GEICO vs. Travelers: Which Is the Best? (2024)

GEICO has more competitive auto insurance rates for most drivers and earns higher marks for customer satisfaction in many markets than Travelers.

Christy Rakoczy
Written byChristy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy

Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated March 14, 2024

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GEICO and Travelers are two of the largest auto insurance companies in the U.S., and if you’re in the market for new coverage, you’re probably comparing these companies.

GEICO is the third-largest auto insurance company in America and insures more than 28 million vehicles. The company has earned high marks for financial stability and an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.2 thanks to its affordable rates, 24/7 customer service, and numerous available discounts.

Travelers has solid financial strength ratings and a 165-year history of offering automobile insurance. Travelers earned an IQ Score of 4.3 and has received top marks for customer service in some markets.[1] However, customer reviews are mixed online.[2]

Quick Facts
  • GEICO and Travelers both offer an abundance of discounts.

  • Travelers has a slightly higher Insurify Quality (IQ) Score than GEICO.

  • Both have agents nationwide, but Travelers’ network is larger.

GEICO vs. Travelers: The verdict

GEICO car insurance offers more affordable rates than Travelers for both full-coverage and liability-only policies. Drivers with a clean record, with an accident, or with a DUI will all find GEICO’s average car insurance rates more affordable than Travelers’ rates.

GEICO auto insurance also outranked Travelers in most markets for customer satisfaction in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance study, and it has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), compared to an A for Travelers.[3] [4]

However, for drivers who want to work with a licensed insurance agent, GEICO has a much smaller network, with around 300 agents and brokers nationwide. This is compared to 13,500 for Travelers.

In the table below, you can see some other ways these insurers stack up against one another.

FactorGEICOTravelers
IQ Score4.24.3
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score818 out of 1,000806 out of 1,000
Average quote: liability only$54$90
Number of available discounts1612
Number of states where it operates5043
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

GEICO

GEICO is the third-largest auto insurance company in the U.S. and has earned good marks both with the BBB and on J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$54/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$119/mo

A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.

Pros
  • Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers

  • Accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs

  • No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available

Everything good except the price.

RAY - December 4, 2023
Verified

I have not had problems; prices just remain high with little to no customer service and little benefit from 26+ years of customer loyalty.

Elizabeth - December 3, 2023
Verified

I had been with them a few years until they started raising my rates every time I was up for renewal. I got a new quote from another company that was $50 less than GEICO for the same coverage. That's not how to show customer loyalty, and it's the reason GEICO lost me as a customer.

Denise - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our GEICO review

Travelers

Travelers is a nationwide insurer with a large agent network that beat GEICO in the mid-Atlantic market on J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$90/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$198/mo

Travelers has been in business for more than 165 years. Today, the company sells auto insurance, homeowners, renters, flood, pet, and other types of insurance. In addition to liability and full-coverage car insurance, Travelers offers gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, new car replacement coverage, and more. Policyholders can save with a number of discounts, including for bundling multiple policies, safe driving, paying in full, student discounts, and more. Travelers has fewer complaints than expected with the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index. A.M. Best gives the company an A++ for financial strength.

Pros
  • Accident forgiveness available

  • Robust coverage selections and discount offerings

Cons
  • Rideshare coverage only available in Colorado and Illinois

  • High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau

Superior customer service.

Susan - November 25, 2023
Verified

They are the best.

David - November 15, 2023
Verified

I have no tickets and no accidents, yet my premiums keep going up every year.

Deborah - October 26, 2023
Verified
Read our Travelers review

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GEICO DriveEasy vs. Travelers IntelliDrive

DriveEasy is a GEICO program offered in 38 states. Drivers with an iPhone or Android device can download the GEICO mobile app to participate. The app measures factors like phone use while driving, hard braking, speeds around corners, how smoothly you drive, how often you drive, and when you drive. Based on data the app collects, GEICO will assign you a driving safety score. This score is considered when setting rates each time you renew your policy. The better your score, the lower your premium costs will be.

Travelers IntelliDrive is a similar program but is available in 43 states compared to GEICO’s 38. IntelliDrive measures speed, acceleration, braking, time of day you drive, and distraction (phone use) to evaluate your driving performance. After 90 days for new customers, the company will adjust your premiums based on your driving history. Prices can also be adjusted at renewal, allowing safe drivers to save up to 30%.

