GEICO was founded in 1936 as the Government Employees Insurance Co., offering insurance products only to federal government employees and their families. But now, the insurance giant is one of the largest auto insurers in the U.S. and offers insurance policies to residents of all 50 states.
Additionally, GEICO offers a variety of other insurance policies, either on its own or through partner insurers. If you're considering purchasing an insurance policy with GEICO, here's everything you need to know before you apply.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive insurance options | Some policies are available only through partner insurers |
| Several discounts available to policyholders | Limited local agency footprint |
| Strong financial ratings |
| Geico Customer Service 800-207-7847 |
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GEICO offers insurance products in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Policy options include vehicle, property, business, umbrella and many more.
The insurer's bread and butter, however, is its auto insurance coverage, which has a market share in the U.S.—as part of Berkshire Hathaway, its parent company.
What GEICO Auto Insurance Offers
GEICO offers several different types of insurance coverage for car owners to protect them, their vehicles and others.
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
GEICO's collision coverage typically pays for damage to your vehicle when you hit another vehicle or object or vice versa. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, may pay for damage that results from things like vandalism, theft, flood or fire.
The amount of coverage you receive from these options and how much they'll cost depend on the value of your vehicle and a few other things. You can even adjust your deductible—how much you pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in—to reduce how much you pay for the protection.
Collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by law, but your lender may require them if you're leasing or financing your vehicle.
Liability Coverage
GEICO offers bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. Both provide financial protection to you if you're at fault in an accident where property is damaged or if someone else is injured or dies.
Liability insurance is required by law in most states, even if you own your vehicle outright. GEICO offers varying levels of liability coverage, so you can choose how much you want to purchase above your state's minimum requirement.
Medical Coverages
Depending on where you live, your GEICO auto policy may be required to include medical payments coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) or both.
The primary difference between the two is that while medical payments may cover medical expenses related to a car accident, PIP may cover medical bills, lost wages and other accident-related expenses, regardless of who is at fault.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you get in an accident where another motorist is at fault, and they're either uninsured or underinsured, this coverage helps pay the expenses resulting from your injuries and property damage that aren't covered by the other driver's policy (or lack of a policy).
Additional Auto Insurance Coverages
If you'd like, you can also add other types of coverage to your auto policy, including:
- Emergency road service: If you need help on the road, this coverage arranges for a tow truck, a jumpstart for dead batteries, labor to change a flat tire or help to get into your locked car.
- Rental reimbursement: This helps cover the cost to rent a car while yours is being repaired as part of a covered claim. Rental reimbursement coverage may pay for some or all of your rental costs, although it is subject to a daily and overall claim limit.
- Mechanical breakdown insurance: If you own a vehicle that's less than 15 months old and has fewer than 15,000 miles, this protection covers repairs for all mechanical parts of your car—besides wear and tear—for up to seven years or 100,000 miles.
Other Vehicle Policy Options
In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also provides insurance products for other vehicle types and uses, including:
- Motorcycles
- ATVs
- RVs
- Boats and other personal watercrafts
- Collector vehicles
- Commercial vehicles
- Vehicles driven for rideshare services
- Truck insurance for semi-trucks, dump trucks and box trucks
You can also purchase a policy to cover your vehicle while traveling in Mexico.
How to Determine How Much Coverage You Need
With so many coverage options, some of them optional, it can be difficult to know which type of policies you need and how much coverage to get.
Start by checking the minimums required by your state. If you're financing or leasing your vehicle, it's also a good idea to ask your lender about additional requirements.
While you may be tempted to stick with the minimum requirements, remember that insurance is designed to protect you against potentially devastating financial consequences. If something happens to your vehicle or someone else's, and you're at fault, it's a good idea to make sure you have enough coverage to protect yourself.
At the same time, you'll need to balance that with how much you can afford to pay in terms of a monthly premium. GEICO's coverage calculator can help you determine the right amounts based on your financial situation.
How to Save Money on Auto Insurance with GEICO
As with other insurers, GEICO offers a variety of discounts based on your age, vehicle and driving habits, and even where you work, among other things. Here's a list of the top discounts the insurer provides:
- Multi-policy discount: Bundle your auto policy with a homeowners, renters, condo or mobile home insurance policy from GEICO and you'll save on both.
- Multi-vehicle policy discount: Get a discount on your auto policy when you insure multiple vehicles through the company.
- Age-related discounts: You may qualify for a reduced rate if, for example, you're a student or 50 years of age or older.
- Vehicle equipment discounts: You can qualify for discounts on different coverage types if your vehicle is equipped with airbags, anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system or daytime running lights, or if your car is three model years old or newer.
- Driving history discounts: If you and your passengers always use seat belts or you've been accident-free for five years, you could get significant discounts on select coverages.
- Defensive driving discounts: If you take a defensive driving course, you could save on your policy.
- Student discounts: Full-time students who maintain a "B" average or better can qualify for a discounted rate.
