The car accident you were involved in last night was devastating, with damage all over your car, but you’re thankful no one was hurt. You may think it’s best to just take your car to the closest body shop, but be sure to follow these tips before you do so that you can get an accurate estimate of what it will cost to repair your vehicle after an accident.
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1. Record as Much Information About the Car as Possible.
Take accurate photos of the car’s exterior and inventory everything you can in your vehicle, including all of your personal belongings. Also, consider recording personal information such as the color and license plate number of any other vehicles involved in the accident. You may be able to use this information to comparison shop later on; however, all you’ll have left is likely a damaged vehicle that cannot be restored to its original condition.
2. Take Your Car to a Body Shop That Is Not Located Near the Scene of the Accident.
Insurance companies have to pay for repairs done by independent shops, so you may be able to negotiate cheaper rates if you go to a shop that is not owned by an insurance company. You can ask your insurance provider for a list of body shops located in the area.
3. Be Upfront About Your Situation.
If you’re involved in an accident, you may feel guilty about how it happened, but don’t be afraid to be honest with the body shop that you’re taking your vehicle to. You don’t want the repair estimate to be higher because they think your car was damaged by something other than an accident; however, if they think you’re hiding information, it could lead to a more expensive repair estimate.
4. Take Your Car Straightaway to a Body Shop and Not Stop Anywhere Along the Way.
Fixing your car after an accident is never an easy task, but following these tips can help reduce the stress and expense of repairing your vehicle. The longer a body shop has to wait for your car, the higher the likelihood that there will be damage caused by the time it arrives. It’s best to arrive at the shop at an agreed-upon time and drive straight in. Contact a car accident lawyer in Phoenix today if you have any questions about your situation.
5. Have Your Insurance Adjuster Present at Any Repair Estimates.
Your insurance company may require you to have them present when making an estimate, so you can ensure that any repairs are based on accurate information from both parties. Without a properly presented claim, you may end up paying more than necessary for accident repairs or even end up with a damaged car that is not worth reselling for its original value.
6. Will This Affect Your Deductible or Credit Rating?
If you’re like most people, you don’t have an unlimited amount of money to pay for repairs and want to keep it as low as possible. Ask the body shop if there are any ways that you can reduce your costs, such as paying in cash. It’s also worth asking them if doing so will affect your insurance coverage or whether it will be considered a claim. If it does affect your deductible or credit rating, then be sure to understand how much the impact will be.
The car accident you were involved in last night was pretty devastating, with damage all over your car, but you’re thankful no one was hurt. You may think that it’s best to just take your car to the closest body shop, but be sure to follow these tips before you do so that you can get an accurate estimate of what it will cost to repair your vehicle after an accident.
