If you're shopping for car insurance, you may be trying to decide between State Farm and Geico. After all, they're two of the biggest names in the car insurance space.
State Farm is the largest property and casualty insurance company in the U.S. It's also praised for its wide range of add-ons, along with easy online application and claims processes. Meanwhile, Geico stands out for its nationwide availability and affordable rates, especially for those with less-than-perfect driving records or families with new drivers.
The two companies offer many of the same benefits, but there are some key differences you should keep in mind when shopping for car insurance.
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Available in most states
- Affordable rates for teen drivers
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance
- Accident forgiveness requires 9 years accident-free
- Have to work with an agent to buy a policy..
- 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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State Farm vs. Geico: Pros and cons
State Farm pros and cons
- Can buy policy and file claims online
- Lots of discounts available
- Safe driving discount worth up to 30% off
- Higher-than-average rates
- A large number of complaints have been filed against it, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
- Accident forgiveness requires nine years of being a customer
Read more: State Farm Auto Insurance Review
Geico pros and cons
- Low average rates
- Available nationwide
- Affordable rates for high-risk drivers
- Offers non-owner policies and SR-22 insurance
- Limited number of agents
- No gap insurance or rideshare insurance
- Below-average customer service scores
Read more: Geico Auto Insurance Review
State Farm vs. Geico: Coverage
State Farm and Geico both offer collision and comprehensive insurance, along with liability coverage, which are typically required if you're financing or leasing your car.
However, both offer different add-on options that can help you tailor coverage to your needs. Here are the features both have available:
| Coverage | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| Accident forgiveness | No | Yes |
| New car replacement | No | No |
| Gap insurance | Payoff Protector pays the difference between policy payout and remaining loan for cars financed through State Farm. | No |
| Underinsured motorist/uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical breakdown insurance | No | Yes |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Yes | Yes |
| New car replacement coverage | No | No |
| Non-owner insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Pay-per-mile | All states except California, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island | 28 states, District of Columbia* |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | No |
| Travel expense | Yes | No |
| Vanishing deductible | No | Yes |
State Farm offers travel expense reimbursement, which Geico does not. It pays up to $500 for food, lodging and related costs if your car breaks down more than 50 miles from home.
Geico offers optional mechanical breakdown insurance, which can help with the bill if your car has an issue that requires an expensive repair.
State Farm vs. Geico: Price
Geico has the advantage on price: Monthly premiums for full coverage average $164, according to Bankrate data, well below both State Farm's $219 a month and the national average of $193 per month. Its low rates landed Geico on our list of best low-cost insurers.
| State Farm | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $2,711 | $2,200 |
| Minimum coverage | $918 | $596 |
| Teen* | $5,466 | $4,655 |
| Young adult* | $4,738 | $3,996 |
| Senior* | $2,470 | $2,083 |
| Bad credit | $10,005 | $3,268 |
| Speeding Ticket | $3,126 | $2,623 |
| At-fault accident | $3,417 | $3,090 |
| DUI | $4,574 | $4,681 |
Source: Bankrate data from November 2025. Teen driver quote assumes 16-year-old with full coverage on married parents’ policy. Young adult driver quote assumes a 18-year-old on their own full coverage policy. Senior quote assumes 60-year-old with full coverage.
State Farm vs. Geico: Discounts
Discounts can significantly lower your premiums and should definitely be considered when pricing a policy. However, not all discounts are available in every state, and some may not be combinable.
