Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Comparison [2024]

The General car insurance rates average $194 per month, much cheaper than Geico car insurance rates of $268 per month. Our Geico vs. The General car insurance guide will take you through car insurance rates, financial strength ratings, and other relevant details that will help you select the right car insurance company.

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D. Gilson, PhD

Professor & Published Author

D. Gilson is a writer and author of essays, poetry, and scholarship that explore the relationship between popular culture, literature, sexuality, and memoir. His latest book is Jesus Freak, with Will Stockton, part of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 Series. His other books include I Will Say This Exactly One Time and Crush. His first chapbook, Catch & Release, won the 2012 Robin Becker Prize from S...

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Kristen Gryglik

Licensed Insurance Agent

Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...

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UPDATED: Feb 26, 2024

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Here's what you need to know...

  • The General car insurance costs $194/mo while Geico car insurance is $268/mo
  • Geico has stronger financial ratings compared to The General
  • The General has better customer service ratings than Geico

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Overview
SummaryGeico StatsThe General Stats
Year Founded19361963
Headquarters5260 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
2636 Elm Hill Pike, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37214
AvailabilityAll StatesAZ, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV (25 states)
Direct Premium Written$6.3 billion$58.8 million
Market Share13%0.004%

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Any good Geico vs. The General car insurance comparison will show you everything you need to know about car insurance coverage. However, The General seems to lack some information that Geico has available for potential customers. Our comprehensive Geico vs. The General car insurance guide will go over what you need to know about the auto insurance companies.

Continue reading to learn what insurance is better than Geico. If you want to see if Geico or The General are in your local area, enter your ZIP code in the FREE comparison tool above.

Geico vs. The General: Comparing Car Insurance Rates

The General is one of the most popular and cheapest auto insurance companies in the nation. However, The General is only available in 25 states. When compared to Geico insurance, The General car insurance may have some competition.

Geico auto insurance is available across the nation. Also, Geico car insurance is known for its affordable rates and extensive car insurance coverage. But is Geico or The General cheaper?

The General auto insurance rates aren’t broadcasted as much Geico’s. Therefore, potential customers will have to get The General car insurance quotes directly from The General. However, we’ve managed to find the average annual of The General car insurance company. Continue to learn more.

Readmore: Geico vs. The Hartford Car Insurance Comparison

Geico vs. The General: Which is the cheapest by the state?

Affordable Geico car insurance is available all over the United States, but The General has limited availability. We’ve narrowed down The General and Geico’s rates to a national average to make it fair. Let’s examine them.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates
CompanyAverage Annual Car Insurance RatesAverage Six-Month Car Insurance RatesAverage Monthly Car Insurance Rates
The General$2,328$388$194
Geico$3,212$535$268

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Based on the national average, The General is much cheaper than Geico. However, there’s not much because The General doesn’t list its rates as much as Geico.

Geico vs. The General: Which is cheapest by driving record?

Although affordable Geico car insurance is easy to find, Geico can be more expensive if you have a poor driving record. The same can be said about The General even though it doesn’t reveal all its auto insurance rates based on a customer’s driving record.

Read more: Geico Defensive Driving Course Review: Compare Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

Read on to learn more about how speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs affect car insurance.

Rates With One Speeding Ticket

Speeding tickets are common among drivers. Some car insurance companies don’t bot her increasing customers’ auto insurance rates. For companies that do, the increase is usually low. However, multiple speeding tickets could significantly impact your car insurance cost. Let’s compare speeding ticket rates between Geico and The General.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates with One Speeding Ticket
Driving ViolationGeico Annual Rate with One Speeding TicketThe General Annual Rate with One Speeding Ticket
Speeding ticket$1,395N/A

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The General is private about its car insurance rates, but you find affordable Geico auto insurance quotes broadcasted across the web. Learn how traffic infractions affect car insurance rates.

Rates With One Car Accident

How about accidents? Do they affect car insurance more than speeding tickets? Let’s continue reviewing Geico and The General car insurance to find out.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates with One Accident
Driving ViolationGeico Annual Rates with One AccidentThe General Annual Rates with One Accident
Accident$1,719N/A

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As you can see, Geico’s car insurance rates increased when you have an accident. Why? Accidents cost more on an insurance claim. Car insurance companies don’t pay anything when you have a speeding ticket.

