- Report: #231361
Complaint Review: Geico - Nationwide
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Geico
geico.com Nationwide, U.S.A.
Phone:
808-593 1010
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Geico Ripoff policy coverage screwed me over Nationwide
On Dec 3, 2006 I got into a fender bender while on vacation. Yes, it was my fault, no questions asked. The other party was very cool about it. Gotta love this ohana feeling in the islands. I made a report to Alamo right away, then filed a report with Geico, my insurance company. I denied the extra coverage from Alamo insurance because proir to the vacation I called Geico and asked if I the rental vehicle will be covered under the my insurance. I am not the primary policy holder yet no questions asked the representative said "yes". So I recieved a letter almost 4 weeks later stating that the claim is denied. This is what the sent back with the letter:
5. 'Non-owned auto' means an automobile or trailer not owned by or furnished for the regular use of either you or a relative, other than a temporary substitute auto.
"6. 'Owned auto' means:
(a) a vehicle described in this policy for which a premium charge is shown for these coverages;
1. a trailer owned by you;
2. a private passenger, farm or utility auto, ownership of which you acquire during the policy period or for which you enter into a lease during the policy period for six months or more, if
(i) it replaces an owned auto as defined in (a) above; or
(ii) we insure all private passenger, farm and utility autos owned or leased by you on the date of the acquisition, and you ask us to add it to the policy no more than 30 days later;
(d) a temporary substitute auto.
. . . .
"8. 'Relative' means a person related to you who resides in your household.
"9. 'Temporary substitute auto' means an automobile or trailer, not owned by you, temporarily used with the permission of the owner. This vehicle must be used as a substitute for the owned auto or trailer when withdrawn from normal use because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction.
. . . .
"14. 'You' means the policyholder named in the declarations and his or her spouse if a resident of the same household."
After reviewing it, I was confused. After arguing on the phone about it they told me that becuase I am not the primary holder, and that I am a listed driver on the policy that doesn't physicaly live with my mother {primary holder), I don't fall under the definition as a 'relative'. This is the only reason they denied my claim. Can anyone help calm my nerves?
I hate insurance companies!
Mike
Wahiawa, Hawaii
U.S.A.
5. 'Non-owned auto' means an automobile or trailer not owned by or furnished for the regular use of either you or a relative, other than a temporary substitute auto.
"6. 'Owned auto' means:
(a) a vehicle described in this policy for which a premium charge is shown for these coverages;
1. a trailer owned by you;
2. a private passenger, farm or utility auto, ownership of which you acquire during the policy period or for which you enter into a lease during the policy period for six months or more, if
(i) it replaces an owned auto as defined in (a) above; or
(ii) we insure all private passenger, farm and utility autos owned or leased by you on the date of the acquisition, and you ask us to add it to the policy no more than 30 days later;
(d) a temporary substitute auto.
. . . .
"8. 'Relative' means a person related to you who resides in your household.
"9. 'Temporary substitute auto' means an automobile or trailer, not owned by you, temporarily used with the permission of the owner. This vehicle must be used as a substitute for the owned auto or trailer when withdrawn from normal use because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction.
. . . .
"14. 'You' means the policyholder named in the declarations and his or her spouse if a resident of the same household."
After reviewing it, I was confused. After arguing on the phone about it they told me that becuase I am not the primary holder, and that I am a listed driver on the policy that doesn't physicaly live with my mother {primary holder), I don't fall under the definition as a 'relative'. This is the only reason they denied my claim. Can anyone help calm my nerves?
I hate insurance companies!
Mike
Wahiawa, Hawaii
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Larry
West Sacramento,California,
U.S.A.
Always buy the insurance
#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 19, 2007
You are learning an expensive lesson. First, coverage under an auto insurance policy can be complicated. The policy was not yours. You called Geico to see if you were covered, but you imply that you did not tell the representative the whole story, as you note that they failed to ask you the right questions. You make it sound like it was their job to pry the facts out of you. So I am having a problem seeing how Geico ripped you off by denying coverage to someone who was not a policy holder in the first place. Your mom apparently added you as a driver to her policy to protect herself from liability when you drive her car. Second, even if Geico would have covered you, you would still have to pay out of your pocket for damage to the rental car. Yeah, Geico would have paid for some of the damage, but they are not going to pay the jacked price that Alamo will charge for the repairs or the the loss-of-use charges while the car is in the shop. The rental contract allows Alamo to charge whatever they wish for the repairs and to charge you because they are losing money while the car is out of service. Even though it is a major rip off, always buy the rental car insurance. Technically, it is a damage waiver. It's an agreement that in exchange for the extra fee they will not make you pay for damage. When you rent a car you are responsible for all damage to it, even if the cause of the damage was not your fault. The damage waiver lets you walk away from nearly all damage without being hassled.
