What Geico covers for rental cars
Geico covers rental car expenses only if you have rental reimbursement coverage added to your policy. This is not automatic — you have to buy it separately. If you have it, Geico will pay for a rental car while yours is being repaired after a covered accident, collision, or theft. The coverage does not apply to routine maintenance, breakdowns, or damage you cause intentionally.
The amount Geico pays per day and the total number of days covered depend on the limits you chose when you added the coverage to your policy. Common daily limits are $30, $45, or $60, with total claim limits ranging from $600 to $1,500. If you rent a car that costs more than your daily limit, you pay the difference out of pocket.
Rental reimbursement is separate from your collision or comprehensive coverage. You can have collision coverage but still have no rental car coverage if you did not add it. The same applies if someone else caused the accident — their insurance may cover your rental, but only if you pursue a claim against them, which takes time.
Key Takeaways
- Geico covers rental car costs only if you purchased rental reimbursement coverage as an add-on to your policy.
- Your daily rental limit and total claim limit depend on the coverage limits you selected when you bought the add-on.
- If your rental car costs more than your daily limit, you pay the overage yourself.
- Rental reimbursement covers repairs from accidents, collisions, and theft, but not routine maintenance or breakdowns.
- If another driver caused the accident, you can claim against their insurance instead, but that process is slower than using your own coverage.
How to check if you have rental reimbursement coverage
Log into your Geico account online or call Geico directly at 1-800-861-8380 to review your policy. Your declarations page — the summary of what you are covered for — will list rental reimbursement if you have it. It will show your daily limit and your total claim limit. If you do not see it listed, you do not have the coverage.
You can also ask your Geico agent or representative when you call. They can tell you the cost to add it if you want to purchase it now. Adding it takes a few minutes and usually costs between $10 and $30 per six-month policy period, depending on your state and the limits you choose.
What happens when you need a rental car
After an accident or other covered loss, contact Geico to report the claim. Tell them you need a rental car. Geico will either direct you to a rental company they work with (often Enterprise, Hertz, or Avis) or tell you to rent from any company and submit the receipt for reimbursement later.
If Geico directs you to a specific rental company, that company will bill Geico directly for the rental, and you typically pay nothing upfront. If you rent from a company Geico does not have an agreement with, you pay the rental company and then submit your receipt, rental agreement, and proof of the accident to Geico for reimbursement. This reimbursement usually takes one to two weeks after Geico receives your documents.
Keep all receipts and paperwork. Geico will only reimburse you for days the car was actually being repaired, not for days you chose to keep the rental after repairs were finished.
Rental coverage limits and what they mean
Your daily limit is the maximum Geico pays per day. If your policy has a $45 daily limit and you rent a car for $65 per day, Geico pays $45 and you pay $15. If you rent a car for $35 per day, Geico pays $35 — you do not get a credit for the unused portion.
Your total claim limit is the maximum Geico will pay for the entire rental period. If your policy has a $900 total limit and a $45 daily limit, Geico will cover up to 20 days of rental (20 × $45 = $900). After that, you pay for any additional rental days yourself. The repair timeline, not your choice, determines how many days you need the car.
Some policies also include a waiting period — usually 24 hours — before rental coverage kicks in. This means Geico does not pay for the first day of the rental. Check your policy documents to see if yours has one.
When Geico rental coverage does not apply
Rental reimbursement covers only losses that your collision or comprehensive coverage would cover. If the accident was your fault and you do not have collision coverage, rental reimbursement will not pay either. If your car breaks down from mechanical failure, neither collision nor comprehensive covers it, so rental reimbursement does not apply.
Rental coverage also does not cover damage you cause to the rental car itself. If you rent a car through Geico's process and you damage it, you are responsible for that damage. This is why rental companies offer damage waivers — to protect you from that liability. Ask whether Geico's rental agreement includes a damage waiver or whether you need to buy one separately.
If your car is stolen and later recovered, rental coverage typically stops once the car is returned to you, even if it needs repairs. Some policies cover rental during the repair period after recovery, but this varies — check your documents or ask Geico.
Alternatives if you do not have rental reimbursement
If you do not have rental reimbursement coverage, you have other options. If another driver caused the accident, you can file a claim against their liability insurance. Their insurer will pay for your rental car as part of your damages, but this process takes longer — usually several weeks — because the other insurer has to investigate and accept liability first.
You can also rent a car and pay out of pocket, then try to recover the cost later if the other driver is found at fault. Some credit cards offer rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit, so check your card's terms. Some employers also offer rental car coverage through group policies.
If you are in a rental car frequently or expect to need one soon, adding rental reimbursement to your Geico policy is usually cheaper than paying for rentals out of pocket or waiting for a third-party claim to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Geico pay for a rental car if I do not have collision coverage?
No. Rental reimbursement only covers losses that your collision or comprehensive coverage would cover. If you do not have collision coverage and the accident was your fault, neither collision nor rental reimbursement will pay. If the loss is covered by comprehensive (like theft), rental reimbursement will pay if you have it.
Can I choose any rental car company, or does Geico require me to use a specific one?
Geico has preferred rental partners, and they will usually direct you to one of them. Using a preferred partner means the rental company bills Geico directly and you do not pay upfront. You can rent from another company, but you will pay out of pocket and submit receipts to Geico for reimbursement later, which takes longer.
What if the repair takes longer than my rental coverage limit?
Once you reach your total claim limit, Geico stops paying. You are responsible for any rental costs beyond that limit. If you expect repairs to take a long time, contact Geico and your repair shop to get an estimate. Some policies allow exceptions for unusually long repairs, but this is not may provide.
Do I have to buy rental reimbursement, or can I add it later if I need it?
You can add rental reimbursement to your policy at any time, but it typically does not cover claims from accidents that happened before you added it. Add it before you need it if you think you might want the coverage. The cost is usually low enough that it makes sense as a safety net.
Will Geico rental coverage pay if I was not at fault?
Yes, if you have rental reimbursement coverage, Geico will pay regardless of fault. You do not have to wait for the other driver's insurance to accept liability. This is one reason to have the coverage — it gets you a rental car immediately while you pursue a claim against the other driver's insurance.