Sean O’Rourke | August 3, 2025 | Personal Injury
Navigating a Geico insurance claim after an accident can feel like trying to solve a puzzle. Understanding common tactics and pitfalls can mean the difference between a fair recovery and walking away with far less than you deserve.
Here are the secrets of Geico accident claims that you need to know.
1. Be Careful What You Say to Adjusters
Interactions with insurance adjusters are often recorded and used to justify offers or denials. Even a seemingly innocent comment can be twisted to undermine the seriousness of your damages or suggest comparative fault.
Your best approach is:
- Provide only basic details about what happened, where, and when
- Never speculate about the causes of pain, future treatment needs, or lingering symptoms
- Do not admit fault or use phrases like “I’m sorry this happened,” which may be misconstrued as admitting liability
Being guarded means protecting your legal position until you have had a chance to consult a car accident lawyer.
2. Watch Out for Lowball Settlement Offers
Geico may present what seems like a generous one-time offer early in the process. These “quick fixes” are often far below the true value of your claim. Accepting an early settlement can be risky for several reasons:
- It limits Geico’s financial responsibility before the full extent of your injuries or losses is known
- You may be left paying out-of-pocket for future medical treatment, lost wages, or ongoing pain and suffering
- Adjusters often impose artificial deadlines to pressure you into settling before you’ve had time to evaluate your options fully
Always have a complete medical evaluation and a clear estimate of your total damages before even considering an offer. A personal injury lawyer can calculate fair compensation for both current and anticipated losses.
3. Beware of Geico Intentionally Undervaluing Your Damages
A key secret is that adjusters often assign values that reflect Geico’s interests, not your real losses. Geico has internal guidelines and “valuation software” that tends to skew low. Common undervaluation tactics:
- Minimizing medical treatment and arguing that testing was unnecessary or overpriced
- Downplaying pain and suffering and suggesting discomfort was mild or short-lived
- Assigning partial fault to reduce payouts
Your remedy is to gather robust evidence, including medical records, expert opinions, pay stubs showing lost income, and, when possible, testimony from treating providers or accident reconstruction specialists.
4. Monitor Your Claim for Delays and Denials
Time is Geico’s ally. Stretching out your claim or denying it outright often steers victims toward potentially giving up or settling for less than they are owed. Watch for these common Geico delay tactics:
- Requests for needless documents, including endless forms, repetitive medical authorizations, or duplicate bills
- Open-ended excuses to postpone payment and repeated claims of investigating
- Acknowledging liability for some expenses but disputing others
If you are facing unreasonable delay, document every call, email, and letter. A Houston personal injury lawyer can issue a “demand letter” that often jump-starts the process and puts Geico on notice of a potential bad-faith claim.
5. Geico May Engage in Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Geico owes its policyholders a duty of good faith and fair dealing. When Geico fails to investigate promptly, denies valid claims, or misrepresents policy terms, it may be acting in bad faith. Indicators of bad faith:
- Refusing to pay a claim without a reasonable investigation
- Ignoring evidence that supports your claim
- Misleading you about your policy or incorrectly stating coverage
- Offering sums far below any plausible valuation
You may be able to sue Geico for bad-faith conduct, which can result in punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
6. You May Need To File a Lawsuit To Hold Geico Accountable
Most claims settle out of court, but sometimes litigation is the only way to secure fair compensation. Geico knows this and may delay settlement talks until the statute of limitations is close, hoping you’ll settle in desperation.
Consider a lawsuit if:
- Offers never approach fair value
- Geico stonewalls or stalls and refuses to engage in meaningful negotiations
- Bad faith conduct is evident
Filing suit does more than compel payment; it signals to Geico that you’re serious about enforcing your rights and that the court will evaluate their tactics publicly.
A Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Deal with Geico Today
Geico employs a variety of tactics to protect its bottom line. Working with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer can level the playing field. If you have been injured in an accident and are dealing with Geico, do not navigate the process alone.
Consider hiring a Houston car accident lawyer to hold Geico accountable. For more information, please get in touch with the Houston personal injury attorneys at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 1115, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667-4081
About The Author
Sean O’Rourke earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Texas. He frequently assists clients with their legal needs in Houston, with a focus on personal injury cases, especially those involving motor vehicle accidents (such as cars, commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, & motorcycles). Click here to view some of the amazing case results that Sean has successfully handled.
Location: Houston, TX