When you are in a car accident and file a claim through your insurance, the insurance company will recommend an auto body shop or certain parts that need to be used for the repairs. While there are benefits to using who your insurance company recommends, you do have the right, as the vehicle owner, to choose which repair shop works on your car and what parts are most affordable to you. Insurance companies want to pay out the lowest amount possible for auto repairs, so this is often why they want you to work with their preferred options.
Using Your Local Autobody Shop
After a car accident, you will want to have repairs done to not only help the vehicle operate better, but also to improve the look of the vehicle. Many people may know someone who works in an auto repair shop or have one local to them that they trust. Your provider may recommend an auto body shop because they have worked with them in the past and are able to save money by working with them.
If you want to use your local auto shop or a friend who works in the car repair industry, you are allowed to use their services. Your insurance company should cover any part or service that fits inside the filled claim. The auto repair shop can send the invoice to your insurance company detailing labor and parts, almost pushing them to pay.
Aftermarket Parts
Insurance companies may also be pushy about what parts an auto repair company can put on your car. Improving your car with aftermarket parts is often more affordable than manufacturer parts, so the insurance company will recommend these parts to lower what they need to pay out to the client. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be required to pay the difference for higher-priced parts, or the auto body shop may not be allowed to use OEM parts at all.
Before taking your car in for repairs, make sure to read the fine print of your car policy. If there is no language specifying what car parts must be used during body repairs, you can ask the insurance to pay for OEM parts.
State Laws
Insurance companies can often push for lower-priced options, but state laws may play a role in what parts or companies you can use. Some state laws will require your insurance provider to disclose when non-OEM parts are used, or give more rights to the vehicle owners. These insurance companies will be required to pay what the client chooses to put on their own car. Other states may not have protection for vehicle owners, meaning your insurance company can only offer payments if you follow their specifications.
Benefits Of Using Preferred Repair Shops
While it should be the vehicle owner’s choice on how their car is repaired, there are some benefits of following the parameters set by the insurance company. One major benefit is that your claim will get processed faster. When an insurance company doesn’t have to comb through multiple invoices and the amount is lower than what they would typically pay out for car repair, they may be motivated to process the claim.
Other benefits of sticking to the preferred repair shops include:
- Streamlined estimates
- Direct payments to the autobody shop
- Lifetime warranties on parts that were repaired
- Other potential discounts
- Not having to handle rental car stress on your own
- Insurance coverage in the future for replacement parts experiencing issues
Get Additional Estimates
Some companies will require you to get multiple estimates before they share how much they will pay for auto repairs. If you are also unsatisfied with what the preferred auto body shop quoted you, getting a few other options may end up saving you money in the long run. An insurance company should provide slightly more than the repairs are estimated to cost, but the repair shop must make the needed repairs for less than the approved insurance amount. Getting multiple repair estimates will provide a median price, so you know you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
Accident Repairs From Layton Carcare
Layton Carcare uses the best quality parts for car accident repair and often encourages insurance companies and vehicle owners to use parts that we can provide a warranty on. Getting your car fixed after an accident can be stressful, so we do our best to help you navigate insurance lingo and payouts. Our technicians treat every car with the utmost respect and service it to last through all your adventures. Your vehicle is an investment and asset, so it deserves the best service possible. Let us work with your insurance company to provide quality care to your precious vehicle.
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