How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Geico?
The auto insurance claims process differs for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Geico only in the type of car insurance you use to pay for damages. You will file a Geico insurance claim the same for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as you would for a traditional auto accident claim.
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Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability. Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life i...
Maria Hanson
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Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Chris Abrams
Updated March 2025
- Geico’s uninsured motorist coverage (UM) protects you if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver
- Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) will kick in when the driver has liability insurance in place but does not have enough coverage for all your expenses
- Uninsured driver laws differ according to state, but your Geico representative will walk you through the claim process when uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is involved
If you hit an uninsured driver, how Geico will handle your claim depends on whether you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in place.
The laws surrounding uninsured drivers differ by state, but if you have the proper coverage, the claims process works similarly to how it does for other accident claims.
In this article, we go into more detail on how the auto insurance claims process will differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Geico.
How Geico Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
Most major auto insurance companies offer uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). This extra coverage can cost as little as $5-$10 a month and save you a great deal of stress and expense if you have an accident with an uninsured driver.
Our Geico auto insurance review finds that the company offers UM/UIM as add-ons to your existing policy. These additional coverage options will protect you if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured driver or by a driver who has some liability insurance but not enough to cover your expenses after an accident.
With underinsured drivers, their policy will pay up to their policy limit before your underinsured motorist coverage kicks in.
Most auto insurance companies group underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage together, allowing you to purchase one policy that covers both.
Types of Geico UM/UIM Coverage
There are two types of uninsured motorist coverage available through Geico: uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD).
UMBI typically provides compensation for medical or funeral expenses, loss of income, or pain and suffering. If your car is damaged by an uninsured driver, then UMPD will cover any repairs that need to be made to your vehicle.
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How Geico Will Handle Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims
Uninsured motorist coverage might be part of the auto insurance requirements in your state.
So if you are in a collision with an uninsured motorist, contact Geico with your claim, and they will assist you through the process for your state. Generally speaking, however, you will follow a similar process when filing a claim with Geico.
First, make sure to get all relevant information at the scene of the accident. This will include the date, time, and location of the collision, a description of what happened, the police report, and the other driver’s and witnesses’ information. Photographs of the vehicles involved and the scene of the accident are also helpful.
If no insurance information is available because it was a hit and run or the other driver is uninsured, then provide the rest of the information you have and let your Geico representative know that no insurance information is available.
If you have the plate number for the other driver, Geico can use that to find out if they have insurance and contact their insurance company.
From there, Geico will proceed with your claim according to the coverage you have. In some cases, your collision coverage can apply to any damage to your vehicle. However, it’s best to ensure you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to guarantee you’ll be covered for all damages and injuries.
Read more:
- How long does it typically take for Geico to process an auto insurance claim?
- How do I file an auto insurance claim with Geico?
- What information do I need to file an auto insurance claim with Geico?
- Affordable Uninsured or Underinsured Auto Insurance Coverage
The Bottom Line on Geico Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Geico? Not by much. You must still follow the same steps in filing your claim after the accident and providing as much information as you can to your insurance company.
If you are in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist, Geico’s process for handling your claim will depend on your state of residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get hit by an uninsured driver, and I don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, can I sue them?
You can file a legal claim (i.e., personal injury lawsuit) against the driver if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, but they may not have insurance because they can’t afford the premiums, making it unlikely they could pay out in a judgment.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a much safer resort than a lawsuit.
If you have full auto insurance coverage, do you still need to add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?
With an affordable full coverage auto insurance policy, you may find that you already have uninsured motorist coverage included. Check your policy documents or give your insurance company a call to be sure.
What is a phantom vehicle in a crash, and can I use uninsured/underinsured coverage in this situation?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help to pay for damage and injury caused by a hit-and-run or an accident with a phantom vehicle. A phantom vehicle is one that is responsible for injury or damage in a crash without making any physical contact.
An example may be a car that you swerves in front of you, causing you to crash to avoid it. Make sure that you report such an incident and get the vehicle plate numbers if the driver does not stop.
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