Geico Underpaid My Claim by $3,000. I Fought Them for 4 Months and Won.

I was rear-ended at a stoplight. The other driver was at fault. Geico was their insurance company. Geico assessed the damage to my car at $4,500. My independent mechanic said the repair would cost $7,500. Geico refused to pay more.

I called Geico and explained the discrepancy. They said their adjuster's estimate was final. I asked for a re-inspection. They sent a different adjuster. The new estimate was $4,800. Better, but still not enough.

I filed a complaint with my state's Department of Insurance. I submitted both estimates, photos of the damage, and the mechanics itemized quote. The DOI investigated and found that Geico had undervalued the labor rate in their estimate. Geico was ordered to pay $6,800.

Insurance companies routinely lowball claims. They count on people accepting the first offer. If you have evidence that the repair costs more, do not accept their estimate. A DOI complaint can force them to re-evaluate.