GEICO Insurance Canada Review

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By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on March 11, 2024

Visit author page
By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated March 11, 2024

Visit author page

5 minute read

Article Contents

GEICO Insurance Review

GEICO Insurance is a leading car insurance provider in the United States, boasting the highest direct sales among insurers and holding the second-largest market share next to State Farm Insurance. Despite its absence in the Canadian market, GEICO is recognized by Canadians, largely due to its widely known mascot, the GEICO gecko. As a budget-friendly option in the US insurance industry, GEICO insures over 27 million vehicles under more than 16 million policies.

GEICO caters to a wide range of vehicles, offering insurance plans for automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and even specialized coverage for rideshare drivers, ensuring a comprehensive insurance solution for virtually any vehicle owner.

When customers purchase a policy online with GEICO, they can expect:

  • Outstanding customer service is a hallmark of GEICO, with 97% of its policyholders expressing satisfaction with its service.
  • Competitive rates and substantial discounts could lead to 15% or more savings.
  • You can get a quote through multiple channels, including online, over the phone, or GEICO’s mobile application.

While it currently does not offer quotes or coverage in Canada, there’s potential for GEICO to expand into the Canadian insurance market, following the footsteps of other major US competitors.

A Brief Company History

GEICO Insurance was founded in 1936 in Forth Worth, Texas. Leo Goodwin Senior and his wife, Lillian Goodwin, founded the company to provide auto insurance for government employees. It’s a little-known fact that GEICO stands for Government Employees Insurance Company. In 1937, the company relocated to Washington, DC, because it had the largest population of federal employees.

David Lloyd Kreeger became president of GEICO in 1964. He is known for heading the decision to make GEICO products more widely available. In 1974, GEICO expanded beyond government employees and began offering products to the general public.

The American multinational conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway purchased GEICO in 1996. Berkshire Hathaway owns several successful American companies, including Fruit of the Loom and Dairy Queen. GEICO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and has strong financial backing from its parent company.

The GEICO gecko is one of the most widely recognized mascots in the United States. GEICO has gained widespread recognition through its TV commercials, featuring the iconic GEICO gecko as its mascot, making it one of the most familiar brands in the country. GEICO’s pledge, “15 minutes can save you 15% or more,” underscores its commitment to offering lower rates than many competitors, aligning with its branding strategy.

Why Choose GEICO Car Insurance

GEICO is a leading US insurance sector figure renowned for its cost-effective solutions. With a portfolio exceeding 16 million policies and covering over 27 million vehicles nationwide, GEICO is celebrated for its competitive pricing, straightforward quote process, and superior customer service, among other advantages, which distinguish it in the marketplace.

Competitive Rates and Discounts

GEICO’s affordable car insurance rates and discounts can lead to savings of 15% or more, including:

  • Multi-car discount
  • Safety feature discount for cars equipped with airbags, etc.
  • Discounts for members of various organizations

Outstanding Customer Service

A recent survey revealed that 97% of GEICO policyholders were satisfied with the service, highlighting the availability of service by phone or online, even on holidays, and quick and fair claim settlements.

Robust Financial Strength

GEICO has the financial backing to fulfill claims, supported by being a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., with assets exceeding $32 billion.

Ease of Acquiring a Quote

As a direct-purchase insurer, GEICO simplifies the quoting process by providing options online, over the phone, and through a mobile app. Both their app and website are highly rated for their user-friendliness and overall utility.

Pros and Cons of Buying GEICO Car Insurance

Exploring the details of GEICO Car Insurance, we uncover a combination of cutting-edge offerings and effective solutions tailored for today’s motorists. Here’s a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of selecting GEICO for your car insurance needs. This analysis assesses how well GEICO matches your insurance expectations and priorities.

