Report your accident to the insurance company if you want help paying for repairs. Whether you anticipate getting enough money or not, this is the first step in getting the benefits you need.
Wait for an adjustor to assess your car's damage. This is how the insurance company will decide how much money you are entitled to under you policy. If you start major repairs too soon, the adjustor may not compensate you for them because he or she isn't going to see that they were a result of the accident. Broken windows or a leaky roof can be temporarily r epaired to prevent further damage to your car. These quick fixes can be pointed out to the adjustor as they inspect your vehicle.
T he decision to have your car totaled depends significantly on how much your car is worth. Determine how much your car is worth by consulti ng Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. This information can help you evaluate how much t ime and money you want to invest in a damaged vehicle.
Many insurance companies have lists of recommended body shops in your area. If you like the work that one of them does, go ahead and use them. However, you have the option to choose a body shop not on the recommended list. In this case, the insurance company may give you a lower amount for repairs. This practice is called "steering" and insurance companies do it to make insured drivers choose a shop on their list by providing them with more money. It i s illegal, but still common.
What you do in this situation is up to you: you can absorb the extra cost or reevaluate your choice of repair shop. If you want to choose a different body shop, do NOT cash the check. In the eyes of the insurance company, accepting payment may mean you are satisfied with the amount and they are no longer responsible for your benefits.
Insurance disputes happen often, but you should know that you don't have to settle if your requests are within the scope of your policy. Consult the lawyers at the Coye Law Firm to get the most out of your claim and to examine other areas of liability. If the law permits, you may pursue benefits from the at‚¬fault driver or their insurance company.
Choosing a Repair Shop
Choosing a repair shop is a lot like choosing any other business to perform a service:
you want to know that they will do the job right, for how much they say they will, and when they say they will. Auto repairs can be costly and time consu ming, so you want to make sure you're hiring a reputable shop to do them.
T ime of Repairs
Some damage can be repaired in as little as two days depending on the workload of the body shop. Other damage can take months to repair. Discuss how long it will take to get your car back before you commit to a body shop. If you need a car i n the mean time, you may pursue rental car reimbursement to make up for the loss of use of your vehicle.
Wait for an adjustor to assess your car's damage. This is how the insurance company will decide how much money you are entitled to under you policy. If you start major repairs too soon, the adjustor may not compensate you for them because he or she isn't going to see that they were a result of the accident. Broken windows or a leaky roof can be temporarily r epaired to prevent further damage to your car. These quick fixes can be pointed out to the adjustor as they inspect your vehicle.
T he decision to have your car totaled depends significantly on how much your car is worth. Determine how much your car is worth by consulti ng Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. This information can help you evaluate how much t ime and money you want to invest in a damaged vehicle.
Many insurance companies have lists of recommended body shops in your area. If you like the work that one of them does, go ahead and use them. However, you have the option to choose a body shop not on the recommended list. In this case, the insurance company may give you a lower amount for repairs. This practice is called "steering" and insurance companies do it to make insured drivers choose a shop on their list by providing them with more money. It i s illegal, but still common.
What you do in this situation is up to you: you can absorb the extra cost or reevaluate your choice of repair shop. If you want to choose a different body shop, do NOT cash the check. In the eyes of the insurance company, accepting payment may mean you are satisfied with the amount and they are no longer responsible for your benefits.
Insurance disputes happen often, but you should know that you don't have to settle if your requests are within the scope of your policy. Consult the lawyers at the Coye Law Firm to get the most out of your claim and to examine other areas of liability. If the law permits, you may pursue benefits from the at‚¬fault driver or their insurance company.
Choosing a Repair Shop
Choosing a repair shop is a lot like choosing any other business to perform a service:
you want to know that they will do the job right, for how much they say they will, and when they say they will. Auto repairs can be costly and time consu ming, so you want to make sure you're hiring a reputable shop to do them.
T ime of Repairs
Some damage can be repaired in as little as two days depending on the workload of the body shop. Other damage can take months to repair. Discuss how long it will take to get your car back before you commit to a body shop. If you need a car i n the mean time, you may pursue rental car reimbursement to make up for the loss of use of your vehicle.