As some of the largest auto insurance providers 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. Progressive is the largest liability auto insurance provider in the U.S., with a 19.8% market share in 2025 according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners released in August 2026.
Founded as the Government Employees Insurance Company in 1936, Geico initially only offered auto policies to federal employees. Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, it's the third-largest auto insurer in the U.S., and we've praised it for its affordable average rates.
If you're deciding between these two insurance giants for your car's coverage, here's what you need to know and which scenarios might give one brand an edge over the other.
- Small-accident forgiveness included with all policies — Accidents with claims of $500 or less will not affect your rates.
- Large accident forgiveness also available
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers decreasing deductibles for each year you're accident-free
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
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Geico vs. Progressive: Pros and cons
Pros
- Low rates for a wide variety of drivers, including teens and older people
- Easy to get quotes and buy policies online
- Variety of discounts, including ones for students, military members and veterans and professional affiliations
Cons
- Limited in-person service availability
- Doesn't offer gap insurance
- Geico DriveEasy telematics program may result in a rate increase
Pros
- Lower rates for drivers with DUI convictions
- Rideshare coverage available
- Above average ratings for digital experience
- Three tiers of accident forgiveness
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power survey
- Free accident forgiveness requires five years of coverage to qualify
- Progressive Snapshot telematics plan may result in a rate increase
Geico vs. Progressive: Coverage
Both Progressive and Geico offer liability and collision and comprehensive insurance, as well as a variety of optional add-ons.
| Coverage | Progressive | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | Yes |
| New car replacement | No | No |
| Gap insurance | Yes (loan or lease payoff coverage) | No |
| Underinsured motorist/uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical breakdown insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Yes | Yes |
| Non-owner insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Pay-per-mile | No | No |
| Usage-based car insurance | All states except California | 47 states and Washington, D.C. |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | Yes (must call) |
| Vanishing deductible | Yes | Yes |
Is Geico cheaper than Progressive?
Both companies' average rates are below the national average. For drivers with good credit and a clean driving record, Geico is slightly cheaper than Progressive for both full coverage and liability-only insurance, according to price data from The Zebra.
Geico also edges ahead with teen drivers and those with at-fault accidents and seniors based on the rate data we reviewed, while Progressive is more affordable for 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. If you're considering both companies, getting a quote from both with the same coverage limits and deductibles can help you make an even comparison.
Geico vs. Progressive: Discounts
While affordable base rates are a good starting point, discounts can lower your monthly premiums considerably. So, you'll want to look for an insurance company that offers discounts that you could qualify for. Here's what Geico and Progressive each offer.
Geico discounts:
Geico has a long list of discounts, including:
- Clean driving record: Up to 22%
- DriveEasy telematics program discount: Between 5% and 15%
- Multi-car insurance: Up to 25%
- Good student discount: Up to 15%
- Military deployment discount: Up to 25%
Progressive discounts
Progressive's list of discounts includes:
- Three-year safe driving discount: Saves up to 33%
- Snapshot telematics program discount: Average savings of $328
- Multi-car insurance: Average savings of 12%
- Online quotes: Average savings of 7%
- Signing online discount: Average savings of 10%
- Good student discount: Starts at 5%
Geico vs. Progressive: Customer satisfaction
Geico ranked above average for customer satisfaction in 9 of the 11 regions surveyed in J.D. Power’s 2026 auto insurance study, while Progressive was rated below average in all but one of the survey's regions.
Progressive's innovative website and app earned it a spot just above the average in J.D. Power's 2026 survey on customers' digital experience, while Geico ranked several spots higher in third place overall.
Both companies scored below average for customer satisfaction with the claims process — Geico came in 14th place out of 20, while Progressive was in 18th place out of 20.
Both companies are relatively accessible, with customer service phone lines open 24/7 and live chat available online.
Geico vs. Progressive: Which is better?
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, especially for drivers under 25 or those with at-fault accidents on their records.
However, Progressive has coverage options Geico doesn't, including things like accident forgiveness and gap insurance.
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.
FAQs
Is Progressive cheaper than Geico for car insurance?
Progressive and Geico are closely matched for full coverage car insurance, although Geico is slightly less expensive. For liability-only insurance, the difference is more noticeable. Households with young drivers also save more with Geico, although Progressive's rates are lower for seniors and drivers with DUIs.
What other kinds of insurance does Progressive sell?
In addition to auto insurance, Progressive also offers commercial insurance, renters insurance, homeowners insurance, travel insurance and pet insurance.
What other types of insurance does Geico offer?
In addition to private passenger car insurance, Geico also offers commercial auto insurance, boat insurance and RV insurance, as well as homeowners insurance and renters insurance.
Who is Progressive car insurance right for?
Progressive's low rates and widespread availability make it a good fit for many types of drivers, particularly seniors, people with bad credit and those with a DUI conviction. It could also be right for you if you want robust coverage options, like accident forgiveness and custom equipment coverage.
Who is Geico car insurance right for?
Geico is a good choice for anyone looking for reasonable rates and great customer service. In particular, young drivers and those with at-fault accidents may find it cheaper than the competition.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
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.
Our methodology
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. Auto insurance rates come from The Zebra.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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