How to File a Car Accident Claim with Geico

Car accidents are so stressful, even when they do not cause serious injuries. All involved are understandably rattled, especially the drivers who now have to deal with unraveling complicated insurance policies to get the coverage and compensation they need. 

If you have insurance with Geico, there is information to help you move through the insurance claims process more efficiently. You can make things even easier on yourself by putting your case in the experienced and highly capable hands of an Atlanta car accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates.

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you can move without injuring yourself further, get yourself and your car (if possible) out of the way of traffic. Call for emergency medical care if someone is severely injured. If there are no apparently serious injuries, call the police so they can create an official accident report. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other party, take down contact information from witnesses, and take photos and video of the accident scene.

The Georgia Department of Drivers’ Services (DDS) recommends drivers involved in accidents complete a personal report of accident form. While you do not submit the report to the police, it helps record important information.

Get medical care even if you do not think your injuries are serious. Then, connect with a car accident attorney from John Foy & Associates. Even seemingly straightforward accidents can bring unexpected twists and turns from your insurance company or the other party. You need a strong advocate on your side to ensure your fair treatment.

Information Geico Will Ask You to Provide

You can file a claim with Geico by calling your representative through their online system or through the Geico mobile app. Whichever mode you choose, the accident information your representative will ask for includes the following:

• Contact information for the other driver and any witnesses or passengers and their insurance information 
• The date and time of the accident
• The accident location
• A description of what happened
• Contact information for the responding police officers
• Photos or video of the accident scene, if you could get footage

What You Should Ask Your Insurance Representative

While your Geico representative will ask you for information, you may ask questions of them too. The Insurance Information Institute (III) advises drivers involved in accidents to ask:

• What additional documents or information they should submit to support their claim
• The deadline for submitting those documents
• When their Geico representative will respond 
• If their policy includes rental reimbursement
• The process for getting repair cost estimates

While these answers can help you, insurance policies can be challenging to understand. There is often fine print that is hard to decipher. The car accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates have plenty of experience navigating insurance policies and claims and can help you get the best outcome. 

Essential Tips for Communicating with Insurance Companies

Speaking with an insurance adjuster after an accident can be a tricky process, which is why it is good to secure representation from a car accident lawyer before opening the discussion or even filing your claim with Geico. Unfortunately, it is easy to unwittingly say the wrong thing. 

If you do speak to your insurance representative, keep these tips in mind:

• Do not say anything that can be interpreted or twisted into an admission of fault. For example, avoid saying, “I’m sorry,” or similar remarks.
• Keep the description of the accident strictly factual, and don’t speculate about what happened. If you do not know exactly what transpired,  just say, “I don’t know.”
• Do not say you do not have injuries or that they are minor. Until you have seen a doctor, assume you could be hurt.
• Do not estimate the value of the damage to your car or even discuss what you think the damage might be. 
• Avoid giving away contact information for your doctors or for family members who have observed the effects of your injuries.
• Do not accept settlement offers–whether coverage for your car or your injuries–until your lawyer reviews the offer.

While your insurance policy is supposed to protect you, it is vital to remember that insurance companies are businesses. They want to protect their assets more than they want to protect you. If the other party is at-fault for the accident and you have to negotiate with their insurance, it is in your best interests to have an experienced car accident lawyer handle those discussions.

How Geico Manages Your Claim

Once your report your accident to your Geico agent, a liability agent from the insurance company will be assigned to conduct a liability investigation of the accident, following this process:

• Reviewing your coverage to determine what types of damage your policy covers
• Contacting those involved in the accident, including passengers and witnesses, to get a thorough understanding of what happened
• Gathering information such as the police report, Georgia’s traffic laws, photos of the scene and vehicles, and other details 
• Evaluating the information to determine the cause of the accident and what coverage applies

Repairing or Totaling the Vehicle

Typically, if your car is drivable, Geico will schedule a time within 24 hours for you to bring it in for inspection. If it is not, the company will have an auto damage adjuster travel to the vehicle’s site, conduct the inspection and prepare an estimate.

If your policy includes rental reimbursement, your Geico representative will help you secure a rental car. You can select your car repair shop or use a mechanic included in Geico’s Auto Repair Xpress program. If your car is a total loss, the damage adjuster will prepare a settlement for the value of your car. Do not accept the settlement without first speaking to an attorney.

Let Us Help You Settle Your Insurance Claim

Do not let working through the insurance claims process add to your post-accident stress. The car accident lawyers and John Foy & Associates can handle your claim and work with your Geico agent or the at-fault party’s representative to get you the coverage you need. 

Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation. We are ready to help.