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Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
130
Providers ReviewedOur team looked at over 100 of the top auto insurance providers in the U.S., from national providers like USAA, Travelers and State Farm to regional providers like Erie Insurance.
8,500
Data Points AnalyzedTo properly score each auto insurance provider, we looked at cost data, claims processes, customer review scores, industry standing, available discounts, coverages and add-ons.
800
Research HoursOur team put in the time so you don’t have to, evaluating cost data, reading customer reviews and researching companies to determine the most reliable options for coverage.
8,500
Customers SurveyedWe asked thousands of customers to describe their experience with their auto insurance provider to understand how real customers feel about their insurers.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Farmers vs. Geico Reviews
Both Farmers and Geico are strong providers for car insurance, but which is a better option overall? Our team ranks Geico sixth in our insurance provider rankings while Farmers is 19th. Out of 10.0 points, Geico tops Farmers in our methodology with an overall score of 9.1 to 8.6.
However, even though Geico has a sizable victory overall, Farmers has the edge in coverage and ties with Geico in availability and customer experience.
Is Geico Better Than Farmers?
In the table below, you can see how Farmers and Geico stack up against one another in each category.
| Farmers | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.6 | 9.1 |
| Reputation | 8.6 | 9.7 |
| Availability | 10 | 10 |
| Coverage | 9 | 8.4 |
| Cost | 7.4 | 9.1 |
| Customer Experience | 9 | 8.8 |
Farmers vs. Geico Car Insurance
Geico has one of the best reputations of any insurance provider, with an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best, which shows its reliability to paying out auto claims. Geico also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠, Geico scored just below the industry average in overall customer satisfaction for large insurers.
Meanwhile, Farmers has an A rating from AM Best and an A rating from BBB. The company also ranks second for large insurance providers in the same J.D. Power study, which puts it well above Geico’s seventh place. This means that J.D. Power found that Farmers offers fairer settlement values, quicker claims service and better communication compared to Geico.
Compare Geico and Farmers
The table below shows the breakdown of the reputation category for both Farmers and Geico.
| Farmers | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| Years in Business | 95 years | 87 years |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A | A++ |
| BBB Rating | A | A+ |
| J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study | 846 out of 1,000 | 857 out of 1,000 |
| Our Award | N/A | Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers |
Farmers Insurance: Quick Highlights
Here’s a look at what makes Farmers special:
- Many discount opportunities
- Available in all 50 states
- Great selection of coverage options and add-ons
Find out more about Farmers insurance services and products in our Farmers Insurance review.
Geico Insurance: Quick Highlights
Here’s a look at what makes Geico special:
- Low car insurance premiums for most drivers on average
- High policy limits
- Highly-rated mobile app
Find out more about Geico insurance services and products in our Geico insurance review.
Farmers vs. Geico: Coverage
Both Farmers and Geico offer the six typical insurance coverage plans, as well as add-on options that can fit to your specific insurance needs. Farmers auto insurance scores higher in our coverage category than Geico mainly because it offers more options than Geico does.
However, both providers are great for many different types of drivers. In the table below, you can see an overview of the types of car insurance that each provider offers.
| Insurance Type | Farmers Insurance | Geico Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Property Damage Liability Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collision Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Comprehensive Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accident Forgiveness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Classic Car Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial Auto Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customized Equipment Coverage | ✓ | |
| Emergency Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Glass and Windshield Coverage | ✓ | |
| Loss of Use Coverage | ✓ | |
| Mechanical Breakdown Insurance | ✓ | |
| Mexico Car Insurance | ✓ | |
| New Car Replacement Coverage | ✓ | |
| Original Parts Replacement Coverage | ✓ | |
| Personal Umbrella Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental Car Coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rideshare Insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
Farmers and Geico: Usage-Based Insurance Comparison
Geico and Farmers both offer their own usage-based insurance programs that help drivers save money on car insurance rates by driving safely. Geico DriveEasy and Farmers Signal® use telematics in your mobile device to track your driving behaviors and assign you a safe driving score, which determines your discount later.
