GEICO Casualty Company is one of the largest and most trusted auto insurance providers in the United States.
It is a subsidiary of GEICO Corporation, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate led by Warren Buffett.
It offers a wide range of products and services to meet the diverse needs of its customers, from personal to commercial auto insurance, as well as motorcycle, RV, boat and umbrella insurance.
Products and Services
GEICO Casualty Company provides auto insurance for drivers who have a history of accidents, violations, or claims, or who need high-risk coverage. It also offers other types of insurance, such as:
- Motorcycle insurance: This covers the damage or loss of your motorcycle, as well as your liability for bodily injury or property damage to others.
- RV insurance: This covers the damage or loss of your recreational vehicle, as well as your liability for bodily injury or property damage to others.
- Boat insurance: This covers the damage or loss of your boat, as well as your liability for bodily injury or property damage to others.
- Umbrella insurance: This provides extra liability coverage beyond the limits of your auto, home, or other policies, in case you are sued for a large amount of money.
GEICO Casualty Company also offers various discounts and features to its customers, such as:
- Bundle & Save: Combine auto, home, and other policies for a multi-policy discount.
- Insure More, Spend Less: Cover multiple vehicles, enjoy savings with GEICO’s multi-vehicle discount.
- Safe Driver Savings: Keep a clean record for 5 years for the good driver discount.
- Smart Student Savings: Maintain a B average or higher for GEICO’s good student discount.
- Military Appreciation: U.S. military members save with GEICO’s military discount.
- Federal Employee Benefits: Exclusive savings for federal employees and group members.
- Deployment Discounts: Save during military or humanitarian missions with GEICO.
- Forgiving Accidents: No premium hikes after the first at-fault accident for loyal customers.
- Roadside Peace of Mind: Add assistance for towing, jump-starts, tire changes, unlocking, or fuel delivery.
- Rental Reimbursement: Cover car rental costs during repairs after a covered accident.
- Mechanical Peace of Mind: Protect vital parts—engine, transmission, brakes—with mechanical breakdown insurance.
Financial Performance
GEICO Casualty Company is a financially strong and stable company, with a high rating from A.M. Best, a leading credit rating agency for the insurance industry. According to its latest financial report, GEICO Casualty Company had the following figures for the year 2022:
- Net income: $1.2 billion
- Assets: $19.4 billion
- Stock price: $1,500 per share
- Market cap: $40 billion
GEICO Casualty Company is part of GEICO Corporation, which is the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the U.S., with a market share of 13.8% as of 2022. It had the following figures for the year 2022:
- Net income: $5.5 billion
- Assets: $77.6 billion
- Premiums written: $35.6 billion
- Premiums earned: $34.3 billion
- Loss ratio: 71.4%
- Expense ratio: 15.8%
- Combined ratio: 87.2%
GEICO Corporation is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, which is one of the most successful and respected companies in the world, with a market cap of $630 billion as of 2022. Berkshire Hathaway had the following figures for the year 2022:
- Net income: $42.5 billion
- Assets: $873.7 billion
- Revenue: $245.5 billion
- Earnings per share: $27,538
- Book value per share: $287,093
- Return on equity: 9.6%
Legal Issues
GEICO Casualty Company, like any other insurance company, has faced some legal challenges and controversies over the years. Some of the most notable ones are:
Lawsuit: In 2019, a class of policyholders sued GEICO Casualty Company, alleging California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) violations.
The claim centered on unauthorized collection and sale of personal information, seeking damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. The case remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Bad Faith: In 2018, a Florida jury found GEICO Casualty Company guilty of bad faith, awarding $30.8 million to an injured policyholder.
The verdict stemmed from a car accident with an uninsured driver, emphasizing the company’s failure to settle within policy limits. Despite an appeal, the Florida Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2020.
Coverage Dispute: In 2017, GEICO Casualty Company faced a policyholder’s dispute over denied coverage for a Tesla Model S damaged by a faulty battery fire. The policyholder argued a contract breach, asserting the company’s refusal to pay for the $127,000 car repair or replacement.
The case was resolved out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Cancellation Controversy: In 2016, GEICO Casualty Company faced accusations of improperly canceling policies for Texas customers affected by a severe hailstorm.
Allegations included lack of proper notice and refusal to renew policies due to cited excessive claims and losses. The company refuted the claims, asserting compliance with state regulations; Texas Department of Insurance found no wrongdoing.
Claims Handling Violation: In 2015, GEICO Casualty Company incurred a $100,000 fine from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
The penalty resulted from violations of state laws, including failure to promptly acknowledge, investigate, and respond to customer claims. The company agreed to pay the fine and committed to enhancing its claims practices and procedures.