Q:> Can I choose my own repair shop, or do I have to use who
the insurance company suggests?
The choice is yours, and yours alone. While there are networks of
preferred providers for collision repair, and direct repair options
presented to policyholders when they make a claim, the insured's
right to choose will always be upheld. Regional Auto Center works
with virtually every insurance carrier and maintains an unsurpassed
service and integrity with our customers and insurance companies.
Q:> If the insurance company's estimate is lower than that of
my choice of shop's, do I have to pay the difference?
According to state law, your insurance carrier must negotiate in
good faith with your choice of 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. Because of our exemplary
relationship with area insurers, and our commitment to our customers,
Regional Auto Center will never charge an amount higher than that
paid by an insurance company for the repair of damage attributable
to a specific claim. Policyholders are only responsible for their
deductibles.
Q:> Once an insurance company issues a check, am I responsible
for any additional charges?
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.
Q:> Will I be forced to use the repair
shop with the lowest bid?
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.
Q:> Once a car has been in an accident, will it ever be the same?
A collision brings about many changes to an auto. It is the role
of the collision repair technician to restore the safety, function
and appearance of your car to pre-accident condition. Using the
latest in repair technology and original parts, your car is structurally
rebuilt to its factory dimensions and tolerances. Then it is refinished
using the finest Dupont urethane paints which, in many cases, will
actually surpass the original finish insofar as corrosion protection
and gloss retention. We guarantee it.
Q:> Will my car ever be worth what it was prior to the accident?
Value retention and safety should be of primary concern to a collision
repair customer. An inexpensive or otherwise poor repair will cause
additional loss to a car owner in terms of their enjoyment of the
car, safety, and return at trade-in. Substandard repairs which often
go unnoticed by consumers, can lead to premature failures of the
repair, inconvenience, and or liability.
Individuals with leased vehicles should also be careful in selecting
body shops. Substandard repairs, which often occur without their
knowledge can result in end-of-lease charge backs.
Q:> Once my car has been repaired, will the paint match?
Our factory trained color technicians can match any color. Perfectly.
We guarantee it.
Q:> Once my car's frame is bent, will it ever be 'right' again?
The collision repair industry has come a long way with regard to
structural repairs. Years ago, a car with a bent frame was often
considered a total loss due to the lack of equipment and training
in these types of repairs. And unfortunately, some vehicles with
bent structural members were returned to their owners without the
necessary corrections made. These cars wore out tires prematurely,
tracked erratically, or were otherwise unsafe.
Today, however, the science of repairing collision damage has come
a long way. Contemporary vehicles are held to much tighter tolerances
than the ball park standards of the full frame vehicles of the 60s
and 70s. For example, each example of the average Toyota will vary
in dimensions as little as 3 millimeters from car to car.
These new build standards demanded new repair technology
and skills in collision repair. Today, there is repair equipment
with the ability to perform more accurately, and to closer tolerances
than those of the original manufacturers.
|
