Does Geico Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars? When you rent a car and have Geico auto insurance, you might wonder whether your Geico auto insurance policy covers you or not. Many drivers are unsure if their current insurance will protect them when they rent a car, but Geico does provide coverage for rental vehicles under certain conditions.
Here, we have this article to help you understand the important details about Geico’s auto insurance policy so you can know exactly how and when Geico covers your rental cars.
Geico’s Rental Car Coverage
Geico is one of the largest and most trusted auto insurance companies in the U.S. When you rent a car, it is important to understand what your insurance covers. Fortunately, if you already have a Geico auto insurance policy, they generally protect you when you rent a car, both for personal and business trips.
🔹 However, coverage varies based on:
- Your policy details
- The purpose of rental (personal vs. commercial use)
- The location where you rent the car
How Does Geico Auto Insurance Work for Rental Cars?
Geico’s auto insurance covers rental cars in the same way it covers your personal vehicle. This means that your policy’s liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage will also apply to the rental car. So, if you have an accident in a rental car, Geico will help pay the costs, just like it does if you are driving your own car.
Liability Coverage for Rental Cars:
Liability coverage is important because it covers damage to other people’s property or injuries to others if you cause an accident.
🔹 With Geico:
✔ Liability coverage covers rental cars
✔ Covers bodily injury & property damage to others
✔ Limits remain the same as your auto policy
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage for Rentals:
Collision and comprehensive coverage also provide coverage to rental cars if you already have collision and comprehensive coverage in your Geico car insurance. Collision coverage pays for damage to the rental car if you are in an accident, while comprehensive coverage takes care of non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, or damage from natural disasters.
What Each Covers:
| Coverage Type | What It Covers for Rental Cars |
| Collision Coverage | Pays for damage to the rental car in an accident |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Covers non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, natural disasters |
🔹 Important to Note:
✔ If your personal vehicle does not have collision or comprehensive, your rental car will not have it either.
✔ Coverage applies within the U.S. but not for international rentals.
Limits and Exclusions in Geico’s Rental Car Coverage
It is important to note that while Geico covers rental cars, some rules and limits apply. For example, the coverage you get for a rental will be the same as what you have on your personal vehicle. If your own car does not have collision or comprehensive coverage, your rental car will also not get coverage for these incidents. Apart from this, Geico’s coverage works within the U.S. and certain territories, but not internationally. If you are traveling abroad, you need to purchase additional insurance to cover your rental car.
🚫 If your car insurance does not cover damage, your rental car will not have this coverage either.
🚫 Geico’s coverage is limited to the U.S. and certain territories (not for international rentals).
🚫 Commercial rentals do not get coverage (e.g., using the rental for Uber, deliveries, or transporting goods).
Do You Need Additional Insurance When Renting a Car?
Although your Geico policy may cover your rental car, rental companies often offer their own insurance options. These can include collision damage waivers (CDW), liability insurance, and personal accident insurance. Your Geico policy usually covers you, but extra insurance from the rental company can help more. It especially helps if your personal coverage has lower limits or does not cover things like loss of use fees.
Common Rental Car Insurance Options:
| Insurance Type | What Does It Covers? | Do You Need It? |
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) | Protects you from paying for damage to the rental car. | ✅ Good to have if your insurance doesn’t cover car |
| Liability Insurance | Extra coverage for injuries or property damage | ❌ Usually not needed (Geico covers liability) |
| Personal Accident Insurance | Covers medical expenses after an accident | ❌ Not necessary if you have health insurance |
| Loss of Use Fees | Pays the rental company for the time the car is being repaired | ✅ May be useful if Geico does not cover it |
Note: ✔ Check your Geico policy before renting to decide if additional coverage is necessary.
Rental Car Coverage for Business Use
Geico covers you if you rent a car for business but use it in a way that does not involve commercial activities. For example, if you are renting a car to go to meetings or visit clients (non-commercial business reasons), it will cover you. However, if you are using the rental for commercial activities, such as driving for a rideshare company, transporting goods, or making deliveries (commercial reasons) Geico policy will not cover you. In these cases, you might need commercial auto insurance.
