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Your Body Repair Questions |
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THE
FOLLOWING ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED AS A GENERAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDE.
YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN ATTORNEY FOR SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE. |
Must I obtain more than one estimate?
No, unless your policy
states otherwise. You have the right to obtain an estimate from the repair shop of
your choice. No one can force you to spend your valuable time running around
shopping for repairs.
Why am I told to get 3 estimates?
That's simple, you
save the insurance company time and effort. They are trying to save money, at your
expense. They are actually asking you to get 3 estimates. You are merely
taking it as a demand.
Must I take my car to a certain body shop?
No one can force you
to go to a certain repair shop, unless it is explicitly stated in your policy. Only
you have the right to make this decision.
Do I have to take my car to a drive-in claims center?
In general, no.
Usually it will suffice for you to call your insurance and tell them where an appraiser
can examine your vehicle.
What is the best procedure for me to get quality
repairs in a timely fashion, with the least amount of wasted time for me?
Take your car to the
reputable shop of your choice. Leave it with the manager. Instruct the manager
to contact your insurance company and advise them of the damage report. You should
then call your insurance company and advise them of the car's location.
What is the difference between being the
"insured" and being the "claimant"?
Simply stated, if your
insurance company is paying for repairs to your vehicle, you are considered the insured.
If another insurance company is paying for the damage, you are the claimant.
In most cases, the party at fault's insurance pays the bill.
Am I entitled to a rental car while mine is being
repaired?
If your insurance
carrier is paying the bill, the answer is maybe. It depends if you have a rental
rider on your policy. It is extremely important you know the answer to this
question. Call your agent to obtain an answer to this and any other questions you
may have about your policy. The rental rider is very inexpensive, and a very good
dollar value. On the other hand, if you are a claimant, here in Ohio you are indeed
entitled to a rental vehicle. In either case, we can help you obtain a rental
vehicle at the very best prices possible.
Who is ultimately responsible for the repair bill for
my vehicle?
You are. You may
direct your insurance to pay the bill in your behalf. The contract to repair is
between you and the repair shop. The contract of loss reimbursement is also between
you and your insurance company. Remember, you, not the insurance company, are the
customer.
Who is responsible for the safety, workmanship and
warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?
In general, the repair shop. However, if you
decide to take your vehicle to a "preferred" or "direct repair shop",
request your insurance company to implements its "elects to repair
clause". This may force the insurance company to be responsible for the quality
of repairs, among other things. Please check your policy with your agent regarding
this clause.
What are aftermarket crash parts?
Aftermarket parts are
parts made by someone other than the manufacturer of your vehicle. In many cases,
they are called "quality replacement parts" or "competitive
parts". They are also called "imitation" and "offshore"
parts. They are typically priced considerably less than OEM parts, which are
engineered, designed and built for your car by the car manufacturer.
Are aftermarket crash parts a good choice for my
vehicle?
The answer to this
question varies depending on who is answering. In general, insurance companies view
aftermarket crash parts as a viable and cost effective way to repair your car. Of
course, the car manufactures claim them to be inferior to OEM parts. Most collision
repair experts would agree with the vehicle manufacturer, but may agree there is a still a
place in collision repair for such parts. That is, in the case of older, yet still
very functional cars, that otherwise would be an economic total loss. They can
provide an alternative to used parts. The place of aftermarket parts usage is highly
controversial. We do not guarantee aftermarket parts beyond the warranty afforded us
by the distributor.
What are used parts?
Used parts go by a few
other names. They are called LKQ, meaning "like kind and quality",
"recycled parts", "salvage parts" just to name a few. Used
parts should only be purchased from licensed salvage dealers who provide the proper
documentation to the repair shop regarding the history of the vehicle the parts are
removed from. They also provide an alternative method of repair, and have their
place in the collision repair industry.
Are used crash parts a good choice for my vehicle?
