Stolen car from airport was only the beginning of an Atlanta man’s ordeal
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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A metro Atlanta man said he’s been fighting Geico over a stolen car insurance claim since it happened earlier this summer. On June 8, Josh Peresta parked his Infiniti Q50 sedan in the south terminal parking lot at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for a business trip to Miami. He took a photo of the parked car and the marker showing where he could find it when he returned, section 17P. It was the last time he saw the car.
Sometime over the next several days, thieves stole the car. Traffic cameras spotted the car driving in northwest Atlanta, and according to the police report, traffic cameras captured video of the car returning to the airport twice. In 2024, Atlanta police statistics show 161 cars were stolen from the airport parking lot and surrounding parking areas, compared to 35 in 2023; 65 in 2022; and 38 in 2021. Peresta filed a claim with his insurer and said Geico agreed to declare the car a total loss of $35,000. Peresta said he filled out the settlement paperwork, had it notarized, and sent it to Geico along with the key.
Two days later, thinking the ordeal was over, he put a down payment on a new car. But less than a week later, Peresta said Geico told him Florida State Patrol located his stolen car near Orlando. He said Geico’s decision to cancel the settlement forced him to make two car payments plus insurance premiums. “That doesn’t include the lost sleep and the stress this has caused me,” Peresta said. Peresta disputed his claim for two and a half months and contacted Atlanta News First Investigates, which asked a Geico media representative to investigate.
“Our theft claims team has been working with Mr. Peresta, and we expect to have this insurance claim fully resolved soon,” a spokesperson said. A few days later, Geico reversed its decision and offered Peresta its original $35,000 settlement, plus reimbursement for the additional car payments. He received nearly $39,000 and is relieved it’s over. “We are sorry for the delay but are pleased to have resolved this matter for Mr.
Peresta,” a Geico spokesperson said.