GEICO: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

GEICO was founded in 1936 by Leo Goodwin Sr. and his wife Lillian Goodwin in San Antonio (or Fort Worth, per some sources), Texas, to provide auto insurance directly to federal government employees and their families. Goodwin had worked since 1925 at USAA, an insurer specializing in military personnel, and started his own company after rising as far as a civilian could go within USAA's military-dominated hierarchy. GEICO's original business model was built on the idea that government employees, as a group, represented a less risky and more financially stable pool of insureds, and by eliminating insurance agents as middlemen, the company could offer lower premiums.

GEICO grew steadily in its early decades, and in 1948 investment banker Lorimer Davidson joined the company and expanded its pool of investors; in 1951, a young Columbia University business student named Warren Buffett made his first purchase of GEICO stock, beginning a relationship that would prove hugely significant to both parties. Leo Goodwin retired in 1958 and was succeeded by Davidson, who opened GEICO's new headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in 1959. GEICO expanded its customer base beyond government employees to the general public in 1974. After facing near-failure in the mid-1970s due to underwriting and reserving issues from rapid expansion, GEICO returned to financial health through the 1980s and 1990s, and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway acquired the remainder of the company in 1995-1996, making GEICO a wholly owned Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.

Today, GEICO is the second or third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States, generating tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue and employing more than 28,000 people. The company is well known for its extensive, entertainment-focused advertising campaigns, including its gecko mascot. GEICO's workforce includes claims adjusters and representatives, customer service and sales agents, underwriters, and corporate functions supporting its large-scale insurance operations across offices nationwide.

Company culture and employee programs: GEICO emphasizes efficient, direct-to-consumer service, having built its original business model around eliminating agent middlemen to keep costs low for customers. As part of Berkshire Hathaway, GEICO benefits from the stability and long-term investment philosophy associated with Warren Buffett's broader conglomerate. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by role and location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the insurance industry, including GEICO, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

GEICO is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for insurance companies, particularly given access to sensitive customer financial and personal information involved in claims and underwriting roles.

The hiring process for roles at GEICO typically includes an application, one or more interviews, and a background check prior to a final offer. Certain licensed roles, such as insurance sales positions, may also require state insurance licensing.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for an insurance industry role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly for positions involving financial transactions or licensed insurance sales. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what GEICO may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to GEICO or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.