Handle safety and documentation at the scene first, then report the claim to GEICO as soon as you reasonably can. GEICO’s own accident guidance walks through both halves: what to do before you leave the scene, and how to get the claims process started once you’re safe.
None of this depends on whose fault the accident was. Follow the same steps whether you caused it, someone else did, or fault isn’t clear yet.
Key Takeaways
- Check for injuries and call 911 first if anyone needs help, then move to safety and turn on your hazards before doing anything else.
- Exchange information, photograph the scene and damage, and get a copy of the police report or its report number before you leave.
- Report the accident to GEICO through the GEICO Mobile app, online, or by phone. GEICO says claims can be reported and managed around the clock, and online or app filing can take as little as two minutes.
- After you file, GEICO typically schedules an inspection, usually within 24 hours if your car is drivable, and you can choose your own repair shop.
Right After the Crash
GEICO’s own accident guidance puts safety first: “Take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and anyone else involved.” In practice that means checking on everyone, calling 911 if anyone needs medical attention, and getting vehicles out of traffic with hazard lights on if it’s safe to move them.
Call the police even for a minor accident, and let them make the report. Stick to the facts when you talk to them or the other driver: avoid guessing at fault or apologizing in a way that could be read as an admission, and let the claims process sort out liability using the evidence.
Document the Scene
Before you leave, GEICO recommends gathering the other driver’s name, contact details, insurance information and license plate number. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, the vehicle damage, and any visible injuries, and collect contact information from witnesses. GEICO notes their statements “can be valuable if disputes arise” later.
Get a copy of the police report, or at least its report number, so you can reference it later. If your car isn’t safe to drive, arrange a tow before you leave the scene.
Reporting the Claim to GEICO
Once you’re safe, report the accident to GEICO with the details and documentation you gathered. GEICO says you can do this through the GEICO Mobile app, its Claims Center online, or by contacting GEICO’s claims department by phone. GEICO describes claims as reportable and manageable around the clock, with online or app filing taking as little as two minutes.
Have your policy number ready, and pull up your coverage details beforehand so you know what to expect, particularly for rental car and towing coverage if you need either.
What Happens After You File
If your car is safe to drive, GEICO’s claims process typically schedules an inspection, usually within 24 hours, at an approved shop. If it isn’t drivable, GEICO can send an adjuster to the vehicle instead. The inspection itself generally takes about 30 minutes and ends with a written repair estimate.
You can choose any repair shop for the work. GEICO points customers toward its Auto Repair Xpress network, which it backs with a written lifetime guarantee, but using it isn’t mandatory. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, GEICO says it will help set you up with a rental while repairs are underway. Our guide to how GEICO rental reimbursement works covers the limits on that coverage. Payment for the repairs, minus your deductible, generally follows once the investigation is complete.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind
For very minor damage, you may decide not to file a claim, though your policy may still require you to report the accident to GEICO. Weigh whether it makes sense to pay for repairs out of pocket instead, especially if the repair cost is close to your deductible.
If this is your first at-fault accident with GEICO, it’s worth checking whether GEICO’s accident forgiveness applies to your policy before you assume your rate will jump. Either way, our explanation of how long an accident stays on your GEICO record covers what to expect afterward.