READY TO ASSIST
A bodyshop and funeral home are very similar in that nobody ever wants to use their services. It is usually more of a “have to” situation. More often than not, we find customers telling us after repairs are completed, “We hope we don’t have to ever see you again.” Of course they don’t mean that in the sense of never seeing us again, but again, like the funeral home, hopefully never having to need our services. Nevertheless, if you ever do find yourself needing our services, we stand ready to assist.
Fortunately, there are many drivers who have never had an accident and we hope you never do, But just in case you do, you may find yourself wondering what to do. If you happen to be one of those, here are a few questions and answers that you may find helpful.
Remember one thing, we're here for you if you ever need our assistance.
I'VE HAD AN ACCIDENT.
What do I need to do to file a claim?
Insurance claims are handled differently today than it was several years ago. The "old school" way of going from bodyshop to bodyshop getting estimates is generally no longer necessary. The first step you take depends on whether you plan on filing insurance claim or not.
If you are filing an insurance claim, contact your insurance provider and tell them you wish to file a claim. They will go over all the details of the accident with you and tell you what you need to do, your options, and/or liabilities.
During that process they may ask, or actually you need to tell them, where you wish to have your car repaired. You will then need to notify and make arrangements with your shop of choice and have your car there when the estimator arrives.
At that point, generally the estimator will work with the shop to complete a fair and accurate estimate that's agreeable to both the shop and the insurance company.
I'VE HAD AN ACCIDENT.
What if I don't wish to file a claim?
It is not uncommon for you to be hesitate about filing a claim for an accident and might prefer to pay out of pocket.
The reasons are many.
Maybe you've had several accidents within a short period of time raising the possiblity of being cancelled since you might be considered a "high risk."
Or maybe you just want to keep your premiums from spiking if you file a claim.
Another reason could be you have teenager on your policy and just can't afford any more premium increases. And the list goes on...
By not making an insurance claim, all you would need to do is contact the shop of choice and make arrangements with them to have your car repaired. They will give you an estimate and then you decide on repairs. You're also free to shop at several shops until you feel you are getting the best work for your money.
THE CLAIMS PROCESS
What's involved?
There are numerous ways a claim can be handled and varies with each company. Here are some of the most common methods.
1. You could be asked to obtain and submit an estimate from your local shop of choice. Once received, it is reviewed by an adjuster, either in-house or third party, and then an estimate is sent back to you and/or the shop depending on whether you had selected a shop. If not, then it would be up to you to find a shop willing to do the work for the estimate provided. If additional parts or labor is needed, then the shop would contact the adjuster/appraiser and negotiate the differences.
2. The insurance company will send a company employee to appraise the damage and write their own estimate. This can be done with or without the repair shop involved. However, if you have selected a shop, it is best if it is done there. If you haven't selected a shop, then they will come and look at your vehicle at your home or business, or whereever the vehicle is located. It really simplifies things if you know where you want your car repaired and have it there when the adjuster or appraiser arrives.
3. Some insurance companies hire apprasial services to estimate the damage for them instead of sending out one of their own employees. The process is similar and the results are practically the same, only accomplished through a third party.
VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE?
Often after a collision has occurred, the vehicle(s) may not be drivable. It is important to remember, it is your car and you have the right to request your own towing company and where the vehicle is to be taken. This is called, in tow truck lingo, an "owner's request". If you don't exercise that right or was injured and can't, most municipalities have a system in place for towing known as a "rotation order".
When a tow truck is needed, the officer will put in a request and whoever is "up next" on the "rotation list" will be called to tow your vehicle. Unless told different, your vehicle will automatically be towed to a storage facility usually owned by that towing company where it will begin accruing daily storage charges immediately.
We recommend to have your vehicle towed directly to the repair shop of your choice to avoid additional fees that can accrue at storage facilities. It is also advisable to inform all your family members so they could authorize a tow if you were injured and unable to do so. After all, if the vehicle is repairable, then a second tow will be required to move the vehicle to the repair shop. Why not send it there from the accident scene and avoid all those extra charges.
Obviously, if the vehicle appears to be totaled, then having it towed to a repair shop is unnecessary and fruitless.
FYI: If there are special circumstances (ie. death, homicide, etc.) the vehicle may be towed to a police impound yard to assist in further investigation.
HOW TO GET REPAIRS STARTED?
The Insurance Company
Wants Me to Send Photos
There's nothing wrong with sending photos, even if only for documentation purposes. Cell phones and computer technology have brought many changes to the estimating process. Athough the changes may seem to be easier and maybe faster, they usually provide little benefit to the insured. In fact, our experiences have shown to be just the opposite. Many find themselves with a partially written estimate and a check for much less than needed to repair their vehicle.
