4.8out of 3,000+ reviews
Updated August 5, 2022
GEICO vs. National General: A Summary
GEICO and National General are two prominent car insurance companies with considerable market shares. But which is the best for your specific needs? Each has strengths and weaknesses, so this article lines up the data to help you compare car insurance providers and save on your monthly payment.
Insurance Company | Avg. Monthly Car Insurance Quote | Insurify Composite ScoreThe Insurify Composite Score is a proprietary rating calculated by a team of data scientists at Insurify, weighing multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company. Inputs to the score include financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews. |
---|---|---|
GEICO | $47 | 88 |
National General | $87 | 58 |
ICS Score Explanation:
The Insurify Composite Score (ICS) is a proprietary rating calculated by a team of data scientists at Insurify, weighing multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.
Inputs to the score include financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews.
GEICO
Ask GEICO Insurance, and it just takes “15 minutes” to find a reason to switch. After making the move, customers discover perks like rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness, and an easy-to-use mobile app. With the national average yearly insurance premium approaching $1,000, “saving 15 percent” can motivate almost anyone to look into GEICO.
Pros
Low monthly rates
Superior financial strength ratings
Cons
Slightly below-average J.D. Power overall customer satisfaction and claims service rating
National General
National General Insurance, formerly GMAC Insurance, has less recognition than the household name that acquired it in 2021, Allstate. In either case, “you’re in good hands” with National General’s insurance products, including motorcycle insurance, RV insurance, and home insurance. Also, the company has a telematics program for safe drivers called DynamicDrive.
Pros
Backed by insurance giant Allstate
Offers National General Motor Club with roadside assistance with towing
Cons
Rates are pricier than the national average except for those with poor credit or DUIs
Rating Factor | GEICO | National General |
---|---|---|
Fitch | AA- | N/A |
A.M. Best | A++ | A- |
Moody’s | Aa3 | N/A |
S&P | AA+ | N/A |
J.D. Power | 869 | 812 |
The Best Car Insurance Companies in 2022
Rank | Company Name | Average Monthly Quote | Insurify Composite ScoreThe Insurify Composite Score is a proprietary rating calculated by a team of data scientists at Insurify, weighing multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company. Inputs to the score include financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews. |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Clearcover Best Overall | $135 | 97 |
2 | Nationwide Best for Safe Drivers | $199 | 89 |
3 | American Family Best for Families with Teen Drivers | $234 | 89 |
4 | Safeco Best for Drivers with Poor Credit | $186 | 86 |
5 | Farmers Best for Rideshare Coverage | $239 | 85 |
6 | Foremost Best for Hassle-Free Claims | $159 | 82 |
7 | Liberty Mutual Best for Accident Forgiveness | $241 | 82 |
8 | Mercury Best for Face-to-Face Service | $232 | 81 |
9 | Progressive Best for Senior Drivers | $147 | 80 |
10 | Travelers Best for Young Drivers | $163 | 80 |
Even though GEICO and National General miss the top 10 rankings, they provide impressive benefits in various areas. For example, GEICO offers inexpensive rates, extensive insurance coverage with useful add-ons, and exceptional financial stability. Customers who look for every bargain and low-mileage drivers also get good value at National General.
Compare GEICO vs. National General: Which Is Cheaper?
GEICO is the budget-friendly solution for consumers across all data categories analyzed by Insurify, except for drivers with DUIs, where the two tie. In detail, GEICO’s monthly average car insurance rate is $47, while National General’s is $40 higher at $87. And the national average is $69, placing GEICO solidly below the competition and National General above.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in 2022
Rank | Insurance Company | Average Cost Per Month | ICSThe Insurify Composite Score is a proprietary rating calculated by a team of data scientists at Insurify, weighing multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company. Inputs to the score include financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews. |
---|---|---|---|
1 | USH&C | $44 | Not Rated |
2 | Metromile | $63 | Not Rated |
3 | Direct Auto | $64 | Not Rated |
4 | Travelers | $65 | 80 |
5 | Kemper | $71 | Not Rated |
6 | Progressive | $87 | Not Rated |
7 | Mile Auto | $91 | 85 |
8 | National General | $93 | 58 |
9 | Clearcover | $94 | 97 |
10 | GAINSCO | $94 | Not Rated |
National General is ranked alongside the cheapest car insurance companies in the nation. Also, GEICO offers affordable rates. Both insurance providers reserve their lowest rates for drivers in their 50s and those with excellent credit. Both companies continue to fight for market share. That’s why it’s easy to imagine a future where both insurers make the list.
