Esurance Vs. Geico: Cost, Coverage, And Reviews (2023) (2024)

Quartz Advisor Reviews Team 12/23/2023 8:33 pm

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Between Esurance vs. Geico, Geico offers better prices, stronger coverage options, and a more satisfying customer experience overall. That said, Esurance is also a great company with high ratings. In this article, we’ll compare Esurance vs. Geico head-to-head to help you decide which is best for you.

It’s a good idea to compare at least three of thebest car insuranceproviders when youshop for car insurancesince rates can change depending on your driving history, credit score, and more.

Esurance Vs. Geico Highlights

Esurance and Geico are both well-known providers with strong reputations in the car insurance industry.

Esurance Overview

Esurance was founded in 1999 and is one of the few companies that made it through the dot-com bubble. Highlights about Esurance include:

  • One of the first providers to offer online car insurance
  • Easy-to-use website
  • Highly-rated mobile app

Geico Overview

Geico has been around since 1936 and has grown to become one of the top three largest car insurance companies in the country. Here are a few highlights about Geico:

  • Wrote over $37.4 billion in premiums in 2021, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
  • Easy quotes process
  • Low rates with many discounts

Besides auto insurance, Esurance offers renters, homeowners, and motorcycle insurance. Geico offers dozens of insurance products including boat, condo, and home insurance. Policyholders can get discounts for bundling coverage options with either company.

EsuranceGeico
Our Rating3.8 stars4.6 stars
Better Business Bureau (BBB) RatingCA+
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA+A++
J.D. Power Insurance Shopping RatingN/A869 / 1,000
J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction RatingN/A881 / 1,000

Esurance Vs. Geico Coverage

Let’s look at Esurance vs. Geico in terms of coverage. Both companies provide the six standardtypes of auto insurance, which include:

  • Bodily injury liability: This policy covers medical bills for other drivers and their passengers in accidents you cause. It is available in per-person and per-accident limits.
  • Property damage liability: This policy covers repair costs for other vehicles in accidents you cause.
  • Collision: This coverage pays for repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive: This coverage pays to repair your car after damage from events like falling branches or floods.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: This policy covers you and your car if someone without insurance or with too little insurance hits your car.
  • Medical payments (MedPay)/personal injury protection (PIP): MedPay covers your medical bills after an accident, regardless of fault. PIP also covers your medical bills as well as lost wages and death benefits.

The providers differentiate themselves when it comes to additional coverage and add-ons. For example, Geico offers rideshare insurance across the country, but Esurance only offers it in California, Illinois, and New Jersey.

Also, both companies offer usage-based insurance for safe drivers to get discounts based on their driving habits. Geico’s program, DriveEasy, is available in 22 states while Esurance’s program, DriveSense®, is available in 35.

Below are a few more stand-out policy options from Esurance vs. Geico.

Esurance Coverage Options

Coverage add-on options from Esurance include:

  • Emergency roadside assistance coverage:Covers up to $75 of the charges associated with any emergency mechanical breakdown, including towing
  • Rental car coverage:Covers the cost of a rental car if your car is in an accident and is rendered unusable while it’s being repaired
  • Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage:Covers the difference when you still owe more than your car is worth on your loan and your car is totaled

Geico Coverage Options

In addition to the standard auto insurance policies mentioned above, Geico offers:

  • Emergency roadside service:Covers towing, jumpstarts for dead car batteries, labor to change a flat tire, and lockout services (up to $100)
  • Rental car coverage:Covers rental costs when your car is being repaired as the result of a covered claim
  • Mechanical breakdown insurance:Covers repairs to mechanical parts of the car similar to an extended car warranty

Unlike Esurance, Geico doesn’t offer GAP insurance. But Geico mechanical breakdown insurance is where the provider stands out. This acts as an extended car warranty – after a covered breakdown, you pay a $250 deductible, and Geico covers the repair.

Esurance Vs. Geico Car Insurance Discounts

When comparing Esurance vs. Geico in terms of insurance rates, you will find that a lot of the same discounts apply.

Esurance Discounts

Esurance is reasonably priced and provides great value for the money. While it’s by no means the cheapest car insurance available, it does beat most of the competition when it comes to low prices.

Esurance offers a variety of discounts but does not have a specific list available on its website. The best way to find out which discounts you qualify for is by getting a quote.

