Whether you cause it or not, getting into a car accident is a terrifying experience for everyone. Even if you’re not hurt, you’ll have to deal with getting your car fixed on top of everything else. To get your vehicle back on the road following an accident, you need a reliable estimate from a reputable Honda collision repair shop to begin the process.
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Do Your Research:
Check for quotations from well-known collision repair firms with a track record of high-quality work. Check out a shop’s reputation and customer reviews before the appointment for a repair estimate following an accident. You should get at least three written estimates and make sure that they include a breakdown of the repairs and components and labor costs.
The Estimation Process:
Once you’ve found a reputable auto body shop, schedule an appointment with them right away. Estimation takes typically between 15 and 30 minutes. Your vehicle will be thoroughly examined and the damage extent assessed by your estimator, who will take precise notes. They will offer you a written estimate once they have completed their inspection.
Don’t Just Consider Price:
Don’t solely rely on a product’s pricing to guide your purchase. Estimates for collision repair might vary widely, but don’t automatically assume that a high estimate indicates the repair business is charging you too much. It’s also a good idea to watch out for lowball estimates. You should be suspicious if your insurance adjuster recommends a repair company that is significantly less expensive than the others you’ve contacted.
You get what you pay for, and you may be dissatisfied with the final product if you spend a lot. Instead, compare each estimate line-by-line to make an educated decision. The reputation of the shop, as well as the product’s quality, should always come first.
Do Not Let an Insurance Company Delay Your Claim
Do not let an insurance company’s inspection or estimate delay repairs unnecessarily. You should not wait to have your property repaired if you can afford to pay from your own pocket if the insurance company doesn’t inspect it within a few days following the incident and you’ve given the insurance company a reasonable opportunity to do so. If you already have two independent written estimates for your property, then you’re better off getting it repaired right away.
The insurance company will have to reimburse you after the repairs are completed. The insurance company might agree to reimburse you only for a lower estimate if you get the repairs done at the shop that gave the highest estimate. It is also important to realize that getting car repairs before agreeing on an amount removes one of the incentives for insurance companies to settle quickly. Upon receiving your car back, the insurance company will no longer have to pay for alternative transportation (rental cars, for instance).
An insurance company’s estimate is probably low if two or three independent estimates are higher than the one provided by the insurance company. No matter how much money the car owner receives in a settlement, repairs should be made only by a shop chosen by the owner.
