Comparison overview
GEICO and State Farm sit at opposite poles of how auto insurance gets sold. GEICO, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, is predominantly direct through its site, app and phone, though it also lists local Florida offices and is testing a limited agent channel. State Farm, a mutual company owned by its policyholders and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States, sells through exclusive agents whose offices center on State Farm-group offerings. GEICO carries AM Best's A++ (Superior) rating; State Farm carries A+ (Superior).
Strong financial-strength grades and opposite structures make this a useful example of a truth about insurance shopping: the org chart doesn't set your price. Each company runs Florida's rating factors through its own formula, and either one can come back lower for you. This page compares the structures so the numbers make sense, then the quotes decide.
- Founded
- GEICO
- 1936
- State Farm
- 1922
- Ownership
- GEICO
- Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
- State Farm
- Mutual company, owned by its policyholders
- AM Best rating
- GEICO
- A++ (Superior)
- State Farm
- A+ (Superior)
- How it sells
- GEICO
- Predominantly direct, plus local offices and a limited agent pilot
- State Farm
- Captive/exclusive State Farm agents
- Telematics program
- GEICO
- DriveEasy
- State Farm
- Drive Safe & Save
- SR-22 / non-standard appetite
- GEICO
- Files SR-22s commonly, but underwrites as a standard-market company
- State Farm
- Generally does not pursue new SR-22-heavy non-standard business
- Eligibility notes
- GEICO
- Open to the general public
- State Farm
- Open to the general public; one of the largest US auto insurers
| GEICO | State Farm | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1936 | 1922 |
| Ownership | Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway | Mutual company, owned by its policyholders |
| AM Best rating | A++ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| How it sells | Predominantly direct, plus local offices and a limited agent pilot | Captive/exclusive State Farm agents |
| Telematics program | DriveEasy | Drive Safe & Save |
| SR-22 / non-standard appetite | Files SR-22s commonly, but underwrites as a standard-market company | Generally does not pursue new SR-22-heavy non-standard business |
| Eligibility notes | Open to the general public | Open to the general public; one of the largest US auto insurers |
Source: Company disclosures and AM Best public ratings (verify on current materials).
Direct machine vs agent network
GEICO's structure puts digital and phone self-service first, while also offering local GEICO offices in several Florida markets. State Farm's structure puts an exclusive agent at the center, an office that can hold your auto, home and umbrella policies together and answer when something goes wrong.
Neither approach is objectively better; they serve different habits. If you'd never visit an office anyway, GEICO's model is the one built for you to use. If you want a standing relationship with someone who knows your policies, that is precisely what State Farm's captive network exists to provide.
Berkshire subsidiary vs policyholder-owned mutual
GEICO is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, one of the most heavily capitalized companies in the world. State Farm is a mutual, owned by the people it insures, with no shareholders at all. AM Best currently rates GEICO A++ (Superior) and State Farm A+ (Superior), both in the agency's Superior category, though they are not the same grade.
That's worth pausing on, because shoppers sometimes treat ownership as a proxy for price or service. It isn't. Ownership shapes long-term corporate behavior; your premium comes out of a rating formula that neither structure controls.
Which kinds of drivers each tends to fit
GEICO tends to fit self-serve shoppers with standard profiles, clean or lightly blemished records, comfort managing everything digitally, no need for an agent. State Farm tends to fit relationship buyers: families bundling auto and home through one office, drivers who want a person on file, longtime customers who value continuity. Drivers needing an SR-22 will find GEICO files them commonly, while State Farm generally doesn't pursue new non-standard business, heavier filing profiles usually add Progressive or a specialist to the list.
In March 2026, Florida's insurance regulator reported that the five largest auto-insurance groups were indicating an average rate change of about -8%. That market-level figure was not an approved or guaranteed savings amount for every driver. Compare GEICO and State Farm using the same drivers, vehicles, limits, deductibles and effective date rather than applying a group average to your policy.
Frequently asked questions
ShowMyRates is an independent comparison service, not affiliated with either company. Marks belong to their owners; details reflect public disclosures and can change. This page compares product structure; the only way to compare prices is a quote for your own profile.
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