Compare GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance by Age
Because older drivers tend to have more experience and better credit, young drivers, particularly those under 25, usually spend more on car insurance. Rates can vary greatly based on your provider, so you should compare insurers to get the best deal.
GEICO and National General premiums follow a similar track. Teens pay the heftiest insurance prices, and then rates gradually decrease until old age becomes a factor in driving ability. In addition, drivers in their 50s earn the best prices from both insurance companies. GEICO’s lowest monthly charge is $38, and National General’s is $68.
Age Group | GEICO | National General |
---|---|---|
Teen | $113 | $227 |
20s | $46 | $86 |
30s | $50 | $91 |
40s | $40 | $72 |
50s | $38 | $68 |
60s | $40 | $70 |
70s | $54 | $76 |
80s | $58 | $86 |
Compare GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance by Gender
Insurance agents will tell you that gender plays a role in your car insurance policy price. The price difference between genders is ordinarily small, although it might be considerable with some insurers. For example, women are statistically safer drivers than men, especially young men. As a result, they score a bit of a price break compared to their male counterparts.
At GEICO, men and women spend almost the same, with women saving a buck. Similarly, at National General, the price gap between the genders is only $2 per month. In general, men pay $1 more than women, according to the national average. In the end, GEICO slides way under the national average for both groups, whereas National General surpasses it.
Which is cheapest for men?
If men want to be kind to their wallets, they should get a quote from GEICO. GEICO costs $41 less monthly than National General’s $88 sticker price, saving men $492 each year. Also, GEICO outperforms the national average by $23, stashing an extra $276 back into men’s bank accounts. Conversely, National General is $216 more yearly than the national average.
Gender | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Men | $47 | $88 | $81 |
Which is cheapest for women?
Women who enjoy saving money may prefer GEICO, which charges $40 less per month than National General. The $480 annual savings go directly into their pockets. Furthermore, GEICO trumps the national average of $69 per month by $23, delivering a $276 yearly price break. On the other hand, National General is above the national average by $17 per month.
Gender | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Women | $46 | $86 | $78 |
Compare GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance by Mileage
Typically, the number of yearly miles you drive raises the price of your auto insurance policy. It’s mainly due to insurers recognizing that more time behind the wheel increases the likelihood of an accident. Furthermore, some car insurance providers charge significantly more for the various mileage levels than others.
Unlike most auto insurance companies, at GEICO and National General, annual mileage seems to barely affect the final pricing. Perhaps the two insurers have a standard mileage for drivers regardless of what potential policyholders estimate. In addition, GEICO falls below the national average at every level, while National General flies right past it.
Which is cheapest for drivers with high mileage?
If you love cars, open roads, or long commutes, you may want to look into GEICO. The company’s $46 price tag represents a $40 monthly, or $480 per year, savings versus National General. Compared to the $78 national average, GEICO also does pretty well, returning $204 annually into its customers’ piggy banks.
Annual Mileage | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
15,000-20,000 | $46 | $86 | $78 |
Which is cheapest for drivers with low mileage?
Remote workers and occasional drivers should be pleased with GEICO. GEICO’s $40 monthly and $480 per year savings versus National General carry over from the higher-mileage groups. In this category, GEICO crushes the national average, and National General is costlier than both.
Annual Mileage | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
5,000-10,000 | $46 | $86 | $78 |
Compare GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance by Credit Score
Consumers with exceptional credit are qualified for some of the lowest rates because car insurance companies have proven a correlation between good credit and safe driving. Even if your score is less than ideal, you can still secure a decent bargain.
As you progress to lower credit tiers, the prices rise in the table below. In detail, National General has the slightest relative shift between drivers with excellent and poor credit, charging those with poor credit 39 percent more. You can compare that to the national average’s 96 percent increase and GEICO’s 100 percent price hike. Even so, GEICO has the lowest rates.
Which is cheapest for good credit?
People with impeccable credit get the most significant benefits from GEICO. For consumers with excellent credit, the insurer is $34 cheaper than National General monthly. Also, GEICO is $38 less expensive per month for people with good credit. And GEICO bests the national averages by $23 or $28 per month, depending on your credit.
Credit Tier | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Excellent | $37 | $71 | $60 |
Good | $43 | $81 | $71 |
Which is cheapest for bad credit?
On-time payments, debt reduction, and reduced credit usage are all things that can help rebuild your credit. And GEICO is the best alternative if you’re still boosting your score. Drivers with average credit at GEICO slide under the national average by $32 every month and National General by $40. And drivers with poor credit also snag the most generous deal at GEICO.
Credit Tier | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Average | $46 | $86 | $78 |
Poor | $64 | $99 | $120 |
Compare GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance by Driving Record
Insurers assess your risk based on your driving record over the last three or five years. So having a clean driving history may be the simplest way to capture a brag-worthy monthly insurance bill. However, if you have lots of mishaps on your driving record, you might lose out on significant savings.
