USAA Vs. Geico

Key Points:

• USAA full coverage insurance is about six percent cheaper than Geico for good drivers on average.
• USAA has a slightly better reputation for customer service in the industry.
• Geico and USAA both offer a wide variety of coverage options and extras.

In our ongoing research into the best car insurance companies in the nation, USAA and Geico top our list. This Geico vs. USAA comparison takes a side-by-side look at both companies in terms of coverage, discounts, customer satisfaction, cost, and more.

Ultimately, both companies provide great coverage options and affordable premiums, but our review can help you find out which auto insurance provider will work best for your needs.

---

USAA Vs. Geico Overview

Geico–also known as the Government Employees Insurance Company–has been around since 1936. When comparing Geico vs. USAA, you should know that Geico is the third-largest auto insurance company in the United States with almost 14 percent of the market share according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Both companies have superior financial strength ratings from AM Best. That means Geico and USAA can easily manage their claims obligations.

USAA has a track record for great customer service and affordable prices. The San Antonio-based company was formed in 1922 by 25 U.S. Army officers who sought to insure themselves when other companies saw the Army as a high-risk group.

USAA Vs. Geico: Which One’s Better?

We rate both Geico and USAA 4.5 stars out of 5.0 overall, but each company has its own advantages. Below, you can see how we rated both in different categories.

USAA Vs. Geico: Industry Ratings

The table below offers an overview comparing several key details between each company.

*Scores from the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠

One important difference to note about USAA is that not everyone is eligible to purchase a USAA auto insurance policy. Potential USAA customers must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be an enlisted, active, honorably separated, or retired member of the U.S. military
• Be enrolled in a military commissioning program
• Have a parent or spouse who has had a USAA auto or home insurance policy

If anyone in your family is a military member, you might want to ask them to sign up for a policy with USAA. Even if service members switch companies down the road, they can still pass eligibility on to their family members.

---

Geico Vs. USAA: Coverage Options

Both Geico and USAA offer the following standard types of auto insurance coverage:

• Liability: Bodily injury liability and property damage liability provide compensation for other drivers and passengers in accidents you cause. States typically require liability coverage, though New Hampshire and Virginia have alternatives for those who can take on financial liability themselves.
• Collision: This option covers damage to your car no matter who causes the accident.
• Comprehensive auto insurance: This option repairs your car after events like floods, vandalism, and falling branches.
• Medical payments (MedPay): This covers your hospital bills no matter who was at fault.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): This option is similar to MedPay, but it also covers lost wages and some other services like childcare. No-fault states like New York, Florida, and Minnesota require personal injury protection because it covers your bills no matter who caused the accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): This coverage protects you if you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Some states like South Carolina require it.

The combination of liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage is called full coverage insurance. In addition to the standard options, both providers offer a few more types of coverage–important considerations when comparing Geico vs. USAA auto insurance.

Geico Standout Coverage Options

Geico offers auto policyholders the following additional coverage options, which can be added to any Geico car insurance policy:

• Roadside assistance: Get coverage for towing, jump-starts, spare tire installation, and lockout services.
• Rental reimbursement: Geico covers specified rental car costs after a claim. Geico can bill Enterprise directly, or it can reimburse you if you use another rental company.
• Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI): This coverage is similar to an extended car warranty and covers the failure of mechanical parts on your car.
• Accident forgiveness: Geico customers can earn or purchase accident forgiveness, which guarantees your rate will not increase as the result of your first at-fault accident.

Geico doesn’t offer guaranteed asset protection, or GAP insurance, unlike other companies on our list of top-rated providers.

USAA Standout Coverage Options

USAA customers can add on a few extra options to their insurance policies:

• Roadside assistance: This can cover lockout services, towing, fuel delivery, and spare tire installation.
• Rental reimbursement: This option pays for a rental car after a covered claim.
• Accident forgiveness: This option keeps your rates the same after one accident.
• Total loss protection: USAA will cover the difference between the value of your car and what you have left to pay on your loan. This is only available on USAA vehicle loans.

