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.
|
1. |
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. |
|
2. |
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. |
|
3. |
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.
|
|
4. |
Stand back. Does
the paint match? Are there any dirt particles or swirl marks
in the painted area? Is the texture even? |
|
5. |
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. |
|
6. |
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. |
|
7. |
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. |
|
8. |
Look under the
vehicle in the area of the repairs for rust coating.
|
|
9. |
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. |
|
10. |
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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