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Auto Body Repair
What your customers don't know can do harm to them! What YOU do know, when used to
educate your customer, can assist them in realizing fair, honest, and proper repairs on their
collision damaged vehicle. They've already had one bad collision. Don't let them suffer
another with an insurer who doesn't care enough to fix it right AND pay for that rightful service!
MYTH: The insurance company chooses which shop performs your vehicle repairs.
FACT: 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 MUST always be upheld.
MYTH: If the insurance company's estimate is lower than the shop of your choice of shop, you
must pay the difference.
FACT: The 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.
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 the damage which
is visible. When additional damage becomes evident as the repair progresses, the shop will
report the additional damage to the insurance company. 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 choice of shops is entirely up to you. 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.
MYTH: Once a car has been in an accident, it will never be the same.
FACT: 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 should be structurally rebuilt
to its factory dimensions and tolerances. Then it should be refinished using the finest,
factory/industry approved automotive finish which, in many cases, will actually surpass the
original finish insofar as corrosion protection and gloss retention. And, ALL work, parts, and
paint should have a Life-Time Guarantee.
MYTH: My car will never be worth what is was prior to the accident.
FACT: 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
chargebacks.
6 Common Auto Insurance Myths - Collision Repair