Can I choose where to get my vehicle repaired after an accident?

Assuming you know how to correctly handle a car accident, using your favorite mechanic to make repairs after a car accident may give you confidence. However, if the mechanic charges more than the insurance company is willing to pay, you may have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Some insurance companies send a trained insurance adjuster to view the damaged vehicle in person and then make an estimate of the necessary repairs.

Other companies rely on multiple estimates that you get from qualified repair shops to determine the costs of the repairs. Lenders may have specific requirements and only allow approved repair shops to do the work.

Can I choose where to get my vehicle repaired after an accident?

How do you know if the repair costs estimate is fair? There are challenges when making auto repairs after an accident. One considerable challenge is that the mechanic may discover additional problems when making the repairs, which were not apparent when the estimates were made.

There are also questions such as — does car insurance cover non-accident repairs?

Your regular auto mechanic may be pretty good at routine maintenance and repairs but not have the unique skills and equipment needed to repair damage from an auto accident. If your mechanic is unfamiliar with accident repair work, the estimate given for the repairs may be unreliable.

Using a Repair Shop Approved by Your Insurance After an Accident

There might be benefits worth considering when choosing a repair shop. You may get a discount if you decide to work with a repair shop on the insurance company’s approved list.

It helps to know the details about car insurance deductibles. You may also qualify for a reduced deductible because the repair shop may pay part of your deductible.

Faulty Repairs and Insurance Coverage

Does car insurance cover mechanical failure? The answer is usually no. If you get a bad repair job, your recourse is to return to the repair shop; hopefully, the repair warranty will cover the problem.

If you use a repair shop approved by the insurance company and have a problem with the repairs, you may get a better result because the repair shop must guarantee the work. The shop does not want to risk losing approved status with the insurance company.

Saving Time by Using an Approved Repair Shop After an Accident

The paperwork for processing an insurance claim is more straightforward when using an approved repair shop.

Because an approved repair shop frequently works with claims made with certain insurance companies, they know how to process the paperwork to get paid. If you choose to work with a repair shop unfamiliar with the process, you may experience a delay in processing your claim and have problems.

Using an approved repair shop may make it easier to obtain a rental car if your vehicle needs to be in the shop for an extended time to make the repairs.

Choosing Where to Get Your Vehicle Repaired After an Accident

Most state law does not permit an insurance company to demand that you use an approved repair shop; however, lenders can legally require this method for accident repairs. In many circumstances, the benefits of using an approved repair shop are worth considering.

Case Studies: Choosing a Repair Shop After an Accident

Case Study 1: John’s Dilemma

John recently got into a car accident and wants to choose his favorite mechanic to make the necessary repairs. However, his insurance company requires him to use an approved repair shop. John is worried that the approved shop might not provide the same quality of service as his trusted mechanic.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Sarah’s insurance policy allows her to select her preferred repair shop, but it comes with a limitation. If the repair costs exceed the amount approved by her insurance company, she will have to pay the difference out of pocket. Sarah needs to weigh the convenience of choosing her own mechanic against the potential financial burden.

Case Study 3: Mike’s Approved Repair Shop Benefit

Mike’s insurance policy requires him to use an approved repair shop, but he discovers a benefit in doing so. The shop offers a discount to customers working with the insurance company’s approved list. Additionally, Mike may qualify for a reduced deductible because the repair shop is willing to contribute to the deductible.

Case Study 4: Jennifer’s Bad Repair Job

Jennifer chose a repair shop that was not approved by her insurance company. Unfortunately, the repairs turned out to be faulty, leaving her with additional problems.

Since the shop was not affiliated with her insurance, Jennifer’s recourse is limited, and she may have to cover the costs of fixing the poor repair job.