The insurance claims process can be terrible and aggravating, or it can be simple and easy. It is all about who is on your side and who is trying to cut corners and not provide you quality components. Just like any legal process, you need someone representing your rights … a trusted World Collision Center.
- Choose a collision repair facility you feel good about. Your car is probably your second largest investment, so it is important you feel good about where you are leaving your “baby.”
- Tell the repair facility what you expect to see when you come to pick up your vehicle so there are no surprises and you are both on the same page.
- Get a reasonable commitment from the repair facility on the length of time it will take to repair your vehicle. Most honest facilities know how long most special order parts take to arrive and how to order such parts so they arrive exactly when they are needed.
- Tell your insurance company what facility you have choosen. Some insurance companies would prefer if you took your car to shops they have made low labor and sub-standard parts replacement deals with. In these cases, both the insurance company and the repair facility may not be your friends. You are the boss … you have every right to tell the insurance company where YOU want the vehicle repaired.
- The repair estimate is written and presented on your behalf direct to the insurance company and you are also provided a copy of this document. Questions may arise in relation to you repairs between the insurance company and the repair facility. It is the fiduciary duty of the repair facility to represent your rights and fight for your proper repairs with the insurance companies.
- Repair authorization is given and the repairs begin. Repairs can take anywhere from two or three days to two or three weeks. Some repairs are longer depending on the damages and the availability of quality repair parts. As much as you want your car back fast, do not trade time for sub-standard non-OEM replacement parts!
- Supplemental Estimate – this estimate is the fine-tuning device of your insurance claim. This estimate picks up all of the same details not easily seen in the original estimate because of extensive damage and unforeseen effects of estimated damages. It is VERY normal for an insurance claim to have one or more “Supplemental claims” to ensure your vehicle is properly restored to the pre-collision condition.
- Your vehicle is finished … looks perfect and you are ready to come pick it up. All of the billing and payments have been handled directly between the insurance company and the repair facility. In most cases you would personally owe a “deductable” and maybe some “depreciation” costs in the repair depending on your policy and stated coverage.
a. DEDUCTIBLE – Amount of money you have to pay towards the damages. Typical insurance deductibles are anywhere from $250 - $1000. Check your policy to be sure.
b. DEPRECIATION – Some insurance policies call for depreciation of parts. For example, your seats may be 6-7 years old. They are not new, and the insurance company is only obligated to replace the seat with a “like kind and quality” seat to make you whole again. If a new seat is more than the estimated value of the damaged seat, you may be responsible for the difference. In some cases you may have to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on depreciated items.