Geico vs. Progressive car insurance: Which is better?

Two of the largest providers of auto insurance in the U.S., Progressive and Geico both earn praise for affordability and availability.

Started in 1937, Progressive has evolved into a standout with affordable coverage for high-risk drivers and an online platform that allows customers to compare price quotes with rates from other companies. Progressive is the second-largest auto insurance provider in the U.S., with a 15.3% market share in 2023.

Founded as the Government Employees Insurance Company in 1936, Geico initially only offered auto policies to federal employees but expanded to provide a variety of insurance lines to the public. Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Geico has some of the lowest average rates in the industry and was the third-largest auto insurer in the U.S. in 2023, with a 12.3% market share.

Both companies’ average rates are below the national average. For drivers with good credit and a clean driving record, Geico and is slightly cheaper than Progressive for full coverage and noticeably less for liability-only insurance.

Geico also edges ahead with teens and young drivers and those with at-fault accidents, based on the rate data we reviewed, while Progressive is more affordable for seniors and those with a DUI on their record.

Your individual premiums will depend on a variety of factors, however, including your location, age and driving record.

While base rates are a good starting point, discounts can lower your monthly premiums considerably.

Geico ranked above average for customer satisfaction in 5 of the 11 regions surveyed in J.D. Power’s 2024 auto insurance study, while Progressive was rated below average in all available regions.

Progressive’s innovative website and app earned it the top spot in J.D. Power’s survey on customers’ digital experience, while Geico ranked below average.

Both companies scored below average for customer satisfaction with the claims process.

Geico earned an A+ from the Better Business Bureau and receives a smaller volume of complaints than similarly sized competitors, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Progressive received an A, however, and has a slightly higher-than-average volume of complaints.

Both companies keep their customer service phone lines open 24/7 and have live chat available online.

Progressive and Geico are both leaders in the car insurance space and choosing the one that’s right for you depends on your circumstances.

Rates are cheaper overall with Geico, including with drivers under 25 or those with at-fault accidents on their records. If you’re a senior or driver with a DUI conviction, though, Progressive is the more affordable choice.

Progressive also has coverage options Geico doesn’t, including trip interruption protection, custom equipment coverage and three levels of accident forgiveness. If you’re a pet owner, Progressive can also cover $1,000 in veterinary expenses if your pet is injured in a covered accident.

Only Geico has a military discount, however, and it offers up to 25% if you insure multiple vehicles — more than twice the discount Progressive offers. Geico also has fewer complaints and earned higher marks from both J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau.

Fortunately, both companies make it easy to get an online quote to see which has the best rates and coverage for your needs.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of car insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

CNBC Select reviews auto insurance products using a variety of criteria, including coverage options, average rates, availability, discounts and customer satisfaction. 

In addition, we incorporate results from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners‘ complaint index, Better Business Bureau ratings, A.M. Best’s financial strength scores and other independent sources, including J.D. Power surveys on insurance shopping, the claims process, the digital consumer experiences and overall customer satisfaction.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Auto insurance rates may come from various sources, including the provider and state insurance departments.

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