After a vehicle collision, your insurance company will recommend you use a specific auto body shop to repair your vehicle. However, you do not have to go to this auto body shop. Though they may provide you with recommendations, they cannot mandate that you go to a specific auto body shop to fix your car. In this article, we will talk about the options between picking your own shop or going to the insurance-recommended auto body shop.
Choosing the Recommended Garage
Shortly following a collision, your insurance company will ask you to provide an estimate for the repairs. Your insurance company will then review the information to determine the amount of coverage your insurance policy provides. After this process, they will likely provide you with a list of repair shops that they recommend, but they cannot require you to use a specific one. However, if you do use one of their garages, the insurance may have pre-negotiated the rate with that shop, potentially resulting in lower costs for you. If you have any questions about the claims process or your options for repair shops, be sure to speak with your insurance company directly.
Choosing Your Own Garage
Since you are free to choose your own shop, it is important that you do your research on which auto body shop fits your needs. Some key aspects to look for are their experience, reviews, website, and qualifications. Their experience will show you if they are fit to work on your vehicle. A great indicator as to whether they do quality work is to find out how long they have been in business. Reviews will also give you a basis to know whether they are right for you. To find an auto body shop that is with you throughout the process, an auto body shop you are comfortable leaving your car with, you need to ask the right questions. This will let you gauge both how they interact with you as a customer, as well as how they will take care of your vehicle.
Leased or Financed Vehicle
If you have a leased or financed vehicle, your lender may require you to use a particular auto body shop for repairs. They will typically outline this in your loan or lease agreement, and the repair shop will need to meet certain standards and requirements in order for your lender to approve it. If this is the case, your insurance company will usually work with the lender to ensure the repairs are according to their specifications.
There is a wide range of garages that you can go to after a collision since you do not need to go to the insurance-recommended auto body shop. With this being said, we here at M&G Body Shop strongly feel as though we are the right fit for you. With over 20 years in the business, we are sure that you will be able to sleep peacefully knowing your vehicle is in capable hands. Check out all of the services that we offer today!
Recent Comments