- Drive Easy discount: This usage-based program offers discounts for safe driving by measuring your speed, hard braking and other driving behaviors using your smartphone.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all discounts are available in all states. So check with a local agent or a phone agent to find out which ones you qualify for.
How to Get a Quote From GEICO
GEICO has a network of local agents, but it isn't as robust compared to some other auto insurers. You can get a quote from a local agent if there's one in your area, or you can request one online through the insurer's website. The process takes roughly 15 minutes. Here's how to do it:
- Get started. Visit the insurance company's home page and provide your ZIP code and the type of insurance you're looking for, then click on "Start My Quote" or, if you prefer to work with a local agent, "Find an Agent Near You." You may be asked whether you want to bundle your auto policy with a homeowners or renters policy.
- Provide your personal information. You'll need to share information about yourself, other drivers you want to add to the policy, your vehicle and your driving history.
- Review coverage options. After entering your information, you'll receive a quote based on recommended coverage levels. However, you can edit the types and amounts of coverage to get a more accurate quote for your needs. At this point, you can also opt to bundle your policy for more savings.
- Finalize your policy. If you like what you see, tell GEICO when you want the policy to start and answer additional questions about the vehicle and your lender. Choose your communication preferences, select your payment plan—you'll have the flexibility to pay over one to six installments for your six-month policy period—and enter your payment details to complete the process.
It's important to note that your initial quote isn't necessarily set in stone. GEICO may charge a higher rate, for instance, if it finds information in your driving record that wasn't disclosed in the application. The insurer may also run a soft inquiry on your credit report to develop a credit-based insurance score, which could also impact your rate.
How to File a Claim With GEICO
If you need to file a claim, you can do so online, from the GEICO mobile app or by calling a claims representative.
- Get started. You can log in to your account to start the claims process, or you can provide your policy type, policy number and name to do it without logging in.
- Work with the adjuster. Once you submit your claim, an adjuster will reach out to you directly, usually within 24 hours. If your car is safe to drive, you'll arrange a time to bring it in. If not, the adjuster will travel to the vehicle's location. You can choose any repair shop, but you'll get a lifetime guarantee on the repairs if you choose one in GEICO's network. The adjuster will evaluate the damage to the vehicle and, if you have rental reimbursement coverage, also help you get set up with a rental car.
- Wait for a response: While all of this is happening, a liability examiner will review your coverage, contact all the parties involved in the accident and gather information to resolve any potential disputes.
Once GEICO has evaluated all of the details of your claim, it'll offer a settlement in as little as 48 hours. If you have any questions throughout the process, you can call 800-841-3000.
GEICO Also Offers Homeowners and Life Insurance
If you own a home, GEICO offers homeowners insurance to help you protect one of your most valuable assets. Note, however, that GEICO doesn't provide homeowners insurance directly. Rather, it works with a network of insurance partners to find you the right policy.
If you bundle a homeowners, renters, condo or mobile home policy with your auto policy, you can qualify for a multi-policy discount.
You can also apply for a life insurance policy to protect your loved ones financially in the event of your death. GEICO works with Ladder to help you find the right type of policy and amount of coverage for your situation and loved ones' needs.
Additional Insurance Coverage
In addition to the types of insurance policies we've already covered, GEICO also provides several others, including but not limited to:
- Condo insurance
- Insurance for landlords
- Mobile home insurance
- Flood insurance
- Earthquake insurance
- Various insurance policies for business owners
- Umbrella insurance
- Travel insurance
- Pet insurance
- Identity theft insurance
- Bicycle insurance
Benefits of Having GEICO Insurance
There are several different reasons to consider getting a policy from GEICO. Here are some of the benefits to consider:
- Relatively low rates: Auto insurance rates are affected by several factors, but on average, GEICO offers one of the cheapest average monthly premiums, according to The Zebra, an online insurance marketplace.
- Strong financial ratings: GEICO has received an A++ rating from A.M. Best—the highest rating the independent agency offers. It also has an AA++ rating from Standard and Poor's, which indicates very strong financials. Financial strength is important because it indicates the likelihood that an insurer can pay out its claims.
- Wide range of insurance options: It can make sense to obtain insurance through various sources if it helps you save money. But if you prefer the simplicity of keeping all of your coverage under one proverbial roof, you'll likely find everything you need with GEICO.
- Strong mobile features: GEICO offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, which can make it easy to review your policy information and ID cards, request roadside assistance, submit and manage claims and more. On a five-star scale, the iOS app has a rating of 4.8 stars, and the Android app has a rating of 4.6 stars.
Is GEICO Right for You?
GEICO's rates and offerings can vary based on where you live, as well as several other factors. As a result, it's not always the right insurer for everyone.
What's more, its long list of discounts can make it easy to save money, and its wide range of coverage options can help ensure you get all the insurance protection you need.
However, it's important to research and compare multiple insurers before settling on one. In addition to coverage and cost, research customer satisfaction ratings for any insurer you're considering. Doing your homework can help you find the right insurance provider based not only on coverage options but also on price. Take your time to find the best fit for your insurance needs.
Insurance coverage availability, discounts, limits and other details may vary by state and other factors.