Geico Renters Insurance Review 2022: What to Know – NerdWallet

Geico is best known for auto insurance, covering more than 28 million vehicles, but it also offers other types of insurance through its partners. Geico renters insurance is provided by third-party companies — not Geico itself — and you won’t learn which insurer you’ve been paired with until you’ve gotten most of the way through the quote process.

You may want to explore Geico’s renters insurance options if you already have car insurance with Geico. You’ll qualify for a discount by purchasing both auto and renters policies through the company.

Best for: Existing Geico auto insurance customers looking for a multipolicy discount.

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Geico renters insurance pros and cons

Pro

Cons

Offers customers with current Geico car insurance a discount on their auto policy.

Functions as an agency and doesn’t underwrite its own renters policies.

No choice of which company you’ll be matched with.

State availability

Geico provides renters insurance through partner companies in every state.

Geico renters insurance coverage

The Geico Insurance Agency serves as a broker that matches you with one of its 20+ renters insurance partners, including well-known companies like Liberty Mutual and Travelers. (Note that you don’t get to choose which company you’re matched with.)

The exact types of coverage available to you will depend on which third-party insurer Geico assigns to you, but most standard renters policies include:

  • Coverage of your personal belongings if they’re stolen or damaged in a disaster.

  • Renters liability coverage for lawsuit damages, medical payments and legal fees if someone is injured on your property or you cause damage to someone else’s home.

  • Loss of use coverage for expenses above your normal living costs if you need to move out of your home while it’s being repaired after a disaster.

Additional coverage options vary widely depending on where you live and which insurer Geico matches you with. Based on our research, some of the following optional coverage types may be available from Geico’s partners:

  • Water backup coverage in case a drain or sewer line backs up into your home.

  • Identity fraud coverage to help you cope with expenses related to identity theft.

  • Replacement cost coverage for your belongings, so you’ll be paid the amount it would cost to purchase new items (rather than the depreciated value of your 3-year-old phone, for instance).

  • Additional coverage for jewelry and other valuables beyond the limits listed in your renters policy.

  • Earthquake coverage for those in at-risk states.

  • Business liability or other coverage for those who carry out certain types of work from home.

  • Equipment breakdown coverage to pay for appliances or electronic devices that have a mechanical failure.

  • Refrigerated property coverage for food that spoils during a power outage from a covered disaster.

Discounts

If your car is insured with Geico, you’ll get a discount on your auto policy when you buy renters insurance through Geico’s agency. Other discounts available to you will depend on the third-party insurer that provides your renters policy.

Most insurers offer discounts if your home has smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, burglar alarms or other safety features.

Consumer experience

Website: On Geico’s site you can get a renters insurance quote, estimate the value of your personal belongings and read basic information about coverage and discount options. You can also find contact information for Geico’s renters insurance partners.

App: Geico’s mobile app is designed mostly for its auto insurance customers, but it does have a Personal Property Scanner that you can use to create an inventory of your belongings. This can be useful to have if you ever need to file a claim.

Claims: While you can log in to your Geico account to see information about your renters policy, you’ll have to file any claims directly with the third-party insurer.

Geico vs. competitors

Here’s how Geico renters insurance stacks up against policies from other popular companies.

Geico vs. Lemonade

Lemonade sells its own renters insurance, while Geico offers policies through third parties. With Geico, your coverage and discount options may vary depending on which company ends up writing your policy. Both Geico and Lemonade offer bundling discounts if you buy more than one type of insurance.

The claims filing experience is one area where the companies differ. Lemonade claims are filed through its app, and some are processed instantly. With Geico, you’ll need to reach out to the third party that services your policy to file a claim.

You can get quick online quotes from both companies, but Lemonade’s renters policies aren’t available in all 50 states the way Geico’s are.

Lemonade has a unique “Giveback” program that donates a portion of its premiums to charities chosen by its policyholders. Meanwhile, Geico supports a variety of causes through the Geico Philanthropic Foundation.

Learn more with our full Lemonade renters insurance review.

Geico vs. State Farm

State Farm sells its own renters insurance policies, while Geico works with third-party companies to offer renters insurance. State Farm isn’t currently selling new renters policies in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, while Geico can find you a policy in all 50 states.

Both companies have extra coverage options you can add to your base policy, but which ones are available depend on where you live. (With Geico, they also depend on which third party underwrites your policy.) Both companies offer a bundling discount if you buy auto insurance along with your renters policy.

When it comes to filing claims, State Farm gives you more options. You can file your claim online, through the State Farm app or by calling a dedicated claims line. With Geico, you’ll need to call the company that issued your policy.

Read our full State Farm renters insurance review.

Renters insurance buying guide

Before you compare renters insurance companies, gather key information such as the address of the rental and any safety and security features the unit has.

You should also figure out how much coverage you need. Take a quick inventory of your belongings: How much would it cost you to replace them? Include all furniture, electronic devices, clothing, jewelry and household items. This total is the minimum amount of personal property insurance you should have.

Your liability limit should be high enough to cover your net worth, while your deductible should be an amount you’d feel comfortable paying in an emergency.

When evaluating renters insurance quotes, make sure each rate estimate includes the same coverage limits and deductibles so you know you’re getting a fair comparison. While it’s tempting to buy the cheapest policy, you may also want to read reviews of your preferred company to make sure it offers good customer service.

How to file a renters insurance claim

File as soon as it’s safe. The sooner you report a theft or damage to your home, the sooner your insurer can assign an adjuster and start working on paying out your claim. Some companies let you file claims online or through their app, while in other cases you may have to call your agent or insurer instead. Have your policy number handy.

Document the damage. Bolster your claim by taking photos or video of all damage. If something was stolen, report it to the police before you contact your insurance company. Your insurer may ask for a copy of their report.

Prevent further damage. After you’ve taken pictures of everything broken or destroyed, take steps to prevent additional damage, such as putting a tarp over a broken window to protect your belongings inside. Keep receipts for any supplies you buy, as your insurer may reimburse you later.

Other renters insurance companies to consider

Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other renters insurance companies:

Frequently asked questions

What other types of insurance does Geico offer?

Geico insures cars, motorcycles and RVs, as well as other vehicles. As with renters policies, it sells homeowners, condo and mobile home insurance through third parties. Learn more about Geico car insurance.

How much is Geico renters insurance?

Geico advertises premiums as low as $12 a month, but your own rate will depend on where you live, which insurer Geico assigns you and how much coverage you need. The average cost of renters insurance is $168, or approximately $14 a month, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

Does Geico renters insurance cover fire?

Yes, fire is one of the standard disasters covered by Geico renters policies, regardless of which third-party insurer you end up with. You’ll also generally be covered for theft, vandalism and wind damage.

What other types of insurance does Geico offer?

Geico insures cars, motorcycles and RVs, as well as other vehicles. As with renters policies, it sells homeowners, condo and mobile home insurance through third parties. Learn more about 

Geico car insurance

.

How much is Geico renters insurance?

Geico advertises premiums as low as $12 a month, but your own rate will depend on where you live, which insurer Geico assigns you and how much coverage you need. The 

average cost of renters insurance

 is $168, or approximately $14 a month, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

Does Geico renters insurance cover fire?

Yes, fire is one of the standard disasters covered by Geico renters policies, regardless of which third-party insurer you end up with. You’ll also generally be covered for theft, vandalism and wind damage.