Having Your Car Repaired After an Accident
Your car, truck, SUV, or mini-van has been in an accident and needs to be repaired….so, what do you do? At some point, most car owners will have to go through the 'claims process'. This process is never fun, but it can be less stressful if you know some tips going into it.
1. Make sure at the time of the accident to exchange some basic information with the other driver(s) involved. Name, address, phone number, date of birth, driver's license number, registration (plate) number and the year, make and model of the car are essential pieces of information.
2. Also at the time of the accident, take note of the location (address, or street name, closest intersecting street, town and state), time, and date of the accident, as well as the weather and road conditions.
3. Be sure to complete an operator's 'Crash Report'. Blank forms are available at most local police stations and at most insurance agencies. Send copies to your insurance agent and/or company, the police station in the locale where the accident occurred, and the RMV.
4. Report the accident immediately to your insurance agent/company as well as to the other drivers' insurance company.
5. Ask your insurance agent for the next step. If your car is drivable, you may be able to speed up the 'claims process' by bringing it to an insurance company 'drive in' appraisal center. Your agent can provide you with the location of the one closest to you. If your car is not drivable, you should ask your agent/company to send an adjustor out to look at your car.
6. Be aware of your deductible. Most drivers in Massachusetts have a $500 deductible on collision claims. You may have a lower or higher deductible than this. Even if you feel you were not at fault, your deductible may be 'held' until the claim investigation is complete. Your initial check may be the amount of the appraisal 'less' your deductible. If you are determined to be 'not at fault' you should receive your deductible back later. If you are determined to be at fault, you will not get your deductible back.
7. Keep in mind that the initial appraisal is merely a quick, external, visual appraisal of your vehicle's damage. The figure arrived upon may seem low, both to you and to your body shop guy! Do not panic! If needed, once your vehicle is in the shop, your body shop guy will call the insurance adjustor to come out and do a 'supplemental' appraisal and payment.
8. If a 'supplemental' is needed, ask your body shop if you can sign a 'direction to pay'. This will allow the insurance company to pay the shop directly, saving you some time and effort, and making it easier for you to pick up your car as soon as it is ready.
9. When choosing a body shop, try to use one that you are familiar with, or get referrals from a friend, family member, or your insurance agent. Use a reputable shop.
10. Ask the body shop if they are familiar with dealing with insurance claim work, and if they will work for the insurance company's approved labor rate. Most insurance companies have a set labor rate that they will pay. This is separate from the cost of parts. Often the rate is lower than the regular labor rate charged by a body shop. Many body shops, because they get much of their work from insurance claims, will honor the labor rate set by your insurance carrier. If not, you have two choices. You can pay the balance 'out of pocket' (e.g. your carrier pays $30/hour, the shop charges $35, you pay $5/hour times however many hours it takes to fix your car), or you can ask your insurance agent/company for a referral to a shop that will honor their rate.
11. Be sure to inspect your car when picking it up, and be aware for the first few days after of any noises, or appearance issues. If you feel something was not fixed properly, or was missed in the appraisal process, be sure to let the shop, and your insurance company, know as soon as possible. Even if the claim has been closed, you can ask to have it reopened for further repairs.