GEICO vs. Travelers: Which is the cheapest?

GEICO offers less expensive full-coverage and liability-only policies both for drivers with a clean record, as well as for customers who are considered high-risk drivers. This includes people with a DUI or a speeding ticket on their driving history.

In some cases, Travelers’ average rates are nearly double what GEICO charges typical motorists with the same background. So Travelers may not be the best option for people who are focused on getting the absolute best auto insurance rates. However, many factors affect the price each driver pays for car insurance — including age, marital status, and driving history — so comparing quotes is important.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

GEICO offers more affordable average rates than Travelers for drivers with a clean record.

Driver TypeGEICOTravelers
Clean driving record$54$90
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers who have a speeding ticket will find GEICO offers lower average rates for both full-coverage and liability-only policies.

Driver TypeGEICOTravelers
Drivers with a speeding ticket$62$90
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for teen drivers

GEICO’s average auto insurance rates for teen drivers are well below what Travelers charges for young drivers.

Driver TypeGEICOTravelers
18-year-old$74$164
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Travelers charges higher average premiums for drivers with a bad credit history, while GEICO’s lowest average rates for drivers with bad credit are more affordable.

Driver TypeGEICOTravelers
Drivers with bad credit$63$99
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for senior drivers

Senior drivers in their 60s and 70s will find GEICO charges a lower rate on average for older motorists buying auto insurance coverage compared to Travelers.

Driver TypeGEICOTravelers
Senior drivers$41$68
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Compare coverages: GEICO vs. Travelers

Both Travelers and GEICO offer standard types of insurance coverage, including liability, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Both also offer some customizable add-ons, including emergency roadside assistance coverage and mechanical breakdown coverage.

Travelers provides rideshare insurance in some states, though, while GEICO doesn’t offer this coverage. Travelers also offers gap insurance. It’s often a good idea for drivers with loans or leases to buy gap coverage, as this type of auto insurance pays the difference between the amount the insurer pays when a car is a total loss and the amount still due on any vehicle loans.

The chart below provides you with a detailed look at the coverages available from each insurer.

CoverageGEICOTravelers
Emergency road serviceYesYes
Rental reimbursementYesYes
Mechanical breakdown YesNo
Gap insuranceNoYes
Rideshare insuranceNoIn CO and IL

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Compare discounts: GEICO vs. Travelers

The discounts offered by GEICO and Travelers vary slightly. For example, while Travelers provides special savings for teens away from home, it doesn’t offer a military discount. The reverse is true for GEICO.

This chart provides you with a broad look at the discounts available from each insurer.

DiscountGEICOTravelers
Clean driving recordYesYes
Defensive driving courseYesYes
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesYes
Low mileageNoNo
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesNo
New carYesYes
Military/affiliationYesNo
Good studentYesYes
LoyaltyYesYes
Auto payYesYes
Student away at schoolNoYes
HomeownerNoYes
Alternative fuelNoYes

GEICO vs. Travelers FAQs

Still want to know more about GEICO vs. Travelers insurance? Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions below to learn more about each auto insurance company.

  • Is GEICO better than Travelers car insurance?

    GEICO has more affordable average rates than Travelers but a smaller agent network. People who prefer to work with an insurance agent may prefer Travelers despite the higher rates. But remember that the right insurer for you will depend on your situation, including your driving history and what you prioritize when selecting an insurance company.

  • Which company is GEICO’s biggest competitor?

    GEICO has many competitors, but State Farm is currently the largest auto insurance company in the U.S. GEICO is the third-largest company.

  • How reliable is Travelers insurance?

    It’s a little unclear. Travelers received an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, but the company has received mixed customer reviews, earning only 1.02 out of a possible 5 stars on the BBB website.[4]

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. J.D. Power. "Usage-Based Auto Insurance Takes Center Stage as Satisfaction Flatlines, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed January 12, 2024
  2. Trustpilot. "Travlers." Accessed January 12, 2024
  3. Better Business Bureau. "GEICO." Accessed January 12, 2024
  4. Better Business Bureau. "Travelers Insurance." Accessed January 12, 2024
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy

Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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