Allstate vs. GEICO: Which Insurer Is Better for You?

Allstate and GEICO are among the best car insurance companies, but GEICO has slightly more market share than Allstate. GEICO is also the more affordable insurer overall, with an average rate of $88 per month compared to Allstate’s $101.

That said, Allstate excels in customer satisfaction and provides extra coverages, like gap insurance and vanishing deductibles, that GEICO doesn’t.

Let’s see how Allstate and GEICO stack up so you can decide for yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• GEICO offers cheaper average rates than Allstate for every driver demographic.
• Allstate and GEICO both offer robust mobile apps, but Allstate’s app includes additional features like crash detection and gas price tracking.
• GEICO offers slightly more discounts, but Allstate has more coverage options.

How GEICO and Allstate Stack Up

Comparing car insurance companies involves more than just looking at the price tag to determine savings. That’s why we’ve researched dozens of companies and assigned each a Compare.com Rating that considers price, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation.

Here’s how GEICO and Allstate score across these categories.

Allstate comes out ahead of GEICO in all but one category: customer satisfaction. GEICO has a better industry reputation, but both companies earn perfect (or near-perfect) scores for cost, ease of use, and availability.

Allstate vs. GEICO: Breaking Down Average Rates

Car insurance rates can change from one driver to the next, even for the same coverage levels. It’s because insurers look at various factors like your driving history and where you live to calculate your premium.

The table below shows the average rates with each company for different driver profiles.

Even with these specific averages for different driver types, costs can still fluctuate widely. Your location — which we’ll look at in the next section — especially influences how much you pay. To find the best deal, you’ll need to compare quotes from several auto insurance companies before buying your policy.

GEICO vs. Allstate: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Car insurance prices can change from state to state because every state has its own minimum-coverage limits and laws that affect costs. Crime rates and the cost of living can also influence average premiums in different states.

Here’s a table listing the average rates for Allstate and GEICO in each state they compete with each other.

GEICO tends to have lower average premiums than Allstate in most states, but Allstate is cheaper in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma. That said, the state you live in isn’t the only factor that affects your rates.

Let’s look at the role your age and driving record play.

Allstate vs. GEICO: Average Rates by Age

Your age is another factor that can influence your car insurance costs. Teen drivers typically face the highest rates. Insurers see young drivers as riskier because of their limited experience and higher likelihood of accidents.

Thankfully, as you get older and gain more experience, your premiums tend to go down. Here are the average car insurance rates from GEICO and Allstate for various age groups.

Which company is better for teens?

Teen drivers are the most expensive age group to insure since they’re more likely to cause an accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Teens are also the least likely to use a seat belt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Teens pay an average of $121 per month with GEICO and $174 with Allstate, according to Compare.com data.

Which company is better for seniors?

Thanks to their extensive driving experience, senior drivers typically enjoy the lowest insurance rates of any age group. Seniors also make fewer trips on average each day than other age groups, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

We found that GEICO charges an average of $67 per month to drivers in their 60s, while Allstate charges $80 per month.

GEICO vs. Allstate: Average Rates by Driving Record

When shopping for car insurance, companies view driving history as a critical indicator of how likely you are to file a claim in the future. That’s why your driving record plays a big role in how much you pay for car insurance.

A clean driving record with no traffic violations puts you in the low-risk category in the eyes of insurers — which translates to lower rates. Insurance companies have found that a history of accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs increases your chances of getting into an accident and filing a claim, which increases your rates.

Let’s compare Allstate and GEICO average rates for different driving records.

Which company is better for good drivers?

If your driving history could be better, focus on improving your driving habits to get better rates over time. Insurers reward responsible drivers with lower premiums, and GEICO takes the lead here over Allstate.

Good drivers pay an average of $88 per month for a policy with GEICO, while Allstate charges $101, according to our analysis.

Which company is better for drivers with a ticket?

Insurers see a speeding ticket as a sign of risky driving behavior and can raise your premiums if you have one on your record. On average, a speeding ticket can increase your rates by 27% nationally, according to our data analysis.

GEICO drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $101 per month compared to Allstate’s cost of $115.

Which company is better for drivers with a recent accident?

An at-fault accident causes car insurance premiums to go up by an average of 34% nationally, according to Compare.com data. But some companies offer accident forgiveness and won’t raise your rates after your first accident.

For drivers with an accident, GEICO charges an average of $108 per month, while Allstate charges $124, according to our research.

Which company is better for drivers with a DUI?

We found that a DUI conviction causes car insurance rates to skyrocket by an average of 50% nationally. But the effect on your rates depends on your insurer.

GEICO tends to be more forgiving, with an average monthly premium of $136 for drivers with a DUI. Allstate’s average monthly cost for the same driver profile is $157.

Comparing GEICO and Allstate Car Insurance Coverages

Car insurance companies offer many coverages to protect you in different situations. Uninsured motorist insurance, for example, comes in handy if someone with little or no coverage hits you. And if your car’s in the shop after an accident, rental reimbursement coverage pays for vehicle rental so you can still get around.

