How to Handle Your GEICO Car Insurance Renewal

If you’re enrolled in autopay, you may not need to do anything to renew your policy—but it’s a good idea to shop around for lower rates anyway.
Written by Amy Bobinger
Edited by Jessica Barrett
Reviewed by Brice Regling
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Before your
GEICO
policy renews, you’ll receive a notice informing you of your updated policy renewal rate and any changes made to your policy. If you don’t take any action, your policy will renew automatically—but it’s always a good idea to shop for
car insurance
quotes before each renewal.

How GEICO car insurance renewal works

About a month before your GEICO auto insurance policy is set to expire, you should receive a renewal notice that will contain any updates to your policy—including your renewal rate.
  • If everything is in order and GEICO still offers you the best price, just make your next payment the way you normally would and your policy will be renewed
  • If you find a better rate elsewhere, you can decline the offer and go with another insurer instead
It’s common for car insurance rates to go up when a policy renews. While this can be due to violations or claims on your record, it could also be due to factors that impact the whole insurance market, like inflation.

What to do when you receive your GEICO renewal notice

Your renewal notice should arrive about a month before your policy expires. Look for it in the mail—or, if you’ve enrolled in paperless billing, keep an eye on your email inbox. When it comes in, check over your renewal notice carefully for any changes to your car insurance premium or policy.
Once you have your renewal rate, it’s the perfect time to shop around for quotes to make sure you’re still getting the best deal on your car insurance.

Option 1: Accept your new rate and make a payment to renew your policy

If staying with GEICO is still your best option, renewing your policy is as simple as paying your next insurance bill.
  • If you’re enrolled in automatic payments: You don’t need to do anything—your GEICO policy will auto-renew when your next payment is drafted.
  • If you don’t have autopay: Make your next payment the way you normally would to renew your policy. GEICO accepts payments by debit card, credit card, or check, or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
You should receive your new insurance cards shortly after your policy renews. You can also access your digital insurance card through GEICO’s website or the GEICO mobile app.

Option 2: Find a lower rate and switch providers

Renewal is the perfect time to
shop around for new auto insurance rates
. Most insurance experts recommend getting quotes from at least 3–5 insurance companies to ensure you’re getting the best rate based on your driver profile.
If you find lower rates from another provider and decide to switch, you’ll need to cancel your GEICO insurance. Most insurance companies will have you cancel on your own but in some cases, your new provider will help you cancel.
Make sure your new policy will start on the same date that your GEICO policy ends. If your GEICO policy ends before your new policy starts, you’ll have an
insurance lapse
, which could leave you open to fines, license suspension, and increased insurance rates in the future.
To cancel your GEICO insurance, call 1-800-841-1587 to speak to an insurance agent. The automatic system may prompt you to tell them why you’re calling—just say “Cancel insurance policy,” then “Auto.” Keep in mind that you’ll probably need to provide your GEICO policy number, which you can find on your insurance card or insurance declarations page.
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Jerry
makes it easy to instantly see the best rates based on a comparison of dozens of car insurance companies.
And if you switch, Jerry will even help you cancel your GEICO car insurance policy.

If you missed your GEICO renewal date: Review your rate and shop around

If you missed your renewal and you have autopay

If your GEICO insurance policy is on autopay, your car insurance renewed as soon as your payment was processed. But even if you forgot to check for new quotes before your policy renewed, you can still shop around for a lower rate—and you can switch to a new insurance provider at any time.
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If you buy an insurance policy with
Jerry
, you can turn on automatic reshops in your account settings.
With the reshop feature activated, Jerry will check for new rates before every policy renewal to make sure you’re still paying the lowest price.

If you missed your renewal and you don’t have autopay

If you forgot to make your car insurance payment by your renewal date, GEICO will send you a cancellation letter in the mail. This cancellation letter will include the last day that you can make a payment without your policy lapsing.
Your
GEICO grace period
will typically be nine days from the date of your missed payment, but this can vary by state.
It’s important to try to make your payment as soon as possible after you realize you missed your renewal date. If you can get the payment in before your grace period ends, your policy will stay active—if not, it will be canceled and you’ll need to secure another policy to avoid
driving without insurance coverage
.

If GEICO won’t renew your policy

In some cases, GEICO opts not to renew a customer’s policy. Nonrenewal usually occurs due to:
  • Late or missed payments
  • Changes in your risk rating, like new accidents, violations, or claims on your record
  • Fraud or misrepresentation of facts (like filing a false claim or reporting an inaccurate odometer reading)
You’ll be notified as much as 30 days in advance if GEICO chooses not to renew your auto insurance. If that happens, start shopping for a new insurance policy right away—but don’t be surprised if a history of late payments or a troubled driving record makes it difficult to secure affordable coverage.

FAQs

How do I not renew my GEICO insurance?

If you choose not to renew your GEICO insurance, call them to cancel at 1-800-841-1587.

Did GEICO rates go up in 2023?

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, GEICO’s rates went up an average of 7.6% nationwide in 2023.

What is GEICO’s grace period?

GEICO’s grace period
is usually around nine days from the date of your missed payment, although this can vary depending on the state where you live.

What happens if my GEICO policy gets canceled?

If GEICO cancels your policy, you’ll need to secure another one right away to avoid driving without insurance.

Do GEICO insurance policies automatically renew?

Yes, GEICO policies auto-renew if you’re enrolled in autopay; otherwise, your policy will renew when you make the first payment after your renewal date.

Can I switch to a different provider before my GEICO car insurance renews?

Yes, you can switch to another provider at any time. If you pre-paid for your policy, you’ll be entitled to a refund of the unused portion of your premium, minus any fees.

Why did my GEICO car insurance go up at renewal?

It’s common for car insurance to go up at renewal—it may be due to changes in your coverage limits or driving profile, or it could be due to regional or national market conditions.

How can I extend my GEICO policy?

To renew a GEICO insurance policy, policyholders should simply make the next payment once they receive a renewal notice.

What is GEICO’s phone number for policy renewal?

You don’t need to call to renew your GEICO policy—just make a payment. If you’d like to pay over the phone, call 1-800-932-8872.

When should I cancel my GEICO car insurance?

You might cancel your GEICO car insurance if you find a better rate from another provider, you can bundle your homeowners insurance or renters insurance with your auto policy, or you are unhappy with the customer service or claims process with GEICO.

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