GEICO Auto Insurance Review

Last Updated on January 6, 2026

GEICO (the Government Employees Insurance Company) is one of the largest auto insurers in the U.S. and a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. Founded in 1936, GEICO is best known for competitive pricing, a strong digital experience, and the ability to buy and manage a policy without visiting a local office.

If you’re comparing insurers, GEICO is worth a quote—especially if you’re a safe driver, want straightforward coverage options, or prefer handling everything online. For a deeper look at pricing, see our breakdown of GEICO auto insurance average cost.

Our Rating of GEICO Auto Insurance

A top-tier national insurer known for low rates, fast quotes, and strong digital tools.

4.7

out of 5

★★★★★

Based on pricing, coverage options, claims experience, and ease of service.

Low rates Strong digital tools Nationwide availability

Summary

Bottom line: GEICO is an excellent choice for drivers who want competitive pricing, fast online service, and nationwide coverage, but it offers less personalized agent support than some competitors.

GEICO consistently ranks among the most affordable auto insurers in the U.S. and stands out for its streamlined online quoting, policy management, and claims tools. While coverage options are solid and widely available, drivers who prefer hands-on, local agent relationships may find GEICO’s direct-to-consumer model less appealing.

Best for

  • Drivers shopping primarily on price
  • People who want fast online quotes and digital self-service
  • Drivers who need reliable nationwide coverage

Not ideal for

  • Drivers who prefer working with a dedicated local agent
  • People who want highly customizable or niche coverage options
  • Shoppers who value in-person service over digital tools

GEICO Auto Insurance at a Glance

Best ForDigital-first drivers, price shoppers, many safe-driver profiles, and households looking for a well-known national insurer
Not Ideal ForSome high-risk drivers (recent DUI/major violations), or drivers who strongly prefer working with a dedicated local agent
Standout FeaturesDriveEasy telematics, strong mobile app, optional accident forgiveness, and mechanical breakdown insurance for eligible vehicles
AvailabilityAll 50 states and Washington, D.C. (some coverages/discounts vary by state)
Insurance Panda Rating4.4 / 5

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage Offered by GEICO

GEICO offers the core coverages most drivers expect from a major insurer. Your exact options depend on your state, your vehicle, and whether the car is owned, financed, or leased.

  • Liability Insurance: Required in most states and designed to pay for injuries and property damage you cause to others. If you want a refresher on how it works, see our guide to auto liability insurance.
  • Collision Coverage: Helps repair or replace your vehicle after a covered crash, regardless of fault. Here’s a deeper look at collision coverage.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Helps cover non-collision damage (theft, vandalism, hail, animal strikes, fire, etc.). Learn more about comprehensive coverage.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Helps protect you if you’re hit by a driver with little or no insurance. See whether uninsured motorist coverage makes sense for your situation.
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Required in some no-fault states and can help pay medical bills and related expenses after an accident. More on personal injury protection.
  • Medical Payments (MedPay): Optional in many states and can help cover medical costs for you and your passengers after a crash. Read our overview of medical payments coverage.

Optional Add-Ons and Specialty Coverage

Beyond the basics, GEICO offers several add-ons and specialty coverages that can be useful depending on how you drive, what you drive, and how your vehicle is financed.

Gap Insurance

If you finance or lease a newer vehicle, you’ve probably heard of gap coverage. Gap insurance is designed to help cover the difference between what your car is worth and what you still owe if the vehicle is totaled or stolen.

Important: If you’re specifically shopping for gap coverage, review our update on GEICO gap insurance before you buy.

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

GEICO is one of the larger insurers that offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) for eligible vehicles. It’s closer to an extended-warranty style product than “standard” car insurance and can help with covered mechanical repairs after your manufacturer warranty expires. See our full breakdown of GEICO mechanical breakdown insurance.

Rideshare Coverage

If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company, you may have coverage gaps during certain driving “periods” unless you add a rideshare endorsement or buy a specific policy. Start with our overview of rideshare insurance and personal auto coverage, then check state availability and options in our guide to GEICO rideshare insurance.

Roadside Assistance and Rental Car Coverage

GEICO offers optional roadside assistance (help with common breakdown-related services) as well as rental-related coverages. If you’re considering these add-ons, start here: GEICO roadside assistance and GEICO rental car insurance.

Non-Owner Insurance and SR-22 Filings

GEICO can be a good fit if you don’t own a vehicle but still need liability coverage (for frequent borrowing or rentals). Learn how GEICO non-owner car insurance works.

GEICO also sells coverage for many drivers who need an SR-22 (or in some states an FR-44) filing. Here’s our guide to GEICO SR-22 insurance.

