Complaint Review: Geico Insurance Company - Nationwide

On September 24,2003, I was in a hit and run accident that left my 2000 Neon undrivable. I called my Geico insurance company to inform them, they couldn't send a tow truck in my vicinity, so a police officer located one for me, which I had to pay $150.00 due to the equipment he had to utilize (mind you, I have towing on my insurance). The representative said due to the fact I couldn't get a license plate #, but filed a police report, they had to file it under "at fault", for what? For driving and minding my own business!!! So, I swallowed that...

The first kicker was the rental situation. I'd been a customer for 3 years, only 24 years old, and definitely signed up for rental insurance due to the underage fee Virginia charges. Well, Geico informed me that during my insurance renewal, only 1 month ago, I opted out rental, I explained to the claim rep on the phone that this isn't true, I've ALWAYS had it due to a possible situation like this, my first car accident. Back and forth we went, and I ended up paying for a rental, I NEED transportation, it isn't an option! It ended up being 2 months I paid out of my pocket for rental fees, a whopping $1200.00 after the underage fee and additional insurance due to that; it gets better...

The only thing they promised was the 48 hr claim service, yes, a representive did SEE my car within that time, and wrote up an initial estimate. His name was Alan and flew in from Georgia due to Hurricane Isabel disaster Virginia was recovering from at the time. Well, I asked a claim rep on the phone, what is my role? What do I need to do from here, she kindly says, Geico will do the notifying and instruction, I can just "relax."

Going on 2 1/2 weeks, no notifying from Geico, I'm keeping tabs on the dealership that has my car, they're promising part orders, and completion dates in the mean time. Geico never called me. So, I proceeded to call my Geico claim representative, Alan from Georgia, with the long distance # given to me, and he is not only back in Georgia, but has no idea what the status is with my car!!! He informs me to call the hotline, and "someone" will be assigned. I do this, and also inform them that nothing is being done to the vehicle at the dealership, they lied about the orders and completion dates, 3 weeks now, and my rental tab is ballooning!

My next claim rep, Bob from Va Beach, was absolutely no help, the only time I spoke w/him, I did the calling, and he was either en route to giving a customer a check (wish it could've been me, seeing the original estimate f/Alan was over $2000.00 on a NEON mind you), and that he MIGHT be that way, meaning the dealership, sometime that week. WHAT?!

I decided to initiate a higher level, the claims representatives supervisor, who I found to be Scott Zelna at the Va Beach office. I was speaking with a claim rep on the phone, having to tell the same redundant story every time, to a different, nothing ever notated, no one ever knowing what to do. She got me Scott's # and I explained my predicament to him. I've been ignored, I'm paying rental fees after 2 months when I KNOW I signed up for rental insurance, the car should've been totalled out (still can), I'm paying car insurance/payment on a vehicle I don't have, and the dealership hasn't moved my car from the original towing spot. What are YOU going to do for me, Mr. Zelna?

I trusted, and expected Mr. Scott Zelna to demand that all would ripple smoothly without chaos now that he is on the scene and has promised me the sky and the moon. Well, it doesn't.

He asked me why I wanted out the deal, I told him either my vehicle in original condition, or stroke me a check. He said more than likely they would total the vehicle due to the dealership's incompetence and extensive damage. This was before he looked up my file to see that Geico okayed $4000.00 already in repairs. The car blue book is only worth $5000.00 on a good day!

Here it is Dec 8,2003, and another promise from the dealership of a due date by 12/12, and another claim rep, Dave from Va Beach. Dave was supposed to meet me when I picked up the car to ensure all is well, and test drive with me...he decided not to answer his phone or return his voice messages that day. I had the car a week, it shut off at the light on me and the check engine light came on. I voiced this to Geico, their answer..."take it back. Don't accept anything else..." By this time, the dealership, after raising hell, is paying for a rental, and Geico is saying to enjoy it. WHAT?

Back and forth I had to tolerate taking my car back to the same defective dealership Geico gave me the choice of choosing, (a five star dealership, Greenbriar Chrysler Jeep dealership, by the way, which I also have a rip off about), driving my funds to depletion, them cancelling my insurance, now Scott Zelna is ignoring me. This is January.

I finally got by car back in February. It isn't nearly the same, I'm afraid of it cutting off again, it had even caught fire one time before this at a light, and still, no assistance from Geico. They have no right to call themselves supreme in any shape or form, and they are as crooked as Enron. I entrusted my transportation, my money, my dependability, and they turned their backs when I needed them most. I currently have a case with the Better Business Bureau. They will hear from me, and I recently sent a letter to Mr. John Hamilton, THE supervisor of the Auto Damage Department. I was a customer.

Jameca

Va Beach, Virginia
U.S.A.

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STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!