Getting an Estimate for Repairs After an Accident

Cleaning up after an automobile accident can be messy business. Of course, the physical health and well-being of those involved is the priority. But once that’s been established, there’s the issue of car repairs and how best to secure an estimate that you can trust.

In order to schedule prompt auto body repair, it’s important to keep a few things in mind and do your research. As out of control as you might feel after experiencing a car accident, whether or not you were at fault, remember that you are in charge when it comes to fixing your car and getting yourself back on the road.

Fortunately, there are some helpful tips to keep in mind that make the process of getting a reliable estimate easier.

Search for a Solid Estimate

Responsibility for insurance coverage after an automobile accident depends on who was at fault. Who caused the accident?

If the other driver was at fault, you’ll want to file a claim with his or her insurance agency, assuming he or she has insurance coverage. If you were at fault, you will have to file the cost of repairs under your own policy. Depending on the extent of the damage and how the accident occurred, your car insurance premiums will likely increase.

You should also keep in mind that an insurance company will only pay for damages up to that particular policy’s limits. This means that if you incur fifteen-thousand dollars of worth of damage to your car, but the other driver is only insured up to ten-thousand dollars, you’re on the hook for the additional five-thousand dollar difference. The same is true of your own policy. Insurance will only pay up to your policy’s maximum limits.

In the event that the damages surpass the actual value of your car (note: value is determined at the time of the accident, not from the initial purchase date), then the insurance company will determine that it is a “total loss,” and will reimburse you whatever your car’s fair market, or “actual crash value” is. But, let’s say it’s not a total loss and you simply need to schedule some repairs. How do you move forward?

After an accident, you’ll want to do some legwork in order to find the best estimate for auto body repairs. Don’t take the first or most convenient estimate. If you wouldn’t get your car repaired at that particular shop or dealership, you shouldn’t go with that estimate.

For example, if you go to your local gas station, they might not give you an estimate high enough to cover the damages and maintain your car’s quality. This means that you’ll have a number in mind, perhaps a number you’re happy with, but will end up suffering sticker shock once the repairs have been done by a reputable repair shop. No one likes surprises when it comes to added or unforeseen expenses. Spare yourself from this scenario and do your homework before committing to a scheduled repair.

In fact, it’s always a good idea to consult a factory-authorized mechanic or repair shop, that way you can be confident that the number you are quoted will cover what is actually required of the repairs. Check in with your trusted dealership’s service team or mechanic and ask for an estimate based on the quality repairs they would do. This way you know you’re covered.

But, what do you do after you’ve collected your quotes?

Be Aware of Feet-Dragging by Your Insurance Company

Yes, your insurance company is there to help you in the event of an accident; however, you don’t want to wait unnecessarily long for repairs. After all, you need your car. Expect your insurance company to inspect the damages within a week or ten days from the date of the accident. If it hasn’t and you’ve provided ample opportunity for your insurance company to send a claims analyst, make sure you have two written repair estimates and move forward on your own, provided you have the funds to do so.

Once the repairs have been made, your insurance company should reimburse you for what you paid out of pocket. However, be aware that if you chose the shop which gave you the highest estimate, your insurance company might only reimburse you for the lower estimate you received, which will leave you responsible for the difference. Depending on the two figures you were quoted, that difference might be significant.

Additionally, if you move forward with your auto body repairs independently you might forfeit certain insurance coverage perks like the paid use of a rental car while you wait for your car to be fully repaired. Although you don’t want to wait around if your insurance company is dragging it’s feet, you also don’t want to make any hasty decisions that might somehow compromise the coverage you’re due.

Don’t Go Low!

Be suspicious of an estimate from a third-party adjuster that falls significantly short of the estimate you received from your preferred mechanic. Sometimes insurance companies work with certain repair shops in less than honest dealings. The shop does the repairs at a discounted price for the insurance company, leaving you with less than quality repairs. In exchange, the shop gets additional referrals from the insurance company, keeping their bays in business, but in a somewhat shady way. Think of it as a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” scenario.

Ideally, you want to secure two or three estimates from independent mechanics and then compare those estimates to the one offered by your insurance company. If your insurance company offers an estimate that is much lower than the independent estimates, you’ll want to challenge that as the figure likely doesn’t represent the full and accurate cost of expert repairs.

Ask the Experts, Know Your Rights

Part of the problem people face when dealing with the aftermath of an accident is how foreign the process feels. Fortunately, most of us either have never been, or are not regularly involved, in automotive accidents. As such, we’re not experts on how to pursue the process of scheduling repairs and ensuring that those repairs are covered. If you still feel uneasy about the quotes you’ve been given or feel that you’re caught in an uncomfortable position between the cost of repairs and your insurance company’s estimate, you can always solicit legal advice. Attorneys specializing in insurance claims can help you navigate your unchartered terrain so that you feel confident in both the repairs and the associated costs.

With today’s ever-increasing and easily accessible technology, you can do some repair research online and get an online estimate before you even enter a repair shop. These sites often offer optional legal consultations, which you may or may not want to take advantage of before weighing your options. Even better, both of these services – the estimate and legal advice – are generally available on an anonymous basis, meaning you don’t have to divulge any personal information that you are not comfortable sharing, regarding your automobile accident.

In the unfortunate event of an accident, keep in mind that there are plenty of experts in the insurance, automotive, and legal industries to help you chart an effective course of action.

Stay calm, do your research, and communicate with all parties involved so that you can schedule quick, but thorough repairs for a reasonable price. Keep your wits about you and you’ll be back on the road in no time.