Allstate vs. Geico Reviews, Cost and Coverage (2024) (2024)

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Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers

130

Providers ReviewedOur team looked at over 100 of the top auto insurance providers in the U.S., from national providers like USAA, Travelers and State Farm to regional providers like Erie Insurance.

8,500

Data Points AnalyzedTo properly score each auto insurance provider, we looked at cost data, claims processes, customer review scores, industry standing, available discounts, coverages and add-ons.

800

Research HoursOur team put in the time so you don’t have to, evaluating cost data, reading customer reviews and researching companies to determine the most reliable options for coverage.

8,500

Customers SurveyedWe asked thousands of customers to describe their experience with their auto insurance provider to understand how real customers feel about their insurers.

Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.

Geico vs. Allstate Reviews

Between Allstate vs. Geico, which should you pick? We rated Geico an industry-leading 9.1 out of 10. Allstate, which earned a score of 8.8out of 10.0, also offers good auto insurance options.

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. We also named Geico the official Editor’s Choice for car insurance in 2022.

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.

AllstateGeico
Overall Rating8.89.1
Reputation9.59.7
Availability10.010.0
Coverage9.28.4
Cost7.49.1
Customer Experience8.78.8

Geico vs. Allstate Car Insurance

According to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Geico is the second-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:

  • Cheaper rates for good drivers
  • Discounts for new cars and multiple policies
  • Usage-based coverage that won’t raise your rates

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

AllstateGeico
Year Established19311936
Availability50 states50 states
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA+A++
Better Business Bureau (BBB) RatingA+A+
J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM889 out of 1,000874 out of 1,000

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.

AllstateGeico
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 InsuranceAvailable in 28 states, and Washington, D.C.*
Travel Expense Coverage
Sound System Insurance
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)
Accident Forgiveness

*Accurate at time of publication.

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 coverage covers food and lodging up to $1,500 if you have an accident or mechanical breakdown. Allstate also offers sound system insurance, which replaces damaged or stolen sound equipment like stereos, speakers and video equipment.

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
DeviceMobile app or plug-in deviceMobile app
Can It Raise Your Rate?NoYes
AvailabilityMost states28 states, plus Washington, D.C.
DiscountVariesVaries
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

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.

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 9.1 out of 10.0 points in the cost category in our industry-wide insurance review, while Allstate earned 7.4 points. But Geico doesn’t just offer lower rates than Allstate. It also offers lower insurance premiums than other major competitors like State Farm and Progressive.

Geico vs. Allstate: Auto Insurance Quote Estimates

Here’s how Allstate and Geico compare on average annual costs for 16- and 35-year-old drivers:

Below, you can see how Allstate and Geico rank on cost compared to other major providers in the market for 35-year-old drivers:

Allstate vs. Geico Reviews, Cost and Coverage (2024) (3)

Keep in mind that auto insurance policy rates depend on your vehicle, location, deductible, driving history, credit score and more.

Allstate vs. Geico Discounts

Why is Geico so much cheaper? The auto insurer offers 19 discounts, and many drivers qualify for multiple discounts.

Allstate DiscountsGeico 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
Safe Driving Club
Air Bags
Daytime Running Lights
Anti-lock Brakes
Anti-theft System
Passive Restraint
Seat Belt Use
Membership and Employee
Federal Employee
Military Discount
Military Deployment

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:

Allstate vs. Geico: Customer Experience

Geico scored slightly higher in the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Allstate earned 870 out of a possible 1,000 points, while Geico earned 881 points. The study polled over 11,000 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. However, according to data from the NAIC, Allstate and Geico both have a higher number of complaints than the national average.

Additionally, Geico’s mobile app reviews on Google Play average to a 4.7-star rating, while reviewers give Allstate’s mobile app a 4.0-star rating.

AllstateGeico
BBB Customer Review Rating1.1 out of 51.1 out of 5.0
Mobile App iPhone App Store Rating4.8 out of 5.04.8 out of 5.0
Mobile App Google Play Rating4.0 out of 5.04.7 out of 5.0

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 is our No. 1 pick for auto insurance coverage, 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 policy question in person if you need to.

Keep reading: State Farm insurance review

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With our comparison partner, Allstate vs. Geico Reviews, Cost and Coverage (2024) (4)

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:

  • Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
  • Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
  • Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
  • Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
  • Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

  • 800 hours researched
  • 45 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 ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.

