Handling Vehicle Damage from an Uninsured Incident: Strategies and Considerations
Recently, I experienced an unfortunate incident where a drunk driver collided with my legally parked vehicle while I was asleep. Thankfully, law enforcement located and detained the at-fault driver, and provided me with their insurance information. However, I’m facing a challenge: the driver’s insurer, Erie Insurance, is currently experiencing major operational disruptions—likely due to a ransomware attack or similar technical issue—which has rendered their network inaccessible. As a result, they are relying on manual, paper-based processes, causing significant delays.
This situation has me contemplating the best course of action. Should I proceed with using my own collision coverage through Geico to repair my vehicle promptly and allow them to pursue reimbursement from Erie Insurance later? My policy includes a $500 deductible, which Geico has assured me they will recover if they are successful in collecting from Erie.
My primary concern is the potential delay in repairs due to Erie’s ongoing outage, possibly leaving me without my vehicle for an extended period. Using my own insurance might expedite the repair process and minimize inconvenience.
Before making a decision, I am considering these factors:
– The impact of the deductible and whether it’s worth it for quicker resolution.
– The likelihood of Geico successfully recovering the deductible amount from Erie later.
– The potential for delays in insurance claim processing due to Erie’s system outages.
– Any reasons to avoid using my own insurance in this scenario.
If you’ve faced a similar situation or have insights into how best to handle claims when insurers experience technical difficulties, I welcome your advice. Ensuring timely repairs and minimizing inconvenience is my priority, but I also want to weigh all options carefully to make an informed choice.
In summary: when facing insurance delays caused by provider outages, is it advisable to forward repair costs through your own coverage while the at-fault insurer sorts itself out? Your experiences and suggestions could be invaluable.
