Geico tells El Reg, no, it's not canceling all Cybertruck insurance
(2024/10/07)
- Reference: 1728333008
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/10/07/geico_cancel_cybertruck_insurance/
- Source link:
Geico confirmed to The Register that, following whispering on social media, the US insurance firm is most definitely not canceling all coverage on Tesla Cybertrucks.
A rumor going around that Cybertrucks would lose Geico coverage was rooted in a post on X this weekend by a netizen who claimed they had eight cars, a Cybertruck among them, "with amazing record," but that they weren't going to be a Geico customer anymore after the Musk-mobile insurance snub.
In a screenshot of the Twitter post [1]shared on Reddit (the original appears to have been deleted), a picture of an alleged letter from Geico states that the Cybertruck "doesn't meet our underwriting guidelines," and as such would have coverage terminated.
[2]
When asked about the veracity of the X post, Geico was succinct in its response to us: "Geico has coverage available nationwide for the Tesla Cybertruck."
[3]
[4]
That, naturally, means one of two things: Either the original post, from an X user with little footprint on the platform and a four-month old account, made the whole thing up; or there's more to the story. In this case, it's more column B than column A.
When pushed for more detail, The Register was told that, yes - there were plans to end some coverage on Cybertrucks, but it never intended on placing a blanket ban on covering the electric vehicles.
[5]
Concerned over the Cybertruck's gross weight (a measurement of the vehicle fully loaded with cargo and passengers) and the difficulty of repair shops in acquiring replacement parts, Geico planned to force Cybertruck owners on a case-by-case basis to switch from private passenger automobile (PPA) to commercial vehicle insurance if they wanted to keep their coverage.
[6]Tesla Cybertruck gets cyberstuck during off-roading expedition
[7]Tesla trounces shareholders who alleged Autopilot was all share-pumping lies
[8]Tesla asks customers to stop being wet blankets about chargers
[9]How low can you go: Tesla's US market share dips below 50% for the first time
Some customers have already received letters about that change, potentially including the original poster that triggered the PR kerfuffle. Geico intends to reach out to all Cybertruck owners to clarify the plan, which, as we understand now, has been abandoned. Cybertruck PPA coverage is still available, we're told, and will continue to be offered.
In short: Geico wanted to put at least some Cybertruck owners onto commercial vehicle insurance, but not scrap coverage entirely; the internet took that to mean all insurance was being dropped for the Tesla-made machine; and now the insurer is saying it's not going down that route, and the electric rides can still get private coverage.
Can you blame 'em?
Insuring the Cybertruck is, frankly, a big ask based on its track record after less than a year on roads.
Since delivering the first steel-plated behemoths in November 2023, Tesla has issued [10]five safety recalls for the Cybertruck for everything from faulty windshield wipers, to malfunctioning backup cameras. Owners have reported plenty of quality issues with the vehicle as well, like [11]rust forming on the supposedly "stainless steel" vehicle, and [12]complete Cybertruck failure after going through a car wash.
"Lucky" Cybertruck early adopters also [13]recently started getting Tesla Full Self Driving , raising more concerns for insurers: US regulators have [14]accused Tesla of not including sufficient driver attentiveness controls in its vehicles, leading to a company-wide recall of around [15]2 million vehicles (via an over-the-air software patch) late last year to correct FSD software.
In the few days, FSD has been available for the Cybertruck, multiple owners have [16]posted [17]videos and [18]writeups of Cybertrucks turning into traffic, running over medians, and generally acting unsafe - plenty of reasons not to insure the thing.
[19]
Whether Geico's decision to abandon forcing Cybertruck owners onto commercial insurance will change once this all blows over remains to be seen, but we'll definitely hear about it from grumpy Tesla fans if so. ®
Get our [20]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fx4oyn/apparently_geico_car_insurance_in_no_longer/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/24/tesla_cybertruck_offroading_video/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/02/tesla_defeats_shareholders_lawsuit/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/29/tesla_harging_wet_rag/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/10/tesla_electric_car_sales/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/04/tesla_cybertruck_recall/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/13/tesla_cybertruck_rust/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/20/cybertruck_car_wash_mode/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/30/tesla_cybertruck_fsd_enabled/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/30/tesla_elon_mode_nhtsa/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/13/tesla_recall_autopilot_safety/
[16] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1ft72u4/cybertruck_with_fsd_fails_to_detect_concrete/
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fwg342/cybertruck_fsd_tries_ramming_oncoming_traffic_at/
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fupic2/cybertruck_fsd_day_3_constantly_turning_into/
[19] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[20] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
A rumor going around that Cybertrucks would lose Geico coverage was rooted in a post on X this weekend by a netizen who claimed they had eight cars, a Cybertruck among them, "with amazing record," but that they weren't going to be a Geico customer anymore after the Musk-mobile insurance snub.
In a screenshot of the Twitter post [1]shared on Reddit (the original appears to have been deleted), a picture of an alleged letter from Geico states that the Cybertruck "doesn't meet our underwriting guidelines," and as such would have coverage terminated.
[2]
When asked about the veracity of the X post, Geico was succinct in its response to us: "Geico has coverage available nationwide for the Tesla Cybertruck."
[3]
[4]
That, naturally, means one of two things: Either the original post, from an X user with little footprint on the platform and a four-month old account, made the whole thing up; or there's more to the story. In this case, it's more column B than column A.
