Complete Insurance FAQ Library 2026

GEICO stands for Government Employees Insurance Company. Founded in 1936 to serve government employees and military personnel, GEICO now serves all Americans across all 50 states. Despite the name, you do not need to be a government employee to purchase GEICO insurance.

GEICO offers classic car insurance through specialty programs. Classic car coverage typically differs from standard auto insurance in that it covers vehicles used for shows, parades, and occasional pleasure driving rather than daily commuting. Agreed value coverage (where you and the insurer agree on the vehicle's value upfront) may be available. Contact GEICO directly for current classic car insurance eligibility requirements and terms.

Insuring a vehicle when your license is suspended is complex and varies significantly by state. Some states allow non-owner SR-22 policies for suspended license holders. GEICO's eligibility rules for such situations vary by state and individual circumstances. Contact GEICO directly or consult a licensed insurance agent in your state for accurate information about your specific situation.

Yes, GEICO offers motorcycle insurance covering a wide range of bikes including sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, and scooters. Coverage types for motorcycles are similar to auto insurance: liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, uninsured motorist, and accessory coverage. Availability and specific terms vary by state. Contact GEICO directly for current motorcycle insurance options in your state.

GEICO offers RV insurance for motorhomes (Classes A, B, C), travel trailers, fifth wheels, camper vans, and toy haulers. RV insurance can include liability, collision, comprehensive, personal effects coverage, emergency expense coverage, and full-timer coverage for those who live in their RV. Rates and availability vary by RV type and state. Contact GEICO for current RV insurance options.

Yes, GEICO offers boat insurance covering various watercraft including powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and yachts. Coverage may include liability, medical payments, physical damage, and uninsured watercraft coverage. Availability varies by state and watercraft type. Contact GEICO directly for current boat insurance options and eligibility requirements.

GEICO offers umbrella insurance providing additional liability coverage above the limits of your other GEICO policies (auto, home, etc.). Umbrella insurance typically requires you to maintain certain minimum liability limits on underlying policies. It provides an additional layer of protection — often millions of dollars — at relatively modest annual cost. Contact GEICO to discuss umbrella insurance eligibility and requirements.

Claim processing timelines vary significantly based on claim complexity, liability disputes, information availability, and state regulations. Simple claims with clear liability and documented damage may be resolved relatively quickly, while complex claims involving injuries, disputed liability, or extensive property damage take longer. Contact your assigned GEICO claims representative for specific timeline information about your claim.

GEICO's payment grace period policies vary by state and are governed by state insurance regulations. If you're concerned about a payment, contact GEICO directly before the due date to discuss your options. Allowing your policy to lapse due to non-payment can result in loss of coverage, potential SR-22 issues, and higher future premiums due to a coverage lapse on your record.

GEICO's DriveEasy program considers mileage as one factor in usage-based rating, but GEICO does not typically offer a traditional pay-per-mile insurance model (base rate + per-mile charge). For true pay-per-mile insurance, consider insurers that specialize in this model. Contact GEICO to understand how mileage factors into their current pricing options in your state.

Progressive offers personal auto insurance in all 50 US states and Washington D.C. However, specific coverage options, programs (like Snapshot), discount availability, and rates vary significantly by state. Not all Progressive products and features are available in every state.

You can enroll in Snapshot when getting a new Progressive quote or when logged into your Progressive account. You choose participation via the mobile app or, where available, a plug-in OBD-II device. After enrolling, you'll receive instructions for participation. Contact Progressive or visit their website directly for the current Snapshot enrollment process.

Whether Snapshot can result in premium increases depends on individual state insurance regulations. Some states only allow Snapshot to result in discounts (not surcharges), while others permit both discount and surcharge outcomes. The specific rules vary by state and can change as regulatory environments evolve. Contact Progressive directly or check their current Snapshot terms for your state.

Yes, Progressive Commercial is one of the largest commercial auto insurers in the US, covering a wide range of commercial vehicles including semi-trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, tow trucks, and other commercial fleets. Progressive is well-regarded in the commercial trucking insurance space. Contact Progressive Commercial directly for current commercial truck insurance options and eligibility.

