Your shop is not on my insurance company's preferred
list. Can I still get repaired by you without
having to pay extra and will I still receive
a lifetime warranty from your shop even though
you are not on their list for direct repair
facilities?
Yes, you can still choose our
shop for your repairs and you shouldn't have
to pay more than your required deductible. We
will repair any defects in
our work as listed on the repair invoice for
as long as you own your vehicle, unless caused
by unreasonable use or lack of maintenance.
Please contact us for more details on this warranty.
The damage to my car was caused by the other
driver, however the company they are insured
by is slow to accept any liability, what is
my recourse?
You need to contact your agent and
start the claim under your collision policy.
If the other company still has not accepted
liability by the time your car is ready, you
will have to pay a deductible. Your company
may get your deductible back if it challenges
the claim successfully.
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When
you are involved in an accident, what is the
proper procedure to follow?
You
should always protect your own interest! You
don't need to notify the police unless an ambulance
or wrecker is required. If emergency services
are needed, you must notify the police even
if the accident happened on private property.
But don't expect the officer to issue a citation
— this is done entirely at the officer's
discretion. The law also requires you to fill
out a "Blue Form" within 10 days if
the damage to either or both vehicles exceeds
$500. You
can pick up a "Blue Form" at the DPS.
Always
remember to obtain information from the other
driver. The law says all parties involved in
a collision must remain at the scene long enough
to exchange information. In addition to the
name and address of the other driver, it's important
to note the make, model, color, and license
plate number of the other car before you even
get out of your car. This way if the other driver
takes off, you'll have recourse. When you exchange
information, ask to see not only the other driver's
insurance card, but also his or her driver's
license. Compare the photo to the person before
you, and write down the date of birth, the license
number, and the address. If possible, get the
Vehicle Identification Number from the other
car — it will be printed on the dash just
below the state inspection sticker. And
get the names and addresses of any witnesses.
With this information, you can locate the other
driver if he or she fails to accept financial
responsibility for damage to your car. If the
person is unwilling to show you a license or
proof of insurance, you should call the police
right away.
Once
you've gotten home, you'll want to call your
insurance agent as well. If you are at fault
in the collision, you may want to file a claim
with your own company to get the damage to your
car repaired. If the other party is at fault,
your agent may be able to help you get a claim
started against the other driver's insurance
company.
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If
the other driver is at fault, should I still
notify my insurance company?
Yes,
you should notify your insurance company. If
the other drive does not agree with you, they
may have already filed a claim against you.
Your insurance agent will explain your rights
and guard your interests within the limits of
your coverage.
I want my car repaired but the insurance
company wants to "total it", what
can I do?
You can either accept a payment equal
to the retail value of your vehicle plus title
transfer fees and sales tax or keep your vehicle
and receive a payment equal to it’s average
retail value less it’s salvage value.
The salvage value is set by the insurance company
and usually amounts to approximately 20% of
the retail value.
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Do
I have to pay the difference if my insurance
company's estimate is less then yours?
The only time this happens is when
you want replacement parts to come from a different
source than the insurance company has listed.
Parts can be listed from a variety of sources
such as the dealership, after-market vendors
(copies of the factory part), reconditioning
vendors, and used parts vendors. Neither Performance
Collision Repair, or any other repair shop,
or dealership can dictate what sources and therefore
what costs the insurance will pay for specific
parts.
When is time to pay the deductible and who do
I pay it to?
If a deductible is required, it is
collected at our shop when the repairs are complete.
I
have only had my car for one month and it is
already damaged. If I want to keep the warranty
in effect should I take it to the dealer?
No,
this is not necessary. We have never heard of
a new car warranty being voided due to a repair
at our shop.
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