Geico DriveEasy Review: Is it Worth it?
Geico DriveEasy uses an app to track your driving behavior. Good driving habits are awarded a discount of up to 10%.
The potential savings with Geico DriveEasy is not very large compared to the usage-based discount other major insurance companies offer. Most importantly, a poor driving score could lead to higher insurance rates from Geico.
What is Geico DriveEasy?
Geico DriveEasy is a program that rewards good driving habits with a discount on your car insurance.
DriveEasy is currently offered in 31 states and Washington, D.C. Most drivers will get a discount as soon as you sign up for Geico DriveEasy. However, Geico doesn't share the amount of its sign-up discount.
To participate in the DriveEasy program, customers have to download the Geico DriveEasy Pro app. The app runs in the background while you drive and monitors things like speeding, hard braking and phone use while driving. Geico analyzes these factors to determine your driving score.
Drivers with a good score will earn a discount. However, your car insurance rate may go up if you have bad driving habits.
The DriveEasy program continuously monitors your driving. That means your insurance cost may go up or down at each policy renewal if your driving score changes.
What does Geico DriveEasy monitor?
Geico DriveEasy tracks the following driving habits to determine your discount:
- Speeding
- Hard Braking
- Cornering
- Handheld phone use
- Smoothness
- Time of day
- Distance driven
- Weather
Not all companies penalize drivers for phone use. However, touching your phone for any reason — including unlocking it or using GPS — will affect your Geico DriveEasy score. The app also can't distinguish between who's using your phone. That means your score will go down if your passenger uses your phone while you're driving.
Geico may also use this data as evidence if you're involved in an accident. For example, if you slam on the breaks, DriveEasy will ask if you were in an accident and immediately start the claims process.
Is Geico DriveEasy worth it?
Geico DriveEasy may be worth it for careful drivers who already have Geico insurance. However, other insurers offer better programs for good drivers.
Tracking your driving habits with Geico's app can be risky. Geico is one of the few companies that will raise your car insurance rates if you have dangerous driving behaviors, so you’ll have to be diligent about monitoring your score.
Many usage-based programs offer larger discounts, so you could save much more on your insurance costs with another company. Drivers can save a maximum of 10% on their car insurance with Geico DriveEasy. In comparison, State Farm and Liberty Mutual offer discounts of up to 30%.
Additionally, DriveEasy continuously monitors your driving. That means your discount can go up and down each policy period based on your score. Liberty Mutual, Nationwide and Progressive only track your driving behavior for a set period of time. After the monitoring period ends, your discount is applied and won't change.
Compare usage-based car insurance programs
Program | Maximum discount | Can rates go up? | Phone usage impacts score? | Review period |
---|---|---|---|---|
Geico DriveEasy | 10% | Yes | Yes | Each policy period |
Allstate Drivewise app | No maximum; sign-up discount plus cash back every six months | No | No | Each policy period with 12 months of rolling data |
Liberty Mutual RightTrack | 30% | No | No | 90 days |
Nationwide SmartRide | 10% sign up discount, 40% participation discount | No | No | 4-6 months |
Progressive Snapshot | $47 average sign up discount, $146 average final discount | Yes | Yes, if using mobile app | First policy period |
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Where is Geico DriveEasy available?
Although drivers in every state can purchase car insurance from Geico, its DriveEasy program is only available in 31 states and Washington, D.C..
What other car insurance discounts does Geico offer?
In addition to the DriveEasy program, Geico offers a number of ways to save money on your car insurance. Some of its largest discounts are:
- Accident-free
- Defensive driving
- Federal employee discount
- Good student discount
- Membership and employee discounts
- Military discount
- Multicar
- Multipolicy
Frequently asked questions
Is the Geico app free?
Yes, drivers can download Geico Mobile and Geico DriveEasy Pro for free.
How much does Geico DriveEasy save?
Drivers can save up to 10% on their car insurance rates by participating in the DriveEasy program.
Can DriveEasy raise rates?
Yes, Geico may raise your car insurance rates if you have risky driving habits, like speeding around corners.
How long do I have to use Geico DriveEasy?
DriveEasy continuously monitors your driving habits. That means you'll lose your discount if you stop using the app. Your discount can also change each policy period if your driving score goes up or down.
Does DriveEasy track speed?
Yes, Geico DriveEasy tracks your speed and uses it to determine your driving score. Frequent speeding can make your discount go down — you could even experience a rate increase.
How do I turn off Geico DriveEasy?
Drivers need to call Geico's customer service line at 800-841-3000 to cancel DriveEasy. However, if you've been participating in the program for more than 30 days, your score could still affect how much you pay for insurance.
Methodology
Information regarding the Geico DriveEasy program was obtained from the Geico website. Program information for other insurers was gathered from their own websites.