Key Takeaways
- Geico scores 9.3 out of 10 and on average has cheaper rates than Allstate.
- Allstate offers more add-ons like sound system and travel expense coverage.
- Both companies have reliable reputations, so compare quotes to find the best rate.
In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team compare Allstate and Geico side by side, including each company’s coverage options, cost and customer satisfaction ratings so you can make an informed decision about your next policy.
Picking the right provider isn’t easy, so we’ve reviewed the best car insurance companies to help drivers find good coverage. As you shop around, we recommend getting quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal. Use the free tool above to compare auto insurance quotes from leading companies in your area.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Answer a few simple questions to save money on your policy
Check Availability With our comparison partner, 
×
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
With our comparison partner, 
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Geico vs. Allstate Reviews
Between Allstate vs. Geico, which should you pick? We rated Geico 9.3 out of 10 and named it Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers. Allstate, which earned a score of 9.1 out of 10, also offers good auto insurance options. We named Allstate Best Industry Reputation.
Your decision ultimately comes down to your situation and what you’re looking to get out of your auto insurance provider. For most drivers, Geico is a better auto insurance provider.
Is Geico Better Than Allstate?
As you’ll see in this comparison, Geico holds higher ratings than Allstate in some categories. But Allstate provides good coverage for many drivers, particularly those with clean driving records.
| Allstate | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 | 9.3 |
| Industry Standing | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Availability | 10 | 10 |
| Coverage | 9.7 | 9.1 |
| Cost and Discounts | 7.7 | 9.5 |
| Customer Experience | 8.8 | 9.0 |
Page 1 of
Geico vs. Allstate Car Insurance
According to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Geico is the third-largest auto insurance provider in the U.S., and Allstate is the fourth-largest. The insurers are evenly matched when it comes to years in business. However, Geico has a slightly higher financial strength and higher customer service ratings.
Here are a few highlights for Allstate:
- Discounts for new cars and multiple policies
- Usage-based coverage that won’t raise your rates
- Offers pay-per-mile insurance
Find out more about Allstate’s services in our Allstate Car Insurance Review.
Geico’s highlights include:
- Military, federal employee and corporate group discounts
- Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)
- Cheapest car insurance on average
Find out more about Geico’s services in our Geico Car Insurance Review.
Compare Geico and Allstate
| Allstate | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Year Established | 1931 | 1936 |
| Availability | 50 states | 50 states |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A+ | A++ |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ | A+ |
| J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠ | 882 out of 1,000 | 871 out of 1,000 |
Page 1 of
Allstate vs. Geico: Coverage
Whether you need usage-based car insurance in Michigan or full-coverage car insurance in California, you can likely find what you need with either Allstate or Geico. Both providers offer the six standard types of auto insurance plus several add-on policy coverages.
| Allstate | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability (BI) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Property Damage Liability (PD) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collision | ✓ | ✓ |
| Comprehensive | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical Payments (MedPay) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental Car Reimbursem*nt Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rideshare Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Usage-based Insurance | ✓ | Available in 37 states, and Washington, D.C.* |
| Travel Expense Coverage | ✓ | |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) | ✓ | |
| Accident Forgiveness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pay-per-mile insurance | ✓ |
Page 1 of
Allstate has optional roadside assistance as well as a membership-based roadside assistance plan. The plan can include trip interruption (depending on the tier you purchase) and is available to non-policyholders. The trip interruption covers food and lodging up to $1,500 if you have an accident or mechanical breakdown.
Geico MBI covers repair costs after unexpected breakdowns, which insurance usually doesn’t cover. Similar to an extended car warranty, MBI contracts list which components are and are not covered.
Allstate vs. Geico: Usage-based Insurance Comparison
Usage-based programs award discounts based on your driving habits. These programs use telematics apps on your mobile phone to monitor your driving habits. They can be useful for cautious drivers or for people who don’t drive often. So, how do usage-based programs compare between Allstate vs. Geico? We’ve summarized each auto insurer’s plan below.
| Allstate Drivewise® | Geico DriveEasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Device | Mobile app or plug-in device | Mobile app |
| Can It Raise Your Rate? | No | Yes |
| Availability | Most states | 37 states, plus Washington, D.C. |
| Discount | Varies | Varies |
| What It Monitors | Safe speed, braking, time of day driven and mileage (plug-in device only) | Distracted driving, hard braking, cornering, smoothness, road type, distance driven, time of day and weather |
Page 1 of
One key difference between the two programs is that Geico’s program may increase your car insurance rates based on your driving habits. In contrast, Allstate’s program awards a discount or none at all, but it won’t raise your base premium.
Allstate Pay-Per-Mile Insurance
Allstate offers another type of usage-based insurance called Milewise® in 17 states. With this program, you pay a rate per day and a rate per mile. In an example on Allstate’s site, a customer may pay $1.50 per day and 6 cents per mile. If they drive 12 miles in one day, they pay $2.22 for that day.
The daily and per-mile rates are based on your driving background and other factors. Milewise can be a good option for people who work from home or have short commutes.
Is Geico Cheaper Than Allstate?
It’s important to find a car insurance quote that fits within your budget. Comparing Allstate vs. Geico, we found that Geico offers cheaper auto insurance on average. We gave Geico 9.5 out of 10 points in the cost category in our industry-wide insurance review, while Allstate earned 7.7 points. But Geico doesn’t just offer lower rates than Allstate. We also scored Geico better in the cost category than other major competitors such as State Farm and Progressive.
