How to Handle a Geico Claim After a Car Accident

GEICO is the third-largest car insurance company in Texas. It collects about $ 2.34 billion in premiums from Texans and controls about 10 % of Texas ’ sulfur car insurance market. After a car accident, there are reasonably thoroughly odds that you will handle your call through GEICO. evening if you did not buy car insurance from GEICO, the other driver might have. GEICO has a below-average criminal record for customer gratification in its claim serve. GEICO has invested a lot of resources into making its claim serve easy, but it still has a fiscal interest in denying and reducing as many claims as possible. here is some data about the best ways to handle a GEICO claim after a car accident and how an injury lawyer can help to make things easier.

When To File a Claim With GEICO

Texas uses an at-fault insurance system. This means the driver who caused the accident has legal liability for the injuries and property damage that result from an accident. Texas requires all drivers to purchase liability policy. The minimal bodily injury indemnity policy sold in Texas covers $ 30,000 per person for injuries and is capped at $ 60,000 per accident. many people choose to buy a greater come of liability indemnity than the minimum legal requirement. If a driver causes a multi-vehicle accident or an accident results in severe trauma — such as genius injuries — the damages might exceed the minimum coverage. The injured parties could sue the at-fault driver. The at-fault driver would need to pay any damages that exceeded the insurance policy limits. If you were involved in a car accident, you would file a call with GEICO under two circumstances :

The At-Fault Driver’s Policy Was Issued By GEICO

If GEICO insured the at-fault driver, you could file a claim with GEICO. GEICO would assign the claim to an adjuster to determine mistake. If GEICO ’ second insured was found to have caused the accident, the call adjuster would make an propose to settle the title.

Your Policy Was Issued By GEICO

If GEICO issued your indemnity policy, you could file a claim with GEICO. Again, GEICO would assign the claim to an adjuster. If GEICO determined that you caused the accident, it would pay your claim deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as the claims of any third base parties that were injured in the accident. If GEICO determined that person else caused the accident, GEICO would work with the other driver ’ s insurance company to try to get you paid. But ultimately, province for making surely the at-fault driver ’ second insurance paid a bazaar settlement would fall on you.

How To File a Claim With GEICO

GEICO invested in an on-line claim system that allows you to file a claim anywhere you have Internet access. You can use GEICO ’ s mobile app or a web browser to access the on-line claim reporting tool. This tool will ask for basic information after an accident. You should include all of the data you have, including the names, indemnity companies, and policy numbers for the other drivers involved in the accident.

GEICO Claims Phone Number

GEICO claims can be reached at 800-841-3000.

After Filing a Claim With GEICO

The information you provide will enable GEICO to open a file and assign the case to a claim adjuster. The claim adjuster will probably require extra information to investigate the claim. You or your lawyer may receive a letter asking for police reports and medical records. You may besides receive a earphone call from the claim adjuster in which they request a record statement and an inspection of your vehicle. GEICO ’ sulfur on-line claim instrument allows you to check on the condition of your claim. The report you create to file the claim will besides give you access to status updates along the way. When the claim adjuster completes the investigation, they must issue a written decision along with an explanation for the decision. Texas police sets strict deadlines for resolving claims. here ’ s what you should know :

• GEICO has 15 days from the time you file your claim to ask for more information.
• After you provide the information requested, GEICO has 15 days to approve or deny your claim.
• GEICO can extend the deadline to reach a decision by 45 days if it notifies you of the extension and explains why it is necessary.
• When GEICO approves a claim, it must pay you within five days.

These deadlines do not mean you will receive an insurance see 35 to 80 days after filing a claim. In many cases, GEICO will simply deny your claim or make an offer far below your actual damages proper before the deadline.

Hints for Filing a Claim With GEICO

GEICO has two concerns when investigating a claim :

1. Saving their company money
2. Fulfilling their obligations under Texas insurance law and the policy

In many cases, these two concerns conflict with each other. In other cases, GEICO can fulfill both, but merely by using trickery, negotiating tactics, and pressure. A claim adjuster may use a record statement to twist your words into a reason for denying your claim. evening an innocent “ I ’ megabyte fine ” when you greet the adjuster on the telephone could allow the adjuster to assert that you exaggerated your injuries. As a solution, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to serve as the point of contact with GEICO during the claim process. This will insulate you from the claim adjuster and allow your lawyer to screen all of your interactions with GEICO for your legal security. You should besides keep meticulous records of your aesculapian and pharmacy bills. claim adjusters can use jerry-built recordkeeping as a reason to deny or reduce a claim.

Use your personal injury lawyer ’ s huge know when dealing with GEICO and memorize from the mistakes of others. An injury lawyer will much have dozens or even hundreds of anterior claims they ’ ve negotiated with GEICO and can help you to obtain a fair settlement offer.

Fighting a Claim With GEICO

Keep in mind that most claims with GEICO will require negotiation before you receive a bazaar liquidation offer. If an put up from GEICO seems excessively low, consider contacting our Houston law office at ( 713 ) 224-4878 to help evaluate your claim. You may have overestimated the value of your claim, but GEICO may have underestimated your injuries and expenses. If GEICO does not make you a fair settlement offer, your lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. GEICO would then be required to defend the lawsuit under its indemnity contract. If liability is clear, GEICO will avoid going to trial by settling the lawsuit.