Were you recently in a car accident? The aftermath of an accident can take a toll on you. You might be dealing with medical issues, worrying about how your gonna get your car fixed among other things. To add to the stress, there are a lot of auto body repair myths out there. These myths can end up costing you more time and money. To help you get through the repair process quickly and easily, we will bust the most common auto body repair myths.
You Must Use The Auto Body Shop That Your Insurance Company Recommends
Most insurance companies have a “network” of repair shops that they recommend to customers. The insurance company might tell you that you’ll get better service by choosing the repair shop that they recommend. However, this is not always true. You have the right — by law — to select the repair shop that you want.
Choosing the repair shop that is recommended by the insurance company benefits the insurance company, as they have typically negotiated cheaper material, labor and parts rates with these shops. However, the repair shop recommended by the insurance company might not be the best one for your needs.
You should select a repair shop that you know and trust. All reputable auto body repair shops provide a lifetime warranty on workmanship. They should also be able to complete the estimate process and repairs quickly and using high-quality parts.
The Insurance Company Won’t Pay For Damage Not On The Original Estimate
Before you take your car into a collision center or repair shop for an estimate, the insurance company will do an assessment of their own. This is a quick process and only gives a general idea of how much the repairs should cost. It is not set in stone. So, it is not uncommon for a repair shop to find additional damage that is not on the original estimate. That is because they do a more thorough check of your vehicle’s damage. If the auto body shop finds additional damage, they will contact the insurance company to obtain authorization for supplemental damages. Most of the time, the insurance company will pay.
You Have To Get Three Estimates
Auto insurance companies often recommend that you get three estimates. However, that is just a suggestion. You can get as many estimates as you’d like. The important thing is to select an auto repair shop that has a good reputation, can give you references and provides a written estimate before starting any work.
You Can’t Repair A Totaled Vehicle
An insurance company considers a vehicle “totaled” when the cost of repairs is more than the value of the car. It is a myth that you can’t keep and repair a totaled vehicle. However, you should be aware of a couple of things:
The insurance company will only pay the value of the car. If the repair work costs more than the value of the vehicle, you will have to pay the difference out of pocket.
The title of the vehicle has to be declared “Salvage” by the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. Your car will have to be re-inspected before it is allowed back on the road. Contact your local DMV for more information about salvage titles.
Whether or not you should have your totaled vehicle repaired depends on the extent of the damages and other factors. The best thing to do in this case is to contact a reputable auto repair shop to determine if the automobile can be repaired.