Rental Reimbursement

[Arthur Rudnick]

I need some advice.........

I was in an auto accident last month, some guy blew through a stop-sign and t-boned my car.

I walked away with out a scratch, but my car had almost $12,000 of damage.

I reported the accident to the company (GEICO) immediately and they said an inspector would be there within 48 hours. Well, 48 hours and no call from an inspector. 3 days, 4 days, no call. I keep calling Geico and they say he's backed up and will get to me soon. Well, 10 days later he shows up to look at the car.

In the interim, I go out and rent a car. I have rental reimbursement of 30 days/$1,500 on my policy. The car is in the shop and all parts are ordered, but there's one part that's on a "nation-wide backorder" and to date (I'm almost at the end of the 30-day rental) it has not showed up.

So, here's my question: What are my chances of getting GEICO to pay for my rental past the 30 day period? In all fairness, they said they would inspect my car within 2 days, but it took 10 days. At the very least, I think they should pay for those extra 8 days.

And, I rightfully can't blame the insurance company that a part is out of stock, but it may take another few weeks for that part to show up.

Before I call the company, I thought someone might have some ideas on how to go about this.
Thanks........

 

[nyc2phi]

Why does everyone in NY carry GEICO?

So the insurance company has no obligation to pay you past your limit on the rental car. You can put up the argument and request but it does not mean they will.

I was in an accident a few months back and my carrier paid the $30 a day but sent me to a place that charged a minimum of $30 a day not including taxes. I only had the car for a few days so I asked if they could cover the additional amount that was owed in taxes and they declined me.

Speak with GEICO and I would also start shopping around for a better carrier in NY !

 

[Arthur Rudnick]

originally posted by nyc2phi

Why does everyone in NY carry GEICO?
Speak with GEICO and I would also start shopping around for a better carrier in NY

I've had GEICO for about 30 years and have never had a problem with them. Their customer service people are great and over the years, between myself & my wife we've had 4 cars stolen and have been involved in 2-3 accidents and they were always fair and paid promtly,

I have on occasion looked at other companies, but no one offerred substantial savings over GEICO.
They are competively priced and have always treated me well so why should I change?

 

[pcbinsurance]

"Their customer service people are great and over the years, between myself & my wife we've had 4 cars stolen and have been involved in 2-3 accidents and they were always fair and paid promtly,"
************
I would try to get those extra 8 days but I wouldn't fight it too hard with their record of doing the right thing for you over 30 years. 4 cars stolen is a pretty large number!

 

[Sales71]

Art
I had many customers rental extended more than the 30 days. Just talk to your claim adjuster they should extended at no additional cost to you since it was not your fault.

 

[Tahoe Ray]

originally posted by nyc2phi



I've had GEICO for about 30 years and have never had a problem with them. Their customer service people are great and over the years, between myself & my wife we've had 4 cars stolen and have been involved in 2-3 accidents and they were always fair and paid promtly,

I have on occasion looked at other companies, but no one offerred substantial savings over GEICO.
They are competively priced and have always treated me well so why should I change?

Wow...and I complain about having 3 vandalisms and 1 car stolen.

 

[nyc2phi]

originally posted by nyc2phi

I've had GEICO for about 30 years and have never had a problem with them. Their customer service people are great and over the years, between myself & my wife we've had 4 cars stolen and have been involved in 2-3 accidents and they were always fair and paid promtly,

I have on occasion looked at other companies, but no one offerred substantial savings over GEICO.
They are competively priced and have always treated me well so why should I change?

I mentioned about shopping around just because it seemed like you were upset about the service GECIO is providing.

Just because GEICO offered good customer service and paid out on the claims that they were obligated to pay out on doesn't mean other carriers wouldn't do the same for you.

In your current situation you don't have an agent representing you with any interest in keeping you as a customer. A local agent who works with his underwriter on a daily basis could help push to get you those extra days on the rental reimbursement.

With GECIO you carry a six month policy and with your claim history you most likely saw rate increases at the end of that policy period. With a 12 month policy which a lot of carriers offer, you wouldn't have to worry about that rate increase or surcharge six months down the road.

If you've been involved in so many claims, some of those claims may have fell off your record by now and GEICO most likely has not decreased your rate. You may show up as a better risk now then you did when you shopped around last. You never know.

Just some of the reasons why I suggested it only because I thought you were dissatisfied..

 

[Arthur Rudnick]

nyc2phi,
Keep in mind that those accidents and stolen cars were over a 30 year period.

I never received a rate increase due to those episodes and in fact I'm not sure that a stolen car would even cause an increase. It's not the owner's fault that the car was stolen.

In fact, both my wife and I receive a good driver's discount. 2 of those 3 accidents were not our fault and the other drivers insurance company wound up paying.

We both lease our cars and the only increase that we get is when the new car has a higher value than the one it's replaced, which makes sense. Any rate increase that we've received have always been minimal.

Every company on the planet advertises a $400-$500 annual savings. Every few years I check on the rates and always find GEICO within a few dollars of every other company.

Yes, I receive a 6 month policy, but rates have been pretty much stable.

So, again............
If I'm happy with the service and have never had a problem getting paid promptly and never experienced any type of substantial rate increase, for what reason would I change?

I would think that being a customer for over 30 years with a company counts for something?

 

[pcbinsurance]

I must be lucky then. I've driven for 34 years and never had a car stolen or vandalized. Then again, I never lived in NY though I did live in Boston for about 6 years and Tampa for 2 years.

I would be happy they have taken such good care of you over 30 years and while you can try to get the 8 days of rental reimbursed, I would not make a big deal out of it considering your loss history.

 

[Arthur Rudnick]

So, the end result is that GEICO has agreed to extend my rental car for an additional week.

All things considered, I think that's fair.