Geico Discounts

Geico advertisem*nts claim that “15 minutes could save you 15 percent or more.” We found that Geico did not have the lowest prices across the board, but its premiums are definitely cheaper than most of its competition. Plus, the company has great discounts.

Here are some examples of the discounts offered by Geico:

  • Multi-policy
  • Good student
  • Good driver
  • New vehicle
  • Military
  • Federal employee
  • Seat belt use
  • Daytime running lights
  • Anti-theft device
  • Anti-lock brakes

Be aware that Geico offers an accident forgiveness add-on, while Esurance does not.

Esurance Vs. Geico Customer Service

Both companies offer reliable customer service in most cases. They have similar BBB scores from customers, but Geico has a higher score of 1.5 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, while Esurance has a score of 2.0 stars on the site. Below are a few example reviews for each provider.

Esurance Insurance Reviews

As far as customer complaints go, Esurance gets just about the median number for a company its size, according to the NAIC. When looking at Esurance vs. Geico, we found Esurance to be about average when it comes to how satisfied customers are with their experiences.

Esurance has a C rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 1.08 out of 5-star rating based on under 125 customer reviews. Keep in mind that online reviews tend to be biased toward the negative, especially when it comes to insurance companies. Here are two examples of what customers have to say about Esurance:

“Despite the bad reviews of this company, I had a very positive experience.”

– Liz via BBB

“This company is horrible. [I] thought I was making the right decision by getting them, but that was very wrong. These people will do and say anything not to perform [their] jobs and serve the people who are keeping them in business. Personally, the rates are great, but ultimately you get what you pay for.”

– Kris M. via BBB

Many other negative Esurance reviews are about rates going up over time and dissatisfaction with customer service.

Geico Insurance Reviews

Judging by how few complaints Geico gets relative to its size, the insurer appears to deliver a superb customer experience. But like all insurance companies, Geico gets its fair share of complaints. The company has an A+ rating with the BBB and a 1.14 out of 5-star customer rating based on just under 1,000 reviews.

Let’s take a closer look at some customer feedback:

“Geico has been more than fair to me. I’m 18 years old with a brand new Dodge Charger, and I’ve already got a few things on my driving record but Geico really offers me great rates that I can’t find anywhere else.”

– Ethan R. via BBB

“This insurance company is low-grade to the extent. I have encountered an accident one month ago and Geico insured holder was at fault … I have been trying to get in touch with their claims representative for quite some time. They know they are at fault 100 percent and [try] to bargain with you to lessen their pockets.”

– Stephanie via BBB

A majority of the negative Geico reviews on the BBB are regarding specific issues with the claims process.

Esurance Vs. Geico: Conclusion

While both Esurance and Geico provide high-quality insurance coverage, we found that Geico was a better choice overall as it provides better prices and coverage options. That said, Esurance is still a great option for auto insurance, especially if you can qualify for available discounts to make the cost cheaper.

Insurance FactorEsurance vs. Geico
CoverageGeico
Cost And DiscountsGeico
Quotes And Claims ProcessGeico
Ratings And Customer ReviewsGeico
OverallGeico

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Recommended Car Insurance Providers

If neither Esurance nor Geico floats your boat, you may be interested in USAA, State Farm, or Progressive. Along with Geico, these providers topped our list of the industry’s best car insurance companies.

We recommend comparing multiple quotes from different providers before you make your final decision.

USAA: Best For Military Members

Out of all the companies we reviewed, we ranked USAA car insurance as No. 1. The company has affordable car insurance rates (the lowest we found on average), lots of discount programs, and superb customer service.

Unfortunately, USAA is only available to active military, veterans, and their families, so the general public will not be able to purchase a policy from USAA.

State Farm: Best Overall Provider

State Farm car insurance follows closely behind USAA as far as rates are concerned, and customer satisfaction with this insurer is quite high. State Farm also offers a wide variety of discounts for students, good drivers, and more.

Progressive: Best For High-Risk Drivers

Progressive is another well-established insurance company with good customer satisfaction ratings and a solid variety of coverage options. We like Progressive for its online quote comparison tool, which allows you to compare rates for insurance companies side by side.

Geico Vs. Esurance: FAQs

How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage:To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability:It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.
Esurance Vs. Geico: Cost, Coverage, And Reviews (2023) (2024)

FAQs

Esurance Vs. Geico: Cost, Coverage, And Reviews (2023)? ›

We rate Geico higher than Esurance for its superior coverage options, prices, and customer service. Most drivers find lower rates with Geico than Esurance. However, Esurance is still a great company and we recommend comparing auto insurance quotes from both providers.