The answer is very
similar to the one about aftermarket parts. Used, or salvage parts, often are cost
effective. They also provide an alternative to aftermarket parts. In some
cases, used components can be purchased as an assembly, reducing the amount of cutting and
welding that must be performed, actually benefiting the vehicle. Most repair
experts would agree that used parts have a place in the collision industry. The
controversy arises when deciding just where is that place.
Can my insurance company insist on the use of used or
aftermarket parts?
It is our
understanding that many policies have been written with provisions to use both aftermarket
and/or used parts in the repair of your vehicle. The conditions for use vary from
company to company. In most cases, age and mileage are the deciding factors.
They're a lot less than you may be thinking, too. This is an item of your policy
that should be reviewed before you are in need of your insurance company. In many
cases, it's 12 months or 12,000 miles.
What if I refuse to allow you to put aftermarket or
used parts on my vehicle?
In most cases, if your
insurance company refuses your demand for new, OEM parts based on the terms and conditions
of your policy, you have the option of paying the difference for such parts.
Why are my insurance rates not lowered after such time
OEM parts are no longer specified in the repair of my vehicle?
That's an excellent
question, but one for your insurance company.
If I am a claimant, will that insurance company want to
use aftermarket or used parts?
In many cases,
yes. In general their claims policy doesn't improve just because you are the
claimant. Your options are quite well defined. You can call your insurance
company and invoke your policy, or you can authorize repairs using new parts, pay the
bill, and then sue the party that hit you. We suggest contacting an attorney if you
chose the latter. Remember, though, if you let your insurance company handle the
claim, the terms and conditions of your policy may not be any better than the other
company.
Are all insurance companies the same?
No, just as all
collision repair shops are not the same, all insurance companies are not the same.
It is our recommendation that you do the necessary research for both an insurance company
and collision repair shop prior to needing the services of either.
Why are some estimates more than others, for the same
apparent damage?
Estimating, or damage
analysis, is still rather subjective. Although almost all body shops and insurance
companies subscribe to a computer data base of information with respect to new, OEM
replacement part prices and labor operation times for the replacement and painting of
these parts. But there is still a multitude of items not included in the database,
which are necessary to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Also,
conditions at the time an estimate is written (such as weather, is the vehicle clean,
etc.) effect the accuracy of this initial appraisal. In many cases, there is hidden
damage and/or secondary damage not always clearly visible upon initial inspection.
Therefore, in all but the simplest of cases, there are supplements to most initial damage
appraisals. Such supplements, properly documented, are the responsibility of the
insurance company paying the bill.
What do I look for when choosing a body shop?
There are many reasons that factor into this
decision. Here are a few that should be important to you. Is the shop
registered with the Ohio Board of Motor
Vehicle Collision Repair? Does the shop belong to the BBB? If so, call and ask about their
track record. Is the shop an approved AAA
Repair Facility? Is the shop a member of a trade organization (like ASA) with a code of ethics? Are
they an ASE Blue Seal of Excellence
shop? Or the considerably less rigorous ASE
certified. Or neither. There is a big difference among the 3. Are the
technicians I-CAR trained? If
so, have they achieved the status of an I-CAR Gold
shop? Again, there is quite a distinction to be made. Ask what credentials
are held with respect to the welding of today's high-strength unibody cars. Don't be
embarrassed to ask to see any credentials. Ask for a tour of the actual shop area.
Look at the frame straightening equipment. Ask to view the paint department
and spray booth. If your vehicle has steering, suspension, air conditioning, air bag
or wiring damage, ask to see the credentials of those people performing such repairs.
Taking a pro-active approach to the decision making process will help assure you a
safe and proper restoration of an integral part of your and your family's life: your
automobile.
Do you have a 24-hour key drop?
Yes. We have a secure 24-hour key drop. It is
well lit at night and quite easy to find on the southeast corner of our building.
You may use one of our key drop envelopes located at the key drop site, or to save time
you can print a key drop form from
our web site, and simply place it an envelope with your keys.
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