Handling Car Repairs After an Accident During an Insurance Network Outage
Dealing with vehicle damage can be stressful, especially when unexpected incidents occur. Recently, I experienced an unfortunate situation where a drunk driver hit my parked car while I was asleep. Fortunately, law enforcement caught the driver and provided me with their insurance information. The culprit’s insurer is Erie Insurance, but there’s a complication: their online systems are currently offline, likely due to a significant outage or ransomware incident. They are reportedly relying on manual, paper-based procedures, which could cause significant delays—potentially extending repair times by weeks.
In light of this, I am weighing my options on how best to proceed with repairs. Should I simply utilize my collision coverage through Geico to get my vehicle repaired promptly and then have them pursue reimbursement from Erie? My policy includes a $500 deductible, though Geico has assured me that they will attempt to recover this amount once they successfully claim it from Erie.
My main concern is whether there are any pitfalls to this approach. Would filing a claim directly with Geico expedite the repair process? Are there potential complications in their ability to recover costs from Erie later? I’m interested in hearing advice from those experienced in navigating insurance claims, especially in scenarios involving network outages or delays.
Your insights and recommendations are welcome.
