After an accident, your vehicle may need to be repaired. Here are some things you need to know:
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Check your deductible. If the damage to your vehicle is’nt major, it may be less than your deductible. For example, if your bumper needs to be repaired and is estimated to cost $199, and you have a $500 deductible, you will be responsible for the entire amount of $199. The insurance company will cover any repairs after the initial deductible has been paid. If you have a $500 deductible and the damage exeeds that amount, for example the repair estimate is $1050, you would pay the first $500 and the insurance would take care of the remaining $550.
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The insurance company will assign an adjuster to estimate the damage to the car and how much the company will pay to have it fixed. It may also be wise to get a few quotes from other body repair shops for estimate comparisons. The final choice of repair shop is yours. You may want to use a repair shop the insurance company chooses. If you choose a different one, be aware you may have to pay the difference if your body shop’s estimate is higher than the insurance company’s, unless the additional costs can be justified and agreed upon. The first company may not notice something that needs repair that your company may have picked up on it. With car parts, it sometimes can get tricky. If you choose to put a brand new part on an older car instead of a salvaged or remanufactured part, you may have to pay the difference in cost. If your car is brand new, you may find yourself fighting with the insurance company to make sure they understand the insurance was covering a new car which means you should be entitled to new replacement parts.
