No one ever wants to be involved in a car accident; in addition to the immediate impact and the need to get to safety and ensure no one is injured, the aftermath can be costly, frustrating, and time-consuming. Unfortunately, most of us will experience at least one accident in our lifetime. That’s why it’s important to know what to do after a crash and how your insurance policy works, so that you can minimize the damage and stay protected.
Any time you’re involved in a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault, it’s important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Reporting your accident in the first few hours (or, if possible, while you’re still on the scene) not only ensures that you’ve met your legal and contractual obligations, but it can also speed up and simplify the claims process so you can get your car repaired and back on the road in a timely manner.
In this article, we’ll discuss the insurance claims process and, specifically, how Steve’s Hometown Collision Center can work with your insurer to make your life easier after an accident.
Know Your Car Insurance Repair Rights
Our team at Hometown knows just how stressful the days and weeks following a car accident can be. That’s why we work directly with all insurance companies to take some of the pressure off you. More than 80 percent of all bodywork is paid for by insurance companies, so we have extensive experience dealing with the claims process.
In most cases, your insurance company will recommend a collision repair shop (or give you a list of “preferred” shops) to fix your car following an accident. These shops may be worth checking out. However, it’s important to keep in mind that, per Oregon car insurance laws, you are not required to use the shop your insurance company recommends.
Insurers contract with local repair shops and receive discounts on labor, parts, and materials in exchange for their recommendations. In other words, your insurance company may want you to use a particular shop because it benefits them financially, and not necessarily because of the superior quality of their work.
It’s always a good idea to do your own research and make sure you choose a shop that will get the job done right the first time. At Hometown, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. That’s why we back all our repairs with a written lifetime guarantee.
Our Insurance Claims Process
There’s a lot to think about and take care of in the aftermath of an accident. The collision repair shop you choose can make a huge difference when it comes to handling the claims process. At Hometown, our goal is to make the entire experience as smooth and stress-free for you as possible. Our team of experts will work directly with your insurance company to handle all the details, so you don’t have to.
Once we’ve prepared your written estimate, all we need from you is a claim number, some information, and a signature. From there, we’ll reach out to your insurance provider to get your repairs approved. If your policy covers rental cars, we’re happy to handle that as well. It’s not uncommon for us to find additional (hidden) damage upon disassembling your vehicle. If this is the case, we’ll immediately reach out to your insurer to get approval for the additional repairs.
We can also speed up the process of getting your car back to you by accepting payment directly from your insurance company (with your permission of course). We can process direct payments from most major insurance companies.
Let Us Handle the Details
At Steve’s Hometown Collision Center, we do more than just fix your car to the highest standards. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with the frustration, stress, and potential medical and financial hardships that come with a crash. That’s why we strive to make your life easier by providing comprehensive collision repair services and accident resources. From dealing with insurance companies to planning for towing and rental vehicles, our staff is here to help get everything taken care of so you can get back to your normal life faster. We accept and work with most insurance providers to handle the claims and post-collision processes on your behalf. Stop by our shop located in Fruitland, Idaho or give us a call at (208) 452-7717 to let us know how we can be of service.
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