How to File a Car Insurance Claim With Geico (2024)
The three ways how to file a car insurance claim with Geico are through the mobile app, online, and via phone. We'll detail those and share the most important information and documentation to have ready before you start the claims process and all of the steps Geico takes once you've reported your claim.
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Zach Fagiano
Licensed Insurance Broker
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Licensed Insurance Broker
UPDATED: Jul 13, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Use Geico’s app, online portal, or the phone to file an auto insurance claim
- Provide all accident information to raise the chance of Geico handling your claim faster
- Carefully select photos and videos to help get the funds you need from Geico
If you’ve recently been in an accident, you may be wondering — how do I file a car insurance claim with Geico?
This is a common question, and conveniently, there are multiple answers. You have three choices: using the company’s app, going online, or calling the company. The more important thing is making sure you have what you need to file a claim with Geico.
We’ll share what you need to do so you don’t have to do online searches for “file insurance claim geico” or “geico reporting a claim.”
Wondering if another provider has lower rates? Find out by entering your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool (below/above).
How to File a Car Insurance Claim With Geico
Once you have all the information you need, your first step is to choose which method you’d like to use: the Geico mobile app, the online portal at geico.com/claims, or the Geico claim phone number (800) 841-3000.
If you don’t have it already, you can download the Geico app from all major app markets, such as Google Play and the Apple App Store. If you go online to geico.com/claims, you get the option to either report a new claim or track an existing one.
While you may already know how to correctly handle a car accident, the site also provides information on how to file a claim with Geico for a glass-only claim or request roadside assistance.
Read more: What happens if I disagree with Geico’s decision on my car insurance claim?
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The Most Important Information You Need to File a Geico Car Insurance Claim
The most important info you’ll need when filing your auto claim is your policy number, when and where the incident happened, and the details of what happened and the people involved.
You may also want to gather the following information:
- The state, city, and intersection or other landmarks near where the incident occurred
- The full name of any other parties involved
- The insurance information of others involved
- The date and time of day of the incident
- The damage your vehicle sustained
These are the basics when it comes to what you need to file a claim with Geico. Even if you can’t provide any other documentation, this can be enough to get the ball rolling.
Accident Documentation When Filing a Car Insurance Claim With Geico
Your goal when filing a claim is to give Geico an accurate picture of what happened. Without enough information, Geico may not be able to provide you with everything you need to get your vehicle back on the road again and get care for any injuries sustained.
This is particularly important if you have coverage with one of the best personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance companies, like Geico.
With that in mind, you should try gathering the following:
- Pictures of the damage sustained to your vehicle
- Photos or videos of the scene of the accident
- Information regarding the weather conditions at the time of the accident
- A police report of an officer that came to the scene after the incident
- The statements and contact information of anyone willing to serve as a witness on your behalf regarding what happened
Keep in mind that Geico can only act on what the company knows and can prove. By giving the company this information, you put it in a better position to give you what you deserve.
Read more: Can I track the progress of my car insurance claim with Geico?
What You Can Expect From Filing Your Geico Claim
Filing a claim is a relatively quick process. Your Geico agent may ask for you to give a recorded statement in the direct aftermath. It is important to not admit fault at any point during the process.
Here’s Geico’s overview of what happens after you file a claim:
After filing your claim, you can expect it to be processed within a month. What your settlement entails will depend on your insurance coverage. For better help understanding this, you can check our guide on car insurance coverage.
Your coverage will dictate what the settlement covers. Drivers with full coverage can expect more financial compensation than someone carrying just the bare minimum car insurance requirements of their state. Vehicular damages and medical expenses can be expensive, so read up on what to expect.
How to Work With Your Geico Car Insurance Claims Adjuster
If Geico assigns you a claims adjuster, you’re going to want to provide them with all the information they ask for, regardless of how much you’ve already submitted. For example, the adjuster may ask you to provide a written statement of what happened or request a police report. (For more information, read our article Do I need a police report to file a car insurance claim?).
It’s also not uncommon for the adjuster to ask for repair estimates, especially if you choose where to get your vehicle repaired after the incident.
Once you file your Geico claim, you can take advantage of Geico’s Auto Repair Xpress program that promotes priority treatment by providing guaranteed repairs through its preferred repair network system.
Kristen Gryglik Licensed Insurance Agent
The faster you provide this information, the quicker Geico can settle your claim. Often, an adjuster has no choice but to “check off the boxes” when it comes to the data needed to move a claim forward. Otherwise, they may not be able to move forward due to a lack of information. This can result in significant delays.
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Effects of Geico Auto Insurance Claims
Will Geico raise my rates after a claim?
According to Geico, the effect of a Geico claim is that the provider won’t raise your rate if the at-fault accident is your first, if the accident isn’t your fault, or if the damage is less than $750.
Geico, like many of its competitors, has an accident forgiveness program, which pertains to your first at-fault accident. You can earn it, getting the upgrade for free, as long as you keep a clean driving record for at least five years.
You can also add it to your policy initially or at renewal time. It’s an affordable coverage, ranging from $1.25 to $5 monthly.
Read more: Will my insurance premium increase if I file a car insurance claim with Geico?
Accident forgiveness may not apply to under-21 drivers, since insurance providers inherently see them as higher-risk drivers in part because of their lack of driving experience.
Also, unfortunately, for drivers in California, accident forgiveness isn’t an option. Proposition 103, which passed in the state in 1988, outlaws “excessive” insurance rates, and accident forgiveness was deemed excessive as you’re essentially paying for coverage on an accident that hasn’t happened yet.
Accident forgiveness is also not available in Connecticut or Massachusetts.
