Independent comparison. Not affiliated with Progressive or Geico.
Progressive Snapshot vs Geico DriveEasy
Last verified April 2026
Snapshot averages $322/yr in savings and evaluates current driving regardless of history. DriveEasy offers 5-15% discounts and includes accident detection. Here is the full comparison.
How Each Programme Works
Progressive Snapshot
Snapshot tracks your driving through either a smartphone app or an OBD-II plug-in device. It monitors hard braking events, the time of day you drive, and your total miles driven. After about 6 months of data collection, Progressive sets a discount based on your driving patterns. Safe drivers who avoid hard braking, drive during lower-risk hours, and keep mileage moderate can save up to 30%.
Geico DriveEasy
DriveEasy uses a smartphone app (no physical device) to track speed, phone use while driving, braking, acceleration, and mileage. It evaluates driving on a rolling basis and applies discounts at each renewal. DriveEasy also includes an Accident Assist feature that detects crashes and can automatically notify emergency services and start the claims process.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Every tracked metric, savings potential, and feature compared.
| Feature | Snapshot | DriveEasy |
|---|---|---|
| Device options | App or OBD-II plug-in | App only |
| Tracks hard braking | Yes | Yes |
| Tracks time of day | Yes | No |
| Tracks miles driven | Yes | Yes |
| Tracks speed | No | Yes |
| Tracks phone use | No | Yes |
| Tracks acceleration | No | Yes |
| Monitoring period | ~6 months | Rolling (each renewal) |
| Average savings | $322/yr | 5-15% (~$83-250/yr) |
| Can raise rates? | Yes (state-dependent) | Yes (state-dependent) |
| Accident detection | No | Yes (Accident Assist) |
| Opt-out process | Remove device / delete app | Delete app |
Savings Potential
Snapshot: Progressive reports average savings of $322 per year across all Snapshot users. Top-performing safe drivers can save up to 30% on their premium. The savings are applied as a fixed discount after the monitoring period ends, and they persist until your next Snapshot evaluation.
DriveEasy: Geico offers a 5-15% discount for DriveEasy users with safe driving patterns. On a typical $1,669/yr policy, that translates to $83 to $250 in annual savings. DriveEasy discounts are recalculated at each renewal based on your most recent driving data.
The bottom line: Snapshot offers higher maximum savings potential. For drivers who are confident in their safe driving habits, Snapshot is the better programme. DriveEasy has a lower ceiling but also includes the Accident Assist feature, which adds safety value beyond just the discount.
Can It Raise Your Rates?
Both Snapshot and DriveEasy can increase your rates if your driving data shows risky behaviour. However, several states have enacted consumer protections that prohibit telematics-based rate increases.
States that protect you: California, Maryland, and several other states prohibit insurers from raising rates based on telematics data. In these states, telematics programmes are discount-only: you can save money but cannot be penalised.
What triggers increases: Frequent hard braking (Snapshot), speeding (DriveEasy), phone use while driving (DriveEasy), and late-night driving (Snapshot) can all contribute to rate increases in states where they are permitted.
How to opt out: For Snapshot, simply remove the OBD-II device or delete the app and notify Progressive. For DriveEasy, delete the app. In both cases, your rates revert to your standard non-telematics rate at the next renewal.
Privacy Considerations
Snapshot Privacy
- Collects: braking events, time of day, miles driven
- Does not track: GPS location, speed, or phone use
- Data used for: pricing and aggregate research
- Data shared with: not sold to third parties
- Deletion: data retained for policy period plus state requirements
DriveEasy Privacy
- Collects: speed, phone use, braking, acceleration, mileage
- Also collects: GPS location for trip scoring
- Data used for: pricing, Accident Assist, and research
- Data shared with: not sold to third parties
- Deletion: contact Geico to request data deletion
DriveEasy collects significantly more data than Snapshot, including GPS location and phone usage. If privacy is a priority, Snapshot is the less intrusive option.
Best for High-Risk Drivers: Snapshot
Snapshot has a key advantage for drivers with past violations: it evaluates your current driving behaviour regardless of your history. A driver who had a DUI two years ago but now drives safely can earn significant Snapshot discounts that would not be available through DriveEasy or through Geico's standard pricing model.
This matters because Progressive already charges 35% less than Geico for DUI drivers. Add Snapshot savings on top, and the gap widens further. A reformed DUI driver using Snapshot on Progressive could pay $2,000 to $2,500/yr less than the same driver on Geico.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Snapshot or DriveEasy raise my rates?
Both programs can increase your rates if your driving data shows risky behaviour. However, several states prohibit telematics-based rate increases. Check your state's regulations before enrolling. If you are concerned, ask your insurer whether the program is discount-only in your state.
Which telematics program saves more money?
Progressive Snapshot averages $322/yr in savings. Geico DriveEasy offers a 5-15% discount, which translates to roughly $83-250/yr depending on your base rate. For most drivers, Snapshot offers higher potential savings but also higher variability.
Do I need a device or just the app?
Snapshot offers both an OBD-II plug-in device and a smartphone app. DriveEasy is app-only. The plug-in device provides more accurate data but the app is more convenient. DriveEasy's app-only approach means no device to install or return.
How long does the monitoring period last?
Snapshot monitors your driving for about 6 months before setting your final discount. DriveEasy evaluates your driving on a rolling basis with discounts applied at each renewal. Both start providing preliminary results within the first few weeks.
What data do they collect?
Snapshot tracks hard braking, time of day, and miles driven. DriveEasy tracks speed, phone use while driving, braking, acceleration, and mileage. DriveEasy collects more data points, which some drivers find concerning from a privacy standpoint.