Category: GEICO

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO to Benefit From Strong Auto Insurance Growth Through 2020

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While some people are already worrying about what the self-driving car will do to auto insurers over the long term, the global motor vehicle insurance market is looking forward to robust growth for at least the next five years.

This growth will benefit auto insurers, including Berkshire Hathaway’s GEICO.

In Research and Markets most recent edition of the “Global Motor Vehicle Insurance Market 2016-2020” report the company is forecasting that the global motor vehicle insurance market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.91% during the period 2016-2020.

The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global motor vehicle insurance market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers two types of end users:

• Personal insurance premiums
• Commercial insurance premiums

According to the report, a trend that is already impacting the market is the implementation of advanced analytics tools to reduce fraudulent claims. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), insurance fraud is the second biggest white-collar crime in the US after tax evasion. Advanced tools, such as big data analytics and geospatial analysis, are making it easier for insurance companies to reduce losses stemming from fraud claim.

The report also notes that a key growth driver is the mandate to buy insurance policies. A motor vehicle insurance covers any financial risk that can crop up while driving the vehicle. In other words, an insurance company will cover losses arising from theft, damages, or accidents – if such incidents are covered under the policy.

© 2016 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Makes Ridesharing Coverage Available to South Carolina drivers

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South Carolina drivers that have been approved to drive for Uber (UberX and UberXL), Lyft, Sidecar and other on-demand services, now can get ridesharing coverage through GEICO.

GEICO first entered the ridesharing market in February of 2015 in Virginia, and has been selling a ridesharing product in Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The company is now expanding its ridesharing offering to drivers in South Carolina

“In a short time span, ridesharing has turned into a staple of everyday life,” said Othello Powell, director of GEICO commercial lines. “Whether you have that entrepreneurial spirit or are just making a few extra dollars, GEICO’s ridesharing product delivers a complete insurance solution to drivers in South Carolina at an affordable price.”

Powell noted that ridesharing comes with a unique set of insurance needs that go well beyond a traditional auto insurance policy. He points out that most personal auto policies exclude any commercial (driver for hire) use.

In addition, GEICO points out that having two policies for one vehicle can become confusing and costly.

GEICO’s hybrid ridesharing product replaces the driver’s personal auto policy and provides coverage for personal, ridesharing and other on-demand services whether the rideshare app is on or off, and with or without passengers in the vehicle or even if you’re working for multiple services.

GEICO offers the product through GEICO Commercial at a price significantly lower than taxi and traditional commercial rates.

© 2016 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Reaches Million Policy Milestone in Texas

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GEICO recently reached a significant milestone of 1 million auto insurance policies in force in Texas.

“One million policies in force in the state is a tremendous accomplishment not only our associates in Dallas, but for all of GEICO,” said Bob Miller, GEICO senior vice president. “This speaks to the continuous effort and commitment from our associates who work hard to maintain GEICO’s strong growth.”

The record-breaking policy was sold by GEICO sales agent Zachary Field of Dallas, on Nov. 28, 2015.

Texas is the fourth state along with Florida, New York and California to reach 1 million GEICO policyholders.

In early 2016, GEICO will move to a new location in Richardson, Texas, to accommodate its growing workforce in the region.

The company was originally founded in Texas in 1936 by Leo and Lillian Goodwin.

© 2016 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Debuts Electronic ID Cards

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GEICO, New York’s largest auto insurer, is providing New York drivers with electronic proof of insurance on their smartphones and other electronic devices. The GEICO digital ID cards are featured through the GEICO Mobile App.

GEICO is the first insurer in the state to do so.

Earlier this year, New York’s DMV amended its regulation dealing with insurance identification cards so that now New York motorists are able to provide proof of auto liability coverage with electronic ID cards.

Since then, the state set up certification testing for insurers who want to provide the digital service.

GEICO is the first company to complete the certification process with the New York DMV in order to satisfy the state’s regulatory requirements.

“We are happy to have worked with the N.Y. DMV and others to be able to offer this added convenience to consumers in New York,” said John Pham, vice president of GEICO’s New York operations. “Electronic ID cards are another example of how we make things easier for our customers. Less paper means less hassle, and also helps the environment.”

Use of Apps Goes Back Six Years

The GEICO app first appeared in 2009 to offer policyholders with immediate access to their current insurance information. It has added features regularly since then and now customers can complete their insurance needs on their smartphones. You can make changes in coverage, report and track claims, get roadside assistance and chat directly with GEICO on the mobile app.

