Know Your Rights
How Do I Choose A Collision Repair Facility?
As the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident or submitting an insurance claim, you have the right to choose the shop where you wish to have your vehicle repaired. No law requires you to get more than one estimate, nor are you obligated to have your vehicle repaired at the “cheapest” shop or one “preferred” by the insurance company. You should select a repair facility based on their skill, service, knowledge, reputation and guarantee of their workmanship.
Remember, the body shop is fixing YOUR vehicle for YOU. If you’re making an insurance claim, the insurer pays the bill, but most states prohibit the insurer from requiring you to use a particular shop — that means, ultimately, no matter what you hear, THE BODY SHOP IS YOUR CHOICE.
What Is A DRP Body Shop?
Direct Repair Program (DRP) is another name for an insurance company’s listing of shops, such as: State Farm’s “Service First”, Allstate’s “PRO”, Progressive’s “Total Pro or Concierge”, etc. DRP repair facilities have been solicited by the insurance company which sends customers their way in exchange for discounted repairs, such as lower labor rates or parts discounts. The consumer is not required or obligated to use a DRP repair facility.
Automotive Specialties made a decision many years ago to decline any DRP contracts which allows us to work WITH all insurance companies but work FOR our customer.
Must I Notify My Insurance Company Before Repairs?
Yes, insurance policies require that you notify the company and tell them where the damaged vehicle may be inspected. The insurance company may wish to send an adjustor of their choice to inspect the vehicle or review the shop’s estimate prior to repair.
Who Pays The Repair Bill?
You must arrange for payment. Your insurance policy states the insurance company will pay for repairs less any deductibles or depreciation.
What If Repair Costs Exceed The Original Estimate?
Often times in the collision repair process additional damages are found resulting in more labor and parts needed to restore the vehicle to pre-accident condition. Parts sometimes come in at higher prices than quoted. These additional charges are called a supplement and will be covered by the insurance company with supporting paperwork from the repair facility.
If There Is A Problem With The Repair Job, Who Should You Contact?
First, contact the manager of the repair shop. If your problem is not resolved, contact your insurance company claims manager.
Stay Safe While Driving This Winter
Slow Down and Know Your Brakes
Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to maintaining control on snow-covered or icy roads. All maneuvers take longer and are less predictable when the roads have snow on them. Make sure to brake well before having to stop when it’s icy out. Since your vehicle reacts slower in the snow, keep a longer following distance than you normally would. Stopping on ice requires at least twice the distance you need when it’s above freezing, according to AAA.
Get Your Car Serviced
You don’t want your vehicle breaking down in any season, but especially during winter. Start the season off by ensuring your vehicle will keep you safe in cold and snowy weather. Have your mechanic check the battery, belts, fluids and tires for suggested preventative maintenance. This will also provide an opportunity to spot any repairs that need immediate attention. Keeping your gas tank above ½ full is also a good idea. You never know when you might be stranded for a time until assistance arrives and that fuel may help keep your car running and warm during the wait.
Drive Super Smoothly
The key to safe driving in snow is being smooth with the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. Why? Jerky movements with the controls easily unstick tires that have a tenuous grip on the slippery road, so every turn of the wheel, push of the brakes, and movement of the throttle must be deliberate, gentle, and gradual to prevent losing control of your vehicle. Pretend there’s a cup of scalding coffee in your lap and drive so as not to spill it.
Look Far Ahead
The slipperier it gets, the farther down the road you should look—and think. Anticipate what you’ll need to do next. Slow way down for turns. Allow double the stopping distance when the road is wet, triple on snow, and even more on ice. Driving carefully and safely takes extra concentration.
Heed Your Dash Lights
How much traction do you actually have on a snowy road? One way to know before you get into trouble is to understand what one particular small, amber, light in the instrument cluster means. (It’s an outline of a car with squiggly lines behind it.) If you’re accelerating in a straight line and this light is on, this is the stability-control system warning you that the wheels that drive the car are slipping. Heed it. And ease up on the accelerator so the tires regain their grip.
If you’re turning and see this amber light, this is also the stability-control system alerting you that the car is beginning to slide from your intended path. Again, ease back on the accelerator until you are no longer applying any throttle; this allows the car to regain grip. Do not accelerate aggressively when turning tight corners in town on snowy or slushy streets. Always ease into the accelerator so that you slowly gain speed yet keep full control.
Look Here!
If you feel your car beginning to skid, always, always, look where you want to go—not where the car is heading at that precise moment. Let your peripheral vision take care of whatever you’re trying to avoid. Race drivers know that you almost always end up where you are looking; that’s one of the reasons they’re so good at recovering from skids.
Make your appointment with our well-trained and experienced team at Automotive Specialties. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your auto body, paint, and mechanic needs. Since 1983 we have been serving the community and are eager to earn your business and remain life-long clients. Explore our website or call us at (630) 553-0397 today. We look forward to serving you! Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on current tips, and specials.
Sources:
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/weather_events/snow_ice.htm#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%2024%20percent%20of,slushy%20or%20icy%20pavement%20annually.
https://www.caranddriver.com/f…
