If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you know your rights about where you can take your car to get it repaired. The first and foremost thing to remember is that it is your car and your decision, not your insurance company’s decision as to which collision or refinishing center will do the repairs.
You are in no way obligated to take your car to the auto body shop that insurance companies suggest because that is the law. If you happen to be in an accident and your car is damaged and towed to a repair facility, you are under no obligation to leave it there for the repairs or refinish work.
Some insurance companies will seldom tell you that you can take your car anywhere that you want because they have a vested interest in referring you to one of their favored vendors. They try to maneuver you to choose one of their own dealers because it cuts their administrative work by a significant margin and saves them money. In addition, the insurance companies receive a discounted rate for referring a customer to a preferred auto body shop.
Ultimately though, it is your choice where to go and an insurance company cannot refuse your claim because you choose another repair shop other than the one they recommended. Of course, it is mandatory to notify your insurance company or agent where the car can be inspected. Therefore, it’s unwise to give the go ahead to any repair shop without notification beforehand.
Although some people think that three separate estimates are required for the insurance company, this is a misconception. Once your car is at the location of your choice and the agent has inspected the car’s damage and cost of repairs, one estimate is usually sufficient unless there is some underlying circumstance.
The key to your peace of mind and the one quote route is that the auto body shop offers a lifetime guarantee on the work being performed; however not all guarantees are completely comprehensive. It is important to ask about the guarantee ahead of time before the work is completed and be sure to get a copy. If there is any clarification required on your part about the work being done or uncertainties about any part of the guarantee, be certain to ask your questions so that you fully understand the contract.
Before you allow your car to be released from the repair shop, inspect it to be certain that the work has been done to your satisfaction. Take a good look at the car close up and then step back to assess its appearance from a distance. Be certain that the paint match, texture and overspray is up to par and blends in flawlessly with the rest of the car. It’s also a good idea to take the car for a test drive to see how it feels regarding the effectiveness of the mechanical repairs. Your car should be thoroughly clean before you sign off and drive it off the lot. Lastly, both you and your insurance company should expect that the vehicle has been completely restored to its pre-collision condition. If there are any concerns or dissatisfaction with the work, mention them immediately.
At a quality collision repair centre, like Waterdown Collision, you can be confident that exceptional customer service and the highest quality repair work will meet your expectations.