GEICO Insurance Review for 2023

GEICO stands out as a top-tier insurance company with commendable customer service. The company's digital prowess is evident in its user-friendly app, making policy management and quote acquisition a seamless experience.

As we delve deeper in this GEICO insurance review, we'll explore the company’s comprehensive coverage, its accolades and the different cost-saving programs available.

GEICO auto insurance review summary: GEICO is a reliable insurance company, especially when it comes to customer service. In a J.D. Power car insurance study, GEICO has ranked above average for customer satisfaction in several regions and secured the highest rating for usage-based insurance. In addition, GEICO’s Prime Time contract can be attractive for older drivers with clean driving records because it guarantees their policies will be renewed for another term. GEICO home insurance review summary: GEICO does not underwrite its own home insurance policies, instead functioning as an agency that matches you with one of their insurance partners based on your location and coverage needs. As a result, there is limited information online available regarding optional coverage options and discounts. Still, a GEICO policy can be worth considering if you’re matched with a policy at a competitive rate, which can be further lowered if your home insurance carrier applies a multi-policy discount.

GEICO Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Ranked highest in customer satisfaction for auto insurance in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont	May be difficult to buy insurance in certain states like California
Received only 1.07% of complaints in U.S. insurance market	Does not underwrite its own homeowners insurance policies
24/7 online customer support in several states	Gap insurance not available
260+ agents nationwide

About GEICO

In the midst of the Great Depression, Leo and Lillian Goodwin embarked on a visionary journey, founding the Government Employees Insurance Company, now universally recognized as GEICO. Initially targeting federal employees and specific military ranks, the company quickly expanded, with Lillian Goodwin playing a pivotal role in its early marketing and operations.^[1]

The 1940s saw the entrance of influential figures like Lorimer Davidson and Warren Buffett, the latter of whom would forge a lasting relationship with GEICO, culminating in its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in the 1990s. Under the leadership of Olza "Tony" Nicely in the 1990s, GEICO's visibility skyrocketed, thanks in part to iconic advertising campaigns featuring the GEICO Gecko® and the Cavemen.^[1]

Did you know that GEICO is an acronym that stands for Government Employees Insurance Company?

Today, after setting numerous growth records and expanding its services, GEICO stands as a testament to the Goodwins' pioneering spirit, with a presence in all 50 states and a reputation for excellence in coverage, affordability, and customer care.

Availability

GEICO has a nationwide presence, selling home, auto and other types of insurance policies across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. However, some types of policies may be unavailable in certain areas. Auto insurance remains as GEICO’s first and primary product, having over 16 million active auto policies and insuring nearly 28 million vehicles today.^[2]

However, it may be difficult to find a local agent in certain states. For example, GEICO has reportedly closed all of its California offices and no longer sells insurance via phone to Californians.^[3] Online quotes are still available on the website and the mobile app but this can be a drawback for those who prefer to speak with a live agent.

Coverage

From auto and home to life and boat and pet insurance, GEICO can serve as a one-stop shop for meeting your insurance needs. Below is a list of insurance products sold under the GEICO brand:

• Auto
• Homeowners
• Renters
• Condo
• Motorcycle
• ATV
• RV
• Boat & PWC
• Commercial
• Mobile home
• Flood
• Earthquake
• Umbrella
• Life
• Travel
• Identity protection
• Pet
• Event
• Bicycle

Ratings

	J.D. Power Score (Out of 1,000)	NAIC Complaint Index	NAIC Share of Complaints in U.S. Market
General	N/A	1.97	1.07%
Auto	818*	0.91	3.46%
Home	Not profiled	N/A	N/A

^{*Score is the average of the 11 regions profiled}

Customer Service

GEICO policyholders can receive support via live chat, mobile app, phone and email, with online support being available 24/7, every day of the year.^[2]

As for the quality of customer service, it’s a mixed bag depending on what you’re seeking. While GEICO received 683 complaints in 2022 — 1.07% of complaints in the U.S. market — it has a NAIC score of 1.97.^[4] This means that GEICO receives nearly twice as many complaints across all of its insurance products as is expected for a company its size. However, when you isolate the score to just GEICO auto insurance reviews, the score drops to an impressive 0.91.^[4]