Progressive offers rideshare coverage for drivers who work for transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. Standard personal auto policies typically don't cover the period when you're logged into a rideshare app but haven't accepted a trip, or when transporting passengers for compensation. Progressive's rideshare coverage bridges this gap. Availability and specific terms vary by state.

An insurance agent represents one or more specific insurance companies and sells those companies' products. A captive agent represents only one insurer; an independent agent represents multiple. An insurance broker represents the customer rather than any specific insurer — they shop multiple insurers on your behalf. Both agents and brokers must be licensed in the states where they operate. GEICO sells primarily through its own staff (captive). Progressive sells through both its own staff and independent agents.

An insurance declarations page (also called a "dec page") is a summary document that comes with your insurance policy. It lists the policy period, named insured(s), covered vehicles, coverage types, limits, deductibles, and premium amounts. It's often the first page of your policy documents and serves as a quick reference for your coverage details. Always review your dec page carefully to ensure it accurately reflects the coverage you intended to purchase.

If struck by an uninsured driver, your options generally depend on your coverage. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage would typically pay for your injuries and potentially property damage (if you have UMPD). If you have collision coverage, it would pay for vehicle damage (minus your deductible) regardless of the other driver's insurance status. Without UM or collision coverage, you may need to sue the at-fault uninsured driver directly, though collecting from an uninsured driver can be very difficult. This is why UM coverage is generally recommended.

A named driver exclusion is a provision in some auto policies that specifically excludes coverage for a particular driver. This might be used when a household has a very high-risk driver (such as a teenager with multiple accidents) — excluding them from the policy can lower the premium, but means there is absolutely no coverage if that excluded driver operates the insured vehicle. Rules about driver exclusions vary significantly by state, and some states limit or prohibit their use.

Subrogation is the legal right your insurance company has to pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to recover the amounts it paid on your behalf. For example, if another driver causes an accident and your insurer pays for your repairs, your insurer may pursue the at-fault driver (or their insurer) to recover those costs. Subrogation is a standard part of most insurance policies — it helps keep insurance costs down by recovering payments from responsible parties.

An HO-3 is the most common type of homeowners insurance policy form in the US. It provides "open perils" coverage for the dwelling (covers all causes of loss except those specifically excluded) and "named perils" coverage for personal property (covers only the causes of loss specifically listed). HO-3 policies are considered the standard homeowners policy and are offered by most home insurers.

Standard homeowners insurance policies typically include limited coverage for business property at home — but this is often capped at a relatively low amount (check your specific policy). If you regularly work from home with significant business equipment or client property, you may need a home business endorsement or a separate business insurance policy to adequately protect your business property. Consult a licensed insurance agent for advice on your specific situation.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage pays what your property is worth at the time of loss — accounting for depreciation. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage pays what it would actually cost to replace the item with a new one of similar kind and quality, without depreciation deduction. RCV coverage typically costs more in premium but provides significantly better protection. Always check whether your home insurance covers property at ACV or RCV.

Earthquake damage is typically NOT covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Earthquake coverage must be purchased separately — either as a standalone earthquake policy or as an endorsement (add-on) to your existing policy. This is especially important for homeowners in earthquake-prone regions. Contact your insurer or a licensed agent to discuss earthquake coverage options for your property.

A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) bundles several common business insurance coverages — typically general liability, commercial property, and business interruption — into one package policy at a potentially lower combined cost than purchasing each separately. BOPs are generally designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Not all businesses qualify for a BOP, and coverage needs vary significantly by business type. Consult a licensed commercial insurance agent for advice on your business's coverage needs.

If you use a vehicle primarily for business purposes (beyond commuting), a personal auto policy may not cover accidents that occur during business use. Commercial auto insurance is designed to cover vehicles used for business. The specific line between "personal" and "business" use varies by insurer and policy. If you use your vehicle to transport goods, equipment, passengers for compensation, or for any regular business purpose, discuss your situation with a licensed insurance professional to ensure you have appropriate coverage.

Errors & Omissions insurance (also called Professional Liability insurance) protects professionals against claims that their professional advice, services, or failure to perform caused financial harm to a client. It's relevant for consultants, financial advisors, tech professionals, real estate agents, insurance professionals, lawyers, and many other service providers. Both GEICO and Progressive offer E&O through commercial insurance partners. The specific coverage available varies significantly by profession and insurer.