GEICO Insurance supporting drinking and riding????

neebelung · 08-13-2007

So I'm on a crusade against GEICO insurance.

We've had a long-standing local sportbike bike night here in Jax (there's literally dozens geared toward the cruised and Harley crowds). We have it at a huge sports grille, and on a good night, you can expect 300+ bikes there.

Recently, the venue has signed on a couple of sponsors, namely a local Rock radio station, and GEICO insurance. As we all know, GEICO has been heavily courting the motorcycle sector of business (and is 'in' with Kawasaki).

So last week, the venue announces their moving our bike night from Thursday to Tuesday, due to Thursday night football (the place is pure insanity during sporting events). Ok, no biggie... However, to "soften the blow," they were giving out coupons for a free beer (i.e. "Come out next week, and your first beer is on us!"). This is aggravating to me, because it's promoting drinking and riding (drinking and driving is bad enough, but to mix alcohol with motorcycling is pure danger, IMHO).

But the real kicker? GEICO's logo is all over this coupon, essentially illustrating that they "endorse" drinking and riding.

This angers me more than I can express in writing... I think it's disgusting, and utterly irresponsible (yes, the burden of responsibility is ultimately on the rider to make the conscious decision to drink and ride, or NOT drink and ride, but to have an insurance company support this is just assinine).

Today I've sent off emails to GEICO, to Progressive (since they're the major competition for GEICO in motorcycle insurance), B.A.D.D., M.A.D.D., the local newspaper, and the consumer advocate for a local news station, to bring this to everyone's attention.

I just wanted to bring this to everyone's attention, and I'll letcha know what kind of response(s) I get.

fretbuzz · 08-13-2007

I admire your fortitude, neebe, and I say if that's the way you feel go for it.

I can't see it your way, though. As you stated, it is the individual's responsibility and I can't fault Geico if they choose to treat people like adults and say "here's one free brewski, enjoy it responsibly".

Blaming Geico if someone decides to be stupid is like blaming a bartender if someone gets drunk and is stupid -it makes no sense. Just hold the individuals accountable for their actions.

neebelung · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

I admire your fortitude, neebe, and I say if that's the way you feel go for it.

I can't see it your way, though. As you stated, it is the individual's responsibility and I can't fault Geico if they choose to treat people like adults and say "here's one free brewski, enjoy it responsibly".

Blaming Geico if someone decides to be stupid is like blaming a bartender if someone gets drunk and is stupid -it makes no sense. Just hold the individuals accountable for their actions.

For me, I guess it's the nature of GEICO's business that makes this so horrible to me. If it were Anheuser-Busch, it would bother me, but not surprise me...

fretbuzz · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

For me, I guess it's the nature of GEICO's business that makes this so horrible to me. If it were Anheuser-Busch, it would bother me, but not surprise me...

I can see that. It does seem like a contradiction in some ways.

wagskater2005 · 08-13-2007

Hey I agree with you. I think before any company supports something they need to check EVERYTHING and if they don't and something comes up that could hurt them well to bad. I think its horrible that GEICO would put their name on something like like....BOOO

Thanks for taking a stand

neebelung · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

I can see that. It does seem like a contradiction in some ways.

Think of it like a health insurance company passing out free cigarettes...

fretbuzz · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

Think of it like a health insurance company passing out free cigarettes...

One wouldn't kill anyone.

neebelung · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

One wouldn't kill anyone.

LOL..... (you know what I meant, though...

)

fretbuzz · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

LOL..... (you know what I meant, though...

)

Yeah. I've seen sports teams turn down lucrative deals because of stuff like that -not very often. There are things more important than money for some folks anyway.

JasonFMHS · 08-13-2007

Thats strange that they woudl do that.....

BikerBeagle · 08-13-2007

I can see your point from an endorsement perspective ...not a smart move on Geico's part ...however, drinking alcohol beyond safe driving limits has always been, and should always be, the responsibility of the rider.

neebelung · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikerBeagle

I can see your point from an endorsement perspective ...not a smart move on Geico's part ...however, drinking alcohol beyond safe driving limits has always been, and should always be, the responsibility of the rider.

I don't disagree with ya at all on that....

**Spok** · 08-13-2007

is your crusade against geico based on this one issue or do you have a long standing fued with geico?

i'm just wondering what else it is they do as I'm insured with them. I don't ever consider Progressive as an option due to personal issues I have with the ownership of that company...just wondering if I need to let geico go away as well.

neebelung · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spok

is your crusade against geico based on this one issue or do you have a long standing fued with geico?

Purely this (and crusade is probably too strong of a term... LOL)... I'm insured with USAA, so other than getting hit by a GEICO customer yeeeeeeears ago, I've had little experience with them at all.

moparman · 08-13-2007

I don't know of anything they do that isn't kosher other than what you brought up (plus the annoying lizard of course) but I use them because they are literally hundreds of dollars less than anyone else is for my bike insurance. I have the MOST/HIGHEST coverage that is available and the LOWEST deductibles and nobody else can even come close.

**Spok** · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

Purely this (and crusade is probably too strong of a term... LOL)... I'm insured with USAA, so other than getting hit by a GEICO customer yeeeeeeears ago, I've had little experience with them at all.

ok, good as i really didn't want to find another policy. as long as there are no real concerns, i'll just say i'm unhappy with them giving a blind eye to drinking and riding

Tim_Stanley_47 · 08-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

Think of it like a health insurance company passing out free cigarettes...

Make mine Marlboro please!!

Just Kidding, way to go Neebelung, I agree that things that are wrong, need to be addressed. And as a customer of Geico, I plan on asking if this is their policy, to support drinking and riding / driving. I was injured in 1995 by a drunk driver and I support any organization geared to eliminate impaired riding / driving. Please let me know how things work out on your end.

