If you’ve been in an accident and are worrying about your auto insurance coverage, we understand. It’s a common worry among nearly every customer we’ve met who’s been in an accident. After all, everyone pays 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, they tend to leave us with more questions than answers.
At Bel Air Autobody, we’d like to answer some of the auto insurance coverage questions you might have:
Am I required to obtain three different estimates?
This is a big question, since not everyone has the time or the inclination to round up three different estimates. When you’ve been in an accident and you just want to get your life back to normal as soon as possible, then rest assured—you do NOT need to get three different estimates. In general, it can work in your best interests to get multiple estimates, since you might find that you prefer the service or prices at one over another. Yet, not everyone feels that it’s necessary to go through that process.
Am I required to select a shop from my insurance company’s list?
You do NOT have to choose a shop from your insurance company’s list. The reason why your insurance company might provide you with a list is because of something called the Direct Repair Program, which is a partnership between insurance companies and auto body shops. Through this collaboration, auto body shops are able to provide incentives to auto insurance companies, such as discounts on services. This allows insurance companies to spread the word about their partnered shops and to provide more competitive premiums to their customers.
Am I required to select a DRP shop?
You are NOT required to choose a shop that participates in the Direct Repair Program. 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. It’s important to choose a shop you are most comfortable with, regardless of whether it participates in the Direct Repair Program.
Find the shop that’s right for you.
If you can, do a little research into what the various shops in Harford County offer. Look for a clean shop with knowledgeable staff members who are informative and not pushy. Get referrals from friends, the car dealer, and the Better Business Bureau, as well as your insurance company. Find a shop that has been around for a while and has built a solid reputation. Ask what kinds of conveniences are available, how long repairs typically take, and what days the shop is open. And absolutely make sure that the shop you choose offers a lifetime warranty on the work performed.
Having your car repaired can be extremely stressful, but at Bel Air Autobody 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.