Geico vs The Hartford: Which Car Insurance Is Better?

When shopping for car insurance, two big names you’re likely to encounter are Geico and The Hartford. But how do you know which provider is the better choice for your needs?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Geico and The Hartford car insurance on key factors like cost, discounts, coverage options and customer satisfaction. Read on for a detailed side-by-side analysis to help you make an informed decision.

Cost Comparison

Cost is often the primary factor for drivers when choosing an auto insurance provider. So let’s first look at how Geico and The Hartford stack up in terms of rates:

• Geico offers lower rates on average. Across all driver profiles, Geico provides cheaper car insurance premiums than The Hartford in most cases.

• Geico has the lowest rates for high-risk drivers. For drivers with poor credit or accidents on record, Geico typically offers the most affordable rates.

• The Hartford is cheaper for some demographics. While more expensive overall, The Hartford does offer lower premiums than Geico for some drivers, including seniors and women in certain states.

To give you an idea of the rate differential, here are some sample annual premiums for a full coverage policy from both insurers:

As you can see, Geico consistently offers lower rates by a significant margin for similar drivers. Over several years, the savings can really add up.

Coverage Options Comparison

In addition to cost, you also want to consider the types of insurance coverage available from Geico and The Hartford.

Both insurers offer the standard forms of auto insurance, including:

• Liability coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Medical payments coverage

However, when it comes to optional coverages and add-ons, Geico has the edge:

• Rental reimbursement coverage – Geico offers rental coverage starting at $20 per day for up to $600, whereas The Hartford requires a $50 per day deductible.

• Roadside assistance – Geico’s roadside assistance starts at $14 per year, while The Hartford’s is $12 per year. Both cover towing, jump starts, lockout service, fuel delivery and tire changes.

• Accident forgiveness – Only Geico offers accident forgiveness to exempt your first accident from raising rates. The Hartford has no program for accident forgiveness.

• Mechanical breakdown insurance – Geico offers a reasonably priced auto repair coverage plan to cover repairs beyond manufacturer warranties. The Hartford does not provide a comparable product.

So when it comes to choices in supplemental auto insurance options, Geico is the better option overall.

Discounts Comparison

Another key way drivers can save on their premiums is through discounts. Both insurers offer a range of common discounts, but Geico’s discount offerings are more extensive overall.

Here’s an overview of the types of discounts offered by Geico and The Hartford:

Geico Discounts

• Multi-vehicle
• Multi-policy
• Good driver
• Good student
• Defensive driver
• Federal employee
• Emergency deployment
• Anti-theft devices
• Anti-lock brakes
• Daytime running lights
• and more

The Hartford Discounts

• Anti-theft device
• Good driver
• Good student
• Defensive driver
• Full pay
• New car
• Adaptive equipment
• Mature driver
• and more

Notably, Geico offers discounts for affinity organizations like alumni groups, associations and employers. The Hartford does not provide any affinity group discounts.

Customer Satisfaction Comparison

Beyond just costs and coverage, you’ll want to consider how satisfied customers are with Geico and The Hartford’s customer service and claims handling. Let’s look at ratings from two of the top industry authorities:

• Geico edges out The Hartford in J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction rating, scoring 3/5 compared to The Hartford’s 2/5. This indicates greater customer satisfaction with Geico’s claims process.

• Both companies have excellent BBB ratings – A+ is the highest rating awarded. This means they consistently meet BBB standards for responsiveness to consumer complaints.

In terms of direct customer feedback:

• On the BBB site, Geico has 1.5 stars from 401 reviews, while The Hartford has 1 star from 147 reviews.

• On consumer review sites, Geico averages around 3.5 stars, and The Hartford averages around 2 stars.

So while both companies have good reputations overall, Geico tends to have higher customer satisfaction based on claims handling, responsiveness, and direct customer reviews.

Financial Strength Ratings

You’ll also want an insurer that is financially stable with the resources to pay out claims. Here are the ratings from AM Best, the leading authority on insurance company financial strength:

Both companies have excellent ratings that reflect superior financial strength and an ability to meet policy and claim obligations. However, Geico’s A++ is the highest possible rating, indicating it has a slight edge over The Hartford financially.

The Bottom Line

When comparing Geico vs The Hartford for car insurance, Geico comes out ahead in several key categories:

• Cost – Geico offers cheaper rates overall, especially for high-risk drivers
• Coverage options – Geico provides more choice in terms of add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement
• Discounts – Geico offers more discounts, including affinity group and accident forgiveness
• Customer satisfaction – Geico scores higher than The Hartford for claims handling and overall reviews
• Financial strength – Geico has a superior AM Best rating

The Hartford’s advantages are mainly for some specific demographics like seniors where it offers lower prices. It also has strong financial standing, just slightly below Geico.

For most drivers though, Geico is likely the better option considering the above factors. Geico provides a winning combination of affordable rates, robust coverage choices, and good customer service. This makes it our top pick for car insurance overall.

That said, The Hartford is also a solid choice with competitive pricing for some drivers. We recommend comparing personalized quotes from both providers to see which insurer gives you the best value based on your individual profile and needs.