Those with a speeding citation, at-fault collision, or DUI must pay significantly more than people with a clean driving history. Speeding violations cost policyholders an extra $264 per year on average. Also, at-fault accidents kick up the rates by an additional $384, and DUIs push it up by a stunning $552. Those sums should be more than enough incentive to drive defensively.
Which is cheapest for good drivers?
GEICO is a welcoming home for responsible drivers. Customers save $384 per year versus the national average and $480 compared to National General. With all that cash left over, as a safe driver, you may consider adding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. And you could also pump up your personal injury protection to safeguard yourself from other drivers.
Driver Type | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Clean Record | $46 | $86 | $78 |
Which is cheapest after a speeding ticket?
With ticketing quotas from the police, speed traps, and the unavoidable late morning traffic, it’s no wonder that some drivers get pulled over. So with a speeding ticket on your record, check out GEICO. The insurer’s monthly cost is $47 less than the national average, and it’s $35 below National General, putting a whopping $420 back in your checking account each year.
Driver Type | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Speeding Ticket | $57 | $92 | $104 |
Which is cheapest after an accident?
After an accident, you think about deductibles, recovering from bodily injuries, and car insurance prices somewhere in the equation. But you know they’re likely going up at some point. That’s why companies that offer accident forgiveness, like GEICO, are so helpful. At just $72 a month, GEICO cruises under the national average by $41 per month and National General by $56.
Driver Type | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
At-Fault Accident | $72 | $128 | $113 |
Which is cheapest after a DUI?
DUI auto insurance rates may be so exorbitant that some people prefer to take Uber or Lyft rather than drive. Thankfully, GEICO and National General come to the rescue with premiums lower than the national average by a wide margin. Remarkably, this is the only time National General ties with GEICO. And both save you $228 per year versus the national average.
Driver Type | GEICO | National General | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
DUI | $94 | $94 | $155 |
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GEICO vs. National General Car Insurance: What discounts does each offer?
GEICO Discounts
Airbag
Antilock brakes
Anti-theft system
Daytime running lights
Defensive driving
Driver affiliation (alma mater, company, emergency services, federal employee, military)
Driver’s education course
Good driver
Good student
Multi-policy (bundling car insurance with other types of insurance like homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or flood insurance)
Multi-vehicle
New car discount
Seat belt use
National General Discounts
Affinity
Anti-theft device
Autopay
Low mileage
Motorcycle
Multi-policy
Multi-vehicle
Paid in full
Paperless
Safe driver (complete a defensive driving course)
Discount | GEICO | National General |
---|---|---|
Affinity | ||
Airbag | ||
Antilock brakes | ||
Anti-theft | ||
Autopay | ||
Daytime running lights | ||
Defensive driving | ||
Driver affiliation | ||
Driver’s education | ||
Good driver | ||
Good student | ||
Low mileage | ||
Motorcycle | ||
Multi-policy | ||
Multi-vehicle | ||
New car | ||
Paid in full | ||
Paperless | ||
RVs and autos | ||
Safe driver | ||
Seat belt use |
Our Methodology and How We Compared GEICO and National General
The car insurance quotes provided in Insurify’s insurance company comparison guides are based on the analysis of over 50 thousand insurance quotes from 500 ZIP codes nationwide. Insurify’s data science team performs a comprehensive analysis of factors car insurance providers weigh to calculate rates, including driver demographics, driving record, credit score, desired coverage level, and more to give representative samples.
Insurify’s analysis also incorporates the Insurify Composite Score (ICS) assigned to each insurance provider. The ICS is a proprietary rating calculated by weighing multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.
Ratings used to calculate the ICS include Financial Strength Ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews.
With the above insights and ranking methods, Insurify is able to offer car insurance shoppers a window into how insurance providers compare to one another in terms of both cost and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to a data-driven insurance review, GEICO saves you the most money overall. The average monthly fee at GEICO is $47, while at National General, it’s $87. But those are averages, and your rates may differ based on your driving record, age, and location. For instance, rural Wyoming has cheaper rates than the middle of New York City.
According to the Insurify Composite Score, our internal rating system that factors in customer reviews, insurance claims satisfaction, and financial strength rankings, GEICO is the better company. However, many drivers pick National General for its unique features and benefits. So maybe the wisest course of action is to get quotes from both insurers.
The smartest approach to compare car insurance coverage options is to use a tool like Insurify. In just minutes, you can get customized quotes from leading companies like these two as well as others like Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and State Farm. And the best part is that you’ll see all the data side by side to make your choice easy.