Is Geico or Esurance cheaper? ›

The two companies charge about the same amount for full coverage, but Geico has cheaper liability-only policies. A minimum-coverage policy from Geico costs $396 per year, which is 29% cheaper than Esurance.

Why is esurance so expensive? ›

Esurance is so expensive because car insurance is expensive in general, due to rising costs for insurers. But at $645 per year, the average Esurance car insurance premium is actually about the same as the national average of $671 per year.

Is esurance good at paying claims? ›

Settlement of Esurance Accident Claims

In general, everything that we have said before about Allstate (not so good hands) is true of Esurance. In our opinion (some attorneys differ), it is not the worst insurance company for resolving claims, but it doesn't win any gold medals for fairness, either.

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.

What insurance is better than Geico? ›

State Farm did score higher than Geico in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. The study measured claims satisfaction in several categories, including estimation process, repair process, rental experience and settlement.

Who is cheaper than esurance? ›

Young drivers will find that Progressive car insurance is cheaper than Esurance. On average, young drivers pay 21% less for a policy from Progressive. That equals a savings of $536 per year.

Is Esurance being phased out? ›

In 2019, Allstate announced it planned to retire Esurance and had plans to transfer existing policies to Allstate's subsidiary companies. As of 2023, Esurance is still part of Allstate, but it no longer writes new insurance policies. Existing policies continue to be backed by Allstate.

Is Esurance good or bad? ›

Esurance has competitive car insurance rates but has a very high level of customer complaints. It also has limited discounts and few optional coverages compared to many competitors. Those who value satisfactory customer service and robust coverage offerings over price would do better elsewhere.

Is Geico the most expensive? ›

In fact, Geico is one of the cheapest car insurance companies nationally. Even though Geico offers cheaper-than-average rates, its premiums can get expensive for drivers with certain characteristics.

What will happen to Esurance customers? ›

Esurance, which is owned by Allstate, no longer sells new car insurance policies. Allstate announced in 2019 that it would retire the Esurance brand. Today, the Esurance website still operates and existing customers are still being serviced by Allstate and its affiliate companies.

What is full coverage with Esurance? ›

Esurance full coverage auto insurance covers liability claims, collision damage regardless of fault, and non-accident damage from things like animals and severe weather. Full coverage always includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.

What is the quality of Esurance? ›

Our financial strength rating

Esurance's financial strength is rated A+ by A.M. Best*, a leading independent rating organization. Our owner, Allstate, provides us with extensive industry know-how and financial stability, so you know we'll be there for you when you need us.

Is Geico overcharging? ›

Geico must face California class action claiming it overcharged on car insurance. Oct 31 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday said a lawsuit accusing Geico Corp of overcharging more than 2 million California policyholders on car insurance early in the COVID-19 pandemic may proceed as a class action.

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 Allstate? ›

Key Points: Geico's full coverage costs an average of $1,572 per year, which is around 38 percent cheaper than Allstate's full coverage rate of $2,520 per year. Allstate offers more flexible roadside assistance packages than Geico, but both companies charge a fee for the service, either monthly, annually, or per-use.

What is the cheapest form of car insurance? ›

State Farm is the cheapest national car insurance company, at $50 per month for liability-only coverage. American Family and Geico also have affordable quotes, averaging $61 per month. USAA has the cheapest rates overall at $34 per month. But only military members, veterans or their families can qualify for USAA.

Is Geico the most expensive car insurance? ›

In fact, Geico is one of the cheapest car insurance companies nationally. Even though Geico offers cheaper-than-average rates, its premiums can get expensive for drivers with certain characteristics.

Which brand of car has the cheapest insurance? ›

Bankrate analyzed average rates for many of the most popular vehicle models on the road and found cars with the lowest insurance rates on average. These include the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, Ford Escape and Honda Odyssey.

Is Geico less expensive than Allstate? ›

Key Points: Geico's full coverage costs an average of $1,572 per year, which is around 38 percent cheaper than Allstate's full coverage rate of $2,520 per year. Allstate offers more flexible roadside assistance packages than Geico, but both companies charge a fee for the service, either monthly, annually, or per-use.

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