Choosing a Repair Shop

Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop

Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop

 

It’s your right to choose where have your vehicle’s damage estimated and repaired, even though your insurer may suggest shops that they would prefer for you to use. If an insurance company recommends that you have a particular shop estimate your claim or provide repairs, they must also give you written notice that you can have your repairs estimated and completed by the shop of your choice.

It’s important to note however, that the insurance company may, by giving you formal notice in writing, assume complete control of the repair process and have the vehicle repaired where they choose. Insurance companies very rarely exercise their right to undertake repairs; since by doing so they assume final responsibility for a satisfactory repair job.

When you select a shop, the responsibility for a satisfactory repair job is up to you. Any dispute about the quality of the repair or the collision shop’s guarantee is a contractual matter between you and the collision repair shop.

GUARANTEES

If an insurance company states or implies that they guarantee repairs if you take your vehicle to a shop that they choose, make sure you ask about the details of that guarantee – in writing!

Find out:

  • Who sets the repair standards (you, the shop or the insurer)?
  • Who decides whether a repair has been properly completed (you or the insurer)?
  • If you are unsatisfied with the repair, who will re-do the work?
  • Often, an insurance company’s guarantee is actually the repair shop’s guarantee. So the responsibility for a satisfactory repair job will remain a contractual matter between you and the shop, just as if you had chosen the shop in the first place.

So, it’s in your best interest to choose a collision shop carefully!

OUR ADVICE

Look for a collision shop that has the appropriate technology and training to fix your car. Newer vehicles have unibody construction, aluminum and alloy components and sophisticated safety electronics that cannot be properly repaired on the same equipment that fixed your old Holden Premier or the family sedan from days past.

  • Look for a shop that has a reputation for high quality work and a written guarantee.
  • Ask friends and co-workers for references to shops where they have had excellent service.
  • Check with the Automotive Service and Repair Association.
  • Ask a certified Dealer that sells your make of vehicle who they would suggest.
  • The law requires that repair shops be licensed. If a shop is not licensed do not deal with them!
  • The law also requires that collision shops hire only tradesmen and registered apprentices to do repair work, so look for the tradesman certificates and other signs of ongoing training.

Once you have chosen a collision shop,
advise your insurance company…

Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop

In some cases your insurer may give you a formal notice in writing (within 7 days of receiving your Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim Form), that it wishes to exercise its right to repair or replace your vehicle. If repairing your vehicle, your insurer may decide to take control of the repair process and have the vehicle repaired where they choose. If they do that, they assume final responsibility for a satisfactory repair job, and will restore the vehicle to its condition prior to the collision. This happens with no additional cost to you, other than what is stated in the policy – or as otherwise allowed by law. If your insurer decides to replace the vehicle, it will be replaced with a comparable quality vehicle.

Useful Steps

When dealing with a repair shop on an insurance claim there are a few useful steps to follow:

  • Find out who sets the repair standards and decides whether the work has been properly completed.
  • Find out who will re-do the work if you are unsatisfied with the repair.
  • The shop will ask you to sign a work order authorising the repairs. Make sure it specifies all the details outlined in the estimate. Any changes or additions to the job and the related costs should be written on the work order. Your signature on the work order means that you are ultimately responsible for the invoiced costs.
  • Make sure that your insurance company agrees to pay for all repairs before you have the work completed.  Find out how your insurer handles supplemental repairs just in case the repair shop finds more damage to your vehicle that was not at the original estimate. You might need to submit an official receipt from the repair shop with your insurance claim.
  • Once the repairs are done, check them over. You may decide to have an independent party look at them. If you are not satisfied with the repairs, discuss the problem with the body shop manager.  If the problem isn’t resolved, notify your insurance company.
  • There are several methods of paying the bill. You are responsible for paying the amount of the deductible, as noted in your insurance contract. The insurance company may forward to you the rest of the money to pay the body shop. Or the insurance company may pay the shop directly. A third possibility is the insurance company may send a cheque jointly paid to you and the body shop.
  • Once the shop has been paid, or when the insurance company has confirmed it will pay on your behalf, you can take your vehicle home.

Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop

Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop     Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop
Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop     Premier Smash Choosing a Repair Shop