Recently I filed a claim because my car was broken into and items including my car stereo were stolen.
My Claim was "denied" because Geico says the information my boyfriend and I submitted was inconsistent with the local liquor store hours, and the sequence of events. Additionally, they said I was a red flag because I had recently reinstated my insurance and changed my policy. There was a gap, that I wasn't aware of and then when I realized it I called immediately and made changes, including canceling roadside assistance, as I have AAA, and Rental Car Reimbursement. I also lowered my deductibles. All of these changes were encouraged by the agent and actually lowered my rates as I have no previous issues and a perfect driving record.

Here's a brief explanation of what happened:

On Oct 3rd my Boyfriend walked to the store around 9:30pm or shortly thereafter. He noticed my car was fine, we always look at the car, it's natural, Parking in SF is a total pain, and sometimes I forget where I park again it's just something we do. The store is 1 block away.

On Oct 4th at 8:15 or shortly thereafter, we went to my car and my boyfriend noticed the back window was down, it had be misting that night and this immediately alarmed us, we then found that the car had been ransacked, and several items were missing, including my SirusXM Alpine Stereo. There was damage to the visor, the rear view mirror and antenna. Several personal items were also missing that aren't covered by my Auto Policy, (welll as of now nothing is covered even though I have full collision and comprehensive coverage).

A temp police report was filed at 9:03am on Oct 4th. I gave this information to Geico during my call to them, i asked should I leave the car the way it is for a claims rep to review or clean it up, I was told it's okay t clean it up. Note that the call to 911 ended at 9:01am.
My AT&T phone log shows the following: I also took pictures as well and sent I'll send a screen shots that indicated the time/date of the images

line item 537 on my AT&T bill shows I called 911 at 8:36 am and talked for 31 min
Pictures were taken from 9:10am to 9;12am
AT&T line item 538 and 539 shows I called Geico at 9:26am, then again at 9:27. I was on the phone with Geico for 23 minutes.

Today Ken Gao of Gieco informed me that my claim was denied, I am totally blown away my this decision, I feel that they did poor investigative work and I feel many times my and my boyfriends rights were violated - at times I even felt like I was being treated like a criminal by Alan the investigator at Geico, his demeanor. They said Alan the investigator talked to Sams Liquor Store and he reported that they close at 9 which is false they close at 10 and the owner will confirm that. They said that our daily trip to my boyfirends therapy apmt. didn't align with the timeline, he goes daily and has to be there between 8:30 and 9, the reason he goes is highly confidential and it's less than 2 minutes away. Geico called even though we told them that it was confidential, Allan did so anyway and his *my boyfriends) counselor (Jesse) told him that by Gieco calling they are in violation of the HIPPA ACT. My boyfriends rights were violated. Note, I was on the phone with 911 while driving him to his apmt and when he got out. I think these calls are recorded, right? most likely you could hear him getting out and back in the car.
It's my humble opinion that Gieco simply doesn't want to pay claims - I'm now hearing stories from other folks. We all fell for the clever adds and Im not going to stop my campaign until Geico pays for the damages to my car - this is my RIGHT! I need help, please.

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8 Updates & Rebuttals

gpdx101

United States of America

Yet another one

#2UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, April 04, 2012

I am not particularly fond of insurance in general for several reasons. First, policyholders rarely read their policies and misinterpret what they read if they do. Policyholders blame the insurance company if their policy lapses even though they alone are responsible for paying and maintaining coverage. Geico has an easy enough website to facilitate this. And finally policyholders think their rights are violated just because the insurer launches an investigation prior to determining coverage.

When was Geico misleading? That is a serious accusation. If you had a case, you would report Geico to the state's insurance department whom would then investigate Geico as they are state regulated.

But dropping your deductibles (which raises your policy cost) right before you file a claim is suspicious even if your policy had not also lapsed. Any insurer considers that a red flag. And a lot of fraudulent claims are avoided that way whicb keeps everybody else's premium lower.

And as for the other items stolen, it is in any auto policy with any carrier that personal property is not covered by auto policies. That is what homeowners or renters policies are for. But again, you would have to pay attention to your policy, not allow it to lapse, and know what is covered and what isnt.

