Camaroz1985

iTrader: (2)

This is a warning to everyone.

I just got off the phone with my insurance company (Geico) and they informed me that as of the end of the month my insurance policy is being cancelled. Why might you ask I haven't had an accident. No moving violations in several years.

The answer:

"We have found out that you have participated in time trial events."

I tried to reason with the lady, and explain to her that I haven't even autocrossed with my Subaru (the car I have insured with them) and that the SCCA has their own liability insurance for their events. She told me it didn't matter there was nothing she could do and that it was final as of 12:01 AM Jan. 28 2008 I would no longer be covered.

I guess they searched results on the internet and found my name. I have heard of this being a problem with warranties in the past but after 4 years of autocrossing with my other company (Liberty Mutual) I had never had a problem.

So I am writing here to warn all of you that if you have Geico, cancel your policy now. They do not respect us for what we do, and therefore I believe do not deserve a single dime from anyone.

I can see why they might hesitate with this issue as some people can't leave it on the track, but the vast majority of autocrossers are responsible enough to not do this. If anything we are lowering the accident rate through improving our driving skills.

racing geek

iTrader: (5)

This is good to know. Now that's one less company to consider when I start paying for my own insurance. I'm only 16 so my dad has my cars (87 IROC and a 94 Tempo for the winter) insured under his name so its cheaper. As long as I continue to make honors he said he will continue to pay the insurance.

I can't believe how many kids at school brag about street racing...

AlkyIROC

It doesn't matter if you autocross, road race or drag race. Insurance is null and void during any kind of competition. When the event is over and you're back on the public streets, you get coverage again. Would they cancel a policy on a 4x4 because it competed in a mud bog competition?

Having them cancel your policy because you compete at a legal event off the streets is BS. I'd consult with a lawyer.

I could see them canceling the policy if you were ever convicted of street racing.

Camaroz1985

iTrader: (2)

No I never street race. I keep it on the track. There is no liability to them while at an autocross, the SCCA has insurance for that and I know they wouldn't cover collision on the course.

From what others have told me it just seems best to get rid of Geico anyway. I just wanted to let you guys know in hopes that it will prevent them from doing it to others (and maybe make them lose a little business too).

85Firebird350

iTrader: (3)

Geico is a Government run insurance company. They will always have business and it wont matter to them. That is pretty dumb and just another way for the govt. to screw racers.

Camaroz1985

iTrader: (2)

The ironic thing is the ad at the top of the page:

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

wow, thats interesting... i wonder if they can do the same thing for test and tune drag racers

88IROC350TPI

Geico is not run by the government at all.

mod313

Am I misreading your post? Your car insurance is for a different car than you autocross with? If so, they have no right to cancel you for participating in events with a different vehicle that they have no coverage on.

creepingdeath

Thats bullshit, I would definatley see a lawyer. Is it just auto-x or just any type of racing? And also how did they find out you were autocrossing?? thats not even any of there business if the car is not on there policy.

AlkyIROC

Gee I misread that also. They're canceling your insurance on the Subaru because you autocross a third gen.

Sounds like a good case for a lawsuit

It would be the same as I drag race my third gen which isn't street legal and they would cancel the insurance on my daily driver because of that.

I'd also suggest contacting the SCCA and make sure they're aware of what's going on.

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

Holy cow, there's gotta be a mistake there somewhere. I'd call and ask to speak to a supervisor and get an explanation in writing, from someone with a title. If they still insist on dropping your business, make it crystal clear to them that you will spread word of that like wildfire to everyone who has a remotely fast vehicle anywhere in north america, and they WILL lose business.

Then put up a piece of paper at your local track about the situation, and spread it on every forum you know, and others will do the same.
I gotta say, I do like their commercials, they're kinda cute. But if that's how they run the show, people need to know about that.

CaysE

That is just crazy... I forwarded this on to a couple forums. We hope to hear more.

Who covers your Camaro?

askulte

Geico has nothing to do with the govt. It's owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Just wanted to set the record straight.

Camaroz1985 - That really sucks. Unless they have somewhere stated in the policy they can drop you for racing a different car, I don't understand where they get the right to do that. I guess it's a free country, and they can insure who they want, though. :P

How about the thread on the SCCA forums where one of the guys was autoxing a Mini, won a few pro races (and factory contingency money from MiniUSA as well as having his car featured in their ads), only to have the warranty voided completey for racing (like that has anything to do with a window motor)!

STABBED IN THE BACK BY MINI USA!

Guest

Probably what he meant to say was that for many years you had to be a govt employee to get insured with GEICO.

CaysE

Updates?

Turbo6inKY

The question I have:

They can't notify you by telephone of a policy cancellation. Every state in the union requires written notification at least 30 days prior to termination of an insurance policy. So are you yanking our chain or did Geico break the law, or did you call them after getting the written notice?

88IROC350TPI

I'm also going to have to throw up a possible BS flag on this one... Do a google search including "Geico" "cancel" and "autocrossing" and the only threads you'll find are ones from this guy or other people linking to his story.

I'm not saying Camaroz1985 is lying, nor am I defending Geico but I think it's pretty wrong to immediately take Camaroz1985's word for fact when he has shown absolutely no proof and only has 7 posts. Everyone is always quick to take sides with the little guy when it comes to big corporations but really, where is the proof? By stickying this thread you are possibly hurting a business that may not deserve it (yeah I know insurance companies suck, but still) For all you know Camaroz1985 could be the CEO of Progressive

PS. I saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico (seriously, like $1100 a year!)

Camaroz1985

iTrader: (2)

Sorry I have been away from this for a while.

To answer 88IROC350TPI, my third gen was insured by Liberty Mutual at the time. I did get a letter about a month after the phone call stating I was being dropped for a speeding ticket 4.5 years prior to this.

I switched to State Farm, and made it perfectly clear to the agent what I did, and he read the policy and showed me where it doesn't cover me during an event (which I wouldn't expect anyway).

I am quite happy with State Farm (which was actually less expensive for better coverage than Geico), and have since switched the Camaro, my house, and my motorcycle to them.

Shagwell

No standard insurance company/policy covers you while on the track. To be covered on a track you have to go with a specialty company that offers insurance on race vehicles.

My life insurance is in the same boat. I'm not covered from the starting line to the finish line, but I'm covered in the water box and in the shut-down area. Kinda weird, but that's how it is.

While we're on this subject, I'll also bring up appraisals. Most hot rodders I know have never had thier cars' appraised. If the insurance company does not know that your vehicle is anything other than stock(they don't know if you haven't paid for a written appraisal) they don't have to cover anything on the car that is non-stock. Basically, you t-bone a red-light runner and they don't have to replace your griffin rad or your turbo, etc, etc, etc. Not saying they won't just saying they don't have to.

89Nighthawk

Records are only kept for 3 years. Someone isn't telling the truth here.

AlkyIROC

Not sure what's available in the US but Canada has a couple of competition insurance brokers. Here's one of them.

http://www.competition.ca/

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

Mmm state farm is who i have also, for both my camaro and my grand am. Actually, they lowered my rates on both cars after I took an advanced driving course (skid control and stuff like that) at a local racetrack. Pretty cool people so far. Not bad on the price either.

92RS(real slow)

Gieco sucks anyways

ezstriper

must have broken down and hired those cavemen to run their pos company !