A Guide to Collision Repair Shops

If you have been unlucky enough to be involved in a car accident, then getting your car repaired after this collision is one of the main things you will have to sort out, especially if you use your car on a daily basis. Once your claim has been filed, you will need to take the time to understand what processes you need to follow to fit within the guidelines of your insurance provider. This is the next step to getting your car repaired. Every insurance provider has different rules, so try to get in contact with your provider and do some research on their rules on collision repair. Once you are more familiar with what you are being covered for, take a look at the following advice to ensure you get back on the road as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Pick a Repair Shop

In the majority of states, insurance companies aren’t legally allowed to make you choose specific collision repair shops, but they are allowed to provide you with a list of places to consider. Having this right to choose which shop repairs your car can save you a lot of money in the long haul. However, sticking to a body shop that is in the network of your insurer could possibly save you a lot of hassle and time. If you choose your own mechanic, you need to make sure they are certified.

Dropping Off Your Car

Once the appointment has been made to get your car fixed at the body shop, if your vehicle isn’t drivable, you will need to figure out a way to get it to the mechanic. You should check whether this is included in your insurance company’s roadside assistance sector. Once the car has been dropped off, you will have to find out when it will be returned and figure out a method of transport to or from the garage when you pick or drop off your car.

Dealing Without a Car

The severity of your vehicle damage, how easy it is to purchase the new parts it needs, and the schedule of the mechanic will determine how much time the car needs to spend in the collision repair shop. During this time, you could be facing weeks at a time without a method of transport, which means you need to think of another way to get yourself about in the meantime.

Insurance and Garage Follow Up

Before you get your car repaired, make sure you check what documentation you need to get from the mechanic to give to your insurance provider. Most insurers will ask for a list of each individual repair from you or your auto body repair shop, plus the estimated costs. Some insurance providers will want to confirm this list beforehand, so they should be submitted when you make a claim. Then they should be followed through. Once your car has been repaired, make sure you question the collision repair mechanic on what they’ve done and then do your own vehicle and bill examination.

Dealing with a car collision and its insurance claim can be extremely frustrating, but a lot of the issues people experience can be avoided if you know what to expect. If you aren’t satisfied with the collision repair shops work or its quality when you receive your vehicle back, then you should think about escalating the claim.