What Geico Covers When You Need a Rental Car

Geico covers rental cars only if you have rental reimbursement coverage added to your policy — it does not come automatically

Geico's standard car insurance policies do not include rental car coverage. You have to buy it as an add-on, called rental reimbursement coverage or rental car reimbursement. This coverage pays a daily allowance toward the cost of renting a car while yours is being repaired after a covered accident or loss.

The coverage only works if the damage itself is covered by your policy. If you have collision coverage and your car is hit, rental reimbursement will pay for a rental. If you have comprehensive coverage and your car is stolen, it will pay for a rental while the claim is being investigated. If you have liability-only coverage, rental reimbursement will not help you — liability does not cover your own car.

You can add rental reimbursement to any Geico auto policy at any time, or you can remove it if you no longer need it. The cost is usually between $10 and $30 per month, depending on your state and the daily limit you choose.

Key Takeaways

• Rental reimbursement is an optional add-on to Geico policies and costs roughly $10 to $30 per month depending on your daily limit and state.
• The coverage pays a set daily amount (typically $30 to $75 per day) toward rental car costs only while your car is being repaired from a covered claim.
• You must have collision or comprehensive coverage for rental reimbursement to work — it does not cover damage that your main policy does not cover.
• Geico will not pay for a rental if you caused the accident and the other driver's insurance is responsible, unless you have uninsured motorist coverage.

How the daily limit works and what it actually pays

When you add rental reimbursement to your Geico policy, you choose a daily limit — the maximum amount Geico will reimburse per day. Common daily limits are $30, $50, or $75, though the exact options vary by state. If you rent a car for $60 per day and your limit is $50, Geico pays $50 and you pay the other $10 out of pocket.

The coverage pays only for the rental period while your car is actually in the repair shop. If your car is damaged on a Monday and the shop does not open until Wednesday, Geico does not pay for a rental on Monday or Tuesday. Once your car is repaired and ready to pick up, the coverage stops. Geico also does not pay for extras like insurance, GPS, or fuel — only the base rental rate.

Your daily limit multiplies by the number of days. If your limit is $50 per day and your car is in the shop for 10 days, Geico will reimburse up to $500 total. Most policies also have a maximum total payout per claim, often $900 to $1,500, so a very long repair can hit that ceiling.

When Geico will and will not pay for a rental

Geico pays for a rental when your car is damaged by a covered peril — a collision, theft, weather, vandalism, or fire — and you have the matching coverage on your policy. If a tree falls on your car and you have comprehensive coverage, rental reimbursement covers the rental while it is being fixed. If another driver hits you and you have collision coverage, it covers the rental.

Geico will not pay if the damage is not covered by your policy. If you have liability-only coverage (the minimum in most states), you have no collision or comprehensive, so rental reimbursement has nothing to reimburse. If you caused an accident and the other driver's insurance is paying, your own rental reimbursement does not kick in unless you have uninsured motorist coverage — and even then, the rules vary by state.

Geico also will not pay if you rent a car before you file a claim or before the repair shop confirms your car is there. You must have a claim open and documentation that your car is in for repairs. Some shops will contact Geico directly; others expect you to provide proof of the repair timeline.

How to add or remove rental reimbursement from your Geico policy

You can add rental reimbursement by logging into your Geico account online, calling Geico at 1-800-861-8380, or visiting a local Geico office. When you add it, you will choose your daily limit and confirm the monthly cost. The coverage usually takes effect the same day you add it, though you should confirm the effective date with Geico.

If you already have the coverage and want to remove it to lower your premium, you can do the same through your account, by phone, or in person. Removing it takes effect on the date you request, and Geico will adjust your next bill.

You can also change your daily limit at any time. If you chose $30 per day when you first added it and now want $50, Geico will adjust your premium and the new limit takes effect when ready.

What to do if your car needs repairs and you have rental reimbursement

First, file a claim with Geico as soon as possible after the damage occurs. You can file online, by phone, or through the Geico mobile app. Geico will assign a claims adjuster who will inspect your car and authorize repairs.

Once the repair is approved, tell the repair shop that you have rental reimbursement coverage and ask them to contact Geico directly. Many shops have a process for this and will coordinate with Geico to confirm the repair timeline. If the shop does not do this, you will need to rent a car yourself and keep your receipt — Geico will reimburse you up to your daily limit once the claim is closed.

Some Geico claims adjusters will direct you to a preferred rental company that Geico has a relationship with. Using that company may make the reimbursement process faster because Geico already knows the rates. If you rent from a different company, keep all receipts and the rental agreement so you can submit them to Geico for reimbursement.

Rental reimbursement versus other ways to cover a rental car

Rental reimbursement is one option, but not the only one. Some credit cards offer rental car coverage if you book the rental with that card — American Express and some premium Visa cards include this. Some employers offer rental car discounts through partnerships with rental companies. Some roadside information memberships (like AAA) include rental car discounts.

The advantage of Geico's rental reimbursement is that it covers the full cost up to your daily limit, regardless of which rental company you use or how you pay. The disadvantage is that it costs money every month even if you never use it, and the daily limit may not cover the full cost of a rental in your area.

If you rarely drive or have a short commute, you might skip rental reimbursement and rely on a credit card or AAA discount instead. If you drive daily and cannot afford to be without a car, rental reimbursement is worth the monthly cost because it guarantees coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Geico rental coverage work if the other driver's insurance is paying?

No, not automatically. If the other driver is at fault and their insurance is handling the claim, your own rental reimbursement does not cover the rental. The other driver's insurance should pay for your rental as part of the claim. If they refuse or delay, you can rent a car and submit the receipt to their insurance for reimbursement. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, the rules may differ by state — contact Geico to confirm.

Can I rent any car I want, or does Geico limit the type?

Geico does not restrict the type of car, but your daily limit is the cap. If you rent a luxury car for $150 per day and your limit is $50, Geico pays $50. Most people rent a mid-size sedan or compact car to stay within their daily limit. Some preferred rental partners may offer discounts that bring the daily cost down.

What if the repair takes longer than expected?

Geico pays for the rental for as long as the car is actually in the shop, up to your policy's total payout limit. If the shop delays or orders a part that takes weeks to arrive, Geico will still cover the rental for that time. Keep documentation from the shop showing when your car arrived and when it was completed.

Does rental reimbursement cover a rental if I lend my car to someone and they damage it?

Yes, if the damage is covered by your policy. Your collision or comprehensive coverage covers the car regardless of who was driving it, so rental reimbursement will pay for a rental while it is being repaired. The claim is still filed under your policy.

How much does rental reimbursement cost to add to a Geico policy?

The cost varies by state, your age, driving history, and the daily limit you choose. A $30 daily limit typically costs $10 to $15 per month, while a $75 daily limit may cost $25 to $35 per month. Contact Geico for a quote based on your specific situation.