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Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
A. Get the name of the person(s) driving the other vehicle(s) involved along with their phone number, driver's license, vehicle license, insurance information. Also try to obtain any witness' name and number. Note the location, time and date. And, if you have a camera, take pictures. IMPORTANT: If the person(s) driving the vehicle(s) involved is unwilling to provide this information or if they do not have a driver's license and insurance, then you have a problem, and you should notify the police and your insurance agent immediately.
Contact the shop of your choice and have them set up a tow or appointment to get your vehicle in the shop. If you need alternative transportation and have rental coverage or the other party's insurance is paying the bill, ask the shop to set up the rental for you.
Contact the Insurance Company responsible and let them know where the vehicle is and/or where it is going and ask for a claim number. If the Insurance Company wants to examine your vehicle at your house or in their claims center, you have the choice of doing this, or you can inform the Insurance Company that you are dropping the vehicle at the shop of your choice and they can see the vehicle there. Remember, you're free to choose.
Call the shop and give them the claim number. From this point on, the shop will negotiate on your behalf to insure that your vehicle will be returned to pre-loss condition.
Q. DO I NEED THREE ESTIMATES?
A. No. the law states your only obligation is to choose the shop of your choice and inform the insurance company where the vehicle is going.
Q. WILL MY VEHICLE BE THE SAME?
A. Reputable shops have the kind of facility, equipment, personnel and training to restore your vehicle to pre-loss condition within industry standards. Experts can always find indications of a repair. This doesn't mean it was not repaired properly, but since shops do not have the same equipment available that the manufacturer's have, shops cannot replicate the manufacturer's work exactly.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED?
A. The Insurance Company responsible for your claim must pay for the cost of an equal replacement vehicle or provide you with a replacement vehicle. It is their choice.
The Insurance Company may offer you a dollar amount for your vehicle (less the pre-agreed upon amount of your deductible). If you do not feel this is an adequate amount, you will need to substantiate your claim for a higher dollar amount with independent written evidence showing the worth of a similar vehicle (year, model, mileage, condition and options) in the same market area. The market area may be local or regional depending upon the number of vehicles for sale in the area.
Remember, upon extension of their offer to you, the Insurance Company has fulfilled its obligation and can at that time stop payment for rental car expenses. If your vehicle is totaled, visit your local dealerships or go online and obtain information that substantiates your claim of what you believe your vehicle is worth.
If I get more than one estimate, should I go with the lowest one?
Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you're not sure why one estimate is different from another you've received, please ask us.
Do I have to pay a deductible?
Check your insurance policy or contact your insurance agent. Deductible amounts are generally determined when you purchase your insurance policy, depending on the type of collision coverage. Standard collision coverage requires you to pay a deductible regardless of fault. Broad collision coverage usually requires a deductible only if you were at fault. Fault is determined by your insurance company based on your account of the accident and by the accident report filed by the police department. If there is a deductible to be paid, it is due when you pick up your vehicle,
Q. WHAT IF AN INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSES TO WORK WITH THE SHOP OF MY CHOICE?
A. By law, an insurance company cannot refuse your request and must negotiate with the shop of your choice. It is in both parties best interest to get your vehicle repaired and back to you as quickly as possible, without charging you extra. The Insurance Commissioner does not tolerate delaying the repair through unlawful practices.
Q. CAN THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAKE ME TO GO TO THEIR CLAIMS CENTER FOR AN ESTIMATE?
A. No. You can drop the vehicle off at the shop of your choice and they will schedule an insurance adjuster to come out. If you do go to their claims center, accept the estimate and the check they give you.
However, do not sign anything that states you accept their check as payment in full. The insurance company realizes the repair shop may call with additional damage costs.
Q. WHO PAYS THE TOW BILL?
A. The Insurance Company responsible for paying for your repairs is also responsible for paying the tow bill to the shop of your choice. If the Insurance Company selected a shop and you prefer to go elsewhere, they are still obligated to pay for the additional tow.
Q. WHEN IS ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
A. If you are an insured, check with your insurance provider. Generally speaking, if your vehicle is legal and safe to drive, scheduling to have your vehicle repaired will insure that you will not incur any of the costs.
If you are a third party claimant and your vehicle is legal and safe to drive, scheduling your vehicle for repairs will insure that you will not incur any rental charges.
If your vehicle is unsafe or illegal (it may be ticketed) to drive due to the accident, you are entitled to a replacement vehicle immediately upon being issued a claim number. A reputable shop will be able to take care of all the above to as part of their service and as a convenience to you. You are responsible for insurance coverage you purchase from the rental company.
What qualifies as a Total Loss?
The insurance companies designate a vehicle a total loss only when the cost of repairs exceeds a percentage of the vehicles determined value
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Can I get an estimate over the phone?
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There are too many variables involved in estimating to give an estimate over the phone. You can stop by anytime between 830-530 Monday through Friday for an estimate and you don't even n need an appointment.
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What if your estimate is more than the one from my insurance company?
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No problem! Insurance companies know that there might be additional repairs necessary so they have a system for approving them. And most of the time they will pay us directly.
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I think my car needs a new paint job, how much does it cost?
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Repainting the entire vehicle PROPERLY will make the car look brand new again. Cutting certain corners can create problems with the new finish that are worse than problems with the existing finish. By understanding what you want to accomplish and how much you wish to spend, we can determine the best course of action.
We use the highest quality two stage refinish system available. The finish we apply will maintain gloss and appearance for many years. Certain brands of paint (which are cheaper and more prevalent in the repair industry) not only start out with less gloss than ours, but they lose even more of their reflective gloss as time goes on.
The cost of a repaint where the car looks like new, and you can?t tell it has been painted varies depending on factors such as body repair etc. Most cars we look at don"t really need a whole paint job. They usually need a combination of Spot Blending, Paintless Dent Repair, and Detailing to look almost as good as new much less investment.
We'll be happy to look at your car and suggest the best value for your vehicle
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