Sony insurer doesn't want to pay, following PSN breach

is it worth having Insurance these days the rats are always trying to get out of paying.

Originally posted by brockie:

---

is it worth having Insurance these days the rats are always trying to get out of paying.

---

I agree that insurance companies are not better than the banks...and this claim that cyber attacks are not covered is BS.

However, I do think that they should not cover Sony because the attack would not have been successful if sony had not fired their most talented security specialists (and even the guys smart enough to at least enable updates).

Of course, sony brought the attacks on themselves; it was just another strike in a back-n-forth between Sony and their own customers...

Sony sells the PS3 with linux support claiming it can be used for homebrew and that it will never be released. For absolutely no reason, they block access to the RSX, preventing all 3D homebrew.

GeoHot enables the RSX.

Sony removes linux support, claiming it is to stop piracy. Actually, it is to help them cut staff...it seems that this is about the time that regular maintenance and updates stopped (although they would still take the network down occasionally to make it look like they were doing updates).

The community starts working on hacking the system to get OtherOS back...but the first people to get it right start selling jailbreaking tools for playing backups because that is where the money is(removing OtherOS certainly did not prevent piracy), and soon people like GeoHot and Graf are returning OtherOS to the PS3.

Sony sues geohot and graf for returning OtherOS.

Anonymous attacks sony for attacking geohot and graf, but backs off because they were hurting the users too much.

Some anonymous group (not Anonymous) attacks sony with a different method and happens upon credit card numbers. Sony waits a week to tell people that their cards may or may not have been stolen, and the PSN is down for a month.

Sony finally fixes the PSN and they give away software...this actually increased software sales because people bought the sequels.

There are a lot of things in there that Sony did wrong...things that they knew were wrong when the did them...but the big one was waiting a week...all the other issues could be blamed on ignorance or cost-cutting...there is no excuse for waiting a week to alert people about stolen credit cards, and then not even emailing them...just posting the news to a blog that very few users read.

Sony brought this on themselves, and most insurance does not cover attempted suicide.

I really hope the get let out of their agreements..."We have insurance" should not be your only web security.

Insurance is the biggest legalized scam on the planet; then to force the people (in certain states & countries) to purchase plans/packages for particular reasons just because 'they' said so is racketeering of the highest order.

We've all seen the fallout once a hazard comes about that a insurer is finally called upon to 'pay-up' (all perfectly legal); they'll fight it tooth & nail. Fighting & bitching that the families of the flood plane did a rain dance because a drought, did it wrong & that's why their house got washed away. I.e., they ain't paying. Not that I pity Sony in the slightest, but why would they treat Sony any differently?

Sony's ability to be purely negligent like that of BP in putting proper safety precautions in place like their supposed to also kind of nullifies one's policy as well. If memory serves me correctly.

I wonder if Afterdawn has a policy of giving recognition to the person or group that broke this story? Some sort of SOURCE so one could do more research into the story.

I have to admit I dont buy insurance because nothing is covered. Not worth it. I still drive my car, despite it not considered legal with out it. The only time I buy my car insurance is to renew my plate sticker, than after it expires fuck it. Biggest BS on the planet, and the reason why the gov't won't change it, is because its their biggest cash cow, prolly bigger than oil.

@Mysttic... yeah, but that still scares the hell out of me! Some states even have a 'watchdog' thing that alerts the police when your insurance has expired. Most cases they don't do anything other than stop you for a seat belt & then tag you. In others they will come to your house & literally fine you at the front door even though you're not even within 20 feet of the car.

Like you stated, total scam.

I can see both sides in this criticism of insurance companies, some of it is valid but it's way too broadbrush & too much of a silly caricature.

I know.
There are occasions when it absolutely is not a scam and having it (and the person who had a road accident with you having it too) makes all the difference in the world.
Proper insurance is the difference between getting a normal life back on track after needing months off of work.
Believe me.

But in this case Sony's security appears to have been so ridiculously ineffective (despite their public boasting) that I am not surprised that their insurance company is questioning their responsibility in paying for it.
Gross negligence and laying yourself wide open to loss is unlikely to be looked at sympathetically by any insurer.

Originally posted by Mysttic:

---

I have to admit I dont buy insurance because nothing is covered. Not worth it. I still drive my car, despite it not considered legal with out it. The only time I buy my car insurance is to renew my plate sticker, than after it expires fuck it. Biggest BS on the planet, and the reason why the gov't won't change it, is because its their biggest cash cow, prolly bigger than oil.

---

Originally posted by themind:

---

I wonder if Afterdawn has a policy of giving recognition to the person or group that broke this story? Some sort of SOURCE so one could do more research into the story.

---

There was no link in this article for three days. And yes the new Reuters link looks good.

i live in australia the only car insurance we are required to have is compulsary 3rd party which in included in the rego.i didnt insure my car.2 reasons why not (1 it costs $1800 which means it would be replacable,2 i dont think insurance would cover my lawyers fees if someone hit my car and i physically beat them and got arrested).when i was 12 years old insurance company SGIC tryed to sue me,basically i was crossing the road on the way to school and was hit by a car that i suspect was speeding.the car had $5000 worth of damages or so they claimed.

*back on topic*.as for sony and insurance im sure there is some loop hole in the policy which will stop sony getting paid.

@xboxdvl2... OM'Fing'G!!! I don't know what the cost of living is in comparison to the US, but unless that has something to do with your age & all the other garbage they do to knock down the cost... no wonder you don't pay. I wouldn't either.

As for the back on topic... One of a couple of things... Either you're spot on & the loop hole is there and the insurance company just lost a multi-million dollar client (which is typical. They'd rather loose the client & keep the money) or Sony will sue the crap out of them & both companies will have healthy tax write offs at the end of the whatever quarter they decide to pull this scam. Which is equally stupid because it'll cost as much or more to sue than the payoff.

Sometimes I wonder why we try...