In addition, GEICO ranked above average in five of 11 U.S. regions surveyed in a 2023 auto insurance customer satisfaction study by J.D. Power and ranked first in the New England region, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.^[5]

Further singing its praises, GEICO car insurance reviews place the company at number one for customer satisfaction for usage-based insurance (UBI) in the same 2023 J.D. Power study.^[5] DriveEasy is GEICO’s UBI program that tracks the policyholder’s driving behaviors via mobile app and rewards safe drivers with lower premiums.

Features

GEICO's mobile app allows drivers to handle every facet of their car insurance, from obtaining quotes to submitting claims. This helps customers avoid dealing with agents and long phone waits. With favorable GEICO reviews for the mobile app on both the Apple and Google Play store, GEICO’s mobile app is top-tier.^[6][7]

	Number of Ratings	Star Rating
Apple	3.7M	4.8/5
Google Play	470K	4.6/5

GEICO's DriveEasy UBI program offers discounts on auto insurance for those who exhibit safe driving behaviors. This program is currently available in 37 states plus Washington, D.C.^[8] To join this program, users need to install the GEICO DriveEasy Pro app, which tracks driving patterns such as speed, abrupt stops, and mobile phone usage during drives. Based on this data, GEICO calculates a driving score. Receiving a high score can translate into a discount, while poor driving habits might lead to a rate increase.

GEICO provides a car buying service powered by TrueCar to assist you in securing a favorable deal on a new vehicle. This service links you to nearby dealers and allows you to view the prices others have paid for specific cars. Those who used this service have saved an average of $3,166 off the MSRP. This service is available even if you are not a GEICO customer.^[9]

For senior drivers with spotless records, GEICO's prime time contract ensures that their auto policy will renew at the end of its term. While many insurers view older drivers as high-risk and might not renew their policies, GEICO's contract removes this concern. However, it's only available in these states:^[10]

Alabama	Minnesota
Alaska	Mississippi
Arizona	Missouri
Arkansas	Nebraska
Colorado	New Mexico
Delaware	North Dakota
Florida	Ohio
Georgia	Oregon
Idaho	South Carolina
Illinois	Tennessee
Indiana	Utah
Iowa	Virginia
Kentucky	Washington
Louisiana	West Virginia
Maryland	Wisconsin

Claims

GEICO Auto insurance customers can file a car insurance claim through their online account, the mobile app or by calling 800-841-3000. However, for other types of claims you will need to call the provider that is servicing your policy. This is because GEICO does not underwrite certain types of policies, such as their homeowners insurance. Instead GEICO partners with other carriers and you will need to contact them directly to file a claim.

GEICO provides a list of their insurance partners on their website.

GEICO Car Insurance

GEICO offers every basic coverage you need to meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Multiple types of add-ons are also available if you want perks like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.

What’s Covered

• Bodily injury and property damage liability
• Collision and comprehensive
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist
• Medical payments and personal injury protection

Add-ons

• Emergency roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Coverage when driving in Mexico
• Glass deductible waiver
• Specialized coverage for classic, vintage, antique and collector automobiles
• Accident forgiveness
• Mechanical breakdown
• Rideshare

What Isn’t Covered

• Gap insurance^[11]

GEICO Home Insurance

Unlike other major insurance carriers, GEICO does not underwrite its own home insurance policies. Instead, it partners with 40+ other carriers like American International Group, AIU Insurance Company, Assurant, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and even other major carriers including Chubb, Liberty Mutual and Lemonade. This also explains why we do not see GEICO home insurance reviews in any J.D. Power studies.

The downside of this is that information about homeowners insurance on the GEICO website is limited. While nearly every carrier should be able to provide basic coverage that meets most mortgage lender’s needs, individuals will likely need to inquire with whichever carrier they’re matched with about what add-ons are available.