With Farmers Signal, you can get a discount just for signing up and you can win rewards with high scores. See how the two programs compare in the table below:
| Farmers Signal | Geico DriveEasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Discount | Varies | Varies |
| Device | Farmers Signal mobile app | Geico DriveEasy mobile app |
| Behaviors tracked | Total mileageBrakingSpeedingDistracted drivingTime of day | Hard brakingDistracted drivingCorneringTime of dayDistance driven |
| Can premiums go up? | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Available in 46 statesNot available in:CaliforniaHawaiiNew YorkSouth Carolina | Available in 33 states and Washington, D.C.Not available in:AlaskaCaliforniaDelawareHawaiiKansasMaineMassachusettsMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth DakotaRhode IslandSouth DakotaVermontWest VirginiaWyoming |
| Usage-based mobile app ratings* | App Store: 4.8Google Play: 4.2 | App Store: 3.3Google Play: 3.2 |
*Ratings out of 5.0 stars each.
Is Geico Cheaper Than Farmers?
Geico is much cheaper compared to Farmers and is one of the most affordable auto insurance options for many drivers overall. The national average cost for full-coverage car insurance is $1,730 per year. Geico falls below that number by about $400 annually, while Farmers comes in above the national average by about the same margin.
In our scoring, Geico’s low rates are the main reason for its cost score of 9.2 out of 10, while Farmers scores a 7.5. However, remember that your insurance rates depend on many different factors, such as:
- Age
- Marital status
- Gender on license
- Location
- Vehicle details
- Driving history
- Credit score
- Deductible amount
Farmers vs. Geico: Auto Insurance Costs
In the table below, you can see a breakdown of how Geico and Farmers cost averages stack up against one another.
| Farmers Insurance | Geico Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Coverage Annual Average | $3,169 | $1,596 |
| Full Coverage Monthly Average | $264 | $133 |
| Minimum Coverage Annual Average | $1,153 | $461 |
| Minimum Coverage Monthly Average | $96 | $38 |
Farmers vs. Geico Discounts
Although Farmers may be more expensive than Geico for most drivers on average, both companies offer many car insurance discounts. These discounts are based on your driving profile, your job, your vehicle’s added safety features and more.
Below are the discounts that both Farmers and Geico offer for drivers to save money on their car insurance premiums.
| Discount Type | Farmers | Geico |
|---|---|---|
| Air bag/passive restraint | ✓* | ✓ |
| Alternatively fueled vehicle | ✓* | |
| Anti-lock brakes | ✓* | ✓ |
| Anti-theft device | ✓* | ✓ |
| Daytime running lights | ✓* | ✓ |
| Distant student | ✓ | |
| Emergency deployment | ✓ | |
| Federal employee | ✓ | |
| Good/safe driver | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowner | ✓ | |
| Military | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| New vehicle | ✓ | |
| Occupational | ✓ | |
| Paperless (ePolicy) | ✓ | |
| Defensive driving** | ✓ | ✓ |
*Not offered in all states for Farmers policyholders.
**Farmers policyholders must be over the age of 55.
Farmers vs. Geico: Bundling Options
On top of their many discounts, Geico and Farmers also offer bundling options to save drivers more money on all their insurance policies. When you bundle with Geico, you can bundle your car insurance policy with your renters, condo, mobile home, motorcycle and homeowners insurance.
With Farmers, you can bundle your auto insurance with home, life, umbrella, small business or specialty insurance.
Farmers vs. Geico: Customer Experience
Farmers and Geico score similarly in our customer experience section, with Geico having a higher overall BBB score. Farmers beats Geico in customer review ratings on the BBB and in scores from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠. Both Geico and Farmers’ mobile apps have strong ratings on the App Store and Google Play.
