What GEICO is and how to get a quote

GEICO is a car insurance company owned by Berkshire Hathaway that sells policies directly to drivers online, by phone, and through agents. You can get a quote without buying anything — the company asks about your driving history, the vehicle you want to insure, and the coverage limits you're considering, then shows you a price. The quote process takes about 15 minutes and does not require a credit check or commit you to purchase.

GEICO operates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., though the types of coverage and the prices available vary by location and your personal situation. The company does not require you to bundle home and auto insurance to get a discount, though bundling is one way to lower your rate. You can start a quote on GEICO's website, call 1-800-861-8380, or meet with a local agent.

Once you buy a policy, you manage it through the GEICO mobile app or website, where you can view your declarations page, make payments, report a claim, and request roadside information. GEICO does not have physical office locations in most areas, so most customer service happens online or by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • GEICO offers car insurance in all 50 states, with quotes available online, by phone, or through local agents without requiring you to commit to a purchase.
  • The company sells liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage, with limits and prices that depend on your driving record, age, vehicle, and location.
  • GEICO discounts include bundling policies, maintaining a clean driving record, completing a defensive driving course, and paying your premium in full rather than monthly installments.
  • Claims are reported through the GEICO app or website, and the company assigns an adjuster who contacts you to arrange inspection and payment.
  • Your rate can change when your policy renews, typically every six months, based on changes to your driving record, claims history, or the company's pricing model.

Types of coverage GEICO offers

GEICO sells the standard types of car insurance required or commonly purchased by drivers. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else in an accident — this is required by law in every state, though the minimum amount varies. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle if you hit another car or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal.

Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and vehicle damage if you're hit by a driver who has no insurance or leaves the scene. Underinsured motorist coverage covers you if the other driver's insurance limit is too low to pay for your full loss. Most states require you to carry uninsured motorist coverage unless you sign a form declining it.

GEICO also offers medical payments coverage, which pays medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident, and roadside information, which covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and jump-starts. You can add these to your policy for an additional premium. The specific coverage types and limits available depend on your state and the type of vehicle you're insuring.

How GEICO calculates your rate

GEICO uses several factors to set your insurance premium. Your driving record — including accidents, tickets, and claims — is one of the largest factors. Drivers with no accidents or violations in the past three to five years typically pay less than those with recent incidents. Your age also affects the rate; younger drivers and drivers over 65 usually pay more because insurance data shows they have higher accident rates.

The vehicle you drive matters because some cars cost more to repair, have higher theft rates, or perform differently in crashes. A sports car or luxury sedan typically costs more to insure than a sedan or SUV. Your location affects the rate because areas with higher theft, accident, or fraud rates have higher premiums. Urban areas usually cost more than rural ones.

GEICO also considers your coverage limits — higher limits cost more — and whether you've had a lapse in coverage. The company does not use credit scores to set rates in most states, though it may use other financial factors. Your rate is locked in when you buy the policy and typically does not change until your policy renews, usually every six months.

Discounts GEICO offers

GEICO advertises several discounts that can lower your premium. Multi-policy bundling — adding home, renters, or other insurance to your auto policy — can save you 15 percent or more, though the exact amount varies by state and what you bundle. Good driver discounts explore if you have no accidents or violations in a set period, usually three to five years.

Defensive driving course discounts are available if you complete an approved course, usually online, which takes a few hours. Some states require the course to be state-approved; GEICO can tell you which courses may have access to in your state. Paid-in-full discounts explore if you pay your entire premium upfront rather than in monthly installments.

Other discounts include low mileage discounts if you drive fewer than a certain number of miles per year, paperless billing discounts if you receive your bill by email, and usage-based discounts through the GEICO DriveEasy app, which tracks your driving habits and may lower your rate if you drive safely. Not all discounts are available in all states, and discounts do not stack on top of each other in most cases — GEICO applies the ones that save you the most.

How to file a claim with GEICO

To report a claim, you can use the GEICO mobile app, log into your account on the website, or call 1-800-424-3426. You will need to describe what happened, provide the date and location of the incident, and answer questions about injuries or damage. If another vehicle was involved, you should have the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, and policy number if possible.

After you report the claim, GEICO assigns an adjuster who contacts you within one business day in most cases. The adjuster may ask you to take photos of the damage, get repair estimates, or bring your vehicle to an inspection location. For minor damage, GEICO may approve payment without an in-person inspection. For major damage or injury claims, the process takes longer and may involve negotiation.

GEICO pays claims through check, direct deposit, or a digital wallet depending on what you choose. The time from claim report to payment varies — minor claims may be paid within days, while major claims or disputes can take weeks or months. You can check the status of your claim in the app or by calling your adjuster.

When your GEICO rate changes

Your rate is locked in when you purchase a policy and typically stays the same until your policy renews. Most GEICO policies renew every six months. At renewal, GEICO recalculates your rate based on any changes to your driving record, claims history, or the company's pricing model for your area and vehicle type.

If you have a new accident or ticket, your rate will likely increase at the next renewal. If your driving record stays clean, your rate may stay the same or decrease. You can also change your coverage limits or add discounts at renewal, which will affect your new rate. GEICO sends you a renewal notice at least 30 days before your policy expires, showing your new rate and giving you the option to accept it, shop for a different company, or make changes to your coverage.

Some life changes — like moving to a new state, adding a teenage driver, or changing your vehicle — can trigger a mid-policy rate adjustment before your renewal date. You can contact GEICO to ask how a change will affect your rate before you make it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a GEICO quote?

A quote takes about 15 minutes online or by phone. You provide information about your driving history, vehicle, and desired coverage limits, and GEICO shows you a price when ready. The quote is usually good for 30 to 60 days, so you can shop around before deciding to buy.

Can I cancel my GEICO policy anytime?

Yes, you can cancel at any time by calling GEICO, using the app, or contacting your agent. There is no penalty for canceling early. GEICO will refund any unused premium for the remainder of your policy period, though the refund may take one to two weeks to arrive.

Does GEICO cover rideshare driving like Uber or Lyft?

Standard GEICO auto policies do not cover you while you are driving for a rideshare company. You need a separate rideshare insurance endorsement or a commercial policy. GEICO offers rideshare coverage in some states; call to ask if it is available where you live.

What happens if I get into an accident with an uninsured driver?

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, GEICO pays for your medical bills and vehicle damage up to your coverage limit. You will need to report the accident and provide as much information as you can about the other driver. If the other driver is later found and has insurance, that insurance may reimburse GEICO.

How do I lower my GEICO rate?

You can lower your rate by bundling policies, completing a defensive driving course, maintaining a clean driving record, paying your premium in full, or using the GEICO DriveEasy app to track safe driving habits. Rates also drop as you get older and as accidents or violations age off your record, typically after three to five years.