What’s Covered

• Dwelling
• Other structures
• Personal property
• Loss of use
• Personal liability
• Medical bills

Add-ons:

• Jewelry

Additional Policies GEICO Offers

Beyond the usual auto and home insurance products, GEICO offers a suite of other insurance products, including ATV, RV, commercial, life and more.

Motorcycle

GEICO can insure a range of bikes from sport and cruiser to touring and beyond. Their coverage spectrum includes liability coverage and first-party benefits like medical payments or personal injury protection and uninsured motorist vehicle coverage. Additionally, they provide physical damage coverage for your motorcycle to protect it against collisions and other perils like theft, fire, and vandalism.

Motorcycle policies are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company.

ATV

GEICO offers comprehensive ATV insurance policies that are tailored to meet the unique needs of ATV owners. These policies provide coverage for a wide range of all-terrain vehicles, from four-wheelers to dune buggies. With GEICO's ATV insurance, riders can enjoy peace of mind knowing they are protected against potential risks, including collisions, theft, and other unexpected events.

ATV policies are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company.

RV

GEICO's RV insurance is a comprehensive solution for those seeking protection for their recreational vehicles. They offer a broad spectrum of coverage options that includes everything from comprehensive and collision coverage to bodily injury and property damage liability. Notably, GEICO also provides unique offerings like vacation liability, emergency expense coverage, and roadside assistance, ensuring that travelers have peace of mind during their adventures.

Commercial policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Boat & PWC

GEICO Marine Insurance Company underwrites boat insurance for a wide range of watercraft, including fishing boats and personal watercraft. Policies may include coverage for liability, onboard injuries, physical damage and even personal items like fishing gear and life jackets. In 2015, GEICO enhanced its offerings by acquiring BoatUS, the nation's leading recreational boating advocacy and safety group. This partnership opens GEICO policyholders to additional benefits such as unlimited boat towing and 24/7 claims service.^[12]

Commercial

GEICO offers a suite of commercial insurance products that can protect businesses of all sizes and across different industries. Their offerings range from commercial auto insurance, which safeguards company vehicles and drivers, to professional liability coverage that defends against claims of negligence or mistakes. Below are the specific types of commercial insurance products offered by GEICO:

• Business owners policy
• General liability
• Professional liability
• Cyber liability
• Workers' compensation
• Medical malpractice
• Wellness & fitness
• Commercial auto

Commercial policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Renters

With a GEICO renters policy, renters can insure their personal property, such as electronics, furniture and clothing, against risks of theft, fire, vandalism and more. Renters are also covered for personal liability, which can protect them if someone is injured inside their apartment unit. In addition, GEICO's renters insurance can cover additional living expenses if a policyholder's home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril.

Renters insurance policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Condo

GEICO sells condo insurance that provides coverage for personal property, building property, and personal liability. This insurance is designed to fill in the gaps left by a condo homeowners association's master policy, ensuring that condo owners are protected against unforeseen damages and liabilities. With GEICO's condo insurance, policyholders can also benefit from additional coverages such as loss assessment, which provides protection in the event that the condo association levies an assessment due to a covered loss.

Condo insurance policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Life

GEICO offers life insurance policies tailored to fit the unique needs of individuals, ensuring that their loved ones are financially protected after they die. A GEICO life insurance policy can help cover funeral costs, pay off debts and provide other financial support to beneficiaries. Both term and permanent life policies are available from GEICO.

Life insurance policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Flood

Offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), GEICO's flood insurance policies cover physical damage to buildings and personal property. Many mistakenly believe that their homeowners or renters insurance will cover flood damage but it is almost always excluded from coverage. Therefore, securing a separate flood insurance policy is vital, especially for those residing in high-risk flood zones.

Flood insurance policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies or by FEMA but are secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Earthquake

Earthquake insurance is a specialized policy that covers damage to your property caused by earthquakes. While homeowners' insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage, a GEICO earthquake insurance policy fills that gap, ensuring homeowners are protected against potential financial losses. The policy covers a range of damages, from minor repairs to complete home rebuilds, and it also includes personal property coverage.

