How to get car repair estimate after an Accident

Getting a Quality Estimate

If you want to get a fair and quality estimate for your car repairs, going to a qualified auto body shop is your best bet. The expertise of the specialist in the shop will readily check your car for all the obvious and hidden damages and give you the estimate that will be needed to fix the car back to its original state.

You can bank on your insurance company to get a good auto body shop for you as they usually have affiliations. But, you are also advised to do your research to find out the best specialist that can help fix your car.

Any shop you research on should have certified technicians who have experience working on cars similar to yours. They should also have well-written warranties and estimates that the client would understand. Plus, their services should include a rental program to lend a car till yours is fixed.

The best way to get shops like this is to check online reviews. By looking through the reviews, you can catch a glimpse of what the company is about and be familiar with how they treat customers. If you have questions, you can also reach out to them to answer them.

The Estimation Process: What to Expect

This is not usually a long process as most qualified auto body shops are prompt in attending to clients. The primary thing required in this estimation process is the assessment. Once the car can be accessed, the estimate will take roughly 15 to 30 minutes to get penned and shown to the client.

Some of the things that a written car estimate contains are:

• A detailed description of the work that would be done on your vehicle to bring it back to its original state.
• A thorough breakdown of how much it would cost you on the repairs involved and other fees included.
• The total estimate of the repairs and a concluding statement that disapproves any additional charges not already stated and would only be added when you approve it.

A written estimate is always a good way to monitor your repairs’ progress and see if the company gave what was promised. It might not be lawfully necessary to do, but credible auto body shops offer written estimates because they want their client to feel involved and confident in them. They will also be ready to answer any question that could be asked. Getting a written estimate is your go-to strategy if you want a smooth repair process.

How does the insurance come into the picture?

After getting to safety in an accident, the first response should be to contact your insurance company. Once you have them involved, they will help protect you and get you the best needed. Your insurance company can come into any accident situation, no matter how small or significant it could be. So, contacting them is never a wrong move after an accident.

Depending on the state you are in, your insurance provider might foot the bill of the other vehicle if you were at fault. But in some states, it is not the insurance company cross to bear, and that means you wouldn’t have anything to worry about the repairs. However, whether you are at fault or not, your insurance company needs to know as they would have the answers you need about the repairs and other things.

Also, you must bear in mind that your insurance company is not the owner of your vehicle. If they recommend a repair shop and you don’t feel like using their services, you are free to make your decisions and choose another shop. There is no pressure whatsoever to choose what your insurance provider chooses.