Geico
Rental car damage claim denied despite phone assurance of coverage

On Dec 3 I got into a fender bender while on vacation. Yes, it was my fault, no questions asked. The other party was very cool about it. Gotta love this ohana feeling in the islands. I made a report to Alamo right away, then filed a report with Geico, my insurance company. I denied the extra coverage from Alamo insurance because prior to the vacation I called Geico and asked if I the rental vehicle will be covered under the my insurance. I am not the primary policy holder yet no questions asked the representative said "yes". So I received a letter almost 4 weeks later stating that the claim is denied. This is what the sent back with the letter:

5.'Non-owned auto' means an automobile or trailer not owned by or furnished for the regular use of either you or a relative, other than a temporary substitute auto.
"6.'Owned auto' means:
(a) a vehicle described in this policy for which a premium charge is shown for these coverages;
1. a trailer owned by you;
2. a private passenger, farm or utility auto, ownership of which you acquire during the policy period or for which you enter into a lease during the policy period for six months or more, if
(i) it replaces an owned auto as defined in (a) above; or
(ii) we insure all private passenger, farm and utility autos owned or leased by you on the date of the acquisition, and you ask us to add it to the policy no more than 30 days later;
(d) a temporary substitute auto.
...
"8.'Relative' means a person related to you who resides in your household.
"9.'Temporary substitute auto' means an automobile or trailer, not owned by you, temporarily used with the permission of the owner. This vehicle must be used as a substitute for the owned auto or trailer when withdrawn from normal use because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction.
...
"14.'You' means the policyholder named in the declarations and his or her spouse if a resident of the same household."

After reviewing it, I was confused. After arguing on the phone about it they told me that because I am not the primary holder, and that I am a listed driver on the policy that doesn't physically live with my mother {primary holder), I don't fall under the definition as a 'relative'. This is the only reason they denied my claim. Can anyone help calm my nerves?

I hate insurance companies!

Company: Geico
Country: USA
Phone: 8085931010
Site: geico.com

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