Which insurance company uses a gecko as its mascot?

The insurance company that uses a gecko as its mascot is GEICO.

The character is known as the GEICO Gecko, a gold dust day gecko introduced in advertising in 1999. The campaign began after an advertising-industry brainstorming session focused on the frequent mispronunciation of the company’s name. The gecko’s message was that GEICO is pronounced “G-E-I-C-O,” not “gecko.”

GEICO itself was founded in 1936 by Leo and Lillian Goodwin to sell automobile insurance primarily to U.S. government employees and military personnel. Its name originally stood for Government Employees Insurance Company, although it has always been a private insurer. Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company in stages and made it a wholly owned subsidiary in 1996.

A common mix-up is confusing GEICO’s gecko with other insurance advertising characters, such as Progressive’s Flo or Allstate’s “ mayhem” character. The gecko represents the brand, while GEICO’s actual business includes auto, homeowners, renters, motorcycle, and other insurance products, often arranged through partner insurers.