Geico has had over 2,100 complaints in the last three years on the BBB site, while Farmers has had over 1,200 complaints over that same time period. When you look at the complaints per dollar of insurance premiums written, the two companies have very similar amounts. Overall, both Geico and Farmers score well in the customer experience category.
| Farmers | Geico | |
|---|---|---|
| BBB Customer Review Rating | 1.3 out of 5.0 | 1.1 out of 5.0 |
| J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study Score | 878 out of 1,000 | 871 out of 1,000 |
| Google Play Mobile App Rating | 4.6 out of 5.0 stars | 4.6 out of 5.0 stars |
| Apple App Store Mobile App Rating | 4.8 out of 5.0 stars | 4.8 out of 5.0 stars |
Our team reached out to Geico for comment on its subpar scores in J.D. Power studies and low customer review ratings on the BBB but did not receive a response. We have also reached out to Farmers Insurance for comment on its low customer review ratings on the BBB and have not received a response.
Farmers vs. Geico: Customer Surveys
In addition to looking at customer reviews and available statistics from insurance industry leaders, our team conducted our own surveys to see how consumers view their car insurance providers.
In our surveys, Geico scored marginally higher in every category. When survey takers were asked how likely they’d be to recommend their insurance provider, respondents gave an average score of 7.7 out of 10.0 for Geico and 6.9 for Farmers.
In the table below, each score is out of 5.0.
| Aspect Surveyed | Farmers Score | Geico Score |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | 4 | 4.1 |
| Affordability | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Coverage Selection | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| Customer Service From Agents | 3.9 | 4 |
| Claims Service | 4 | 4.2 |
Farmers vs. Geico: The Bottom Line
Between the two providers, our methodology has Geico coming out on top of Farmers overall as a car insurance option. Its lower rates, discount opportunities and similar coverage options to Farmers make it a better choice for most drivers.
However, Geico may not be the best option for you depending on your car insurance needs. For some drivers, Farmers may be better because of its coverage plans and customer service.
Farmers and Geico: Top Picks
Even though Geico and Farmers are both good providers for car insurance, they aren’t the only options worth taking a look at when searching for your right policy. After reviewing the top car insurance companies on the market, our team found that State Farm and Progressive are two other strong options for most drivers.
To know the best option for you, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers.
Travelers: Best for Most Drivers
Travelers is our first recommendation for car insurance because it offers a wide variety of discounts and affordable rates. The company has anA BBB ratingand is known for its superb customer service. Those looking for affordable rates and a variety of coverage options from an established car insurance provider should check out coverage from Travelers.
Keep reading:Travelers insurance review
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
State Farm is our second highest-rated car insurance provider. Its highlights include a ton of discount opportunities, especially for young drivers. State Farm has local agents all over the country, making it very accessible to most drivers. State Farm also offers a usage-based program called Steer Clear®, which helps policyholders under 25 years old save money on car insurance by practicing safe driving.
Read more: State Farm insurance review
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Farmers vs. Geico: FAQ
Geico’s biggest competitor is State Farm. State Farm often outranks Geico in J.D. Power consumer studies, and it outscored Geico in our review of the top car insurance companies. State Farm takes up the highest percentage of the market at 15.93% while Geico takes up 14.93%, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Farmers scores very well in the J.D. Power 2023 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, with a score of 878 out of 1,000. This score ranks it 12th among large insurance providers, which is three spots above Geico’s score of 871.
Farmers Insurance has a generally good reputation by consumers and industry experts. This provider has an A rating from the BBB and fair scores across several J.D. Power studies. In the J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study, Farmers holds eighth place in overall customer satisfaction for large insurers.
Geico has some of the most affordable rates for most drivers, largely because it sells directly to consumers. Geico also offers many discount opportunities such as DriveEasy, which saves drivers money for practicing safe driving habits.
With its affordable rates, Geico is accessible to many drivers. It also offers great customer service and coverage options that can fit many drivers’ needs. After a thorough review, our Guides Auto team has ranked Geico as the third-best car insurance provider, just behind USAA and State Farm.
Farmers Insurance’s average auto insurance rate for full coverage is $3,169 per year, which puts it above the national annual average of $2,008. Farmers is more expensive than most companies because its insurance agents get commission, and insurance costs are rising as well.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
