Questions
-Where do I get a
claim number?
-What is a direct repair shop?
-Are you open on Saturday?
-Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my
car for repair?
-If my vehicle's frame is damaged is the car a total loss?
-Can you match my car paint color?
-Can I get other service work done on my car
while it in the body shop?
-Can I get
a ride home when I drop off my car?
-How can I get a rental car?
-How will I know when my car is done?
-Is there a warranty on the repairs to my
vehicle?
-Do I have to pay a deductible?
-Who do I pay a deductible to?
-What forms of payment do you accept?
-What are Betterment Charges?
-Can I wash My car?
WHERE DO I GET A
CLAIM NUMBER?
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the
time you report your accident. Just jot it down and bring it in with you when
you come in to begin the repair process, we will do the rest.
WHAT IS A DIRECT
REPAIR SHOP?
A direct repair facility is a body shop that works directly
with your insurance company as a preferred shop. Body shops earn the right to be
in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements. These include having
certified technicians, using the proper equipment, and most importantly, having
a record of satisfied customers. When you use a preferred shop, the repair
process is streamlined. A preferred shop actually writes the estimate, orders
the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having to wait for an insurance
adjuster. Insurance companies constantly monitor their preferred shops to ensure
quality repairs.
ARE YOU OPEN
SATURDAY?
Yes, we are open Saturdays from 8:00am to noon.
WILL THE PARTS
BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
Absolutely. We generally order your vehicle's parts at the
time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple
of days later. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time.
IF MY VEHICLE'S
FRAME IS DAMAGED IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs
exceeds the insurance companies determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most
cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly
skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art laser measuring system
, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is
determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can simply
be replaced.
CAN YOU MATCH
THE PAINT COLOR?
Today's modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers
of highly specialized paints. We have made a major investment in the finest
paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to
ensure that each vehicle's paint matches. We take special pride in our ability
to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
CAN I GET OTHER
SERVICE WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP?
Yes. Just let your advisor know what other work you would
like done so that he can make the necessary arrangements.
CAN I GET A RIDE
HOME WHEN I DROP OFF MY CAR?
Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We
want each customer's visit to be a positive experience and will work diligently
towards that goal.
HOW CAN I GET A
RENTAL CAR?
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the
necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if
you have that option on your policy. Check your policy and/or call your
insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific
limitations are.
HOW WILL I KNOW
WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
You will be notified by phone when your vehicle is ready to
be picked up. You can also check this website. You will see a message next to
the last picture of your vehicle telling you that your vehicle is ready to be
picked up. Feel free to call or e-mail your advisor during the repair process if
you have questions or concerns.
IS THERE A
WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE?
Yes. We offer a written warranty on all repairs for as long
as you own the vehicle.
DO I HAVE TO PAY
A DEDUCTIBLE?
The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for
is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry standard collision, you
will have to pay your deductible regardless of whether you were at fault. If you
carry broad collision, and you were not at fault, your insurance company most
likely will waive your deductible. Insurance companies determine fault by your
account of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the accident
report filed with the police department. If you aren't sure about your
deductible, you can call your advisor and he can tell you whether your insurance
company has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay
this when you pick up your vehicle.
WHO DO I PAY MY
DEDUCTIBLE TO?
If your deductible is not waived, it will be your
responsibility to pay us when you pick up your vehicle. If you aren't sure about
your deductible, you can call your advisor and he can tell you whether your
insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your
responsibility.
WHAT FORMS OF
PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express. Of
course, we accept personal checks and cash.
WHAT ARE
BETTERMENT CHARGES?
Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use
(i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to
betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. These
betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated.
CAN I WASH MY
CAR?
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS
DO'S
· Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild
car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
· Always use clean fresh water.
· Wash your vehicle in the shade
DONT'S
· Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or
sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface.
· Do not "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
· Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first
30 days.
· Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds.
Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted
surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface.
· Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield
solvent on the new finish.
· Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface. Scrapers can act
like a paint scraper on a newly painted finish.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS
DON'T
· Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the
finish to dry and harden completely.