What kind of rental can I be expected to have and for how long?
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How long will it take for my car to get repaired?
What is expected before the vehicle is brought to the shop…
What is expected before the vehicle is brought to the shop if it is drivable? What if the vehicle is non-drivable?
How do I know if it is a good reputable body shop?
Like scouting for a plumber or a mechanic, the reputation of the body shop is an important factor to consider. Always ask for references from your insurance company. They don’t deal with inferior service providers because they have a vested interest in the vehicles being repaired properly. Another thing you can do is ask your mechanic. If he has been around the area awhile you can bet that he knows who the best body shops are and which ones to avoid. A good reference is priceless. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau about a particular shop.Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and I-CAR are training and certification associations for the collision repair industry. Look for these ASE and I-CAR logos which indicate that technicians at that facility are well trained and certified by these associations.
You also want to be able to view their work. If they are unwilling to show you before and after photos and even let you see jobs they are currently working on just walk away. Any reputable body shop will be more than happy to show you the quality of their work.
Another thing that you definitely want to look for from a quality body shop is a guarantee. A good shop will always stand behind the repairs they have done and will usually give some kind of warranty on paint, parts, and labor. Ask specifically what their policy is regarding guarantees and what they will do for you if you are not happy with the quality of the work that they have. If they get indignant with you leave and find another one, any decent body shop knows and understands a customer has concerns about there vehicle being repaired properly.
Do I have to use a Direct Repair Shop…
Do I have to use a Direct Repair Shop recommended by the insurance company?
No. In the end, the choice is yours. The insurance company may tell you that the shop of your choice is not on their “approved†list of shops and that they may not be able to efficiently handle your claim due to your selection of a certain shop, but do not be intimidated by this. It is your right to choose whatever shop you want to repair your vehicle.
If by chance you pick a bad shop, and they mess up your repairs, it is you against the body shop. The insurance company is only liable to pay for the original repair, it will not warranty how those repairs are made, whereas if you had gone to one of the insurance company’s direct repair facilities, then they would have to get involved.
Should I use a Direct Repair Shop?
When you first contact your insurance to set up your estimate and review your policy, ask the insurance company about their Direct Repair Program and what type of warranty they give on repairs done at one of their facilities and, if applicable, will the warranty transfer out of state. Normally the insurance companies will back the warranties of the shops on their “approved†lists.
Does my insurance company offer me a Direct Repair Program…
Does my insurance company offer me a direct repair program through a local body shop and how does the process work in dealing with a direct repair shop?
This is how a Direct Repair Program works: You are involved in an accident and contact your insurance company, or the insurer of the at-fault driver. The auto insurance company then refers you to a network of conveniently located repair facilities that offer a limited lifetime warranty on the repairs to your vehicle. The service might also offer on-site rental car arrangements. The insurance company and the collision shop handle all the details and paperwork, so you do not have to.
The collision shop and the auto insurer determine the specific provisions of a Direct Repair Program. The advantage to the collision specialist is the steady stream of referrals or work. A collision shop might participate in one, or several, insurance companies’ Direct Repair Programs.
Although a Direct Repair Program can generate additional paperwork for a body shop, it can also prevent delays. When an additional part is needed for a repair, the shop does not have to stop working on a vehicle to wait for an insurance adjuster to re-evaluate the situation and perhaps write a new estimate. Insurance companies promote the advantages of a Direct Repair Program to their customers as convenience, warranties on repair work, and the freedom from estimates and other paperwork details.
Will my car be replaced or repaired?
Your insurance will elect to replace your vehicle or reimburse you for the ACV in those instances where the vehicle is economically impractical to repair.
A vehicle is considered economically impractical to repair, or a total loss, if the cost to repair the vehicle equals or exceeds the vehicle’s ACV on the date of the loss. In many instances an insurance company will total a vehicle if the appraised damages equal 80% of the vehicle’s ACV because often, once repairs are begun, additional damages or “hidden damages” are found which would render the vehicle a total loss by definition. (This is sometimes referred to as a “constructive total” loss).
Do I have to accept non-OEM parts?
No, the final choice is yours but if the insurer wants to use non-OEM parts and you decide to use more expensive OEM parts, you may have to pay the difference in cost. All depends what is stated in your policy.