I would estimate that most of the questions we get from customers at Bel Air Autobody have to do with auto insurance coverage. After all, we all pay for auto insurance, but it’s not until we find ourselves in a car accident that we really get to know the ins and outs of what our coverage will provide. Because insurance policies are full of terms that many of us only vaguely understand, there are lots of misconceptions about what is required of you and what isn’t when you’re getting your car repaired.
So, to clear up some confusion, here are a few things you might not know about your insurance coverage:
You do NOT have to get three different estimates.
It’s fairly typical for insurance companies to ask you to get three different estimates for any collision repairs, but you are certainly not required to do so. However, it’s usually a pretty good idea to get a few different estimates, just to see if you might get a better deal at one place over another or if you might prefer the environment of one shop over another. Some shops are better than others at making the auto body repair experience easier for you.
You do NOT have to choose a body shop from the list that American Family provides.
Insurance companies usually provide a list of auto body shops for their customers to choose from because of something called The Direct Repair Program. This program allows insurance companies to team up with participating body shops in order to receive cost-saving incentives, such as free towing and free vehicle storage. It is usually because of the Direct Repair Program that insurance companies are able to offer more competitive premiums to their customers.
You do NOT have to choose a DRP shop.
You are free to choose any shop you’d like, regardless of whether it is a DRP shop or not. While there are some benefits to selecting a DRP shop, like discounts and uniform procedures, non-DRP shops have the advantage of not being held to requirements put in place by a DRP contract.
You DO need to find the shop that’s right for you.
If you can, do a little research into what the various shops around Harford County offer. Know what your priorities are, such as great customer service, a clean shop, weekend hours, etc. Then, ask your friends and relatives what body shops they trust. Be sure to also check for Better Business Bureau accreditation and the proper certifications.
Trust your instincts and choose a shop that feels right to you.
At Bel Air Autobody in Harford County, it is our mission to keep you as informed as possible. Having your car repaired can be extremely stressful, but we want to make the process as easy and stress-free as we can. For a repair you can trust, give us a call. We have state-of-the-art equipment, the best technicians, and we offer a lifetime warranty on all the work we do.
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