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Someone else hit my car, now what?
You will want to contact their insurance agent/company. Most police departments will have this information written down for you with the driver’s name on the accident report. Most insurance companies will need to speak with their insured to verify facts of the loss, and confirm who is at fault. Once this happens you will be provided with a claim number, and let you know how to get an estimate on your car. You can choose your repair facility at any time during this process. Some insurance companies will request that one of their employees inspect and appraise the vehicle, others will allow the shop of your choice to handle that. Either way remember – IT IS YOUR CHOICE, WHO REPAIRS YOUR VEHICLE.
My insurance is telling me I have to get 3 estimates.
Colorado State law requires you get only 1 estimate and you may have the repair facility of your choice repair your vehicle.
The Insurance company tells me I need to take it to there preferred repair facility, if I don’t I may have to pay extra money and I will have no guarantee of repairs.
Again, it is your decision to have your vehicle repaired at the facility of your choice. Choose a shop that you are comfortable with. Import Auto will never charge our clients any money above your applicable deductible and/or betterment(s). We offer a limited lifetime warranty regardless of who has paid for your repairs.
What does my deductible cover?
First, a deductible applies only to the vehicle you insure. If you hit someone else you will only have to pay a deductible to fix your car. If someone else hit you and their insurance is covering the cost of repairs, you will not have to pay a deductible. Deductibles are the amount pre-set in your policy that you are responsible for. If you have a $500.00 deductible, you are responsible for the first $500.00 in damages.
What is betterment, and why am I responsible?
In some cases the insurance company may charge you betterment on wear items such as batteries, tires, exhaust, etc. These items are routinely replaced based upon their life expectancy under normal use.
For example: You purchased a set of 4 new 60,000 mile tires last year; one of your tires was damaged in the accident and now you have to pay a 25% betterment. You’ve driven 15,000 miles since having them replaced, thus 25% of the tire has been worn off. The insurance company is willing to pay to replace the remaining 75% of the tire life expectancy on your new 60,000 mile tire.
What are my options for alternate transportation during repairs?
Option 1: -- Insurance companies may provide you with a rental car; this will be set up, by us, with one of the rental vendors in Fort Collins. This is an additional cost – so you'll want to make sure your insurance company covers it.
Option 2: -- Import Auto offers FREE loaner cars. They are vehicles we own, and are limited to Fort Collins area.
What about after the repairs are completed?
After the repairs are completed we will contact you so that you can make arrangements to get back into the comfort of your own vehicle. We can also make preparations in advance for you to pickup your vehicle outside of business hours.
How long will repairs take?
Repair lengths have many factors that will affect it such as: when the parts will arrive, is there additional damage that we can not see at the time of the original estimate? -- These will all contribute to the length of time your car will be in the shop. Import Auto will continually update you about progress. The best way to try and plan for the time you will be without your car is to bring it by our shop for an inspection and FREE estimate.
What if my car has frame or suspension damage?
No problem! We have highly qualified technicians who receive on-going training to ensure we are performing the most up to date repair techniques recommended by your vehicles manufacturer.
Our full service mechanical shop can restore your suspension.
What if my vehicle is considered an Economic Total Loss?
Insurance companies use several guidelines to determine what your vehicle is worth. In the event your vehicle is deemed a Total Loss, it simply means the cost of repairs exceeds the determined value.
YOU STILL HAVE OPTIONS
1. You can let your insurance company take the vehicle off your hands through the standard settlement process.
2. You can “owner retain” the vehicle, which means that you agree to keep the vehicle “as-is” for a reduced settlement.
What if the insurance check is not enough to cover the final cost of repairs?
Don’t be surprised, it is typical for an estimate to vary to some extent by the time the car has been completely repaired. There are several reasons this can happen, remember it is only an estimate until the work is completed. Every insurance company may complete the payment process a little different. Most insurance companies send payment to the shop directly to eliminate any complications during delivery.
If you have additional questions about your specific situation please feel free to contact us
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