Allstate, Geico, Progressive and State Farm compared

When looking for the best car insurance company, you probably want to balance factors like low cost, excellent customer service and robust coverage options. Most large car insurance companies have competitive offerings in all these categories, so it can be challenging to decide which is right for you — if any. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team did a comparison of four top insurers — Geico vs. State Farm vs. Progressive vs. Allstate — to help you weed out each carrier’s quality metrics from their catchy advertising.

Comparing top car insurance companies

We reviewed each carrier’s financial strength, customer service, average annual rates, digital tools, coverage offerings and more when determining the merits of Geico vs. Progressive vs. State Farm vs. Allstate. Each company’s Bankrate Score, out of five points, summarizes these quality metrics. We also took note of the rankings each company received from industry watchdog organization J.D. Power, which assesses both claims satisfaction and overall customer satisfaction.

Progressive: Best for safe drivers

Why we chose it: Progressive’s Deductible Savings Bank is an optional feature that rewards safe driving with potential savings on your deductibles. With this feature, drivers can earn a $50 credit toward their comprehensive and collision deductibles for each claim and violation-free policy period. Although not available in every state, this optional add-on could help drivers save money after an accident. Notably, Progressive ranked second-to-last for auto claims satisfaction. 

Geico: Best for discounts

Why we chose it: On top of low average car insurance rates, Geico’s long list of discounts could make your policy even cheaper. Advertised discounts include savings for safe driving, emergency military deployment, good students and affiliation groups. Like Progressive, Geico came in below the segment average in the J.D. Power claims study, which may be a concern for drivers who value top-notch customer service.

State Farm: Best for claims handling

Why we chose it: State Farm ranked higher than any other company on our list in J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. This suggests consumers were pleased with the claims process and payouts. The company also ranked above average in all but one region (the Mid-Atlantic) of the 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, which scores overall customer satisfaction. This could be attributed in part to State Farm’s nationwide network of over 19,000 agents. However, the company’s average premiums skew higher than others on our list.

Allstate: Best for new and young drivers

Why we chose it: Adding a new or young driver to your car insurance policy can be expensive, but Allstate offers various options to help reduce the cost. The Smart Student discount allows unmarried drivers under 25 to save if they meet one of these requirements:

• Maintain a grade average of B- or higher, or have a GPA of 2.7 or above while a full-time student
• Successfully complete the teenSMART driver education program
• Attend school at least 100 miles away from where their car is garaged

Depending on state availability, they can also enroll in Allstate Drivewise, a telematics program that tracks and rewards safe driving habits.

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Advertising disclosure

This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Insurance disclosure

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

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Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.

Are you currently insured?

Are you insuring multiple vehicles?

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Insurance disclosure

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Allstate vs. State Farm vs. Geico vs. Progressive

The best car insurance company will depend on factors specific to you and your coverage needs. Comparing personalized quotes can help you find the cheapest carrier for you, but remember that cheap rates shouldn’t trump quality coverage. Here are some pros and cons to help you determine if Allstate or Progressive is better, or if Geico or State Farm might better serve you.

Allstate

Pros

• Offers a variety of policy add-ons like rideshare coverage, accident forgiveness and extended vehicle care
• Multiple rewards for safe driving

Cons

• Car insurance rates may be higher than other insurance carriers
• Scored below average in some regions of the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study

State Farm

Pros

• Offers an extensive network of local agents for personalized service
• Best Auto Insurance Company for Safe Drivers in the 2025 Bankrate Awards

Cons

• May not write policies for drivers with DUIs
• Does not offer gap insurance on auto policies

Geico

Pros

• Competitive average premiums
• Best Auto Insurance Company for High-Risk Drivers in the 2025 Bankrate Awards

Cons

• Fewer local offices with agents, limiting personalized service
• Scored below average in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

Progressive

Pros

• Name Your Price tool lets customers create policies that fit their budgets
• Broad range of nationwide coverage

Cons

• Fewer local agencies compared to traditional carriers
• Ranked near the bottom in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

Frequently asked questions

• Should I pick a big or small car insurance company?

  Choosing between big and small car insurance companies depends on your specific needs and preferences. Big insurance companies often have extensive financial resources, larger agent networks, comprehensive digital tools and a broader array of coverage options. They may also offer better customer service accessibility and financial stability. Smaller insurers, on the other hand, often focus on providing personalized service, offering competitive rates and tailoring coverage options to regional needs. It’s worth comparing quotes from both big and small companies to find one that aligns best with your budget, customer service expectations and insurance needs.

• What do I need to buy a car insurance policy?

  When you’re getting a car insurance quote or buying an insurance policy, the insurance company will typically ask for some personal information, like the names, birth dates and driver’s license numbers of all drivers that will be included on the policy. You will also be asked to provide information on the vehicle’s make and model, and may also need to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN). By offering this information to the insurance company, you’re more likely to get an accurate quote.

• How do I find the cheapest car insurance policy?

  If you want to find the cheapest car insurance policy, it may be helpful to shop around and get quotes from a number of different insurance companies. In order to accurately compare your options, it can be helpful to request quotes for the same type and amount of coverage from each company, which will let you see how much the same type of coverage would cost from the companies you get quotes with. Ask about the discounts you could be eligible for, as well — discounts can have a big impact on your premium.

• Do all these car insurance companies offer telematics programs?

  Yes, all four of these insurers have their own telematics programs that potentially reward safe driving with premium discounts. Allstate provides Drivewise; Geico offers DriveEasy; Progressive has its Snapshot program (and reserves the right to raise your premium if the program reveals unsafe driving habits); and State Farm offers Drive Safe & Save. These programs generally track driving behaviors like speed, braking, acceleration and distance.

• Are the largest car insurance companies the best?

  The answer to that question may depend on what you’re looking for from your insurer. When we compare the largest companies, such as Geico vs. Allstate or Progressive vs. State Farm, it’s clear that they all excel in offering robust agent networks, extensive discounts and endorsement options and superior digital tools. If those are factors you’re looking for in an insurer, you may want to look at these companies. Smaller and regional insurers, however, offer other benefits. Since they may focus on a geographic area, for example, they may have a high feet-on-the-ground understanding of the needs of drivers in that part of the country. They may focus on boutique customer services or particular offerings such as insurance for high-risk drivers or luxury vehicles. For some individuals, these qualities can be more important than the benefits offered by larger companies.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze January 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:

• Credit-based insurance scores:

  Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

• Incidents:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.

• Mileage:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following differences in mileage: 2K, 5K, 12K (base), 15K and 20K.

• Model:

  Unless otherwise stated, rates are for 2023 vehicle models. For new vs used vehicles, we included the following year in our calculations: 2013.

• Age:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations. For teen drivers, rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.

• Gender:

  The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

• Status:

  Rates were evaluated based on the following marital/family status: single (base), married, 40-year-old married man and woman. Marital status is not a rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.