Do I Have to Use the Insurer’s Recommended Repair Shop?

One of the common questions that is asked to Insurance is whether or not a person is required to use the body shop recommended by their insurance company. While there may be advantages to doing so, you will want to consider both utilizing the body shop your insurance company recommends and finding your own body shop outside of your insurance company. As a consumer, you have the right to choose your own body shop. If you are in an accident, you can take your car or another vehicle to the shop of your choice. Many people have relationships with specific mechanics and want to have them take a look at the car to determine the extent of the damage and/or repair it. Having someone familiar with the history of your vehicle inspect it can also be helpful in telling you how much of the damage was done to the car during the accident itself.

Should You Use The Recommended Body Shop Your Insurance Gives?

There are benefits to using the auto body shop recommended by your insurance company as well. One of the benefits of using the shop that is approved by the auto insurance provider is if there is a dispute that occurs with the repairs. If you are not happy with the work of the auto repair professional you selected personally, you will be left to deal with the dispute yourself. When you choose your mechanics and they aren’t suggested ones, the insurance provider takes an approach that is more hands-off. It will only reimburse you for the cost of damages after you pay the deductible. Keep in mind that if you select your repair shop upfront you will need to wait to be reimbursed by your insurance provider.

Insurance providers have developed relationships with a wide variety of body shops. Because they have a history of working with insurance companies adjusters and policyholders to get repairs completed, the process can sometimes be more smooth. You will have less to do in terms of communication with the auto repair shop in some cases. Another benefit to using the body shop your insurance provider recommends is that the shop may bill the insurance company directly for the costs. This means that you will have to spend less money out of pocket, and it also means that you may receive your vehicle back faster. The body shop chosen by the insurance company will provide an initial estimate to both the adjuster and you before any work is started on the vehicle. The process if additional damages are discovered can also be quicker, with other parts and labors being added on more quickly and the estimate being adjusted to reflect the new information.

In some cases, the work that is done by shops that are recommended by the insurance companies are guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle. This means more peace of mind when it comes to potential issues later on. Always make sure to ask about any guarantees that are offered by your insurance company or the body shop working on your car before work on your vehicle begins.

Which Is The Better Option?

There are pros and cons to both options. Mechanics who have worked on your car already know your vehicle's history and may be able to tell easier what the damages that came from the accident are. They are also a trusted mechanic, which may bring peace of mind. That said, auto insurance providers research the top mechanics as well, and since the work may be guaranteed after it is done and the communication can run more smoothly, it is a better option for some people.

For people who are looking to get the repairs completed as quickly as possible, the easiest way to do this is to utilize a body shop approved by the insurance company. People sometimes need to consider rental car coverage and how much you can get rental car benefits under your insurance plan as well. The insurance provider will only pay for automobile rental over the time allotted to finish the job in the estimate. If you select your own mechanics, and the time needs to be delayed, it may not be extremely easy to extend your rental car coverage.

Tips For Choosing The Right Auto Repair Shop When Getting Your Vehicle Repaired

Talk with both your mechanic and your insurance company and decide which route is best for you. Keep in mind that processes can often be streamlined when using a recommended body shop over your usual mechanic. It is a good idea to ask a lot of questions, including making a list of questions for both the car insurance adjuster and/or the customer service department of the insurance company you utilize. Use the tools at Insurance to have a more streamlined process of getting your vehicle coverage. If you have filed a claim, when your auto insurance plan is going to run out, make sure to get a free quote on automobile insurance plans here. Different companies use different formulas for insurance, and after an accident, you may find that the cheapest car insurance policy that suits your needs may now come from a different company.