Earthquakes policies for residents in California, Oregon and Washington are underwritten by Arrowhead General Insurance Agency. Meanwhile, American International Group, Palomar Specialty Insurance Company or Stillwater Insurance Group serve the other states. All policies underwritten by these insurance companies will be secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Umbrella

GEICO umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of liability coverage beyond the limits of homeowners, auto, and other types of insurance policies. It's designed to protect assets and future earnings from significant claims and lawsuits. With coverage starting at $1 million, it can safeguard against a wide range of potential financial setbacks, from serious auto accidents to incidents on your property.

Pet

GEICO offers pet insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for dogs and cats, ensuring they receive the best care possible. Their policies cover a wide range of medical issues, from accidents and illnesses to hereditary conditions, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners.

Pet insurance policies will be underwritten by either Embrace or Trupanion and will be secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Identity Protection

GEICO has stepped up to address the growing concerns of identity theft by offering comprehensive identity protection services. These services not only monitor your credit reports and the use of your Social Security Number but they also keep an eye on the dark web for unauthorized use of your personal information. If suspicious activity arises, enrollees are promptly alerted. In the unfortunate event that one's identity is compromised, GEICO provides full-service identity restoration support.

Identity protection policies are underwritten by Iris Powered by Generali

Travel and Overseas

GEICO has partnered with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection to offer travel insurance that covers unexpected trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, and more. In addition, GEICO’s overseas insurance program protects both military personnel and civilians when they are abroad. This program covers a wide range of vehicles, from private cars to motorcycles, and even includes coverage for personal property.

Travel insurance policies are underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Global Insurance Services, LLC. Overseas policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but will be secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Event

GEICO offers specialized event insurance to safeguard hosts against unforeseen mishaps during events, from weddings to corporate gatherings. This ensures that hosts can focus on the festivities without the burden of potential liability-related financial setbacks. With GEICO's event insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that unexpected cancellations, property damage, or injuries are covered, allowing you to celebrate with confidence.

Event insurance policies are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies but will be secured by GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

GEICO Discounts

Below, we’ve compiled all of the home and car insurance discounts provided on the GEICO website.

Auto Insurance Discounts

Safety equipment discounts:^[13]

• Airbag: Save up to 23% for vehicles with airbags. Applies to medical payments or personal injury coverage.
• Anti-lock brakes: 5% discount for cars with factory-installed anti-lock brakes.
• Anti-theft system: Save up to 23% off for cars with built-in anti-theft systems on comprehensive coverage.
• Daytime running lights: 3% discount for vehicles with standard daytime running lights.
• New vehicle: Save up to 15% off for vehicles 3 model years old or newer.

Driving history & habits discounts:^[13]

• Five-year accident-free: Save up to 22% off most coverages for drivers with a clean record for 5 years.
• Seat belt use: Discount for consistent seat belt use on medical payments or personal injury coverage.
• Defensive driving: Discounts available in certain states for those who've completed a defensive driving course.
• Driver's education: Discounts for young drivers who've completed a driver's education course.
• Good student: Save up to 15% off for full-time students with good academic records.

Affiliation discounts:^[13]

• Emergency deployment: Save up to 25% off for U.S. Military members deployed to imminent danger zones.
• Federal employee (Eagle Discount): Save up to 12% off for active or retired federal employees.
• Military: Save up to 15% off for active duty, retired, National Guard, or Reserves members.

Customer loyalty discounts:^[13]

• Multi-vehicle: Save up to 25% off when insuring multiple cars with GEICO.
• Multi-policy: Discounts for bundling car insurance with homeowners, renters, condo, or mobile home policies through GEICO Insurance Agency.

Home Insurance Discounts

The only home insurance discount GEICO advertises is its multi-policy discount.^[14] However, whether this discount applies to your home insurance depends on the specific carrier you're matched with. Recall that homeowners insurance policies are underwritten by a GEICO insurance partner and not all carriers will honor the multi-policy discount.

Unfortunately, GEICO does not provide a range or average figure on how much their policyholders can save by bundling.