When pushed for more detail, The Register was told that, yes - there were plans to end some coverage on Cybertrucks, but it never intended on placing a blanket ban on covering the electric vehicles.
[5]
Concerned over the Cybertruck's gross weight (a measurement of the vehicle fully loaded with cargo and passengers) and the difficulty of repair shops in acquiring replacement parts, Geico planned to force Cybertruck owners on a case-by-case basis to switch from private passenger automobile (PPA) to commercial vehicle insurance if they wanted to keep their coverage.
[6]Tesla Cybertruck gets cyberstuck during off-roading expedition
[7]Tesla trounces shareholders who alleged Autopilot was all share-pumping lies
[8]Tesla asks customers to stop being wet blankets about chargers
[9]How low can you go: Tesla's US market share dips below 50% for the first time
Some customers have already received letters about that change, potentially including the original poster that triggered the PR kerfuffle. Geico intends to reach out to all Cybertruck owners to clarify the plan, which, as we understand now, has been abandoned. Cybertruck PPA coverage is still available, we're told, and will continue to be offered.
In short: Geico wanted to put at least some Cybertruck owners onto commercial vehicle insurance, but not scrap coverage entirely; the internet took that to mean all insurance was being dropped for the Tesla-made machine; and now the insurer is saying it's not going down that route, and the electric rides can still get private coverage.
Can you blame 'em?
Insuring the Cybertruck is, frankly, a big ask based on its track record after less than a year on roads.
Since delivering the first steel-plated behemoths in November 2023, Tesla has issued [10]five safety recalls for the Cybertruck for everything from faulty windshield wipers, to malfunctioning backup cameras. Owners have reported plenty of quality issues with the vehicle as well, like [11]rust forming on the supposedly "stainless steel" vehicle, and [12]complete Cybertruck failure after going through a car wash.
"Lucky" Cybertruck early adopters also [13]recently started getting Tesla Full Self Driving , raising more concerns for insurers: US regulators have [14]accused Tesla of not including sufficient driver attentiveness controls in its vehicles, leading to a company-wide recall of around [15]2 million vehicles (via an over-the-air software patch) late last year to correct FSD software.
In the few days, FSD has been available for the Cybertruck, multiple owners have [16]posted [17]videos and [18]writeups of Cybertrucks turning into traffic, running over medians, and generally acting unsafe - plenty of reasons not to insure the thing.
[19]
Whether Geico's decision to abandon forcing Cybertruck owners onto commercial insurance will change once this all blows over remains to be seen, but we'll definitely hear about it from grumpy Tesla fans if so. ®
Get our [20]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fx4oyn/apparently_geico_car_insurance_in_no_longer/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/24/tesla_cybertruck_offroading_video/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/02/tesla_defeats_shareholders_lawsuit/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/29/tesla_harging_wet_rag/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/10/tesla_electric_car_sales/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/04/tesla_cybertruck_recall/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/13/tesla_cybertruck_rust/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/20/cybertruck_car_wash_mode/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/30/tesla_cybertruck_fsd_enabled/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/30/tesla_elon_mode_nhtsa/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/13/tesla_recall_autopilot_safety/
[16] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1ft72u4/cybertruck_with_fsd_fails_to_detect_concrete/
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fwg342/cybertruck_fsd_tries_ramming_oncoming_traffic_at/
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1fupic2/cybertruck_fsd_day_3_constantly_turning_into/
[19] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZwRaAh54Ytz0ztFCF7XdwQAAAAg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[20] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
More Reg bashing, yawn.
diodesign
You consistently don't read articles; just jump to conclusions. How on Earth is an article saying Geico isn't going to drop coverage of Cybertruck bashing Elon?
This is like when you said a review of a Meta model in which we said it was brainless and inaccurate was an AI puff piece. I don't mind critiques of articles, I just ask that you actually read and understand the things.
Or more simply: Lurk moar.
C.
Re: More Reg bashing, yawn.
beast666
Of course I read the articles, now who is jumping to conclusions?
It's hardly my fault if you don't understand the concise and accurate critiques of such articles intentions.
Thank you for spending the time to show your annoyance however.
C.
Re: More Reg bashing, yawn.
I am David Jones
I totally agree. There has been absolute radio silence from The Reg on all the other instances of an insurer indicating an unwillingness to insure a particular make and model of a production vehicle.
Throatwarbler Mangrove
Hey, there's good news in the article for you: your Deplorean is still insurable, you'll just need to pay a little extra.
Frankly...
Anonymous Coward
...Tesla should provide their own insurance options. Especially if they are actually confident in their FSD tech.
Re: Frankly...
Headley_Grange
Jaguar Land Rover set up their own insurance scheme when Range Rover and Land Rover owners in parts of London couldnt get insurance - and then refused insurance for some of its own vehicles!
Re: Frankly...
BartyFartsLast
You can just imagine the loss adjusters combing through the claimant's social media for any posts that could be seen as negative towards Elmo as an excuse to avoid paying out.
Screw it. I'm Sticking with My 1972 IFA Trabant
Matthew "The Worst Writer on the Internet" Saroff
Not really, I have a 2004 Toyota Prius as my midlife crisis car, because I am the dullest person on the planet earth.
More Musk bashing. Yawn.