While all insurers offer basic liability coverage, auto insurance policy options vary quite a bit from company to company. Here are the optional car insurance coverages that Allstate and GEICO offer.

GEICO and Allstate are pretty evenly matched when comparing coverages, but Allstate offers a few extras you won’t find at GEICO. With Allstate, you can get gap insurance, vanishing deductible (which Allstate calls Deductible Rewards), and new-car replacement coverage — GEICO doesn’t have any of these options.

Comparing GEICO and Allstate Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance discounts are one way to lower the cost of coverage. Discounts can vary from company to company, so always ask about them when shopping around. Plus, if you didn’t qualify for specific discounts when you first got your quote, you might qualify now.

Here’s a list of typical discounts at Allstate and GEICO.

GEICO offers 14 discounts compared to Allstate’s 13. Allstate offers several discounts that GEICO doesn’t: paperless billing, automatic payments, early shopper, and student away at school. But GEICO has loyalty, defensive driver, federal employee, military, and multi-vehicle discounts you won’t find with Allstate.

Comparing Allstate and GEICO Customer Satisfaction

When it comes to customer satisfaction, both companies have room for improvement. That said, GEICO tends to edge out Allstate in this category. Let’s take a closer look at how these two insurance giants stack up across four popular customer review platforms.

Both companies fall short in claims satisfaction. Recent customer reviews shed light on some common complaints, including slow claims processing, inadequate settlement offers, difficulty reaching customer service representatives, and lack of communication throughout the claims process.

The screenshot below features one GEICO review about its claims experience that mentions poor customer service.

Allstate reviews like the one below show similar experiences for policyholders.

Policyholders were also upset about rate hikes. The below GEICO reviewer had a short coverage lapse due to miscommunication about their renewal and saw their premiums skyrocket.

Finally, the Allstate customer below also had a poor experience with a price increase, highlighting the very real struggle of dealing with unanticipated rate changes when you’re on a limited income.

While these reviews represent individual experiences and may not reflect either company’s overall performance, they show areas where Allstate and GEICO could improve to better serve drivers.

More About GEICO and Allstate

When deciding between GEICO and Allstate for your car insurance needs, it’s important to look beyond the price tag and customer reviews. Each company offers unique perks, claims processing, and mobile app features that could sway your decision. Let’s take a closer look at how each company compares.

Company perks

Each company offers usage-based car insurance programs — GEICO’s DriveEasy and Allstate’s Drivewise. These programs can help you save money if you’re a safe driver, but Allstate takes it a step further with vanishing deductibles and new-car replacement coverage. GEICO doesn’t offer these specific perks, so, if they’re important to you, Allstate might be the way to go.

Claims processing

You can file a claim online or by phone with both companies. But GEICO advertises that it can settle your claim in as little as 48 hours, quickly getting you back on the road. Keep in mind that reviews for both companies criticize the claims process, suggesting it may not be a smooth customer experience.

Mobile apps

GEICO and Allstate have mobile apps for Apple and Android devices, so you can access your insurance cards and request roadside assistance when you need it most. Allstate’s app comes with crash detection and helps you find cheap gas wherever you are. With GEICO’s app, you can submit photos of vehicle damage after an accident and view your car’s service history.

Allstate vs. GEICO FAQs

If you’re still deciding between Allstate and GEICO, the following answers to commonly asked questions may help you decide.

What are the best car insurance companies?

It depends. The best car insurance companies combine competitive rates, a variety of coverage options, and excellent customer service. A few of the top contenders include GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, and USAA (for military members and their families). Ultimately, the best company for you depends on your needs, budget, and location.

Why is Allstate so expensive?

Allstate tends to be more expensive if you have a speeding ticket, DUI, at-fault accident, or poor credit history, according to our research. Outside factors, such as inflation and local accidents, vandalism, and theft rates, can also cause Allstate’s rates to go up. Remember, rates can vary from driver to driver, so what might be more expensive for one person could be a cheaper option for another.

Can you buy Allstate and GEICO car insurance online?

Yes, you can buy Allstate and GEICO car insurance online. Both companies have user-friendly websites that walk you through a simple process to choose your coverage options and qualify for discounts.

Is GEICO good at paying claims?

GEICO scored below average — 871 out of 1,000 points — in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Reviewers also expressed concern over the company’s ability to process claims.

But AM Best — an independent insurance industry analyst — gives GEICO a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), which indicates a strong ability to pay out claims. S&P also rates the company as “very strong.”

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology:

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers.

The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best financial strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources:

1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “2023 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium,” last accessed June 26, 2024.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” last accessed June 26, 2024.
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Teen Driving,” last accessed June 26, 2024.
4. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “2022 American Driving Survey,” last accessed June 26, 2024.
5. Trustpilot, “Allstate,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
6. Better Business Bureau, “Allstate Insurance,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
7. ConsumerAffairs, “Allstate Auto Insurance,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
8. Clearsurance, “Allstate,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
9. Trustpilot, “GEICO,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
10. Better Business Bureau, “GEICO,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
11. ConsumerAffairs, “GEICO Reviews,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
12. Clearsurance, “GEICO,” last accessed June 28, 2024.
13. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” last accessed June 28, 2024.