Goosehead Insurance is not a carrier that underwrites your policy. It is a publicly traded independent insurance agency (NASDAQ: GSHD) whose franchise and corporate agents shop your coverage across more than 200 carriers. Your actual price and service come from whichever carrier they place you with, so here is an independent look at how Goosehead works, its estimated rates, and how it compares in 2026.
Goosehead Insurance was founded in 2003 by Robyn Jones and Mark Jones and is headquartered in Westlake, Texas, trading on the Nasdaq as GSHD since 2018. It is an independent personal-lines agency, not a carrier: it does not underwrite policies, set rates, or carry an AM Best financial-strength rating of its own. Instead, its agents use a proprietary comparative rater called Aviator to shop more than 200 carriers and place your policy with whichever one fits best. Goosehead grows through a franchise model, with local franchise owners running Goosehead-branded agencies alongside a corporate sales force, adding up to more than 2,000 agents and roughly 1,100 franchise locations nationwide. Because it is a brokerage, your coverage, claims service, and financial backing come from the carrier it places you with, not from Goosehead itself.
Independent market estimates based on NAIC rate filings and state insurance department data. Not provided by or endorsed by Goosehead. Actual rates vary by state, ZIP, and individual profile.
| Driver profile | Est. annual premium | vs. market avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record, 30–45 | ~$1,320/yr | Near avg. | Agent shops 200+ carriers for the best fit |
| Single accident (3 yrs) | ~$1,880/yr | Near avg. | Agent can move you to a more forgiving carrier |
| DUI on record | ~$3,100/yr | Above avg. | Agent may access non-standard markets |
| Young driver (18–24) | ~$2,900/yr | Above avg. | Bundling and good-student options shopped |
| Senior driver (65+) | ~$1,240/yr | Near avg. | Agent compares carriers competitive for seniors |
| Lower credit tier | ~$2,050/yr | Above avg. | Agent shops carriers that weight credit less |
ⓘ Source: NAIC filings and state regulatory data. Not quotes from Goosehead. Verify pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent.
Goosehead's value is convenience and reach, not a product of its own. Because it is an independent agency, a single Goosehead agent can shop more than 200 carriers through the Aviator rater and hand you options you would otherwise gather one quote at a time. For drivers who dislike shopping, or who have a ticket, accident, or DUI that makes standard carriers cautious, that access to multiple markets is genuinely useful. The trade-offs come from the model itself. Goosehead does not underwrite anything, so it has no AM Best rating, and your real coverage, price, and claims service come from whichever carrier it places you with. Service also varies: with roughly 1,100 franchise locations and thousands of agents, your experience depends heavily on the individual agent, and because agents are paid on commission, the carriers they lead with are not always the only ones worth considering. It is a strong front door to the market, but it is worth confirming the underlying carrier and comparing against a direct quote.
Goosehead is a solid option if you would rather have one independent agent shop many carriers for you than gather quotes yourself, especially if your driving history is complicated. Just remember you are buying a carrier's policy through a broker, so check which carrier is backing you and how that carrier is rated. Comparing Goosehead's placement against other quotes in your area is the fastest way to see whether it landed you the best deal.
Disclaimer: RateWire is an independent lead generation and comparison service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to Goosehead. All carrier names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners used solely for informational and comparison purposes. Rate figures are independent market estimates from publicly available NAIC and state regulatory data — not quotes from Goosehead. By submitting your ZIP code, you may be connected with licensed insurance agents or carriers who will provide actual quotes based on your individual profile. Always verify coverage terms and pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent before purchasing.