avoid GEICO if you can
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 7,883
Likes: 3,426
From: Foothills East of Sacramento
A good friend of mine owns an adjuster company here in CA. Has 25 employees. I sent him the original post and this is his response:
no insurance company can charge "betterment" on after market parts....they can on OEM..there's no mention in this that the insured is demanding OEM parts..not practical on a 2004 model....also, no insurance company can direct the insured to a particular shop..Ca. anti steering law...rental car is never paid UNTIL the car goes in the shop....no shop will touch the repairs under the circumstances...
no insurance company can charge "betterment" on after market parts....they can on OEM..there's no mention in this that the insured is demanding OEM parts..not practical on a 2004 model....also, no insurance company can direct the insured to a particular shop..Ca. anti steering law...rental car is never paid UNTIL the car goes in the shop....no shop will touch the repairs under the circumstances...
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,655
Likes: 171
You are doing something wrong.
I've had three claims over the 8 years with Gieco. Two were where the other drive was at fault, and one where I was at fault.
With the two that were I wasn't at fault, I still went through Gieco to resolve. Picked the body shop of my choosing. The shop estimated damages at $4500, Geico rep though $3k. They didn't want to pay the $4500. I called my rep, spoke nicely and they agreed to the $4500. When work started, the bill climbed to $5500. Geico asked my shop to use non-OEM and/or used parts to lower the cost. Shop put me in contact with Geico adjuster. I told him I wanted the car returned to it's state prior to the accident. No better off, but certainly no worse off. Everything on the car was OEM and I really wanted it to stay that way. He politely agreed. Total bill was nearly $6500.
A second claim happened with a front end piece of damage. Same story, different adjuster. I picked the shop. They did the work. OEM problem, nice business like phone call, OEM parts used.
My at fault accident involved my S2000 and some rear fender damage. I was informed about shops they wanted me to use, but I told they I was going to use the one BMW/Merc use in town. They agreed. $4k quote. Geico signs off. I ask shop to do something extra, call Geico regarding it. It was from vandalism a year prior. Geico calls me, gets the details. They agree due to the time to cover half. All told about $6,000 in flawless bodywork and paint. The labor on my work was massive. I paid a total out of pocket of about $1000.
I believe it's all how you deal with them.
Even with these three claims. My insurance costs drop every year like clock work. I have a good working relationship with Geico and think the way you've gone about handling this is wrong. I also think you can find other insurance companies who might give less push back. But let's be honest, no one touches the rates of Geico. So stop being some cheap with them and pay if you don't come to an agreement.
For my policy, I searched around. Spoke to all the major players. No one can get within $70/month of my policy, which rocks. If you're in the same boat you saved $4,200 of after tax money over the 5 years you've been a customer. Throw $500 at the problem and call it a day.
FYI $1,300 gets you a robin installed. Completely fair. They'll make your car like new with a better soft top.
I've had three claims over the 8 years with Gieco. Two were where the other drive was at fault, and one where I was at fault.
With the two that were I wasn't at fault, I still went through Gieco to resolve. Picked the body shop of my choosing. The shop estimated damages at $4500, Geico rep though $3k. They didn't want to pay the $4500. I called my rep, spoke nicely and they agreed to the $4500. When work started, the bill climbed to $5500. Geico asked my shop to use non-OEM and/or used parts to lower the cost. Shop put me in contact with Geico adjuster. I told him I wanted the car returned to it's state prior to the accident. No better off, but certainly no worse off. Everything on the car was OEM and I really wanted it to stay that way. He politely agreed. Total bill was nearly $6500.
A second claim happened with a front end piece of damage. Same story, different adjuster. I picked the shop. They did the work. OEM problem, nice business like phone call, OEM parts used.