Poin is that it is all spelled out in your policy, including the insurance company's right to investigate a claim and question other people. It isnt as if they held a gun to anyone's head. It is not illegal to ask questions and nobody is forcing anhbody to answer if tbey do not want to.

Your policy is literally a contract. You accept the terms thereof by paying and can switch or cancel or just let it lapse at any time. As people often just let their policies lapse, as this is easier than calling to cancel when switching, the insurance company is not going to make a personal call to you to ask why. A letter is sent by mail. It is your responsibility to read all of your mail.

Allie

United States of America

Investigate before you put in a claim

#3Consumer Suggestion

Tue, March 20, 2012

I have never worked for Geico, but I am a licensed insurance agent and I'd just like to tell you that your auto insurance company is not responsible for any items left in your vehicles. Nowhere in your policy is specified that your comprehensive or collision will cover ur personal property, it covers ONLY the vehicle. If you purchased another stereo and didn't insure it as special equipment then you r out of luck. A lot of ppl think that ins companies are supposed to cover everything, and just blame them without even being informed.

If you had a renters insurance policy or howeowners THEN you could file a claim for your personal property.

Karl

Highlands Ranch,
Colorado,
USA

GEICO SUCKS POEM

#4Consumer Comment

Tue, February 28, 2012

GEICO SUCKS POEM

GEICO SUCKS
They won't pay the claim
They make big cash
It's one big shame
GEICO SUCKS
It's what Kj said
They are owned by Berkshire
And Mr. Butthead
This poem is over
GEICO SUCKS
We need insurance
For our cars
And our trucks.

End.

Anyone can stay at this site and type in- GEICO, and read the Ripoff Reports from people all over America.

Thank You

pinkclover79

Laguna Beach,
California,
United States of America

GEICO SUCKS

#5Consumer Comment

Thu, November 17, 2011

Geico has taken a car accident on a car that worth under $3,000 and separated it into several claims; each estimate for repair on each claim is just under my deductible. This makes it so my car will cost me more than its worth to get fixed.
And Geico pays NOTHING. The adjuster Chris Landry was rude and didnt listen when I informed him this was one accident. I told him I hadspoken with a police officer and a CHP officer (who recreated accidents) and they agree this should be a single claim. Geico clearly is the worst insurances. I am a 100% disabled veteran and this is how they treat people. I have learned my lesson. Stay away if you are looking for coverage. The insurance isn't worth the paper it is printed on. They con you into full coverage on a car that isn't worth much and when you need to use it they find a way to not pay. I hope someone can learn from my hard knocks.

Lorenzen

Naples,
Florida,
U.S.A.

HIPAA

#6Consumer Comment

Wed, November 16, 2011

The acronym is HIPAA, not HIPPA . Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Lyista

phoenix,
Arizona,
USA

Claim Denial

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, November 16, 2011

I hate to say it, but by doing things like you did will look suspicious to any company you go to. You would most likely have the same outcome with any other company. BUT, I do believe your timeline is accurate and should not have been the main factor in denying your claim. I would contact the Dept of Insurance in your state and see if they can have the insurance company look at the claim again. Get something from the liquor store showing the hours as well that is official. The previous poster is correct about the HIPPA regulation.
Good luck.

Ken

Greeley,
Colorado,
USA

IF GEICO has truly Ripped you off...

#8Consumer Comment

Sat, October 29, 2011

notify your states insurance commission ASAP with all the details.

Good luck.

Thomas

Lakewood,
California,
U.S.A.

Correction

#9Consumer Comment

Sat, October 29, 2011

With regards to your ripoff report, I would like to correct a statement you made.Your boyfriends therapist was incorrect when he said that the person at Geico who called asking about your boyfriend was in violation of HIPPA.

The truth of the matter, is that HIPPA restricts the medical provider from disclosing information on a patient and not the caller.

Since the person at Geico knew who to call, it's obvious that they were told the name of the therapist. But unless your boyfriend gave the therapist the right to discuss his case with others, the therapist would be the one in violation of HIPPA and not the caller.