.2
Customer Service3.84.3
AM Best Financial Strength RatingN/AA++
2023 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction StudySM ScoreN/A871/1,000
Mobile App Google Play Rating3.14.6
Mobile App App Store Rating4.64.8

Read more about the providers in our complete Metromile insurance review and Geico review.


Geico Vs. Metromile: Coverage Comparison

With Both Metromile and Geico, you can get the standard types of car insurance:  

  • Liability
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
  • Medical Payments (MedPay)
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) 

Beyond that, coverage varies. For example, roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement are often included with top insurers’ coverage. Metromile’s roadside assistance costs $3 or more per month to add to your insurance policy and includes battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout services, and towing. Its rental car reimbursement isn’t included with its policies, either, and costs extra. Metromile doesn’t offer accident forgiveness, rideshare insurance, GAP insurance, or trip interruption coverage.

Geico, on the other hand, offers roadside assistance in addition to accident forgiveness and mechanical breakdown insurance to help when your car breaks down due to a faulty part.

Between the two car insurance providers, we think Geico has the better coverage. But again, the best option for you depends on what you’re looking for. You might place more weight on cost than coverage.


Metromile Vs. Geico: Cost And Discounts

Metromile coverage is calculated based on a standard monthly rate plus a per-mile rate. Metromile states the base monthly rate can be as low as $29 per month, plus six cents for each mile that you drive. The base rate varies depending on the state you live in. 

Geico car insurance rates are calculated similarly to most other auto insurance companies. Your insurance cost will depend on many factors, including your driving habits, where you live, and the year, make, model, and mileage of your vehicle. For policyholders with a good credit score and a clean driving history, the average rate for full coverage insurance from Geico is $1,572 per year or $131 per month. Geico customers pay an average of $655 per year or $55 per month for basic liability coverage. 

Our research found Metromile to be more affordable than Geico on average. However, Geico has a greater number of car insurance discounts than Metromile. Geico also offers a wider selection of insurance options, including homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, and life insurance. Geico customers can bundle these policies together to save even more money.

When choosing between Metromile vs. Geico car insurance policies, consider what discounts you might qualify for before signing on the dotted line.

MetromileGeico
Safe Driver
Multiple Vehicle
Usage-Based Program
Annual Mileage
Multiple Policy
Good Student

Standout Discounts From Metromile

Below are some of Metromile’s discounts that set it apart: 

  • Usage-based program: Metromile’s pay-per-mile system works using telematics through the Metromile Pulse Device. The data that this device tracks can help you save money on car insurance.
  • Annual mileage: If you drive a low amount of miles per year, you could be looking at savings.

Standout Discounts From Geico

Geico offers a wealth of discounts, and here are some of the most unique ones: 

  • Federal employee: It makes sense that Geico has a discount for federal employees considering Geico began as the Government Employee Insurance Company. Although Geico insures more than federal employees today, this group still gets savings on car insurance through Geico.
  • Military: If you’re an active-duty or retired military member, you could get up to 15 percent in savings on your auto insurance.
  • Anti-theft equipment and anti-lock brakes: Drivers with safety features in their vehicles will save with Geico.

Geico Vs. Metromile: Quotes And Claims

Comparing the quotes and claims processes is a good way to tell how easy it will be to work with an insurance provider. Filing claims can be particularly stressful, so it’s important to know how your insurer will handle the process.

Unfortunately, Metromile doesn’t appear in many industry reviews analyzing quotes and claims. We’ve gathered from customer reviews that the car insurance quotes process is very quick–under two minutes for some customers–but claims experiences get mixed feedback.

As the second-largest auto insurance company in the nation, Geico appears in many industry studies, including J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠ and 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM. It scored 857 out of 1,000 in the Shopping Study and 871 out of 1,000 for claims.


Geico Vs. Metromile: Ratings And Reviews

To assess each company’s reputation, we first turned to experts like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best. The BBB measures a company’s transparency and business practices, whereas AM Best measures financial ability to pay out the claims that customers are filing.

MetromileGeico
BBB RatingB-A+
AM Best Financial Strength RatingNot ratedA++

Geico pulls ahead of Metromile with the highest ratings possible from the BBB and AM Best. However, Metromile actually has a higher customer satisfaction rating on BBB than Geico.

Analyzing customer reviews can also help you know what it will be like to work with a car insurance company. We found that satisfied Metromile customers who left reviews with the BBB were happy with the roadside assistance, fast service, and easy-to-use technology. Disappointed customers complained about the claims experience.

Between Metromile and Geico, Geico generally receives better customer feedback. But as with any insurance company, there are positive and negative reviews. Positive Geico comments focus on customer service that exceeds expectations and easy claims filing, while negative comments mention rude representatives and slow claims payouts.


Geico Vs. Metromile: Our Take

In our review of the nation’s top auto insurance providers, Geico earned our award for Best for Basic Coverage. The insurer has comprehensive coverage, a long list of discounts, and largely positive reviews from experts and customers. That being said, we also believe in the age-old adage “different strokes for different folks.” Low-mileage drivers who live in one of the eight states Metromile serves will likely find a lower rate with the company.

Top Recommendations For Car Insurance

If you’re looking for a few more car insurance companies to get quotes from, add USAA and Progressive to your list. USAA auto insurance is a great choice for military families, while Progressive can provide low rates for high-risk drivers, including motorists in their 20s and those with recent at-fault accidents.

USAA: Best For Military Members

USAA earned 4.5 out of 5.0 stars from our review team with excellent scores in our coverage and cost categories. If you’re in the military or related to someone who is, you can find some of the most affordable car insurance premiums available with USAA. One of many discounts grants you up to 15 percent off if you garage your vehicle on a military base.

Learn more about coverage in our full USAA auto insurance review.

Progressive: Best For Usage-Based Insurance

Our Progressive auto insurance review found that the provider has competitive pricing for high-risk drivers as well as drivers interested in usage-based options. Not only that, but you can also find a policy in your budget with the Name Your Price® tool and compare rates against other providers–right on Progressive’s website. Snapshot, the company’s usage-based program, helps some drivers qualify for special discounts.

Some extra types of insurance you can get with Progressive include loan/lease payoff, rideshare coverage, and custom parts and equipment value.


Geico Vs. Metromile: FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Geico vs. Metromile insurance coverage:

Is Metromile a good auto insurance company?

Metromile may be a good choice for infrequent drivers in one of the eight states the company serves. However, Geico may offer affordable rates and more flexible coverage options for more drivers.

Who is Geico’s biggest competitor?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), State Farm is Geico’s biggest competitor and the largest insurance company in the U.S. The company held almost 17 percent of the insurance market share in 2022. 

Is Metromile a good deal?

Metromile can be a good deal if you drive a low number of miles per month. Unlike traditional auto insurance providers, Metromile insurance works on a per-mile basis, so you pay a base monthly rate, and an additional fee for each mile you drive. That said, Metromile doesn’t offer as many coverages and perks as other companies, so it’s important to compare providers.


How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
  • Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.