GEICO Auto Insurance Discounts

Like most major insurers, GEICO offers a long list of discounts, but not every discount is available in every state. Many discounts also require documentation or verification (student status, military status, course completion, etc.).

How Much Does GEICO Car Insurance Cost?

There’s no single “GEICO price” that applies to everyone. Your premium is influenced by where you live, your driving history, your vehicle, your coverage limits, deductibles, and (in many states) insurance-based credit scoring.

To get your bearings, it helps to compare your quote to broader benchmarks like what the average American spends per month on car insurance. Also, geography matters a lot—rates in high-cost markets like Florida can look dramatically different than lower-cost states like Idaho.

Bottom line: GEICO is frequently competitive for many driver profiles, but you should still shop at least 3 quotes—especially if you’re renewing after a claim, adding a teen driver, moving, or buying a newer vehicle.

Customer Satisfaction and Financial Strength

Price is important, but it’s not the only factor. When you’re choosing an insurer, pay close attention to claims experience, financial stability, and complaint data—especially if you’re buying higher coverage limits or want a smoother claims process.

J.D. Power studies: J.D. Power publishes major studies on customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction. If you’re new to these reports, start with our explainer on how J.D. Power auto insurance rankings work. You can also view the most recent press release for the 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Financial strength: GEICO points customers to major financial strength ratings (including A.M. Best and S&P). If you want a broader explanation of what these grades mean, read our overview of A.M. Best ratings and our guide on how to make sure your insurance company is financially stable. You can also review GEICO’s own summary here: GEICO financial strength.

Complaint data and NAIC: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns each insurer a unique identifier. If you ever need it for a form, claim, or complaint, see our guide to finding an insurer’s NAIC number.

How to Get a Quote and Manage Your Policy

GEICO is built for customers who want to do things quickly online. You can still buy by phone, but the online quote process is typically the fastest way to compare coverages and adjust deductibles.

  • Start online with your ZIP code: Enter your location and basic driver details.
  • Add vehicles and drivers: VIN (if available), annual mileage, usage (commute/pleasure/business), and household drivers.
  • Choose coverage limits and deductibles: Don’t just select the minimum—consider your assets and risk tolerance.
  • Check discount eligibility: Military/federal, student, multi-vehicle, safety equipment, and more (varies by state).
  • Finalize and set your start date: Review the quote, confirm details, and choose a payment plan.

New vehicle grace period: If you’re an existing customer buying a new car, GEICO may allow a short window to add it to your policy. Details can vary, so review our guide to the GEICO new car grace period.

How to File a Claim with GEICO

Most GEICO claims can be started online or in the mobile app, and you can also file by phone. If you’re in an accident, prioritize safety first, call emergency services if needed, and document the scene (photos, driver details, witness info).

  • File online or in the app: This is often the quickest way to start the process and upload photos.
  • File by phone: GEICO’s general claims number is (800) 841-3000.
  • Roadside help: If you added roadside assistance, GEICO’s roadside number is (800) 424-3426.

Pros and Cons of GEICO Auto Insurance

Pros

  • Often competitively priced for many safe-driver profiles (and can be a contender in “cheapest major insurer” comparisons—see whether GEICO is the cheapest in your situation).
  • Strong digital experience with online policy management and a well-rated mobile app.
  • Helpful add-ons like accident forgiveness (availability varies—details in our guide to GEICO accident forgiveness).
  • Specialty options such as mechanical breakdown insurance for eligible vehicles.

Cons

  • Not always cheapest for high-risk drivers (major violations and DUI profiles should shop multiple insurers).
  • Discounts and coverages vary by state, so what you see advertised may not match your location.
  • No true loyalty program in the way some competitors market theirs (see our take on the GEICO loyalty program).

FAQs About GEICO Auto Insurance

Final Word on GEICO

GEICO is a strong option for many drivers who want a big-name insurer with competitive pricing and excellent online tools. If you have a clean record, qualify for multiple discounts, or simply prefer a digital-first insurer, GEICO is often worth shortlisting.

That said, rates can change quickly after claims or violations, and the “best” insurer depends on your exact profile. The smartest move is to compare coverage apples-to-apples, then choose the company that offers the best mix of price, service, and claims experience for you.

GEICO Contact Information

Here are GEICO’s commonly listed contact numbers (always verify inside your policy documents or GEICO account for the most accurate contact options):

  • Sales & Service: (800) 207-7847
  • Claims: (800) 841-3000
  • Emergency Roadside Service: (800) 424-3426
  • Website: GEICO.com
James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.