At first glance, it can be hard to differentiate between top auto insurance companies. Well-known insurers like Allstate, Geico, Progressive and State Farm have large market shares, broad policy options, competitive rates and personalized features. Despite their familiar names and extensive marketing, each company has its own perks and drawbacks. So, is Allstate or Progressive better? What about State Farm and Geico? Bankrate digs in.
Comparing top car insurance companies
Finding the best car insurance for your needs can be challenging. To simplify your decision, Bankrate compared Allstate, Geico, Progressive and State Farm based on their policy offerings, average rates, customer experience and financial stability. Each company’s performance in these categories determined its overall Bankrate Score, with a maximum of five points. We also analyzed customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction rankings from J.D. Power.
| Company | Bankrate Score | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study | Avg. annual full coverage premium | Avg. annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Avg. annual full coverage premium after at-fault accident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.4 | 672/1,000 | $2,387 | $3,051 | $3,586 |
| Geico | 4.3 | 692/1,000 | $2,172 | $2,675 | $3,059 |
| State Farm | 4.3 | 710/1,000 | $2,887 | $3,314 | $3,657 |
| Allstate | 3.9 | 691/1,000 | $3,297 | $3,792 | $4,345 |
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 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
- 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.
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 most 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 2024 J.D. Power 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 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident and single speeding ticket.
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.
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