✔ Geico covers business rentals only for non-commercial purposes, such as:
- Business meetings
- Work trips
- Client visits
🚫 Geico does NOT cover rentals for:
- Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
- Delivery or transporting goods
- Commercial activities
Note: If you are using a rental car for business purposes, you may need commercial auto insurance.
Can You Rent a Car After an Accident?
If your personal vehicle is in the shop after an accident, Geico offers a special service called rental reimbursement. This feature helps cover the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired. However, this coverage is not automatically included in every Geico policy, so you need to choose it as extra coverage. It is a great option to consider if you depend on your vehicle daily and want to avoid paying from your pocket for a rental during repairs.
Rental Reimbursement Coverage – How It Works:
✔ Covers the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired.
✔ Not included automatically. You must add it to your policy separately.
✔ Affordable add-on that helps avoid out-of-pocket rental expenses.
💡 Note: If you depend on your car daily, adding rental reimbursement coverage can save you hundreds of dollars.
How do you add rental reimbursement to your policy?
Adding rental reimbursement to your Geico auto insurance policy is easy and affordable. You can do this through Geico’s website or with an agent.
Why to Add Rental Reimbursement Option:
✔ Easy to Add: Available via Geico’s website or customer service.
✔ Affordable: The cost is low compared to rental expenses.
✔ Convenient: It makes sure you have a rental car ready when needed.
💡Note: Highly recommended if you depend on your car for daily commuting!
Does Geico Offer Roadside Assistance for Rental Cars?
If your car breaks down, Geico is ready to help you get back on the road. GEICO offers Emergency Road Service that covers towing to a repair shop, jump-starting your battery, changing a tire if you have a spare, unlocking your car if keys are inside, pulling out stuck vehicles, and delivering fuel. You do not have to pay for these services. If you have roadside assistance through Geico, this benefit covers rental cars as well. Just use the GEICO app, go online, or call us anytime for help.
Yes! Geico’s Roadside Assistance covers rental cars and includes:
✔ Towing to a repair shop
✔ Jump-starting your battery
✔ Flat tire change (if you have a spare)
✔ Lockout services (if you lock keys inside)
✔ Fuel delivery (if you run out of gas)
📲 Easily access Roadside Assistance via:
- Geico Mobile App
- Website
- Phone support
Geico Rental Car Coverage for International Travel
Geico’s rental car coverage does not protect outside the U.S. and its territories. If you are traveling abroad and plan to rent a car, you will need to purchase additional insurance through the rental agency or a third-party provider. It is important to confirm you have good coverage, especially in countries where driving conditions might be different from what you are used to the local driving rules of your country.
🚫 Well, Geico does not cover rental cars outside the U.S. So, if you are renting a car internationally:
✔ Purchase insurance through the rental agency or a third-party provider.
✔ Check local driving regulations before booking a rental car.
💡 Note: Always confirm international rental car insurance before traveling abroad.
Use Geico’s Mobile App for Easy Access
Geico offers a mobile app that makes managing your rental car coverage and other parts of your policy simple and convenient. Whether you need to file a claim, check your coverage, or add rental reimbursement, the app puts everything at your fingertips. It especially helps a lot when you are traveling and need quick access to your insurance information.
📲 Geico’s mobile app lets you:
✔ Manage rental car coverage
✔ File a claim instantly
✔ Check your insurance details
✔ Add rental reimbursement
💡 Note: Helpful for travelers who need quick access to policy information!
What to Do if You Are in an Accident in a Rental Car?
If you meet with an accident while driving a rental car, Geico’s claims process is clear and smooth. You should report the accident as soon as possible, either through the app, online, or by calling their customer service. Geico will guide you through the steps to file a claim and get the repairs or reimbursements you need.
🚗 Steps to Follow in Case You Meet with An Accident:
- Report the accident to Geico immediately (via app, website, or phone).
- Inform the rental company about the incident.
- Take photos of the accident scene and damages.
- Follow Geico’s claims process for repairs/reimbursement.
Conclusion
Geico’s auto insurance generally provides coverage for rental cars, but it is always smart to review your policy before renting. If your current policy includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, it will protect you even if you are in a rental car. Adding extra insurance from the rental company gives you more protection. It helps you avoid paying any extra costs after an accident.
For regular travelers, adding rental reimbursement to your Geico policy is a smart choice, offering financial support when your car is in the repair shop.
