The verdict
Rounds split 1–1; GEICO edges it on total score.
On averages GEICO is cheaper by about $1,048 a year — but get your own quote from both, because the published averages disagree with each other by nearly as much as they differ from one another.
Choose GEICO if…
- • You want GEICO's lower average rate
- • You drive well and will accept being monitored
Choose Allstate if…
- • You want Allstate's particular strengths
- • You drive well and will accept being monitored
Round by round
- Round 1What you actually payGEICO winsGEICO9/10
$1,867
average annual full-coverage premium
- Cheaper on the published averages
- Figures from independent rate studies
- Your own quote may differ sharply
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
Allstate5/10$2,915
average annual full-coverage premium
- Rates vary widely by driver
- Figures from independent rate studies
- About $1,048/yr more on average
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
About $1,048 a year apart — and GEICO is the cheaper one.
- Round 2Being tracked for a discountAllstate winsGEICO5/10
10% max
DriveEasy — can increase your rate
- Advertised up to 10%
- Opt-in
- Bad driving can increase your premium
- Typical real saving is nearer 10%
Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/
Allstate5/1040% max
Drivewise — can increase your rate
- Advertised up to 40%
- Opt-in
- Bad driving can increase your premium
- Typical real saving is nearer 10%
Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/
Both can raise your rate for bad driving. Read that twice.
- Round 3What happens when you claimTieGEICO6/10
see note
undercuts the market on premium but does not reach the top three on claims satisfaction
- Large enough to have a mature claims operation
- Not a leader on claims satisfaction
Source: https://www.jdpower.com/business/insurance/auto-claims-satisfaction-study
Allstate6/10no standout record
nothing notable in the published studies
- Large enough to have a mature claims operation
- Not a leader on claims satisfaction
Source: https://www.jdpower.com/business/insurance/auto-claims-satisfaction-study
The cheap ones are rarely the ones you want on the phone after a crash.
- Round 4Size, reach and who you deal withTieGEICO7/10
second-largest auto insurer by market share
market position
- Established national carrier
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
Allstate7/10major national insurer, agent-based
market position
- Established national carrier
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
Both are big enough to pay a claim. That is the floor, not a feature.