You can always take your car to a repair facility that you choose. The insurance company can not tell you where to repair your vehicle. Some insurance people with special interests may attempt to convince or STEER you to fix your vehicle at their PREFERRED SHOP; a shop that gives the insurance company special deals. These deals will often come at the vehicle owner’s expense which could compromise safety and the quality of repairs. If you decide to use your insurance company’s preferred shop, ask if your policy contains an “elects to repair” clause, causing your insurance to be responsible for the quality of repairs and possibly loss of value.
No, you do not need to get multiple estimates; you only need to notify your insurance representative as to where you will be having your repairs done. Your insurance company will work hand in hand with your choice of shop to insure you receive the service and quality repairs you have come to expect. But what happens if the insurance company’s estimate is lower than the one I get from a shop that I choose? Insurance companies are generally willing to pay for a proper repair. The insurance company appraiser may include only the most obvious damage in their estimate. Ask the shop to review their estimate with the insurance estimate. Generally this just takes a phone call and your shop may bill your insurance company for the supplement at the completion of the repair.
Today’s vehicles are very complex; so it can difficult to see all the damage during the initial inspection. Therefore, finding additional damage has become very common. If additional damage is found, it is documented and discussed with you and the insurance company.
A deductible is like a ‘co-pay’ on health insurance. It is a portion of the repair bill that is not covered by your insurance policy. The amount is determined by your insurance policy and is first set when you first purchase your insurance. Deductibles are commonly $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. The higher your deductible amount, the lower your insurance premium.
Your deductible is paid directly to your repair facility when your repairs are complete. The insurance company pays us for the work performed minus your deductible.
No. And neither can any other honest repair facility. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. It specifically outlines what is covered by insurance and what is going to be your financial responsibility. Falsely manipulating an insurance claim to advance one party’s interest is unethical and in many cases it is illegal. There may be legitimate ways to reduce your cost, such as appearance allowances or “cashing out” and declining some portion of the repair. We suggest that you consult your insurance company for details. Be wary of a repair shop that offers to ‘cover your deductible’.
Collision insurance and comprehensive insurance may vary. Generally, collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by a collision with another object. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your automobile from incidents such as vandalism, theft or glass breakage. It is generally a good idea to periodically review your policy and ask your insurance agent what exclusions are in your policy.
Your rates may or may not go up depending on who is at fault, and the type of loss; also your driving history may influence a rate increase. Your insurance agent or customer service representative can assist you in determining the impact of a given claim on your own policy premium.
All Auto Body & Painting Association of Hawaii member shops warrant every repair they do.
If you are filing an insurance claim with your insurance company all you will be responsible for is the price of your deductible. If you will be paying for your repairs yourself, an estimate will be provided to you after we have the opportunity to asses the damage on your vehicle and explain the repair process to you.
OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacture” and is used to describe parts made by or for the manufacturer of your vehicle. So OEM Ford parts come from Ford, Mercedes parts from Mercedes and so on.
Aftermarket (A/M) is used to describe parts that are produced by some manufacturer other than the one who originally made your car. Some aftermarket parts carry certification that helps ensure the basic quality of the part. Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than new OEM, but for some applications may be a better choice than used OEM parts. While it is not the practice of our members, some repairers and insurers list these parts as “Quality Replaced Parts”.
LKQ stands for ‘like, kind and quality.’ Most of us are more familiar with the other term for this category which is ‘Used Parts.’ The term LKQ should more precisely define a sub-category of used parts that are just like the ones on you vehicle before the loss.
No, you do not have to accept used parts. Most customer oriented insurance companies will only suggest used parts (LKQ) when there is agreement from all parties; generally used parts are suggested when there needs to be a savings to justify the repairs. The insurance company’s obligation is to restore your vehicle to “pre-loss” condition – not better than it was and no worse.
BEFORE Accident Questions?
Please Note: The following questions and answers are not intended to provide legal advice; there may be misinterpretations or omissions in the information.
What should I know before I get into an accident?
At the accident scene, should your vehicle not be safe to drive, instruct the police that you would like your vehicle to be repaired at the repair shop of your choice; this will be a savings to your insurance company only having to tow your vehicle once.
If your vehicle is safe to drive, drive your vehicle the collision facility of your choice; give them all your insurance information, asking them to advise your insurance company about the repairs.