Allstate vs. Geico Reviews, Cost and Coverage (2024) (2024)

FAQs

Allstate vs. Geico Reviews, Cost and Coverage (2024)? ›

We gave Geico 9.1 out of 10.0 points in the cost category in our industry-wide insurance review, while Allstate earned 7.4 points. But Geico doesn't just offer lower rates than Allstate. It also offers lower insurance premiums than other major competitors like State Farm and Progressive.

Why is Allstate so much more expensive? ›

Allstate is so expensive because car insurance is expensive in general, due to rising costs for insurers. Allstate's premiums may also reflect how competitively Allstate agents are paid, but at $781 per year, the average Allstate car insurance policy is actually cheaper than coverage from most competitors.

Why is Geico so much cheaper? ›

Geico is so cheap because it sells directly to the consumer. Geico also offers many discounts that help customers save even more on top of its already-low premiums.

Does Allstate handle claims well? ›

It is tied for fourth in discounts and tied for fifth in the subcategory of car insurance companies most likely to be recommended. Allstate did not score as well in some other subcategories, such as best car insurance companies for seniors and best companies for claims handling.

Why is my Geico insurance all of a sudden so much higher? ›

Geico may have raised your rates because of changes to your policy or circ*mstances. Examples include adding a new type of coverage, becoming eligible for an additional type of discount, being involved in an accident, or buying a new car.

Why did my Allstate insurance go up in 2024? ›

The California Department of Insurance provided this statement to KTLA. “The Department's thorough review found that Allstate overstated certain loss projections. The authors of Prop. 103, Consumer Watchdog, agreed to the 30% rate increase on California drivers under the current regulatory structure.”

Is Allstate cheaper than Geico? ›

Comparing Allstate vs. Geico, we found that Geico offers cheaper auto insurance on average. We gave Geico 9.1 out of 10.0 points in the cost category in our industry-wide insurance review, while Allstate earned 7.4 points. But Geico doesn't just offer lower rates than Allstate.

Is Geico overcharging? ›

March 12 (Reuters) - Geico, the car insurer owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa. N) , opens new tab, will not face class-action claims as it defends against a lawsuit alleging it overcharged policyholders early in the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.

Why is Geico closing? ›

The Chronicle reports that insurance industry magazines linked Geico's decision to close California sales offices to its failure to raise insurance prices in compliance with Sacramento regulations and other market forces.

Who is cheaper, Geico or Progressive? ›

Geico's rates are typically lower overall, but Progressive tends to offer better prices to high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers are those with a recent DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket on their driving record. Of course, costs vary by driver, and your rates are determined by a number of factors, including: Age.

Why do people like Allstate? ›

Overall, if you can choose to go with Allstate for car insurance, you will be in good hands, thanks to their 24/7 claims service, solid coverage options and nationwide network of agents.

Does Allstate deny claims? ›

If there is a lack of evidence or inconsistencies in the documentation, Allstate may deny your claim due to insufficient proof. Additionally, it's important to adhere to the policy terms and conditions outlined in your insurance agreement.

Is Allstate or Progressive cheaper? ›

In terms of car insurance costs, Allstate is more expensive than other top competitors like Progressive, Geico and State Farm. In the category of affordability, we rate Progressive 7.8 out of 10.0 stars and Allstate 7.4 out of 10.0 stars.

Does Geico really save you money? ›

Low Rates And Great Discounts

GEICO's cheap car insurance rates and discounts could save you 15% or more. These are just a few of our car insurance discounts: Multi-car discount. Discount for cars with air bags and other safety features.

Why is Allstate so expensive? ›

Other factors like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events and spikes in the number of accidents can also raise costs. When conditions like these make it more expensive to pay claims, insurers often need to increase rates.

Are Geico premiums going up? ›

Auto insurance rates are going up

Across the country, Geico increased its average auto insurance premiums by 25.9% from 2022-2023.

Why is my Allstate bill so high? ›

Allstate has received California's blessing to raise homeowner insurance premiums 4% — and has filed for another rate hike of nearly 40% — but the state's fifth-largest home insurer said it has no plans to reverse its decision last fall to stop writing new policies.

Who is more expensive State Farm or Allstate? ›

While Both Top-Rated Companies Can Be Good Choices for Coverage, State Farm Typically Offers Lower Rates Than Allstate. Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.

Can you negotiate with Allstate? ›

If Allstate Insurances's initial offer is lower than you believe your vehicle is worth, you can prepare to negotiate. It's important to present facts that support your claim. Evidence can include things like your vehicle's original window sticker, receipts from recent repairs or vehicle upgrades.

Who is Allstate biggest competitor? ›

State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the U.S., with 18% of the market. Other big car insurance companies include Progressive, Geico and Allstate.

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