Car Parts Plus

Accidents And Auto Repairs For The Novice

If your car has been involved in a traffic accident, you’ll probably need to have repairs performed. Unfortunately, even a small accident can turn into a major expense once the repairs have been completed. Sometimes, the structural integrity of your car will have suffered even if there’s very little obvious damage on the hull. Other times, a collision can damage parts that will need to be replaced. If you don’t understand how car insurance companies work, you might be surprised by the amount you end up paying and the quality of the work performed. Below, I’ll provide some advice to help you reduce the impact on your bank account while being confident that the work performed meets your standards.

Knowing The Ropes

A lot of people don’t realize how car insurance companies cover damages if they’re at fault. Most insurance companies work with a number of auto repair shops. When policyholders are involved in accidents and the insurer must cover the damages, they’re referred to their “approved” repair shops. The problem is that most of these shops agree to work with the insurers for rates that are often lower than market rates. They do so for the repeat business. However, this also gives them an incentive to hurry through the repair job.

If possible, try to get your insurance company to allow you to take your car to a dealership. If you’re unable to do so, at least speak personally with the mechanic who will be doing the job. Often, the personal interaction is enough to motivate them to do quality work.

Another challenge involves the replacement parts that are used. One of the stipulations under which repair shops agree to partner with insurance companies is that they’ll use salvaged parts rather than OEM parts. Salvaged parts are lower-quality and thus, less expensive. Remember, insurance companies want to slash their costs as dramatically as possible. But, like above, try talking with the technician. Often, they’ll have some room to negotiate and may be willing to use OEM parts.

Fees For Rental Cars

One of the unfortunate realities of having your car repaired (besides the bill) is that the work nearly always takes longer than predicted. You’ll need a rental car, and often for a longer period of time than you originally thought. Call your insurance company and ask them to explain how rental car fees are handled. They may reimburse you for the full amount, regardless of how long you drive the rental. However, many policies have limits such as the type of car you can drive (i.e. compact) and the length of time the fees will be reimbursed.

Getting your car repaired after being involved in a collision is usually a headache. The best you can do is limit the inconvenience. Understand how insurance companies operate so you’ll have the right expectations when you arrive at the repair shop.

Used Car Parts

Subscribe to this Car Parts Plus feed

Other Interesting Car Articles

• When your Car is Overheated (0)
• When Your Car Fails The Emissions Test (0)
• What To Do When Your Tire “Blows Out” (0)
• The Novice’s Guide To Choosing A Car Repair Garage (0)
• Overview Of Car Parts In An Emissions System (0)