You should also contact your insurance company and advise them on the damage, informing them of the facility you’ve selected. Some insurance companies have what is called “drive-in claims service;” it is not mandatory you use this service unless your policy states otherwise. Just inform your insurance company where their claims person can see your vehicle.
If the accident is your fault, your insurance company will cover the damage to your vehicle and the other party. If the accident wasn’t your fault the other parties insurance should cover your damages; try to collect from the other insurance, this will entitle you to a rental vehicle and you won’t have to pay a deductible.
Everyone knows how important a quality basic maintenance program is to getting the most out of your vehicle. But, doing it yourself on today’s high-tech cars can often be intimidating. However, this is very important because modern cars are complex machines that can perform at their best when they are well maintained. The information listed below will assist you if in your attempt to perform your own basic vehicle maintenance.
Every time you fill-up your tank
Every 3,000 miles
- Change your oil and oil filter.
- Clean your fuel injectors.
- Check your fan belt.
- Check your hoses and cooling system.
- Check your brake fluid.
- Check your power steering fluid.
- Check your transmission fluid.
Every two years
- Change your engine coolant
- Change your brake fluid
- Change your spark plugs
- Change your fuel filter
- Change your air filter.
Refer to the Belts, Hoses & Other Fluids Maintenance page in this section for further detailed information on checking and servicing these tasks.
Note: The above basic maintenance program provides general guidelines on servicing a vehicle. As always, refer to your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your car.
Always refer to your owner’s manual if there are any questions about how to check these items.
Tires
Tires are one of the most critical safety items to check on your car. They should be inflated to the correct pressure recommended in your owner’s manual and be checked for wear and damage. Excessive wear or any damage should always be addressed immediately. The spare tire should be checked for proper inflation and be sure to have the correct jack handy and know how to use it.
Lights
Turn on the lights, walk around your car, and see if they are all working and are equally bright, clean and have no water inside the lens. Get assistance to check the brake and back up lights and don’t forget the turn signals and emergency flashers. Also, be sure to keep spare bulbs and fuses in the car at all times.
Windshield Wipers
Inspect the wiper blades to check for cracks or brittleness. If the wiper blades chatter or leave the windshield smeared, replace the blades.
Windshield Washers
Check the washer operation and the fluid level. A uniform even spray that covers the entire windshield should be present.
Exhaust Leaks
Start the engine and listen for any unusual sounds particularly those that come from under the car. A leaking exhaust system can let poisonous carbon monoxide gas inside the car.
Brakes
When coming to a stop notice how the pedal feels and listen for any noises that don’t sound normal. Try this with the windows open and of course check the brake fluid level.
Suspension and Steering
Drive the car and listen for any rattles or a feeling of looseness in the steering. These could be signs of trouble.
Air Bags
Check the instrument panel for an air bag warning light when the engine is running. The light should come on momentarily when the car is started and go out after a few seconds to verify that the system is operational. Always replace a bag that has been deployed. Emergency Kit Safety items to keep in you trunk include a flashlight, flares, reflective triangles and jumper cables.
Horn
Check the horn to make sure it works; you never know when you might need it.
Have You Had A Vehicle Totaled?
If you have a vehicle total loss it’s wise to understand the process your insurance company may use to determine the value of your vehicle and to learn what options may be available to you so you can protect your rights.
A vehicle total loss exists when the value to fix the car is in the vicinity of to the total value of the car.
Once the insurance company determines the value of the car, they compare it with the repair estimate and they add the rental cost (if they would have to fix it, and you have rental coverage, the insurance company will take that into account), and determine if there is a vehicle total loss.
The insurance adjuster will also inspect your car for prior damage, rust, cleanness, etc. They will also look at equipment, options, and special features. They will determine if your car is in excellent, normal, average, or below average conditions (or similar terminology). The insurance adjuster still has the discretionary power to add or subtract certain things, for example, if they believe the car is in exceptional condition, they might add to their offer. If the car has prior damage, then they will reduce what they believe it is adequate.
If you feel the value the insurance company is offering for your vehicle, usually called their “final offer”, is to low you have the right to dispute it. Ask your insurer for your Vehicle Evaluation Report, they are obligated to provide it to you. You can dispute this report if you believe they are not taking into account things they should be taking into account (your low mileage, for example). It is important to you do not forget to take into account the original estimate of repair.