| Discount | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| Accident-free | Yes, up to 25% | Yes, up to 22% for five years |
| Airbags | No | Yes, up to 23% |
| Anti-lock brakes | No | Yes, up to 5% |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes, up to 23% |
| Automatic payment | No | No |
| Bundling | Yes, up to 17% | Yes, discount varies |
| Daytime running lights | No | Yes, up to 3% |
| Defensive driving course | Yes, discount varies | Yes, discount varies |
| Driver training | Yes, discount varies | Yes, discount varies |
| Employees/members | No | Yes, varies |
| Good student | Yes, up to 25% | Yes, up to 15% |
| Federal workers | No | Yes, up to 12% |
| Military | No | Yes, up to 15% |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes, up to 20% | Yes, up to 25% |
| Multiple policy | Yes, up to 17% | Yes, discount varies |
| New vehicle | No | Yes, up to 15% |
| Paperless | Not disclosed | No |
| Passive restraint | Up to 40% on medical-related coverage for some cars | Yes |
| Pay-in-full | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Save-driving app | Yes, up to 30% | Yes, up to 25% |
| Student away at school | Yes, not disclosed | No |
| Teacher | No | Available with some professional associations |
Both companies have usage-based insurance discounts that collect data on your driving, including information on your acceleration, braking and speed. Both programs can reward good driving habits with a discount — State Farm's Drive Safe & Save discount can earn up to 30% off of your premiums, while Geico's DriveEasy can save up to 25%. However, discounts can vary based on your driving and these programs aren't available in every state.
Geico does have a military discount that could be worth up to 15% off, as well as lower rate options for teachers, federal employees and members of certain professional organizations.
State Farm vs. Geico: Customer service
State Farm and Geico are in close competition for customer service. State Farm was among the top three insurers in three out of the 11 regions surveyed in J.D. Power’s 2025 auto insurance study. It ranked eighth out of 20 in a separate survey on claims satisfaction.
Geico, meanwhile, ranked in the top three insurers in five regions on J.D. Power’s auto insurance study. In the claims satisfaction study, however, Geico ranked below the study average.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) keeps data on the number of consumer complaints submitted against insurance companies. According to the organization's data, State Farm received seven times the number of expected complaints for an insurer of its size when filtered for private passenger auto insurance.
The NAIC reports that Geico received fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size when filtered for private passenger auto insurance.
Financials are strong for these companies. State Farm and Geico both earned an A++ (superior) for financial strength from A.M. Best, an agency that analyzes insurers' financials. That's the highest grade and a strong indicator that both companies will be able to pay out on policyholders’ claims.
State Farm vs. Geico: Which is better?
Choosing the right auto insurance depends on your needs. State Farm has additional coverage options for those who need features like rideshare insurance and payoff protection (a form of gap insurance).
But budget-conscious drivers might prefer Geico — especially those with bad credit and teen drivers, as its average rates for these customers are significantly lower.
If you're unsure about which is the best fit, getting quotes from both can help you find the lowest price. Get quotes for the same coverage limits and deductibles, and compare premiums and discounts to see which is better for you.
FAQs
Which is cheaper, Geico or State Farm car insurance?
According to data CNBC Select gathered from Bankrate, Geico offers lower rates than State Farm. However, different drivers with varying circumstances might find the same price or even lower costs with other brands, underscoring the importance of shopping for car insurance.
Can I buy car insurance online with Geico or State Farm?
Both Geico and State Farm offer customers the ability to get quotes and buy auto insurance online quickly and easily.
What other kinds of insurance do State Farm and Geico sell?
State Farm offers homeowners insurance, renters insurance and condo insurance so you can cover your home and car with the same insurer. It also offers life insurance, pet health insurance and specialty insurance like motorcycle insurance. Geico offers homeowners insurance, renters insurance and specialty insurance like motorcycle insurance and RV insurance.
Do Geico and State Farm have in-person insurance agents who can help me?
Both Geico and State Farm have in-person agents who can help obtain a policy or file a claim. Geico even offers the option to search for Spanish-speaking agents on its site.
Who is State Farm car insurance right for?
State Farm is a good fit for those who don't mind paying a little bit more for easy online access and assistance from in-person agents.
Who is Geico car insurance right for?
Those looking for cheap car insurance might find that Geico is a good fit. The brand's low prices can be especially useful for those who would usually receive higher rates, like young adult and teen drivers or those with accidents on their records.
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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 pet 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.
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