Geico has the gecko, Aflac has the duck, and State Farm has LeBron James. Now, there’s nothing offensive about a silly lizard or duck, but after what LeBron did to the city of Cleveland in his infamous move to Miami, there is more than a little tension in the air. Allstate, State Farm’s biggest rival, is banking on this bad blood to use LeBron in their own way to sell car insurance.

State Farm, the number one auto insurance company when ranked by market share, has used LeBron as a spokesperson for several years, and has stuck by him through the tumultuous trade. However, after a recent State Farm TV commercial featuring LeBron playing the world’s smallest violin aired during the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend, Allstate is calling out “King James” and taking the side of Cleveland’s heartbroken basketball fans.

Allstate, the number two auto insurer by market share, based out of Chicago, took a direct shot at LeBron and rival State Farm by airing a radio ad in which longtime Allstate pitchman Dennis Haysbert asks, “So, are you ready to take your talents to Allstate?” The phrase wouldn’t bat an eye if it wasn’t for the infamous line LeBron dropped on the entire world in an overhyped ESPN special interview where he said he was going to, “take my talents to South Beach.”

LeBron’s betrayal of the Cleveland fans reverberated throughout America, and Allstate is hoping to capitalize on his newly demonized status to trump their biggest rival in auto insurance, LeBron’s long time sponsor, State Farm.

However, the tactics of this insurance giant may not be paying off. Going 1-on-1 with a guy whose nickname on the court is “King” would be foolish, and apparently his likeability off the court is almost as refined. Even though LeBron took a major shot to his public image with the move to Miami, State Farm’s new and renewing policy numbers show a slight increase since the TV commercial debut. It seems that the king has returned.

But, whether you like LeBron or not, it’s important not to let the NBA superstar sway your opinion on auto insurance. Don’t let your love or hatred for LeBron leave you vulnerable. State Farm and Allstate are number one and two for a reason, so let their prices and policies do the trash talking, not some trivial TV and radio adds.

—AJ Register