Auto Insurance: Some Things You Should Know About Repairs
The final choice of repair shop is yours. You may want to use a repair shop the company chooses. However, if you choose a different one, be aware you may have to pay the difference if your body shop’s estimate is higher than the insurance company’s, unless the increase can be justified and agreed upon by all parties.
If you choose to put a brand new part on an older car instead of a salvaged or remanufactured part, you may have to pay the difference in cost.
Check your deductible. If the damage to your car is minor, it may be less than your deductible. For example, if your bumper needs to be repaired and is estimated to cost $199, and you have a $250 deductible, you will be responsible for the entire amount. The insurance company will not owe you or the repair shop anything until the cost goes over $250.
If you have a $250 deductible and the repair estimate is $350, you would pay the first $250 and the insurance company would pay the remaining $100.
The insurance company will assign an adjuster to estimate the damage to the vehicle and how much the company will pay to have it fixed. Again, if the damage is determined to be less than your deductible, you will be responsible for all of the repair amount.
Nov 14, 2008
Auto Insurance: Some Things You Should Know About Repairs
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