GEICO will not write a new policy for you while your license is suspended, but you may be able to keep an existing policy if you notify them
If your license is suspended, GEICO's response depends on whether you already have a policy with them. If you are a current customer, contact GEICO directly to report the suspension — many insurers, including GEICO, allow existing policyholders to maintain coverage during a suspension as long as you disclose it. If you do not have a policy yet, GEICO will not issue one until your license is reinstated. The reason is straightforward: insurers assess risk based on your driving record and current legal status to drive, and a suspended license signals higher risk.
What happens next depends on your state and the reason for the suspension. Some suspensions last weeks; others last months or years. During that time, you cannot legally drive, but you may still own a vehicle. If you own a car and want to keep insurance on it — perhaps because you plan to drive again once your license is restored, or because you have a loan on the vehicle — you need to understand what GEICO will and will not do.
Key Takeaways
- GEICO will not issue a new policy to someone with a suspended license, but existing customers should contact GEICO to report the suspension and ask whether they can keep their current policy.
- The rules for keeping coverage during a suspension vary by state and by the reason for the suspension, so your state's insurance commissioner's office can tell you what is allowed where you live.
- If GEICO cancels your policy because of the suspension, you will need to find another insurer who will cover a suspended-license driver, which is harder but possible.
- Once your license is reinstated, you can return to GEICO or switch to another insurer without the suspension on your record.
Why GEICO and other insurers care about your license status
Insurance companies use your driving record and license status to decide whether to insure you and how much to charge. A suspended license tells them you have violated traffic laws, failed to pay fines, or accumulated too many violations — all of which suggest you are more likely to file a claim. From the insurer's perspective, covering someone who cannot legally drive is a bad business decision.
However, the law in many states does not require insurers to cancel a policy the moment a license is suspended. Some states allow insurers to keep covering you if you ask them to, as long as you are honest about the suspension. Other states require cancellation. GEICO's policy follows state law, so the answer depends on where you live.
What to do if you have an existing GEICO policy
Call GEICO as soon as you know your license will be or has been suspended. Do not wait for them to find out through a background check or a renewal notice. Telling them yourself shows good faith and gives you the best chance of keeping your policy. You can reach GEICO by phone at 1-800-861-8380 or through their website.
When you call, explain the suspension clearly: when it happened, why it happened, and when it will end. Ask whether you can keep your policy during the suspension. GEICO may say yes, no, or "it depends on your state." If they say yes, ask them to note the suspension in your file so there is no confusion later. If they say no, ask whether they will cancel when ready or at your next renewal date, and whether you have time to find another insurer before the cancellation takes effect.
Keep a record of the date and time you called, the name of the representative you spoke with, and what they told you. If GEICO later claims you did not disclose the suspension, you will have proof that you did.
If GEICO cancels your policy during a suspension
If GEICO cancels your policy because of the suspension, you will receive a cancellation notice in the mail. This notice will say when the cancellation takes effect — usually 10 to 30 days after the notice is sent. You will also see a mark on your insurance record showing that GEICO cancelled for a suspended license.
Finding another insurer after a cancellation is harder than keeping your existing policy, but it is possible. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and will cover someone with a suspended license. You can search for these insurers through your state's insurance commissioner's office or by calling local independent insurance agents who work with multiple companies. Be prepared to pay higher premiums than you would with a clean record.
Do not drive without insurance, even if your license is suspended. If you are caught driving uninsured, you face fines, license suspension extensions, and possible jail time depending on your state. If you own a vehicle and cannot find an insurer, contact your state's insurance commissioner's office — they can point you toward options or tell you whether your state has a high-risk pool or assigned-risk plan that must cover you.
The difference between suspension and revocation
A suspended license is temporary — it will be restored once you meet the conditions (pay fines, complete a course, wait out the suspension period). A revoked license is permanent or long-term, and you have to reapply and pass tests to get a new one. GEICO and other insurers treat revocation more seriously than suspension because revocation suggests a more serious violation.
If your license has been revoked rather than suspended, your options are narrower. Some insurers will not cover you at all until you have a valid license again. Others will cover you but at much higher cost. Ask GEICO directly whether they distinguish between suspension and revocation in their underwriting, and what that means for your policy.
Reinstating your license and returning to GEICO
Once your suspension ends and your license is reinstated, you can contact GEICO to reinstate your policy if it was cancelled, or straightforward continue if it was never cancelled. If you switched to another insurer during the suspension, you can move back to GEICO without penalty — the suspension will no longer appear on your driving record after a certain period, depending on your state.
The length of time a suspension stays on your record varies. Some states clear it after three to five years; others keep it longer. You can check your driving record through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to see what is currently showing. When you explore for insurance after the suspension is cleared, you will not have to disclose it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my GEICO policy if my license is suspended for unpaid tickets?
It depends on your state and GEICO's policy in that state. Call GEICO and tell them about the suspension. Some states and some insurers allow you to keep coverage; others do not. The sooner you call, the more time you have to find another insurer if GEICO says no.
What if I was not driving during my suspension and got into an accident?
If GEICO cancelled your policy because of the suspension and you were not driving, you would not have coverage for that accident anyway. If your policy was still active when the accident happened, GEICO would likely cover it — but they may investigate whether you were actually driving or whether someone else was.
Will GEICO charge me more when my license is reinstated?
GEICO may raise your rate when you reinstate your policy, depending on how long the suspension lasted and your state's rules. The suspension itself will eventually fall off your record, but the reason for it (the violation that caused the suspension) may stay longer. Ask GEICO what your new rate will be before you commit to reinstating.
Can I get insurance from GEICO while my license is suspended if someone else drives my car?
No. GEICO insures the vehicle and the household, not just one driver. If you own the car and live in the household, your suspended license affects whether GEICO will cover the vehicle, even if someone else drives it. You would need to remove yourself from the policy and have only the other driver listed, but GEICO may still decline.
Where do I find my state's insurance commissioner's office?
Search online for "[your state] insurance commissioner" or "[your state] department of insurance." This office regulates insurers in your state and can tell you what the law requires regarding suspended licenses, and which insurers may cover you.