Getting into a car accident is a harrowing and stressful experience. There are so many things going on at once, from having to retain the other driver’s personal and insurance information to thinking about what to do next. If your accident is bad enough that your vehicle requires repairs, one of the first things you will have to do is go to an auto body repair shop. There are a few myths about auto repairs that you should know before heading to the shop.
The Insurance Company Determines Which Auto Body Shop You Use
The insurance company will refer some auto body shops to you, including those on its Direct Repair Program. However, you are under no obligation to use the services of any one of those. In reality, you can choose your own shop to make repairs on your car. The insurance company must also negotiate with the shop on the amount spent on repairs, even if the auto body shop gives you a higher quote.
The Dealer is the Only One Able to Repair a Car Back to its Previous Condition
Many drivers mistakenly believe that only the car dealer is able to restore a vehicle to its previous condition following a collision. Although you will want to have any OEM parts applied to your car after an accident, the dealer is certainly not the only place that can provide them. You might even get aftermarket parts, depending on the terms of your insurance policy. The best thing to do is to become familiar with your insurance policy and find an auto body shop that can make repairs to match the price offered by dealers.
Insurance Companies Cover Any Damages to Your Vehicle
You must know what’s covered in your insurance policy. Not all policies will include every aspect of damage. Different insurance policies cover topics such as liability, collusion, comprehensive, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist protection. Depending on what is included in your policy, you may or may not be covered for all of those things.
A Car Will Never be the Same After an Accident
Although a car can be damaged badly following an accident, the right auto repair shop can restore it back to its previous condition. Not only can a reputable shop bring the aesthetics back to what they were before an accident, but the safety and functioning can also be restored.
Going to an Auto Repair Shop Other Than What the Insurance Company Recommends Means Voiding Your Warranty
In reality, the insurance company will not warranty the repairs done on your vehicle. Instead, the shop does that. It’s important to choose a shop that will guarantee a warranty on its work for the lifetime of your car.
Knowing these myths about collision repairs will ensure that you get the most out of your vehicle when you choose the right shop.