  1. Competitive Rates and Discounts: 15% or more Savings with multi-car discounts, safety feature discounts, and discounts for organization members.
  2. Outstanding Customer Service: Excellent customer service with 97% policyholder satisfaction and service available by phone or online, including holidays, with quick and fair claim settlements.
  3. Local GEICO Insurance Agents: Personalized service and support.
  4. Robust Financial Strength: Backed by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., with over $32 billion in assets.
  5. Affordability: Among the most cost-effective options with various discounts.
  6. Advanced Website and Mobile App: User-friendly digital tools for policy management.
  7. Driving Positive Change Beyond Insurance: GEICO stands out for its comprehensive insurance plans and commitment to community and safety initiatives. The company has significantly contributed to causes like the Girl Scouts, environmental efforts, the United Way, and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. In 2016 alone, GEICO donated over $6.6 million, with nearly 10,000 volunteers participating in 824 events. Moreover, GEICO actively educates students across the country about the hazards of distracted driving.
  1. No Gap Insurance: Does not offer gap insurance coverage.
  2. Limited Local Agent Network: Fewer local agents compared to competitors.
  3. Below Average Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction: Customer satisfaction for auto claims is below average.
  4. Unavailable in Canada: GEICO does not provide insurance policies in the Canadian market.

GEICO Auto Insurance Discounts

If you qualify, the following car insurance discounts from GEICO are your way to save on your car insurance:

Safety Equipment Discounts

For vehicles with airbags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, or anti-theft systems.

New Vehicle Discounts

For owning a vehicle that is three model years old or newer.

Accident-Free Discounts

For drivers with no accidents over five years.

Seat Belt Use Discounts

For consistently using seat belts.

Defensive Driving Course Discounts

For completing a defensive driving course or driver’s education for young drivers.

Good Student Discounts

For full-time students with good grades.

Military Discounts

For those participating in an emergency deployment with the US military, active or retired military service members, and National Guard or Reserves members.

Federal Employee Discounts

For active or retired federal employees.

Multi-Vehicle Discounts

For insuring more than one vehicle with GEICO.

Multi-Policy Discounts

For purchasing homeowners, renters, condos, or mobile home policies through GEICO.

Affiliation Discounts

Discounts are available for members of specific groups, like alumni associations or sports organizations.

GEICO Insurance App

Each path is unique on any journey, whether on the road or through life. The GEICO insurance mobile app is designed to assist in navigating to your destination, wherever it may lead. Even though the app is not available in Canada, it still offers a lot of useful features to US residents:

Digital Insurance ID Cards

  • 24/7 access to your ID cards, online or offline
  • View, email, or print your ID cards via the GEICO Mobile app or geico.com
  • Add your ID cards to Apple Wallet (for Apple users)

Roadside Assistance

  • 24/7 tow and emergency roadside help, including holidays
  • Request assistance in as little as 2 minutes

Easy Photo Estimate

  • Submit photos for a quick estimate of vehicle damage.
  • Receive an estimate in about 20 minutes.
  • Avoid the need for auto shop appointments.

Virtual Assistant

24/7 access to a virtual assistant for questions about your policy, billing, and more.

GEICO’s virtual assistant, available on its website and mobile app, offers answers to insurance queries and detailed policy information. Additionally, you can access your Geico account through Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.

Additional Insurance Services Provided by GEICO

Beyond car insurance, GEICO extends its services to a variety of property insurance options, catering to different needs:

Beyond car insurance, GEICO extends its services to a variety of property insurance options, catering to different needs:

GEICO evaluates homes to determine the most suitable plan. GEICO offers property insurance discounts to clients who install smoke alarms and home security systems, as well as to those who have multiple policies with the company.

Additionally, the company offers various coverage options for businesses, life insurance, travellers, overseas insurance, identity protection, and even insurance plans for pets.

How To Submit A Claim With GEICO Insurance

Below are a few options for submitting your claim.

Email

You can contact them at anytime 24/7

Contact by phone

Feel free to contact the team by phone

Website

File a claim by visiting the GEICO website

Commonly Asked Questions About GEICO Insurance

What types of insurance does GEICO offer?

GEICO provides a wide range of insurance options, including standard car insurance, specialty vehicles (RVs and ATVs), home and property insurance, and business, life, and travel insurance. While GEICO is a comprehensive source of insurance, it does not underwrite all the policies it offers.

Can I get GEICO insurance in Canada?

Currently, GEICO does not provide insurance services in Canada. There’s no GEICO office or dedicated Canadian phone number, although there’s potential for GEICO to expand into the Canadian market in the future, similar to other major U.S. insurance companies.

What does the GEICO virtual assistant do?

The GEICO virtual assistant is designed to interact with customers, provide answers to policy inquiries, display billing information, and guide users through the GEICO Mobile app or website. It’s capable of learning from customer interactions to improve its assistance and is accessible on iOS and Android devices.

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