The verdict
USAA takes it, 2–1 on rounds.
On averages USAA is cheaper by about $334 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 USAA if…
- • You want USAA's lower average rate
- • You want a telematics programme that cannot raise your rate
Choose GEICO if…
- • You want GEICO's particular strengths
- • You drive well and will accept being monitored
Round by round
- Round 1What you actually payUSAA winsUSAA9/10
$1,533
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
GEICO5/10$1,867
average annual full-coverage premium
- Rates vary widely by driver
- Figures from independent rate studies
- About $334/yr more on average
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
About $334 a year apart — and USAA is the cheaper one.
- Round 2Being tracked for a discountUSAA winsUSAA8/10
30% max
SafePilot — discount only, never an increase
- Cannot be used to raise your rate
- Opt-in
- Advertised maximum is rarely reached
- Typical real saving is nearer 10%
Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/
GEICO5/1010% 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/
USAA can only discount you. The other one can charge you more.
- Round 3Whether you can even buy itGEICO winsUSAA3/10
military members, veterans and their families only
who is allowed to buy a policy
- Consistently the cheapest major insurer
- Military affiliation required
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
GEICO9/10open to all
who is allowed to buy a policy
- Anyone can buy it
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
USAA wins on paper and is unavailable to most people.
- Round 4What happens when you claimTieUSAA6/10
no 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
GEICO6/10see 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
The cheap ones are rarely the ones you want on the phone after a crash.
- Round 5Size, reach and who you deal withTieUSAA7/10
consistently the cheapest major insurer
market position
- Established national carrier
Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies
GEICO7/10second-largest auto insurer by market share
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.