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Q and A of
the Collision Repair Process
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
[ TOP ]
A. Get the
name of the person(s) driving the other vehicle(s)
involved along with their phone number, driver's
license, vehicle license, insurance information. Also
try to obtain any witness' name and number. Note the
location, time and date. And, if you have a camera, take
pictures. IMPORTANT: If the person(s) driving the
vehicle(s) involved is unwilling to provide this
information or if they do not have a driver's license
and insurance, then you have a problem, and you should
notify the police and your insurance agent immediately.
Contact the shop of your choice and have them set up
a tow or appointment to get your vehicle in the shop. If
you need alternative transportation and have rental
coverage or the other party's insurance is paying the
bill, ask the shop to set up the rental for you.
Contact the Insurance Company responsible and let them
know where the vehicle is and/or where it is going and
ask for a claim number. If the Insurance Company wants
to examine your vehicle at your house or in their claims
center, you have the choice of doing this, or you can
inform the Insurance Company that you are dropping the
vehicle at the shop of your choice and they can see the
vehicle there. Remember, you're free to choose.
Call the shop and give them the claim number. From this
point on, the shop will negotiate on your behalf to
insure that your vehicle will be returned to pre-loss
condition.
Q. DO I NEED THREE ESTIMATES?
[ TOP ]
A. Texas
law states your only obligation is to choose the shop of
your choice and inform the insurance company where the
vehicle is going.
Q. WILL MY VEHICLE BE THE SAME?
[ TOP ]
A.
Reputable shops have the kind of facility, equipment,
personnel and training to restore your vehicle to
pre-loss condition within industry standards. Experts
can always find indications of a repair. This doesn't
mean it was not repaired properly, but since shops do
not have the same equipment available that the
manufacturer's have, shops cannot replicate the
manufacturer's work exactly. However, your vehicle will
be esthetically and structurally equal to its
pre-accident condition.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY VEHICLE
IS TOTALED? [ TOP ]
A. The Insurance Company responsible for your
claim must pay for the cost of an equal replacement
vehicle or provide you with a replacement vehicle. It is
their choice.
The Insurance Company may offer
you a dollar amount for your vehicle (less the
pre-agreed upon amount of your deductible). If you do
not feel this is an adequate amount, you will need to
substantiate your claim for a higher dollar amount with
independent written evidence showing the worth of a
similar vehicle (year, model, mileage, condition and
options) in the same market area. The market area may be
local or regional depending upon the number of vehicles
for sale in the area.
Remember, upon extension of
their offer to you, the Insurance Company has fulfilled
its obligation and can at that time stop payment for
rental car expenses. If your vehicle is totaled, visit
your local dealerships or go online and obtain
information that substantiates your claim of what you
believe your vehicle is worth.
Q. CAN THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAKE ME
TO GO TO THEIR CLAIMS CENTER FOR AN ESTIMATE? [
TOP ]
A. No. You can
drop the vehicle off at the shop of your choice and they
will schedule an insurance adjuster to come out. If you
do go to their claims center, accept the estimate and
the check they give you.
However, do not sign
anything that states you accept their check as payment
in full. The insurance company realizes the repair shop
may call with additional damage costs.
Q. WHO PAYS THE TOW BILL? [
TOP ]
A. The
Insurance Company responsible for paying for your
repairs is also responsible for paying the tow bill to
the shop of your choice. If the Insurance Company
selected a shop and you prefer to go elsewhere, they are
still obligated to pay for the additional tow.
Q. WHEN IS ALTERNATIVE
TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED? [ TOP
]
A. If you are an insured, check with
your insurance provider. Generally speaking, if your
vehicle is legal and safe to drive, scheduling to have
your vehicle repaired will insure that you will not
incur any of the costs.
If you are a third party
claimant and your vehicle is legal and safe to drive,
scheduling your vehicle for repairs will insure that you
will not incur any rental charges.
If your
vehicle is unsafe or illegal (it may be ticketed) to
drive due to the accident, you are entitled to a
replacement vehicle immediately upon being issued a
claim number. A reputable shop will be able to take care
of all the above to as part of their service and as a
convenience to you. You are responsible for insurance
coverage you purchase from the rental company.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I PICK UP MY
REPAIRED VEHICLE? [ TOP ]
When picking up your vehicle after repairs have been
completed, do this simple 10-step checklist and the
chances of poor repairs will be minimized.
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1.
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Do not accept delivery of your vehicle without
an itemized final bill. The shop is required
by law to provide you an itemized repair invoice
detailing what was actually done (not just an
estimate of repairs). Included in the itemized
statement will be codes designating the type of
parts used. Verify that those parts are OEM
factory parts and are indicated on the statement
or in the warranty. Also included will be the
total repair cost along with a record of
payments received. Make sure you receive a
written copy of their lifetime warranty.
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2.
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Schedule a "Walk Around" with the shop's service
advisor and have him point out each item on
the final bill showing the OEM factory parts and
explain the various procedures performed. The
engine compartment should be opened and/or the
trunk compartment with the carpet pulled back to
show any hidden repairs. |
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3.
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Look at all the gaps of the repaired or replaced
panels. They should be level and even. Walk
to the other side of the vehicle to compare.
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4.
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Stand back. Does the paint match? Are
there any dirt particles or swirl marks in the
painted area? Is the texture even? |
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5.
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Look at the repaired panels listed on the final
repair invoice. Are the panels straight and
smooth? Are the lines that run the length of the
vehicle straight? Look for sand scratches and/or
"islands," circles around the repaired area that
show up a week to 30 days after the vehicle was
painted. This will occur if the panel was
improperly prepared or primed. |
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6.
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Look at the exterior trim. All the trim should
have been removed prior to painting. Look for
tape marks and/or signs of paint around the
edges of the trim and windows. |
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7.
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If
your vehicle had frame or suspension damage, get
a copy of the alignment and a printout of the
electronic frame measurement for your records.
Ask for an explanation of the numbers before and
after. |
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8.
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Look under the vehicle in the area of the
repairs for rust coating. |
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9.
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Look inside the vehicle's trunk and/or engine
compartment for proper seam sealing that
matches the factory seam sealing on the opposite
side. Have the bolt heads been touched up? Are
all the screws and bolts in each area that
attach a component to the vehicle the same color
and style? These are all telltale signs of
attention to detail in a quality repair.
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10.
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If
the repair bill was large (over $4,000) or if
repairs included an alignment or framework,
any reputable shop will recommend you take the
vehicle for a test drive before paying.
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