Geico vs. Allstate: Auto Insurance Quote Estimates
Our rate data shows good drivers pay an average of $1,995 per year or $166 per month for full coverage with Geico. This is cheaper than the national average of $2,681 per year. On the other hand, good drivers pay about $3,340 per year or $278 per month for full coverage with Allstate.
Minimum coverage is a similar story. Geico’s average is $620, the national average is $869 and Allstate’s average is $1,194 per year.
Below, you can see a few full-coverage car insurance averages for drivers in different situations. We found Geico to be the cheaper option in all cases.
| Driving Profile Factor | Allstate Full-Coverage Cost | Geico Full-Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Good driver, good credit, age 16 | $8,035 | $4,707 |
| Good driver, good credit, age 21 | $5,373 | $2,998 |
| Good driver, good credit, age 35 | $3,340 | $1,995 |
| Has a recent car accident | $4,700 | $3,183 |
| Has a recent speeding ticket (16-20 mph over limit) | $3,881 | $2,574 |
| Has a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction | $4,474 | $3,690 |
| Has poor credit | $5,326 | $2,891 |
Page 1 of
Allstate vs. Geico Discounts
Why is Geico so much cheaper? The auto insurer offers 16 discounts, and many drivers qualify for multiple discounts.
| Allstate Discounts | Geico Discounts | |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✓ | |
| New Vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good Student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good Driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver’s Education | ✓ | ✓ |
| Defensive Driving | ✓ | |
| Student Away at School | ✓ | |
| Anti-theft Device | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early Signing Discount® | ✓ | |
| Responsible Payer | ✓ | |
| Autopay | ✓ | |
| Pay-in-Full | ✓ | |
| EZ Pay Plan | ✓ | |
| Paperless ePolicy | ✓ | |
| Air Bags | ✓ | |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | |
| Seat Belt Use | ✓ | |
| Membership and Employee | ✓ | |
| Federal Employee | ✓ | |
| Military Discount | ✓ | |
| Military Deployment | ✓ |
Page 1 of
Geico vs. Allstate: Bundling Options
Both Allstate and Geico offer bundling discounts for getting additional insurance products along with your car insurance policy. Since both are major providers, Allstate and Geico offer full portfolios of all kinds of coverage that include:
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Life insurance
- Umbrella coverage
Allstate vs. Geico: Customer Experience
Allstate scored slightly higher in the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Allstate earned 882 out of a possible 1,000 points, while Geico earned 871 points. The study polled nearly 10,000 customers on their experiences with estimates, repairs, rentals and settlements. Overall, most customers report a positive claims experience with both companies.
Customer reviews on the BBB are mostly negative for Allstate and Geico, but this is common in the insurance industry. The number of negative reviews only accounts for a small portion of customers. And according to data from the NAIC, Allstate and Geico both have fewer complaints than average for their size.
Additionally, Geico’s mobile app reviews on Google Play average to a 4.6-star rating, while reviewers give Allstate’s mobile app a 3.9-star rating.
| Allstate | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| BBB Customer Review Rating | 1.12 out of 5 | 1.12 out of 5 |
| Mobile App iPhone App Store Rating | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 |
| Mobile App Google Play Rating | 3.9 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 |
Page 1 of
Geico vs. Allstate: The Bottom Line
Between Allstate and Geico, both companies offer good coverage options and decent service. However, Geico is cheaper according to our estimates, so it comes out on top in our comparison.
Allstate and Geico Alternatives: Top Picks
Although Geico offers affordable rates on average, you may need a different provider based on your needs. The best option overall isn’t necessarily the best option for every driver. That’s why it’s good to compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers, and USAA and State Farm are the other two top-rated insurers we highly recommend.
USAA: Best for Military Members
USAA consistently offers low rates for drivers in most categories. The auto insurance company offers very affordable auto insurance to many drivers, and it comes with a variety of perks.
However, not everyone can take advantage of these low rates and other benefits. USAA is only open to members of the military and their families. But if you qualify, the provider is certainly worth a look.
Keep reading: USAA Insurance Review
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
If you’re a young driver, State Farm may be the smarter choice because of its generous student discounts. The company’s Steer Clear® program can also help younger drivers and high-risk drivers get better rates in exchange for maintaining safe driving habits.
State Farm boasts the largest number of local insurance agents nationwide. That means you can easily get help with a claim or question about your policy in person if you need to.
Keep reading: State Farm Insurance Review
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
With our comparison partner,
Allstate vs. Geico Auto Insurance: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions regarding the difference between Geico and Allstate insurance:
No, Geico is not owned by Allstate. Geico is owned by the investment corporation Berkshire Hathaway. Allstate is a publicly-owned company.
In our study of both national rates and rates for different states, Geico frequently offers the cheapest rate estimates for drivers in many different categories. But car insurance rates are individualized and based on a number of different factors about you and your vehicle, so Geico may not be the cheapest option for you.
Based on industry ratings, coverage offerings, rate estimates and customer reviews, Allstate can be considered a good insurance company.
Many factors contribute to Allstate being expensive, including rising costs for insurance companies and the way it pays its agents. Damage claims and payouts also factor into its higher-than-average rates.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