Does your insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault? Under California law, an insurer cannot increase your premiums when you aren’t at fault. But that’s not the case in every state.
So while filing a claim doesn’t mean your insurance rate will automatically increase, you could still be seen as higher risk, fault or no-fault, especially if you have multiple claims. Your insurer could re-evaluate your driving record and offset your perceived higher risk with a rate increase, which would be a lesser increase if you were not at fault.
This table shows what you can expect to pay after one accident if you don’t have accident forgiveness from Geico or other major insurers.
Full Coverage Car Insurance Monthly Rates for Clean Record vs. One Accident
Insurance Company Clean Record One Accident Percent Increase
Allstate $160 $225 41%
American Family $117 $176 50%
Erie $58 $82 41%
Farmers $139 $198 42%
Geico $80 $132 65%
Liberty Mutual $174 $234 34%
National General $161 $266 65%
Nationwide $115 $161 40%
Progressive $105 $186 77%
State Farm $86 $102 19%
The General $232 $327 41%
Travelers $99 $139 40%
USAA $59 $78 32%
U.S. Average $119 $173 45%
You can see more about Geico’s rates in our Geico Insurance Review & Complaints.
Case Studies: Filing Claims With Geico
Case Study 1: John’s Accident
John was involved in a car accident and needed to file a claim with Geico. He made sure to gather all the necessary information from the other driver, including their contact details and insurance information. He also took photos of the accident scene and the damage to both vehicles.
John filed his Geico auto insurance claim online and provided all the required information. Geico processed his claim within a month, and John received a settlement based on his insurance coverage.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Quick Claim
Sarah’s car was hit by another driver, and she needed to file a claim with Geico. She contacted Geico through their mobile app and provided the necessary details about the accident. Since there were no injuries and the damage was minor, Sarah didn’t need to file a police report.
She took photos of the damage and submitted them along with her claim. Geico settled her claim within a month, and Sarah received compensation for the repairs to her vehicle.
Case Study 3: Mike’s Comprehensive Coverage
Mike had Geico comprehensive coverage when his car was vandalized. He immediately reported the incident to the police and obtained a police report. Mike then filed a Geico vandalism claim, providing the police report and photos of the vandalism as evidence.
Geico processed his claim and covered the cost of repairing the damage to his vehicle. Mike was pleased with the prompt settlement and the support he received from Geico throughout the process.
Read more about Geico being one of the best comprehensive car insurance companies.
The Last Word on How to File a Car Insurance Claim With Geico
Whether you prefer to use the Geico app, the online system, or the phone, the info you need to gather is the same. Take a little time to write down the details of the incident as best you can.
Also, in the immediate wake of an accident, it’s a good idea to gather the other person’s info, if applicable, and get a police report. With all of this in hand, you can increase your chances of enjoying a relatively smooth claims process with Geico.
We hope you now have the information you need on how to file a car insurance claim with Geico so you don’t need to waste time doing an online search on topics such as “geico file a claim” or “geico report a claim.
If you’re shopping for car insurance and looking for a Geico car insurance quote, as well as quotes from other major car insurance companies, use our easy online quote comparison tool. Simply enter your ZIP code to get started.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I do a Geico file claim online?
To file a claim with Geico online, go to geico.com/claims.
What is the Geico claims phone number?
The Geico insurance phone number you can use to file an insurance claim is (800) 841-3000.
Will I have to wait months for my claim to be settled?
Thankfully, this isn’t the case. Geico should settle your claim within a month of the incident.
But if you’re not happy with the company’s claims process, you can comparison shop for car insurance by entering your ZIP code into our free online quote tool.
Do I need a police report for my claim?
You must file a police report if the incident had emergency responders present. If it was a smaller incident between two drivers with no injuries, you would only need the other driver’s insurance information and some photos of the damage to your vehicle.
What is the Geico law enforcement number?
Geico has what it calls its Special Investigations Unit (SIU) devoted to detecting, deterring, and defeating insurance fraud, such as staged accidents, exaggerated injuries, or inflated medical bills.
So if you suspect fraud, they advise you to notify the police or them at 1-800-824-5404, ext. 3313. They also note you can report fraud to the National Insurance Crime Bureau at NICB online or phone them at 1-800-TEL-NICB.
How does insurance work when it’s not your fault?
If you file a claim with your carrier when you are not at fault, your carrier will eventually begin a process called subrogation. Essentially, this means that once liability is determined, your insurance carrier will send a demand to the at-fault party’s carrier to pay back the damages that were paid out to you.
Learn more in our article about the differences between a first-party claim and a third-party claim.
Can you use the Geico app to get roadside assistance?
Yes, you can set up roadside assistance from within the Geico app. You can also get assistance through the company’s online system and over the phone.
Is Geico accident forgiveness worth it?
Yes, because of potential long-term savings on your insurance rate, especially when you earn it — that is, get it for free — for maintaining a clean driving record. You can also buy it as an upgrade to your policy. The average cost of accident forgiveness coverage ranges from $1.25-$5 monthly.
Is there Geico track day insurance?
Geico, like most other popular car insurance companies such as Allstate, Progressive, and State Farm, doesn’t offer track day insurance, which is a specialized type of coverage protecting against potential accidents, damages, and liabilities that may occur while driving on a track.
One of those specialty insurers is RLI. See our RLI Insurance review.
How do I get a Geico home insurance quote?
You can go to geico.com and click on “Homeowners” to start the process by entering your ZIP code into their quote tool.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Zach Fagiano
Licensed Insurance Broker
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Licensed Insurance Broker
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.