Pausing Auto Insurance: How And When To Do It

If you're a GEICO auto insurance customer and you're looking to pause your coverage, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, it's important to note that GEICO does not offer a policy suspension for standard auto insurance. However, if you're going to be without a vehicle for 30 days or less, your existing GEICO policy may cover you while driving a rental car. Alternatively, you can opt for Non-Owner Insurance, which provides coverage for damage to a rented or borrowed vehicle. If you're putting your car in storage for more than 30 days, GEICO offers reduced-rate insurance for stored vehicles, which covers theft or other damage. Military policyholders can also take advantage of GEICO's Storage Protection Plan, which allows for suspension or reduction of insurance coverage during military service. Additionally, you can explore options such as reducing your coverage to the minimum requirements or removing yourself from a family policy temporarily. It's important to carefully consider your options and consult official GEICO sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Request a coronavirus-related payment delay or plan

If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GEICO offered some assistance to its customers in the form of payment delays and plans. Here are some options and steps you can take to request a coronavirus-related payment delay or plan:

Payment Postponement:

GEICO customers may have the option to postpone their upcoming scheduled payment. Visit the Billing Summary page on the GEICO website or app. If eligible, you will find the "Pay Bill Later" option under the "Upcoming Payments" section.

Please note that postponement may not be available if:

• Your policy is paid in full.
• Your due date is more than 11 days away.
• Your current scheduled payment has already been processed.
• You have a pending auto-pay enrollment with a one-time scheduled payment.

Payment After the Due Date:

If you are not enrolled in Auto Pay, you can make a payment after the due date without postponement. Keep in mind that if your payment is not received by the scheduled due date, you may receive a cancellation notice. This notice will include the latest date that GEICO can accept a payment to keep your policy active.

Policy Cancellation:

If you are considering cancelling your GEICO policy due to financial hardship, it is important to understand the potential consequences. A lapse in coverage can make it more difficult and expensive to obtain insurance in the future, and you may face penalties such as fines and suspensions of your registration or driver's license.

Alternative Coverage Options:

If you are not driving your vehicle temporarily, GEICO may offer reduced-rate insurance options such as car storage insurance or non-owner insurance. Car storage insurance, also known as parked car insurance, provides comprehensive coverage for your vehicle while it is not in use, including protection against natural disasters and severe weather damage. Non-Owner Insurance can provide liability coverage if you need to drive a rental or borrowed vehicle.

Contact GEICO:

For specific details and options regarding your policy, it is best to contact GEICO directly. You can reach them by phone at (800) 841-1587 to speak with a licensed agent and discuss your situation. They may be able to provide additional solutions or accommodations based on your individual circumstances.

Reduce your coverage

If you want to pause your GEICO auto insurance, you might be able to switch your policy to car storage insurance if you won't be driving for a while. This type of coverage is also known as parked car insurance and includes comprehensive coverage in case something happens to your vehicle while it's parked, such as natural disasters or severe weather damage. However, it's important to note that car storage insurance does not include liability insurance and does not adhere to minimum insurance requirements, so you cannot drive the vehicle until you reinstate your regular car insurance policy.

If you're looking to reduce your GEICO auto insurance coverage, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, you can consider adjusting your coverage by selecting a higher deductible, which may lower your premium. This is especially worth considering if you have an older vehicle, as you may not need certain coverages such as collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car when it is involved in a collision with another vehicle or object, while comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from incidents like theft, vandalism, or fire. If the cost of these coverages is more than the value of your car, it might be worth reducing or removing them.

Additionally, you can explore the various discounts that GEICO offers to see if you qualify for any of them. For example, GEICO provides discounts for students, federal employees, or members of the armed forces. You can also combine your GEICO car insurance policy with other types of policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, to simplify your insurance and potentially receive a Multi-Policy Discount.

Suspend your coverage

Suspending your GEICO auto insurance coverage is essentially pausing your policy without cancelling it, which can save you from a coverage lapse. However, it's important to note that GEICO does not allow customers to suspend their car insurance coverage. Instead, you might be able to switch to car storage insurance, also known as parked car insurance, for the period when you won't be driving. This type of coverage includes comprehensive insurance, which will protect your vehicle from non-driving problems like natural disasters, severe weather damage, fire, animal damage, vandalism, and theft.

It's important to remember that car storage insurance does not include liability insurance and does not meet minimum insurance requirements. This means that you cannot legally drive the vehicle until you reinstate your regular car insurance policy. Additionally, if you have a car loan, lenders generally require that you maintain coverage for problems like theft and vandalism, so suspending your coverage might not be an option in this case.

If you're considering suspending your coverage, it's best to contact GEICO directly to discuss your options and ensure that you're making the right choice for your specific situation.

Remove yourself from a policy

To remove yourself from a GEICO auto insurance policy, you must follow a few steps. Firstly, it is important to note that GEICO does not allow policy cancellations online. Instead, you must call their customer service number at 800-841-1587. When you call, you will be greeted by an interactive voice system, where you should say "cancel insurance policy" and then "auto". You will then be transferred to a GEICO agent, who will ask for your policy number to process the cancellation.

Before calling GEICO to cancel your policy, there are a few things to consider. If you still own a car, you need to obtain replacement coverage before ending your GEICO policy. This is because you are legally required to carry auto insurance in most U.S. states. Additionally, GEICO may require you to show proof of alternate coverage before allowing you to cancel your policy. Therefore, it is best to organize the switch to your new insurance provider before contacting GEICO.

When you call GEICO to cancel your policy, you will need to provide your policy number and desired cancellation date. You can cancel the coverage immediately or on a future date. You will be responsible for your auto premiums up until the cancellation date, but not after. If you have prepaid premiums beyond the cancellation date, you should receive a partial refund. However, if you cancel in the middle of a coverage term, you may be subject to a short rate, which will increase the cost of your final bill. Therefore, it is best to time your cancellation for the end of your policy term.

If you are cancelling your GEICO policy to switch to a new insurance provider, it is important to initiate your new coverage before cancelling your GEICO policy. This will ensure that you are never without auto coverage, even if it is just for one day. Once your new coverage is in place, you can confidently call GEICO to cancel your old policy.

Cancel your insurance policy

To cancel your GEICO car insurance policy, call (800) 841-1587 to speak with a licensed agent. If prompted to speak to the Interactive Voice Response (IVR), say "cancel insurance policy" and then "auto". You may be asked to provide your GEICO policy number, so have that ready. There is no cancellation fee, although North Carolina policies may be subject to a Short Rate premium calculation upon cancellation.

Before you cancel your policy, there are a few things you should consider to be sure it's the best next step. For example, if you've moved, changed your marital status, sold your vehicle, or are putting your car in storage, GEICO may be able to accommodate these changes without you having to cancel your policy.

If you want to cancel a previous car insurance policy with another company, GEICO can help with that too. Just open and print the Cancel Previous Insurance Letter, fill in your information, and then mail it to your previous insurer.

Frequently asked questions