Accidents stay on your insurance history for three years.

Accidents can stay on your insurance history for as well as your driving history. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, C.L.U.E. collects information and reports it to insurance companies.

Rates With One DUI

DUI/DWIs can bring costly car insurance rates. Most people with DUIs/DWIs are high-risk drivers and pay car insurance equal to what some teen drivers pay, which we’ll cover later. For now, let’s compare car insurance rates that are determined by DUI.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates with One DUI/DWI
Driving ViolationGeico Annual Rate with One DUI/DWIThe General Annual Rate with One DUI/DWI
DUI/DWI$2,550N/A

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See how Geico’s rates increased even more. Some states have auto insurance rates much higher than the annual rate we’ve shown.

A DUI can remain on your driving record for at least five years. In some states, your DUI will stay on your driving record for a lifetime. Learn how to compare car insurance rates after a DUI.

Geico vs. The General: What is cheapest by age and gender?

Determining car insurance based on gender has been banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The other 43 states haven’t banned gender-based auto insurance rates.

What’s the average Geico and The General car insurance rate based on age and gender? Let’s explore that answer in the rates shown below.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates Based on Age, Gender, and Marital Status
Age, Gender, and Marital StatusGeico Average Annual Rates The General Average Annual Rates
Single 17-year-old female$5,654N/A
Single 17-year-old male$6,279N/A
Single 25-year-old female$2,379N/A
Single 25-year-old male$2,263N/A
Married 35-year-old female$2,303N/A
Married 35-year-old male$2,312N/A
Married 60-year-old female$2,241N/A
Married 60-year-old male $2,283N/A

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The General didn’t report any rates based on the same ages targeted by Geico. Although we couldn’t locate The General’s car insurance rates, they may match Geico’s rates. Learn how to compare car insurance rates by age and gender.

Geico vs. The General: Which is the cheapest by credit score?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, your credit score could affect your auto insurance rates. Statistics show that individuals with good credit are less likely to file a claim, so companies issue lower rates to consumers with good or excellent credit history.

Let’s review the cost of insurance based on credit history.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates by Credit History
CompaniesAverage Annual Rates with Good CreditAverage Annual Rates with Fair CreditAverage Annual Rates with Poor Credit
Geico$2,435$2,987$4,260
The GeneralN/AN/AN/A

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Once again, The General doesn’t have auto insurance rates for the public as much Geico. However, your credit history is a factor in The General car insurance.

Geico vs. The General: Which is the cheapest by annual mileage?

Annual mileage is the number of miles you’re estimated to travel during your auto insurance policy. When you do personalized quotes through Geico and The General, they’ll ask you how your vehicle will be used. The less you drive, the less you should pay car insurance. Let’s see if that’s true.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates by Annual Mileage
CompaniesAverage Annual Rates with
10 Miles Commute
6,000 Annual Mileage
Average Annual Rates with 25 Miles Commute
12,000 Annual Mileage
Geico$3,163$3,267
The GeneralN/AN/A

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Geico customers can pay $100 less for car insurance when they cut their average driving habits in half. This is common in heavily populated metropolitan areas.

The General will only reveal its auto insurance rates through a personalized auto insurance quote.

Geico vs. The General: Which is cheapest by car make and model?

Vehicle make and model year can affect your car insurance rates. The most significant factor in determining auto insurance by car make and model is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

According to Kelley Blue Book, the MSRP is the price the manufacturer suggests to dealers or private sellers for new vehicles.

Geico and The General are both insurance companies that follow this rule. The only difference is the price. Let’s review some sample rates.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates by Car Make and Model
Car Make and ModelGeico Average Annual RatesThe General Average Annual Rates
2015 Ford F150 Lariat$3,091N/A
2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE$3,092N/A
2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE$3,337N/A
2018 Ford F150 Lariat$3,338N/A

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The General allegedly has cheaper rates than Geico, but they’re not publicly displayed as much as Geico’s sample rates.

Read more: Compare Car Insurance Rates by Vehicle Make and Model 

Geico vs. The General: Which is cheapest by coverage level?

