AAA and GEICO are two of the largest car insurance companies on the market.1 Both companies sell car insurance and other insurance products nationwide. Any driver can purchase car insurance from GEICO, but you must have an AAA membership to get AAA car insurance.
While AAA and GEICO are two of the best car insurance companies, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Before choosing an insurance company, it’s important to compare rates as well as coverage options, discounts, customer service, and prices.
Based on Insurify’s review, GEICO is the better overall insurance company. GEICO’s average rate for liability-only insurance is $97 per month, which is much lower than AAA’s average rate of $98 per month.
Both AAA and GEICO offer a variety of discounts for potential savings. However, GEICO offers a bigger selection of discounts, including savings for military personnel and federal employees. Neither company offers many optional endorsements, so you have few opportunities to customize your policy with these insurers.
Both AAA and GEICO have fewer complaints than expected from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for private passenger car insurance.2 However, GEICO has a better AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) than AAA’s regional insurance companies, most of which have an average AM Best rating of A (Excellent).3
AAA auto insurance is exclusively available to AAA members who have a roadside assistance program membership. AAA sells auto insurance through regional insurance companies, like CSAA and The Auto Club Group, so you don’t get to choose which insurer underwrites your policy.
AAA’s insurance underwriters have excellent financial strength and fewer complaints than expected. But when it comes to policyholder satisfaction, AAA’s affiliates get mixed ratings based on location.4
GEICO, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is the third-largest car insurance company in the United States based on market share.1 GEICO has superior financial strength and is rated above average for overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in most U.S. regions.4
The company stands out for its affordable rates and excellent discounts. However, GEICO offers few endorsements for customized coverage.
AAA and GEICO both offer telematics-based safe driver programs. You’ll download a mobile app on your smartphone, and every time you drive, the app tracks your behaviors, like brake force, acceleration, and distracted driving. The insurer then calculates a score based on your driving habits. If you score well, you may qualify for a lower car insurance rate.
When you enroll in AAA’s SMARTtrek program, you can get a 10% participation discount during your initial policy term.5 GEICO doesn’t advertise its DriveEasy discount percentage online, but an insurance agent can tell you how much you can save in your state.6
GEICO is the most affordable option, based on Insurify’s proprietary rate data. The average liability-only insurance rate from GEICO is $97 per month, while AAA’s average rate is $98 per month.
However, the cost of car insurance depends on many factors besides your insurance company. Your location, ZIP code, age, claim history, driving record, and your vehicle’s safety features will also affect your premium. It’s a good idea to get quotes from both companies to see which one will be the cheapest for your situation.
GEICO has cheaper car insurance rates than AAA for a good driver with a clean driving record and no recent incidents or violations.
If you have a speeding ticket on your record, GEICO has much cheaper rates on average than AAA.
Teenage drivers generally pay the highest rates for car insurance. Based on Insurify’s rate data, GEICO has lower car insurance rates for teens.
People with poor credit usually pay higher rates for car insurance. However, GEICO has lower rates than AAA for drivers with poor credit.
Senior drivers often pay higher car insurance rates than middle-aged drivers. For drivers older than 70, GEICO has cheaper car insurance rates than AAA.
GEICO and AAA both offer liability-only and full-coverage car insurance policies with bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision insurance, and comprehensive coverage. However, neither company offers a big selection of add-ons.
Keep in mind that AAA’s coverage options vary by region. Depending on your exact location, you might have more coverage options available than members in other regions.
When comparing AAA vs. GEICO, GEICO has a bigger selection of discounts, which could help you get a better rate. In addition, GEICO offers a discount to affinity group members, which includes AAA members.
Below, you can see which discounts each insurance company offers to policyholders.7 8
AAA and GEICO are both good auto insurance companies with their own pros and cons. Below, you’ll find more information that can help you decide which car insurance company is better for you.
Yes. AAA is more expensive than GEICO, according to Insurify’s proprietary data. AAA’s average price is $98 for a minimum-coverage policy and $136 for a full-coverage policy.
To compare, GEICO’s average rates are $97 for minimum coverage and $136 for full coverage.
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, GEICO is the best option out of the two companies.
Coverage with AAA comes with several downsides. First, you must be a AAA member to get car insurance. Memberships typically cost $65 per year but can vary depending on your location.9 AAA car insurance is underwritten by regional insurers, so you don’t get to choose which company issues your policy. Additionally, the company’s rates are much higher than GEICO’s rates on average.
GEICO has cheaper rates than AAA. It also offers a wider selection of available discounts than AAA, and it has better third-party ratings overall. But if you’re comparing AAA vs. GEICO, it’s important to evaluate both companies closely and compare auto insurance quotes before making a final decision.
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