The latest national study on insurance mobile apps ranked the GEICO app number one in the industry for its overall functionality to meet customer needs, and Forrester Research dubbed it one of “the pocket auto insurers” in its 2015 US Mobile Auto Insurance Functionality Benchmark, released by Forrester Research Inc. on Oct. 19, 2015.

© 2015 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Offers its Ridersharing Coverage in Two More States

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GEICO is continuing to expand the availability of its ridesharing insurance coverage, which provides insurance coverage to drivers for ridesharing services such as Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, and Carma. The two newest states for GEICO’s coverage are Connecticut and Ohio.

“Being close to New York City makes Connecticut a key market for rideshare drivers,” said Rick Hoagland, GEICO regional vice president.

New and existing drivers that have been approved to drive for Uber (UberX and UberXL), Lyft, Sidecar and other services in Ohio can also now get the insurance coverage through GEICO.

“Ohio has seen substantial growth in its rideshare market, and GEICO wants to make sure these drivers are properly insured,” said Don Robinson, GEICO regional vice president. “Our product eliminates coverage gaps for rideshare drivers and delivers a complete insurance solution at an affordable price along with GEICO’s outstanding customer service.”

“Because they use the same vehicle for personal use and to provide rides for a fee, rideshare drivers have unique insurance needs that go well beyond a traditional auto insurance policy,” said Othello Powell, director of GEICO commercial lines. “Our policyholders appreciate comprehensive coverage and peace of mind, which our new product can give them.”

Real-time ridesharing that uses an automated system to match drivers and riders has in a few short years moved from a fringe mode of transportation to a powerful alternative that has taxi and car services up in arms. Along the way, it has required new forms of liability coverage that are different than those offered to both personal and commercial drives.

GEICO first entered the market in February in Virginia, and has been selling a ridesharing product in Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Replaces the Personal Auto Policy

GEICO’s ridesharing product replaces the driver’s personal auto policy and provides coverage both for personal and ridesharing use.

The coverage is billed as a Hybrid Policy that regardless of whether the driver is driving for personal needs, or is picking up a paid rider, provides coverage for liability, property damage, bodily injury, first party coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive physical damage coverage, and medical payments.

GEICO says it will offer the coverage through GEICO Commercial at a price significantly lower than taxi and commercial rates.

© 2015 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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GEICO Insurance

GEICO Expands Availability of Ridesharing Coverage to Pennsylvania drivers

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Recognizing the growing popularity of ridesharing, which has seen Uber go from zero revenue in 2009 to over $10 billion today, and the proliferation of a host of competitors, including Lyft, Sidecar, and Carma, automobile insurer GEICO is continuing to expand the availability of its ridesharing insurance coverage.

Real-time ridesharing that uses an automated system to match drivers and riders has in a few short years moved from a fringe mode of transportation to a powerful alternative that has taxi and car services up in arms. Along the way, it has required new forms of liability coverage that are different than those offered to both personal and commercial drives.

GEICO first entered the market in February in Virginia, and has been selling a ridesharing product in Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and Texas, and is now expanding its ridesharing offering to drivers in Pennsylvania.

Replaces the Personal Auto Policy

GEICO’s ridesharing product replaces the driver’s personal auto policy and provides coverage both for personal and ridesharing use.

The coverage is billed as a Hybrid Policy that regardless of whether the driver is driving for personal needs, or is picking up a paid rider, provides coverage for liability, property damage, bodily injury, first party coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive physical damage coverage, and medical payments.

New and existing drivers that have been approved to drive for Uber (UberX and UberXL), Lyft, Sidecar and other services in Pennsylvania can now get the insurance coverage.

“With the rapid growth of ridesharing and Transportation Network Companies in Pennsylvania, we are excited to introduce a product that is specifically designed to meet the needs of ridesharing consumers,” said Nancy Pierce, GEICO regional vice president. “Our product offers customers a complete insurance solution at an affordable price along with the outstanding customer service they can expect from GEICO.”

“Rideshare drivers have unique insurance needs that go well beyond a traditional auto insurance policy,” said Othello Powell, director of GEICO commercial lines. “We created this product as a low-cost solution that covers both personal and ridesharing use and other on-demand services.”

GEICO says it will offer the coverage through GEICO Commercial at a price significantly lower than taxi and commercial rates.

© 2015 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.