My at fault accident involved my S2000 and some rear fender damage. I was informed about shops they wanted me to use, but I told they I was going to use the one BMW/Merc use in town. They agreed. $4k quote. Geico signs off. I ask shop to do something extra, call Geico regarding it. It was from vandalism a year prior. Geico calls me, gets the details. They agree due to the time to cover half. All told about $6,000 in flawless bodywork and paint. The labor on my work was massive. I paid a total out of pocket of about $1000.
I believe it's all how you deal with them.
Even with these three claims. My insurance costs drop every year like clock work. I have a good working relationship with Geico and think the way you've gone about handling this is wrong. I also think you can find other insurance companies who might give less push back. But let's be honest, no one touches the rates of Geico. So stop being some cheap with them and pay if you don't come to an agreement.
For my policy, I searched around. Spoke to all the major players. No one can get within $70/month of my policy, which rocks. If you're in the same boat you saved $4,200 of after tax money over the 5 years you've been a customer. Throw $500 at the problem and call it a day.
FYI $1,300 gets you a robin installed. Completely fair. They'll make your car like new with a better soft top.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 12
From: Nazareth, PA
I work at a bodyshop and order all the parts for Geico cars that come through the shop. They try and get the cheapest parts they can find to put on the car. Doesn't matter if it has 200 or 200000 miles. I deal with their crap everyday. Hope you get your problem resolved.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thank you very much for your suggestions! I will share my Geico experience with other people, hoping they will not repeat my mistake of choosing Geico.
Sorry to hear of the vandalism and what seems even worse now, dealing with the horrible insurance situation. Seems like car insurance claim bs issues come in a close second to health insurance claims!
Social Media! Post your grips on their facebook, Twitter, etc. You'd be surprised on the reaction you get. No need to post your whole story, just the jist of it. I took this route with another company and my issues were addressed a lot quicker than me calling. Social Media is a big facet of a company's image and theres always representatives watching what people post on their sites. Not saying it'll work for you, but at least it will bring the situation to a bigger audience.
Good luck!
Social Media! Post your grips on their facebook, Twitter, etc. You'd be surprised on the reaction you get. No need to post your whole story, just the jist of it. I took this route with another company and my issues were addressed a lot quicker than me calling. Social Media is a big facet of a company's image and theres always representatives watching what people post on their sites. Not saying it'll work for you, but at least it will bring the situation to a bigger audience.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
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Geico CA regional manager and Geico CA assistant president told me that Geico will pay at most $1300 regardless which repair shop I choose. I contacted a few repair shops but none of them is willing to do the repairs for $1300. Moreover, even if I use the Geico's auto body shop and use their AFTERMARKET parts, Geico CA regional manager and Geico CA assistant president ask me to pay for 75% of the cost as "betterment" charges.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
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Are there public adjusters in the bay area who can estimate auto repair costs?
A good friend of mine owns an adjuster company here in CA. Has 25 employees. I sent him the original post and this is his response:
no insurance company can charge "betterment" on after market parts....they can on OEM..there's no mention in this that the insured is demanding OEM parts..not practical on a 2004 model....also, no insurance company can direct the insured to a particular shop..Ca. anti steering law...rental car is never paid UNTIL the car goes in the shop....no shop will touch the repairs under the circumstances...
no insurance company can charge "betterment" on after market parts....they can on OEM..there's no mention in this that the insured is demanding OEM parts..not practical on a 2004 model....also, no insurance company can direct the insured to a particular shop..Ca. anti steering law...rental car is never paid UNTIL the car goes in the shop....no shop will touch the repairs under the circumstances...
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,604
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A robins top should be no more than like $1100 installed if i can recall. what else was damaged from them slashing the top? are you trying to get them to pay for body work as well?
I have progressive insurance and they were great when i filed a claim. they fixed more than i anticipated and let me choose the shop with no issues. tree branches fell on my car and scratched the paint.
I have progressive insurance and they were great when i filed a claim. they fixed more than i anticipated and let me choose the shop with no issues. tree branches fell on my car and scratched the paint.
