GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is one of the largest auto insurance companies in the United States, headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Founded in 1936, GEICO originally served government employees and military personnel but now provides insurance to the general public. The company is best known for its direct-to-consumer model, selling insurance primarily through phone and online channels rather than through agents. This approach allows GEICO to offer competitive rates by reducing overhead costs. GEICO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's conglomerate. The company insures over 28 million vehicles and serves more than 17 million customers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Beyond auto insurance, GEICO also offers motorcycle, ATV, RV, boat, umbrella, renters, condo, co-op, and mobile home insurance. The company is famous for its extensive advertising campaigns featuring the GEICO Gecko mascot and the slogan "15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance." GEICO employs over 40,000 people and consistently ranks among the top insurance companies in the U.S. by market share and customer satisfaction.