Geico covers rental cars, but only if your policy includes collision or comprehensive coverage
Geico will pay for a rental car while yours is being repaired after a covered accident or loss — but only if you have collision or comprehensive coverage on your policy. If you carry only liability insurance, Geico does not cover rental reimbursement. The coverage applies to the rental company's charges, up to a daily limit you choose when you set up your policy, typically between $15 and $75 per day.
The rental coverage kicks in after your deductible is met. So if you have a $500 deductible and cause an accident, Geico pays the rental costs only after you've paid that $500 toward repairs. The coverage also has a maximum number of days — usually 30 days total per claim — so it won't cover an indefinite rental period.
Key Takeaways
- Geico's rental car coverage is an add-on to collision or comprehensive coverage, not a standalone product, and you must have one of those two coverages for rental reimbursement to work.
- You choose your daily limit when you buy the policy, and Geico reimburses up to that amount per day, typically ranging from $15 to $75.
- The rental coverage applies only after you meet your deductible, and most policies cap the total rental days at 30 per claim.
- If you decline rental coverage when you buy your policy, you can add it later, but you'll pay for any rentals out of pocket until the change takes effect.
How Geico's rental reimbursement actually works
When your car is damaged in a covered accident, you report the claim to Geico. Once the claim is approved, you can rent a car from any rental company — Geico doesn't require you to use a specific one. You pay the rental company directly, then submit the receipt to Geico along with your claim paperwork.
Geico reimburses you up to your chosen daily limit. If you selected a $30 daily limit and the rental costs $45 per day, you pay the extra $15 out of pocket. If the rental costs $25 per day, Geico covers the full $25 and you pay nothing. The reimbursement continues for each day of the rental, up to the maximum number of days in your policy — usually 30.
The clock starts the day your car enters the repair shop and stops the day you pick it up. If repairs take 12 days, you get 12 days of rental coverage. If repairs take 45 days, you get 30 days of coverage and pay for the remaining 15 days yourself.
What happens if you don't have rental coverage
If your Geico policy does not include rental reimbursement, you pay the full rental cost yourself. This can add up quickly — rental cars often cost $40 to $80 per day, and major repairs can take weeks. A two-week repair could cost $560 to $1,120 out of pocket.
You can add rental coverage to your policy at any time by calling Geico or updating your account online. The change usually takes effect immediately, but Geico will not reimburse rentals that occurred before the coverage was added. If your car is already damaged and in the shop, adding coverage now will not cover the rental you're already paying for.
Rental coverage limits and what they mean
Geico offers rental reimbursement in increments, typically $15, $30, $45, $60, or $75 per day. The daily limit you choose is the maximum Geico will pay per day. Higher daily limits cost more in premiums, so you're balancing the cost of the coverage against the risk of paying out of pocket.
A $30 daily limit works well if you expect to rent an economy car during repairs. A $60 or $75 daily limit makes sense if you live in a high-cost area or prefer a larger vehicle. Most people choose $30 to $45 based on typical rental prices in their region.
The maximum number of days is separate from the daily limit. Even if you choose a $75 daily limit, Geico will cover only 30 days of rental (or whatever the maximum is on your policy). After that, you pay for any additional rental days in full.
When Geico rental coverage does not apply
Geico's rental reimbursement covers only accidents and losses that are themselves covered by your collision or comprehensive insurance. If you cause an accident and have collision coverage, rental is covered. If a tree falls on your car and you have comprehensive coverage, rental is covered. But if you cause an accident and carry only liability insurance, neither the accident nor the rental is covered — liability pays only for damage you cause to someone else's property, not your own car.
Rental coverage also does not apply if your car is damaged by something your policy excludes. For example, if your policy excludes wear and tear, and your car needs repairs for normal maintenance, Geico won't cover the rental during those repairs. Similarly, if you're in an accident but the damage is so minor that you don't file a claim, you won't get rental reimbursement.
Comparing Geico rental coverage to rental company insurance
When you rent a car, the rental company will offer you damage coverage — usually called a collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver. This is separate from Geico's rental reimbursement. The rental company's coverage protects the rental car itself if you damage it. Geico's rental reimbursement covers the cost of renting a car while yours is being fixed.
These serve different purposes. If your car is in the shop and you rent a replacement, Geico's rental reimbursement pays for the rental. If you rent a car for a vacation and damage it, the rental company's coverage (or your own insurance, if you decline theirs) pays for the damage to that rental car. You may need both, depending on your situation.
Adding or changing rental coverage on your Geico policy
You can add rental reimbursement or change your daily limit by logging into your Geico account online, calling Geico directly, or visiting a local agent if you have one. The change usually takes effect immediately. If you're making the change because your car is already damaged, ask Geico when the new coverage becomes active — they will not backdate it to cover rentals you've already paid for.
The cost of rental coverage varies based on your daily limit, your location, your driving history, and your other coverage choices. A $30 daily limit typically costs a few dollars per month in additional premium. A $75 daily limit costs more. You can get a quote for different daily limits to see which fits your budget and your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Geico pay for a rental car if I'm at fault in an accident?
Yes, if you have collision coverage and rental reimbursement on your policy. Geico covers the rental regardless of who caused the accident. You'll pay your deductible toward the repair, and then Geico reimburses the rental up to your daily limit and maximum days.
What if the repair takes longer than my maximum rental days?
You pay for any rental days beyond your policy maximum out of pocket. If your policy covers 30 days and repairs take 45 days, Geico covers 30 days and you pay for the remaining 15. You can ask the repair shop for an estimate before the work begins so you know how many days to expect.
Can I choose any rental car company, or does Geico require a specific one?
Geico does not require you to use a specific rental company. You can rent from any company — Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, or a local agency. Submit your receipt to Geico and they reimburse up to your daily limit. Some rental companies offer discounts to Geico customers, so ask when you call.
Do I need rental coverage if I have roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement are different. Roadside assistance covers towing and lockouts. Rental reimbursement covers the cost of a rental car while yours is being repaired. You may want both, depending on how often you use your car and how you'd manage without it during repairs.
Can I add rental coverage after an accident has already happened?
You can add it, but Geico will not cover rentals that occurred before the coverage was added. If you add rental coverage today and your car is already in the shop, the coverage applies only to rentals starting from today forward. Call Geico to confirm the exact effective date before you rent another car.