Getting into a car accident can be a very distressing experience for anyone involved. Even if the car accident was only minor, you would still be left with a lot of questions. For many people, their car is an essential tool they need to get to work, to the shops, or to drop their kids off at school, so having the vehicle out of action for a long time isn’t an option. That being said, after an accident occurs, you will likely want to make sure that you are getting the very best repairs.
If you have been in a minor car accident, this guide is here to help you leave all you need to know about getting your vehicle repaired.
1. Choosing the Right Repair Shop
Many people assume that when you are getting repairs that are going to be paid for by your insurance company, you have no choice in which repair shop you use. This is actually not the case. Taking the time to find a high-quality repair shop is essential. You can go online and look for past customer reviews to find out more about a repair shop’s standards.
2. Shop Around
When you are deciding which garage you are going to take your car to, it can be useful to spend a little bit of time collecting different estimates for the work. This can be an especially important task for people who are paying for the repairs out of their own pocket, rather than having their insurance company cover the costs.
It is recommended that you avoid going for the lowest price, as this does not usually indicate quality. Rather take notice of the range in prices and go for a garage that has good reviews and offers a fair price.
3. Let the Garage Communicate With Your Insurance Company
If your insurance covers the repairs that are being done, then you need to let your garage know. Once you have found the right garage and started the claims process, you can leave the repair shop to communicate directly to your insurance company. As Horst Shewmaker explains, allowing the garage to communicate directly to your insurance provider can be more efficient and can save you a great deal of time and stress.
4. Be Aware of All Damages
It is important that you ask the repair shop to notify you of all the damages that they find while your vehicle is in the garage. After a vehicle has been in a minor collision, it is quite common for the mechanic to discover a number of minor fixes that need addressing.
If your garage is dealing directly with your insurance company, they do not have an obligation to inform you of the damages they have found. Being aware of any new discovered damages helps you stay up to date on repairs processes and completion dates.
5. Finding a Rental Car
Some people need their vehicles for everyday life, which means that when yours is in the garage, you will need the use of a rental car. Before you start organizing a rental car, it is good to check your insurance policy to see if the costs for the rental car will be covered by your policy. You can often organize a rental car directly with your garage to make the process more simple.