How to file a car accident claim against Geico

Filing a claim against Geico

You were involved in an accident and the other driver has Geico insurance. ​Filing a claim against another driver’s insurance is difficult, complex, and frustrating. You need to be careful with what you say to the adjuster to not jeopardize your case. Adjusters are trained to ask questions to lower your case value. Attorney Andrew Graves knows how to handle insurance adjusters to maximize your case value. Call Attorney Andrew Graves for a free consultation or complete our online consultation form and we’ll contact you. Read on for the Geico claims process. 

What should you do after an accident? 
After an accident, remain calm. Your first instinct may be to panic, but do your best to stay calm. You may have injuries to yourself and to your vehicle. Following any accident, it's important that you do the following:​​

STAY AT THE SCENE:  You should never leave the scene of an accident until instructed. Criminal penalties may occur if you leave the scene of an accident before instructed to by the police. 

​CALL THE POLICE:  Whether it's a minor fender bender or a head on collision call the police. When the police arrive, follow their instructions, and ask for an accident report. Be sure to write down the name and badge number of the officers. Even in a small accident, your insurance company may try to deny your claim if you don't have a police report.

​OBTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER PARTY:  Most of this information should be included in the police report, but police reports can have mistakes or omissions. It's important to take down the other party's information including the following: 

​1.Name;
2.Address;
3.Drivers License Number;
4.Telephone Number;
5.Insurance Company;
6.Insurance Policy Number; and 
7.Write down the name and information of the owner of the vehicle. (Sometimes the driver is not the owner.) 

​WITNESSES:  Look to see if there were any witnesses to the accident. Oftentimes, other cars may stop if they witness an accident and attempt to assist. Take down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. 

PHOTOS/VIDEOS:  Take as many clear photos/videos of the scene as possible. Take photos/videos of the all parts of the vehicles,  not just where there is visible damage. Take photos/videos of the road and the conditions of the road. Photograph/video any stop signs or stop lights that are in the vicinity. Try to photograph/videos any injuries you sustained. If you have a dash cam or the other driver has a dash cam, take note and/or save the footage. 
Note:  Depending on where the accident took place, there may be a nearby security camera that captured the accident. If so, let your attorney know immediately, so the law firm can obtain the footage before expiration.

GO TO THE HOSPITAL:  If you have any injuries or discomfort go to the hospital. If in the event you do not have any injuries noticeable at the scene of the accident, that's ok too. In Florida, you have 14 days to seek medical attention for your PIP benefits to kick in. 

Sometimes, injuries can develop over a day or a week. It's imperative that you document this as soon as the injury presents itself (even if it's what you consider minor).

Go to your doctor, an urgent care, or an emergency room to be evaluated. If you're worried about the cost of seeing a medical professional and unsure of what your co-pay might be, give us a call. We read legal jargon all day long! We can help you make sense of it.
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CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY:  You should notify your insurance company within 24 hours of an accident. Your insurance policy may have a limited amount of time for you to inform them of the accident. Unsure how to contact them, we can help you through this too. Filing a claim against GEICO

FILING A CLAIM AGAINST GEICO

GEICO and most insurance companies actually advise doing all the above and will request all your documentation. They want to have all the information so that they know if there are any holes in your case. 

You can file a claim against GEICO online, via their mobile app, or by calling their claims number: (800) 841-3000.

They’ll start out by asking you general questions such as: where did the accident occur, when did it occur, and what happened. They’ll request any documentation of the accident such as the police report, any photos or videos, and the insurance exchange information. Soon after you’ll be contacted by the GEICO auto damage adjuster who will send out a field adjuster to inspect the damage or request that you go to one of their mechanics or dealerships.

INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

It’s important to only tell the adjuster the necessary information. The adjuster’s goal is to pay as little as possible and they’re trained to ask questions to reduce your claims value. When speaking with an adjuster remember:

1. Do not admit fault.
2. Do not provide a recorded statement.
3. Do not sign any legal documents.
4. Do not accept their first offer.

SHOULD I SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY?

While it’s not required, it’s highly recommended that you speak with an attorney about your Florida car accident claim. A car crash attorney can guide you through the stressful, complex insurance process. Many times, car crash victims have difficulty using their insurance or don’t know what doctors are needed for their injuries. 

According to the IRC, accident victims who retained an attorney received settlements more than 3 times higher than those without an attorney. Don't hesitate, the consultation is free.

If you were injured in a car crash, truck crash, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, or workers compensation accident, it's important to have an attorney who can navigate the complex insurance landscape. Call Attorney Andrew Graves for a free consultation or fill out our online consultation form for a call back.