I was hit by a Geico insured driver. Everyone agrees they are at fault. My car and a building were both significantly damaged. At first, Geico was really helpful; they got me a rental car and told me to handle the claim directly with them, instead of using my insurance. The adjuster worked with our body shop and paid them $12K for parts. Now, a month later, parts are still slow to arrive at the shop. Yesterday, the adjuster texted me saying they’re extending the rental for another week. This morning, I get a call from Geico saying they’re canceling my rental and we need to go through our own insurance. Apparently, they’re factoring in the damage to the building, which wasn’t my fault. I’m confused; while the body shop received some payment, it’s not enough to finish the repair. I don’t have rental coverage on my insurance (my mistake), and Geico is only telling me to go back to my own insurance. Is there anything I can do? Any advice? Thanks in advance.
Let your insurance company handle it.
Crosby said:
Let your insurance company handle it.
But if we already told them we were going through Geico, will they still help us? I assume they have to, we do pay them, right?
Crosby said:
Let your insurance company handle it.
But if we already told them we were going through Geico, will they still help us? I assume they have to, we do pay them, right?
I don’t know what company you have, but they definitely should step in. That’s what you pay them for. Any good company will just say ‘don’t worry, we’ll take care of this.’
Crosby said:
Let your insurance company handle it.
But if we already told them we were going through Geico, will they still help us? I assume they have to, we do pay them, right?
Well, yeah, you told them you didn’t need their help when you were working with Geico. Just ask them again, and they’ll help. It’s not a big deal.
If you have collision coverage, your insurance should step in. Geico is having to consider the damage to both your car and the building, so they’re informing you about a limit issue. For example, if their policy only covers $15k in total property damage per accident, they have to cover both your car and the building with that amount. See if the rental company will allow you to keep the reduced rate, and you can handle the remaining rental costs on a reimbursement basis (hopefully Geico will pay you back). But you should definitely get your insurance involved and let them know there’s a limit issue. They should help.
This is a limit issue. Your insurance should step in now because they won’t be concerned with the building damage. They’ll take over communication with Geico about how much they get from the at-fault insurance.
Use your own collision coverage. Your insurance company should jump in and take over the process. This isn’t Geico’s fault; the driver who hit you had inadequate property damage liability coverage. He’ll have to personally pay for the damage beyond what Geico covers. It’s also a good reminder to check your own policy to make sure you have adequate coverage limits.
If you have collision coverage on your policy, you have to use it. The other driver didn’t have high enough limits to cover all the damage they caused. That includes the building damage.
You reached the limit of Geico’s policy. They’re following the rules. You need to go through your own insurance now.
It cost me over $1000 in rental car costs when Geico did the same thing to me after an accident that wasn’t my fault. I hate Geico.
Abi said:
It cost me over $1000 in rental car costs when Geico did the same thing to me after an accident that wasn’t my fault. I hate Geico.
It’s not really Geico’s fault (though I don’t like them either, for other reasons). It’s because the other driver only had minimum coverage.