Auto Body Insurance Information

Helping our customers navigate the insurance maze!

As a full service collision repair facility, it is our job to assist you in processing your claim whenever there is insurance involved. This can be a very confusing and complicated process. The good news is that we do this every day, and we want to help make your overall experience as pleasurable as possible. Our shops have an excellent reputation in the insurance industry for very high quality workmanship, excellent customer service, but most importantly for their honesty and integrity.

We have a great working relationship with virtually every insurance company.

Because of our excellent reputation, we have a great working relationship with virtually every insurance company that makes the collision repair experience as convenient and efficient as possible.

However, collision repair is an inherently difficult process, and there are numerous aspects to even a simple repair that can each complicate the process. If we just strive to meet your expectations throughout this process, it is very easy to fail and for you not to be as happy as we want. This is why we strive to win every time. Our goal is to EXCEED your expectations. Helping you to navigate the insurance maze is certainly an important part of the overall process. You have to report the loss- we cannot do that for you. But once you have done that, and liability has been determined, we can help you from that point forward.

LKQ parts usually save about 30% from the factory new list price. There is usually “clean up” labor involved to make a painted part look like a new one. A reconditioned part is usually a worn or damaged factory part that has been repaired or rebuilt. Rebuilt parts are usually mechanical in nature like alternators and steering gears. Reconditioned parts are usually plastic bumper covers or wheels. Aftermarket parts are parts not made by the OEM. Most people have heard of Sears Diehard batteries and Monroe shocks, which are aftermarket parts. But in the world of collision repair they can be sheet metal, lamps, and bumpers. These parts are usually made in Asia, and cost about half as much as OEM list.

The difference between insurers and what it means for you.

If you are the insured, you are bound by the limits and language or terms of your policy. It might be a good idea for you to read your policy. Most people never do, as all they care about is price. Actually, there is a big difference between insurers when it comes to service. Some insurers seem to care more than others when it comes to restoring your vehicle back to pre-accident condition. Unfortunately, there are many ways to interpret that definition.

If you are a claimant against another person’s policy, then there are other rights that you have in this situation. While you are at least initially subject to the liability limits of the responsible persons policy, you are not necessarily bound to the language.

Your agent is there to help you if you have one. When you buy insurance direct, you will not have an agent. We work well with the agents to provide you with the best service possible. Usually, your agent can give you advice on whether or not to turn in a claim. A claim is not a claim unless there is payment issued, so just talking about it does not constitute a claim. Some agents may try to persuade you to not turn in the claim because it affects their loss ratio just as it affects yours, so you might be sensitive to that too.

We believe it is entirely possible to restore a vehicle to pre-accident condition.

We believe it is entirely possible to restore a vehicle to pre-accident condition in terms of appearance, form, fit, function, and safety. We do this every day and have for over 25 years. We have never been sued or had to buy a car back. We spend thousands of dollars annually to training and invest in the best equipment. Unfortunately, as in any industry, there are many collision repair companies out there that do not perform at a very high level. This has led to what is called Diminished Value, or sometimes referred to as DV. If a vehicle has not been repaired properly, this can certainly affect value. In some cases, there is what is called inherent diminished value, which means that simply by being in an accident the vehicle is worth less regardless of how it is repaired. This is similar to a valuable collectors coin that is worth less because it has been in circulation or has a small imperfection.

Most of the larger insurers have a program where they have chosen certain shops as partners — we call these Direct Collision Repair Programs. These programs help to streamline the process because they have a standard way to process the repair and to communicate.

What are DRPs?

Most of the larger insurers have a program where they have chosen certain shops as partners — we call these Direct Repair Programs. These programs help to streamline the process because they have a standard way to process the repairs and to communicate. But it is still your car, your choice that repairs it, not the insurance company.