Dealing with Car Repairs After an Accident During a Network Outage: Is Using Your Own Insurance the Best Option?
Accidents can happen unexpectedly, and navigating the aftermath can sometimes be complicated, especially when insurance companies face unexpected technical difficulties. Recently, I found myself in such a situation when my parked car was hit by a drunk driver while I was asleep. The driver’s insurance provider, Erie Insurance, provided their details at the scene. However, I’ve learned that Erie is currently experiencing a significant technical outage, likely due to a ransomware incident or similar cybersecurity issue, which has temporarily taken their network offline.
This situation has me contemplating the best course of action regarding my repair process. Erie Insurance is known to be operating manually during this period, with some sources indicating that their systems may remain down for weeks. My concern is that this could cause prolonged delays in processing my claim and having my vehicle repaired.
Given these circumstances, is it advisable to proceed with my own collision coverage through Geico to have the repairs completed swiftly? My plan would be to let Geico handle the repair process and then seek reimbursement from Erie once their systems are back online and claim processing resumes. My policy includes a $500 deductible, which Geico has assured will be reimbursed if they successfully recover that amount from Erie.
What are the potential risks and benefits of this approach? Would it be prudent to expedite repairs through my insurer to minimize transportation disruptions, or could this complicate the reimbursement process later? Has anyone else faced similar situations where their insurer’s technical outages impacted their claims?
Ultimately, ensuring my vehicle is repaired promptly while managing the reimbursement process efficiently is my priority. I would appreciate any insights or advice from those experienced in navigating insurance claims during systemic outages or cybersecurity incidents.
