Imagine. Your car won’t start, or perhaps you have been in an accident, and your car is no longer safe (or possible) to drive. While you may feel relieved when the tow truck finally arrives, it’s important not to let that sense of relief cloud your judgement or force you into a decision you don’t want to make. With all the anxiety and emotion that you may be feeling in the moment, it can be hard to remember that you have rights when your car needs to be towed. But you do have rights, and you need to know what they are.
In some cases, a tow truck driver may have a relationship with a particular repair shop and wish to take you to that one. In other cases, they may want to bring your car to the nearest place so that they can go out on their next run. But according to the law, you have the right to choose your vehicle repair shop.
Getting Estimates
Some people will tell you that you that you have to get several estimates before having repairs made to your car, but this is simply not the case. The most important thing is to choose a reputable shop that you feel comfortable dealing with.
Be sure that the shop you choose is certified – there should be various signs around the property indicating both certification and any memberships that shop may have with professional trade associations. You can also ask for referrals from friends and family or check the BBB ratings of the company before you commit to having your repairs done by them.
Dealing With Your Insurance Company
We get it. You are probably anxious to get your car back on the road again as soon as possible. But if you are making an insurance claim, it is essential to do everything in the correct order to make sure you can get reimbursed.
You may be required to have an inspection from your insurance adjuster. You can arrange for this either by contacting your insurance company directly or having the collision centre do this for you.
Guarantees
Most repair shops will offer some guarantee on their work. Before you agree to have your repairs done at a particular shop, it is always a good idea to ask for a copy of the guarantee policy. If you have any questions, you should feel free to ask.
Finally, once the repairs have been made, you should inspect the vehicle to make certain that everything is to your satisfaction. Be sure to look at your car from up close as well as at a distance. Check to see how well any paint touch-ups match the colour of your vehicle. Take your vehicle for a test drive to make sure that it is functioning well. If you are dissatisfied in any way or have concerns, be sure to mention them right away.
If your car has been in an accident and you need a reliable collision shop with highly trained technicians to do the repairs, we hope you will consider Waterdown Collision. We would be happy to work with your insurance company on your behalf.