To further complicate the process, the insurance company makes the check payable directly to them so it's tempting to deposit the money into the bank and never complete the repairs on their vehicle.
Anyone, using just a smidgen of common sense, hopefully can figure out that an accurate estimate of damages usually can not be properly documented just by looking at photos on a computer screen if there are significant damages. Considering the styles, options, and complexities of vehicles today, it's hard enough to write an estimate on-site looking at the damage, much less staring at a screen miles away.
However there can be exceptions to this rule when estimating very minor damage.
It's really simple, the repair shop needs to be involved from the very beginning of the repair process.
SHOULD I CALL THE POLICE?
Our advice, always call the police and report the accident, regardless of the amount of damage, where it happened, or how long it may take them to get there.
It is the law and if you decide to leave without reporting it, you could be charged with "leaving the scene of an accident." Let the police sort out all the details.
All too often we hear how the other driver's recollection of events changes the next day. Amazingly enough, it is usually the exact opposite of what you remember.
Let the police decide, it may make your claim's process a little easier.
FYI: You can file a claim with your insurance company without a police report, but having one helps to speed up the process, document the events, determine liability, and helps to provide trustworthy information from a reliable source.
DIRECT REPAIR PROGRAM
Do I have to use?
My insurance company wants me to take my car to one of their direct repair shops. Am I required to do so? Absolutely not! Some people choose to do this, especially if they do not have a bodyshop of choice, or may be new to the area. Direct repair programs are heavily pushed on consumers because their "preferred" shops offer the insurance company discounted rates in order to be part of their program. Is that legal? Yes, but you are under no obligation to take your car to one of the shops on that list.
FYI: Actually, it is quite ILLEGAL for the insurance company to force or require you (It's called "steering") to take your car to one of their "network" shops included in their program.
WHERE CAN I GET MY CAR FIXED?
Anywhere.
There are no restrictions on where you choose to have your repairs done. It can be at a dealership bodyshop, an independent repair shop, or a specialty repair shop - anywhere you feel comfortable. Wherever you choose--it is one of the first things you should do.
It's your choice.
FYI: Please be aware, if your selected repair shop charges more than the area's prevailing rate, you may have to pay the difference.
SHOULD I NOTIFY MY INSURANCE COMPANY?
Overall, it is generally advisable to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after you have had a collision, especially if you were at fault.
When at fault, you are responsible for damages to the other party, and if you don't notify your insurance company, you could actually be hindering the settling process of their claim.
Read your insurance policy carefully and make sure you know what is required or you could ask at the time you are purchasing insurance.
By contacting your insurance company, they will guide you through the process and inform you of your rights and/or liabilities and the steps to take to settle a claim.
Most insurance companies, if not all, want to at least be made aware--whether you decide to make a claim or not.
FYI: Remember, there is a difference between reporting a accident and filing a claim
PHOTO APP ESTIMATING
Does it work?
Yes and no.
Exterior parts like scratched or scuffed lights, mirrors, etc., small scratches or dents can easily be estimated from photos. However, with the way vehicles are manufactured today with large bumper covers covering up many hidden brackets, sensors, cameras, etc., hidden damage is very common. This results in supplements that are actually more than the original estimate.
Another common problem encountered, sometimes the parts, labor, and paint materials prices are quoted lower than prevailing rates since the adjuster/appraiser doesn't know or take the time to determine the area's current rates.
Sales tax is another common item often misquoted, since there are multiple tax rates throughout the state. Even though the insurance company's representative assures you any and all damage will be covered, and it usually is, it requires additional time and resources to generate a supplement that could have easily been avoided.
SUPPLEMENT REQUEST
What is a Supplement?
Most insurance company's representatives will assure you, regardless of how the first estimate was generated, any damage resulting from the accident will be covered--which is generally true.
However, a process must be followed.
The bodyshop will contact the insurer and request what is known as a supplement. A supplement looks just like an estimate and is generated with the same system as the one which wrote the estimate.
That being said, if any hidden damage or additional repairs are found over and above the original estimate, a supplement request must be submitted to the insurance company and requires approval of any additional charges BEFORE work is completed.
While this process is happening, repairs stop. Depending on severity of damage, not only are you inconvenienced, the repair shop stalls are now tied up, scheduling conflicts occur, employees lose wages, and the list goes on and on. That is why we try to do everything in our power to keep supplements in check offering pre-repair teardown so damage can be fully estimated the first time and we submit very few supplements. But we will if necessary.
FYI: Our experiences show PhotoApp estimates require a supplement nearly 100% of the time.