One of the first things you learn about insurance is the minimum requirements for car insurance. Each state has a unique requirement for auto insurance. However, the minimum requirements are covered by liability insurance.

The minimum requirements are the lowest coverage level you can purchase.

Medium and high coverage have more coverage limits for auto insurance. An example of medium and high coverage would 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 coverage rules. As you advance levels, you’ll pay more for car insurance. Look at how auto insurance increases for each coverage level.

Geico vs. The General Average Annual Car Insurance Rates by Coverage Level
CompaniesAverage Annual Rates with Low CoverageAverage Annual Rates with Medium CoverageAverage Annual Rates with High Coverage
Geico$3,002$3,214$3,429
The GeneralN/AN/AN/A

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Geico’s car insurance rate goes up at least $200 each time the coverage level progresses. The General’s auto insurance rates may increase, also.

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Geico vs. The General: Ratings and Customer Satisfaction

The General may have slammed on the brakes when it comes to showing sample rates, but they’re full speed ahead when it comes to sharing its reviews. When it comes to reviews, The General is in the race with ratings and customer satisfaction.

The sections below will explore financial strength ratings and customer satisfaction reviews from some of the web’s top agencies.

Geico vs. The General: What are their financial ratings?

Financial strength ratings are grades given to businesses, big and small, that participate in financial strength and credit ratings from company review agencies worldwide. A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P are three of the most credible rating agencies. Here are the financial ratings for Geico and The General.

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
Financial Strength Ratings AgenciesGeico Financial Strength RatingsThe General Financial Strength Rating
A.M. BestA++A
Moody'sAa1-A2
S&PAA+N/A

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Geico managed to get reviews from all three agencies, while The General only participated in A.M. Best and Moody’s. Go through each sub-section to learn what these ratings mean.

Geico vs. The General: A.M. Best Ratings

The “A” rating with A.M. Best indicates an “Excellent” rating. The “++” indicates a prime score, which means the company has a superior ability to respond to customers’ obligations while maintaining a financially stable outlook.

Geico vs. The General: Moody’s Ratings

Moody’s “A” rating shows the same results, except its ratings review the company’s credit risk. Anything in the “A” range shows a low risk of credit. It doesn’t affect your credit history. The low risk means the company has a history of paying their bills on time, such as filed claims.

Geico vs. The General: S&P Ratings

The General didn’t appear to participate in S&P ratings. We searched the web for results but couldn’t locate it. However, Geico has an S&P rating. It’s on the same level as the other two and reports an “AA+” rating, which means a stable outlook for Geico’s finances.

Geico vs. The General: How do customers rate them?

Customer ratings can go from refreshing to anxious in a matter of minutes. Each customer review will vary, and the only sure way to know a car insurance company’s service is to sign up. However, overall ratings can give you an idea of how the company performs for customers. Read the customer ratings below to see where Geico and The General stands.

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Customer Satisfaction Ratings
Customer Satisfaction Rating AgenciesGeico's Customer Satisfaction RatingsThe General's Customer Satisfaction Ratings
J.D Power Circle Ratings3 out of 5N/A
NAIC Claim Index1.471.21
Consumer Reports Reader Score89N/A
Better Business Bureau (BBB)A+A+

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Geico’s J.D. Power Circle ratings are about average, and they have an “A+” with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The General doesn’t have any ratings with J.D. Power. However, The General does have an NAIC complaint index of 1.21, which is higher than the average complaint index and better than Geico’s index.

Geico vs. The General: What is their market share?

When it comes to market share, Geico towers over The General. Geico has a market share of 13 percent in the insurance United States insurance industry, while The General has a market share of 0.004 percent.

See what affordable car insurance coverage options that could be available in your local area. Just enter your ZIP code in the FREE online quote.

Geico vs. The General: Car Insurance Coverage and Options

You may be close to a decision, but there’s a little more we want to go over before you grab a quote from Geico and The General. For this section, we’ll explore what coverages are available for Geico and The General.

Geico vs. The General: What are their coverage options?

The General reports what they offer to potential customers on its website and other places on the internet, but they provide the same coverages as Geico. Let’s examine the coverage options.

