| Be sure to
weigh all the facts before choosing your repair shop! |
| Myth: |
If the insurance company’s estimate is lower than that of your
choice of shop’s, you must pay the difference. |
| Fact: |
According to state law, your insurance carrier must negotiate in
good faith with your choice of a shop to arrive at an agreed price for
repairs. It is the role of the professional collision repairer to be an
advocate for his or her customer by working with an insurer to document
and identify physical damage. |
| Myth: |
Once an insurance company issues a check you are responsible for
any additional charges. |
| Fact: |
Any estimate is just that - an estimate. An appraiser can only
report that damage which is visible. When additional damage becomes
evident as the repair progresses, a claim can be reopened and a
supplemental payment issued. In fact, most large collision repairs
require at least one supplement to the original estimate. |
| Myth: |
You will be forced to use the repair shop with the lowest bid. |
| Fact: |
The repair facility which writes the lowest estimate is not
necessarily the best place to have your car repaired. In fact, obtaining
repairs from the low bidder is usually not in the best interest of the
customer. When one considers the safety issues involved in collision
repair and the considerable investment one has in his or her vehicle,
the value of quality repairs becomes clear.
A modern, well equipped collision repair center represents an
enormous investment in equipment, training and people. As is often the
case with goods and service, one gets what one pays for. Remember, the
choice of shops is entirely up to you.
|