---

Is USAA Cheaper Than Geico?

On average, USAA has slightly lower rates than Geico for good drivers. Our rate data shows full coverage from USAA costs $1,476 per year while it costs $1,572 from Geico. These rates apply to a 30-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a 2020 Honda CRV. Your auto insurance rates can vary widely based on a few factors:

• Age
• Vehicle
• Zip code
• Credit history*
• Driving record
• Driving records of other people on your policy

Insurance underwriters use complex algorithms and these factors in risk assessments to determine how much to charge a driver. The company tries to predict your likelihood of filing a claim or being involved in an accident.

Below, we compare USAA and Geico costs for a few different situations.

Because insurance prices are always unique to your situation–from your age to your location, driving history, credit score*, and vehicle–the only way to find out exactly what you’ll pay is to get a car insurance quote.

*California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan have banned the use of credit as a determining factor for car insurance rates.

USAA Vs. Geico Discount Comparison

Both companies offer other insurance products so you can take advantage of bundling auto with homeowners or life insurance. See a comparison of Geico auto insurance vs. USAA discounts in the chart below:

Keep in mind that comparing USAA vs. Geico for military discounts isn’t so simple. If you’re a retired veteran, you probably won’t be garaging your vehicle on a base or leaving for deployment anytime soon. USAA doesn’t actually have a discount for veterans (though it’s already affordable on average). In that case, you might want to take advantage of Geico’s 15 percent military discount that applies at all times. 

---

Geico Vs. USAA: Customer Experience

Both Geico and USAA offer solid customer service overall, but USAA has slightly higher satisfaction ratings. The 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠ polled over 10,000 insurance customers on their shopping experiences. USAA scored 874 out of 1,000 points while Geico scored 857. Geico’s score was slightly below the average of 861 for large companies in the industry. 

Another study, the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, paints a similar picture. The study polled over 9,000 people who had settled an auto insurance claim. Here, USAA scored 900 out of 1,000 while Geico scored 871. Geico’s score was slightly below the average of 878 on this study.

You want to find a company that has reliable claims adjusters. When you’re trying to get compensation for an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, a good adjuster can make things go smoothly.

When it comes to BBB scores, Geico has an A+ rating, which shows it responds to all complaints in a timely manner. However, USAA is not rated at this time. According to the BBB, USAA is in the process of responding to previously closed complaints.

---

USAA Vs. Geico: Our Take

We rate USAA 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall and name it Best for Military Members. If you qualify, it’s a great idea to get a quote from USAA. We also rate Geico 4.5 stars and name it Best for Basic Coverage. Geico offers a range of discounts and is a great option for most drivers.

You can learn more about USAA in our USAA auto insurance review and also compare Geico Vs. Progressive.

---

Other Recommended Providers

It’s a good idea to get at least three free quotes when you’re shopping around to find the cheapest insurance. If you can’t find a good price when comparing Geico vs. USAA, State Farm and Progressive should be on your list, too.

State Farm

State Farm is the largest car insurer in the U.S., and it offers a number of discounts on its car insurance policies. In our opinion, it’s the best overall provider and a good option for students and young drivers. Good students can find a 25 percent discount with the company. Plus, drivers under 25 years old can complete the Steer Clear^® educational course in State Farm’s mobile app and get another 15 percent off their insurance.

Progressive

Comparing Geico vs. USAA, neither offers full availability for usage-based insurance discounts. If you’re looking for providers that will give you discounts based on your driving, try Progressive car insurance.

Progressive’s Snapshot^® program is available in most states. According to the website, drivers save about $231 on average. Progressive also tends to have some of the best rates for high-risk drivers, like those with a previous DUI or a poor credit score.

Read more in our full Progressive auto insurance review.

---

USAA Vs. Geico: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions when comparing USAA and Geico:

---

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• 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.
• Cost: 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.
• 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.
• 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.

---