Geico insurance will go up by about 79% after your first accident resulting in a claim of $750 or more. If this is your second accident in less than three years, your insurance will go up at least twice as much, depending on the total cost of the claim. If you have more than two accidents in a three-year period, you can expect to pay 225% more. These surcharges will be in effect for three years after the claim.
Your rate won’t increase if the accident is not your fault and the other driver’s insurance pays for your claim, or if the damage is less than $750. Keep in mind that Geico also assigns points for other traffic offenses. A DUI conviction is three points, for example, and a speeding ticket of 20 MPH over the posted limit is one point. Your first accident resulting in a claim of $750 or more also gets one point. Your total number of points determines your final surcharge.
Will my Geico insurance go up after an accident if I...
Wasn’t at-fault?
No, if your claim is reimbursed by the other driver or their insurance company, the cost of your insurance will not go up. If you aren’t cited by law enforcement and the other driver is, your premium won’t be affected, either.
Use my Personal Injury Protection?
If you need PIP to cover your or your passengers’ medical bills but don’t need to use your liability or collision coverage, your rates won’t be affected.
Was involved in a hit and run?
A hit and run will not affect your rates as long as you file a police report with 24 hours.
Hit a deer?
Most comprehensive claims are considered beyond your control and do not count against you. But if you’ve filed another claim of any kind in the last three years, hitting a deer could raise your rates.
Was hit by flying or falling objects?
If gravel on the highway shatters your windshield or a tree branch lands on your car, it won’t increase your premium unless you’ve had another claim in the last three years.
Geico has twoaccident forgiveness programs, which waive the surcharge following an at-fault accident. The first works like a loyalty program for safe, long-time customers. To be eligible, you must have been insured by the company and accident-free for at least five years.
The second way to get accident forgiveness is to pay for it as supplemental coverage. Geico’s website says you still have to meet certain driving-record requirements to be able to buy accident forgiveness, but the rules and terms vary by state. You must also be 21 or older to qualify.
Ultimately, Geico’s policies mean your premiums might not be affected by a single accident if you stick with Geico over time. Since car insurance industry estimates show the average driver files a claim for a car accident about once every 18 years, it’s possible loyal customers’ premiums could never be affected by an accident with Geico.
This answer was first published on 04/21/23 and it was last updated on 08/07/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
Filing a claim after an accident won't necessarily affect your premiums. Some of the factors GEICO looks at include: Driving record. Number of claims you've made in the past.
How much does insurance increase after a claim? ›
That said, you'll usually be looking at an increase of 20%-50%. Unless it's protected, you should also expect to lose any no-claims discount you've built up. Even if it's protected you could still see your premiums rise – this is because a no-claims discount is a reduction from a baseline car insurance premium.
Is Geico accident forgiveness worth it? ›
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.
Why does Geico increase rates? ›
Why did Geico raise my rates? Geico may have raised your rates because of changes to your policy or circ*mstances. Examples include adding a new type of coverage, becoming eligible for an additional type of discount, being involved in an accident, or buying a new car.
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.
Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault with Geico? ›
Let's say your vehicle is damaged due to another driver's negligence. Once GEICO settles your claim, we'll likely seek to recover your deductible, as well as the amount we paid, from the negligent party or that party's insurance company.
Do insurance premiums go up when you make a claim? ›
File too many claims—especially in a very short amount of time—and the insurance company may not renew your policy. If the claim is based on the damage you caused, your rates will almost surely rise. On the other hand, if you aren't at fault, your rates may or may not increase.
Why does my insurance go up when someone hits me? ›
It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate in certain states. Not-at-fault accidents can indicate a higher likelihood of future accidents.
Do you get excess back if not your fault? ›
When you pay the excess for a car accident which isn't your fault, you may need to claim this back from the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident once the claim is settled, if you don't have legal expenses cover to pay this for you.
How to negotiate a settlement with Geico? ›
Tips & Tactics for Negotiating A Settlement With GEICO
- Refuse The Recorded Statement. ...
- Get Medical Treatment Immediately After The Car Accident. ...
- Don't Let The GEICO Adjuster Minimize Your Injuries. ...
- Don't Agree To Anything Without First Consulting With A Lawyer. ...
- Don't Ever Agree To GEICO's First Offer.
An accident stays on your insurance record with Geico for five years. The accident will be factored into your Geico premium for the first three years. After five years, you can be considered for Geico's good driver discount again, as long as you haven't had any additional accidents or moving violations.
Does Geico have a grace period? ›
As long as you pay within 9 days after the due date posted on your bill, you will have coverage in the meantime thanks to Geico's grace period, and you won't even owe a late fee. Geico will send a cancellation notice within 14 days of your bill's original due date.
Is Geico overcharging? ›
March 12 (Reuters) - Geico, the car insurer owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa. N) , opens new tab, will not face class-action claims as it defends against a lawsuit alleging it overcharged policyholders early in the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.
Do insurance rates go up after no fault accident Geico? ›
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident? , you're more likely to see a rate increase after an accident, no matter who was at fault. However, some states, including Oklahoma and California, don't allow insurers to increase your rates if a crash was not your fault.
How to get Geico to lower your rate? ›
The following four tips could help you get cheaper car insurance:
- Install Safety and Security Devices.
- Dig for Discounts.
- Combine and Consolidate Policies.
- Opt for a Higher Deductible.
As with speeding tickets and most other violations, not-at-fault accidents stay on your driving record for a certain number of years (the length varies by state). It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate in some states.
How does Geico handle comprehensive claims? ›
Once you file a comprehensive claim with Geico, a Geico inspector will assess the damages. The inspector will calculate them, subtract the cost of your deductible, and submit your claim so that your vehicle can receive repairs. The damages can be greater than the value of your vehicle.
Is Geico cheaper than Progressive? ›
Both Geico and Progressive offer cheap car insurance to drivers across the country. Geico's rates are typically lower overall, but Progressive tends to offer better prices to high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers are those with a recent DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket on their driving record.
