Archive for the ‘What to do After a Car Accident’ Category

7 Important Questions to Ask an Auto Body Repair Shop

Posted on: March 18th, 2022 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 3 Comments

If your car has suffered damage from a crash or hail, you are looking for an auto body repair shop to fix the damage. But how do you find the right shop to do the necessary repairs on your car?

One way is to ask questions. Here are seven of the questions you should always ask of any auto body shop before you decide to work with them.

What Certifications Have Your Mechanics and Shop Earned?

mechanic working at an auto body repair shop Every auto body shop is going to claim that they are great mechanics and capable of making necessary repairs. However, you shouldn’t take their word for it. Instead, check for objective evidence that a shop’s mechanics are capable workers with the necessary knowledge to complete repairs.

One piece of objective evidence is third-party certifications. These certifications go to well-trained mechanics and shops with extensive hardware to complete repairs. If you’re not clear what any certification means, ask the shop – and check it for yourself.

What Is Your Rating with the BBB?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an organization dedicated to helping consumers separate ethical businesses with good business practices from those that either deliver substandard results, poor service, or both.

An A+ rating with the BBB means that a company either has no complaints or has resolved them to the satisfaction of their customers.

Is My Quote Guaranteed?

One common form of unethical practice from auto body repair shops is to quote you one price upfront, but charge you something much higher in order for you to get your car back.

To avoid this, make sure you get all repair quotes in writing. Also make sure that these quotes are guaranteed.

Can You Repair This Damage Right the First Time?

With some auto shops, you might pick your car up thinking it had been repaired, but the problem might not be fixed. Either that, or it might fail relatively soon after the repairs are complete.

Being able to fix damage right the first time is essential to getting good service from an auto body shop. An auto body repair shop should be able to assure you that they will repair your car properly the first time. Evidence of relevant training and experience can help you feel comfortable with their answer.

When Will I Really Be Able to Get My Car?

You depend on your car, and you can’t let it sit in the shop forever. Just as important as getting a guaranteed quote is getting a guaranteed repair date.

If an auto body repair shop isn’t prepared to guarantee that you’ll be able to get your car back when they say, you have no idea when you will be able to get it back. It’s also helpful to have a way to check the progress of repairs online so that you can see evidence that repairs are moving forward to be completed on time. If it looks like repairs might not make it on time, you can then call the auto body shop to make sure they’ll hit the guaranteed date.

Will You Be Able to Match the Paint on My Car?

Not all auto body shops have the ability to precisely match paint colors. Of course, many repairs can be completed with paintless dent repair, but if you are going to need your car painted, it’s important to know if it’s going to match properly.

Will You Help Me File My Insurance Claim?

Insurance claims can be complicated to file. Some auto body repair shops leave the burden of that on you. This is an extra burden that make it harder for you to get the full compensation you’re due under the terms of your insurance.

Your auto body shop should be prepared to offer some help to improve the odds you’ll get paid what you’re due.

Why Choose Accurate Auto Body for Your Repairs

If you are looking for an auto body repair shop that offers highly accurate repairs in a way that gives you peace of mind, look no further than Accurate Auto Body. Our Focus On You™ Service System includes guaranteed quotes and guaranteed repair dates. We are dedicated to getting your repairs right the first time, and we have the high-level certifications and experience that show we can do it. We carry an A+ rating with the BBB, showing the high level of satisfaction we give our customers.

Want to learn more about what makes us a great choice for your repairs? Please call 303-344-2212 or use our online form today to schedule a free repair estimate at Accurate Auto Body.

Tips for Negotiating with Your Insurance Company After an Accident

Posted on: October 13th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

Auto insurance can be a great relief after your car accident. The insurance company will pay for all the collision repairs, and this can be a comforting feeling.

Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as that. Sometimes it can be very hard to get your insurance company to pay for repairs you think should be covered. Here are a few tips to help you get the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.