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Coverages
Geico Car Insurance CoveragesThe General Car Insurance Coverages
Bodily Injury LiabilityLiability (Bodily Injury Liability & Property Damage Liability)
Property Damage LiabilityCollision
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)Comprehensive
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)Medical Payments Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Collision CoverageRental Car Insurance
Comprehensive Coverage
Emergency Road Service
Rental Reimbursement
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

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Geico has a few more options to add to a car insurance policy than The General.

Usage-Based Insurance Programs

Geico’s usage-based program known as DriveEasy, can be used through a customer’s smartphone — no telematics needed.

Telematics is a device that plugs in the OBD-port of your vehicle.

The General doesn’t have a usage-based auto insurance program, but the company does have a mobile app.

Read more: Geico DriveEasy Review: Compare Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

Geico vs. The General: What discount do they offer?

Car insurance discounts are the key to saving hundreds of dollars on car insurance per year. Geico is known for its discounts, but what about The General? Do they rival Geico’s discounts? We collected the available discounts from Geico and The General.

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Discounts Available
Discount TypesGeico Discounts OfferedThe General Discounts Offered
Accident-Free DiscountAmount VariesNot Available
Affinity Membership AlumAmount VariesNot Available
Air BagsAmount VariesNot Available
Anti-lock Brake Discountup to 5%Amount Varies
Anti-Theft Device Discountup to 25%Amount Varies
Continuous Coverage DiscountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Current insurance discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Daytime Running Lights Discountup to 3%Not Available
Defensive Driver DiscountAmount Variesup to 10%
Driving training discountAmount VariesAmount Varies
Electronic Stability ControlNot AvailableAmount Varies
Emergency Deployment Discountup to 25%Not Available
Federal Employee Discountup to 25%Not Available
Good Credit DiscountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Good Driver Discountup to 26%Amount Varies
Good Student Discountup to 15%Amount Varies
Home Owner DiscountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Military Discountup to 15%Not Available
Motor club discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Multiple Policy DiscountAmount VariesNot Available
Multiple Vehicle DiscountAmount VariesAmount Varies
No lapse in coverage discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Organization DiscountAmount VariesNot Available
Paid in full discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Passive Restraint Discountup to 25%Amount Varies
Preferred payment discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Prior carrier discountNot AvailableAmount Varies
Seat Belt Use Discountup to 15%Not Available
Senior Adult DiscountAmount VariesNot Available
Starting your auto quote online discountNot AvailableAmount Varies

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Geico and The General have the same number of discounts. However, the percentage amount could vary between the two companies. Discount percentages may depend on the number of years you’ve been with either company.

See what The General or Geico car insurance discounts you may qualify for just by entering your ZIP code in the FREE comparison tool.

Geico vs. The General: Which company is the best?

Deciding which company is the best is up to you. Establish what your needs are as a customer. If you’re not sure where to start, consider what you can afford.

Before we move on, watch this video on the definition of full coverage auto insurance.

New cars and financed cars will need full coverage car insurance. But what about Geico car insurance and The General car insurance? What are their best qualities based on what you’ve read? We’ve compiled some of their qualities in the below.

Geico vs. The General Car Insurance Highlights
Geico is Best For…The General is Best For…
Knowing what coverage you're buyingPossible cheaper rates
Transparent with DiscountsPlenty of discount options
Better financial ratingsCheaper than average in some states
Paying claims

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If you found more qualities about the companies, use them in your decision to get an insurance policy. However, you should take a look at other options in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Geico and The General affordable car insurance companies?

Yes, both Geico and The General offer affordable car insurance rates in most states.

Which car insurance company, Geico or The General, has wider availability?

Geico is available across the nation, while The General is only available in 25 states.

Is The General cheaper than Geico on average?

Based on the national average, The General is cheaper than Geico, although The General doesn’t publicly list its rates as much as Geico.

How do speeding tickets and accidents affect car insurance rates for Geico and The General?

Both Geico and The General increase car insurance rates for speeding tickets and accidents, as accidents cost more on an insurance claim.

Which car insurance company, Geico or The General, offers more coverage options?

Geico offers a few more coverage options compared to The General, providing customers with additional choices for their car insurance policies.

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