Tim

neebelung · 08-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_Stanley_47

Make mine Marlboro please!!

Just Kidding, way to go Neebelung, I agree that things that are wrong, need to be addressed. And as a customer of Geico, I plan on asking if this is their policy, to support drinking and riding / driving. I was injured in 1995 by a drunk driver and I support any organization geared to eliminate impaired riding / driving. Please let me know how things work out on your end.

Tim

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that.....

So far, the only response I've received is from B.A.D.D., who basically said in order to keep sponsors, they focus more on supporting the families of victims than actually working toward prevention (the underlying story being that they're based at Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson in Daytona, and if he wants to keep his office space/HQ there, he has to keep quiet, since there's a bar on site.... he actually read me the response from Bruce Rossmeyer's Attorney *eye roll*)

But I've got several other people who are approaching GEICO about this; it's really them I'm anxious to hear from (because I'd be willing to bet their corp. offices wouldn't approve of this kind of thing). I'll keep ya posted.

SLYNINJA636 · 08-14-2007

I would love to see a pic of this coupon. My guess is it doesn't say to bring your bike with you to get the free beer and hell doesn't any bar with a parking lot support drinking and driving? I say that we are all big boys, and girls. Lets use our minds for once and stop blaming others for stupidity.

neebelung · 08-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLYNINJA636

08-13-2007	#1 (permalink)
neebelung Ornery, scandalous & evil BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 3,149	GEICO Insurance supporting drinking and riding???? So I'm on a crusade against GEICO insurance. We've had a long-standing local sportbike bike night here in Jax (there's literally dozens geared toward the cruised and Harley crowds). We have it at a huge sports grille, and on a good night, you can expect 300+ bikes there. Recently, the venue has signed on a couple of sponsors, namely a local Rock radio station, and GEICO insurance. As we all know, GEICO has been heavily courting the motorcycle sector of business (and is 'in' with Kawasaki). So last week, the venue announces their moving our bike night from Thursday to Tuesday, due to Thursday night football (the place is pure insanity during sporting events). Ok, no biggie... However, to "soften the blow," they were giving out coupons for a free beer (i.e. "Come out next week, and your first beer is on us!"). This is aggravating to me, because it's promoting drinking and riding (drinking and driving is bad enough, but to mix alcohol with motorcycling is pure danger, IMHO). But the real kicker? GEICO's logo is all over this coupon, essentially illustrating that they "endorse" drinking and riding. This angers me more than I can express in writing... I think it's disgusting, and utterly irresponsible (yes, the burden of responsibility is ultimately on the rider to make the conscious decision to drink and ride, or NOT drink and ride, but to have an insurance company support this is just assinine). Today I've sent off emails to GEICO, to Progressive (since they're the major competition for GEICO in motorcycle insurance), B.A.D.D., M.A.D.D., the local newspaper, and the consumer advocate for a local news station, to bring this to everyone's attention. I just wanted to bring this to everyone's attention, and I'll letcha know what kind of response(s) I get. __________________ RIP Charley "Tuna" Sweezer... We miss you... :(

08-13-2007	#2 (permalink)
fretbuzz Non Omnis Moriar BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heart o' Texas Posts: 7,785	I admire your fortitude, neebe, and I say if that's the way you feel go for it. I can't see it your way, though. As you stated, it is the individual's responsibility and I can't fault Geico if they choose to treat people like adults and say "here's one free brewski, enjoy it responsibly". Blaming Geico if someone decides to be stupid is like blaming a bartender if someone gets drunk and is stupid -it makes no sense. Just hold the individuals accountable for their actions. __________________ I'd rather you offend me with the truth than appease me with a lie.

08-13-2007	#10 (permalink)
JasonFMHS Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,102	Thats strange that they woudl do that..... __________________ 01' ZX-6r

08-13-2007	#11 (permalink)
BikerBeagle Giggidy-Giggidy-Goo! BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 1,604	I can see your point from an endorsement perspective ...not a smart move on Geico's part ...however, drinking alcohol beyond safe driving limits has always been, and should always be, the responsibility of the rider. __________________ BikerBeagle 2007 Kawasaki Nomad 1600 A biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

08-13-2007	#13 (permalink)
Spok Whatever Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 33,680	is your crusade against geico based on this one issue or do you have a long standing fued with geico? i'm just wondering what else it is they do as I'm insured with them. I don't ever consider Progressive as an option due to personal issues I have with the ownership of that company...just wondering if I need to let geico go away as well. __________________ 2005 V2k Beartooth Kawasaki for all your needs 1-800-556-3098

08-13-2007	#5 (permalink)
wagskater2005 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 114	Hey I agree with you. I think before any company supports something they need to check EVERYTHING and if they don't and something comes up that could hurt them well to bad. I think its horrible that GEICO would put their name on something like like....BOOO Thanks for taking a stand

08-13-2007	#15 (permalink)
moparman I ride, therefore I am. Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: West Central Idaho Mountains Posts: 1,503	I don't know of anything they do that isn't kosher other than what you brought up (plus the annoying lizard of course) but I use them because they are literally hundreds of dollars less than anyone else is for my bike insurance. I have the MOST/HIGHEST coverage that is available and the LOWEST deductibles and nobody else can even come close. __________________ A day without a ride is like a day without sunshine.That's usually the reason, so it all works out.

08-14-2007	#19 (permalink)
SLYNINJA636 WE WILL SHOCK YOU BTK Beginner Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: kenosha Posts: 44	I would love to see a pic of this coupon. My guess is it doesn't say to bring your bike with you to get the free beer and hell doesn't any bar with a parking lot support drinking and driving? I say that we are all big boys, and girls. Lets use our minds for once and stop blaming others for stupidity.