Understand Your Coverage

negotiating with your insurance company after a car accident Take time to review the terms of your coverage before any negotiations. Your coverage spells out limitations of how much compensation you can get for any accident. Understanding the terms of your coverage will help you avoid the frustration of demanding things your policy doesn’t cover.

Always Be Polite and Professional

Your insurance adjuster is a human being who is trying to do their job. Being rude and angry at them is more likely to turn them against you than to make them inclined to give you what you’re asking for.

Identify Who You’re Talking to

It’s important to understand who you’re talking to. Most insurance adjusters know how to make a consistent front, but sometimes one might give you inaccurate information. On the other hand, if you get good service, it’s nice to know who to praise if you’re asked for a review.

Don’t Reveal More than Necessary

This is more important when dealing with another insurance company, but it’s still good advice when dealing with your insurance company. You should describe the circumstances of your accident in basic terms: the events that happened as they happened. Don’t talk about your state of mind or speculate about the state of mind of any other drivers.

Take Notes

Take notes during or immediately after your call to make sure you accurately record all that you were told by the adjuster. Speaking of recording, Colorado is a single-party consent state, so you can record your calls with the insurance company without telling them.

Don’t Accept a Settlement Before You Know All the Damage

Sometimes an insurance adjuster will try to get you to settle your claim as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the full damage report to come in. This may be because the company doesn’t want to pay for all the damage, or it might just be because they want to get this claim off their desk.

No matter why they are trying to get this from you, it’s important to hold off on any settlement until you know the full extent of the damage. This is true even if you think it’s likely that the claim will “total” your car.

Let Us Handle It

On the other hand, if you’re not relishing the thought of working with your insurance company, you could let us do the negotiations. We deal with insurance companies literally every day. We have built good relationships with them, and we speak their language. It’s easy for us to convey your car’s damage to them. We understand how insurance policies work, which makes it easy for us to figure out your coverage and apply that to your car’s damage.

Part of Our Focus on You Service™ System

Our willingness to work with insurance companies is just one of the many things we do in our Focus on You Service™ system to make your auto repairs as convenient as possible. In addition to this, we will work around your schedule, letting you drop off your car when it’s convenient for you. We will also give you a guaranteed date for your repairs to be completed – and a guaranteed cost, so you won’t get any surprise bills after repairs are finished.

To let Accurate Auto Body deal with your insurance company so you don’t have to, please call 303-344-2212 or use our online form to schedule your free estimate at our shop in Aurora.

 

How to File an Auto Collision Claim

Posted on: February 23rd, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 2 Comments

Auto insurance claim form Getting involved in a car accident can be very stressful. There are many important actions that must be taken following the collision, including filing a claim with your insurance company to cover repairs to your vehicle. By understanding how the claims process works, you’ll be able to make the experience less overwhelming. The following tips will help ensure you know what to do.

Steps to Take Immediately Following the Accident

It’s important to gather proper documentation immediately following the collision to ensure the claims process goes smoothly. Make sure you take the following steps before leaving the scene of the accident:

  • Call the police and request an officer come to fill out an accident report
  • Exchange information with the other driver (name, contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle registration information, insurance information)
  • Take photos of the damage to both vehicles
  • Record the names and contact information of any witnesses

Steps for Filing an Auto Insurance Claim

There is a process that must be followed when filing an auto collision claim. Make sure you take the steps listed below.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You’re required to report the car accident to your insurance company in a timely manner. Answer the insurance agent’s questions honestly, but never admit fault. In addition, don’t sign any waivers without speaking to a lawyer or accept an initial settlement offer without confirming the total extent of the damage to your vehicle.

When you speak with your insurance company, you may need to provide the following details:

  • Date, time and location of the car accident
  • Name, contact information and insurance information for all other drivers involved in the collision
  • Photos of the damage to your vehicle
  • Details of the accident
  • Copies of any police reports associated with the collision

Review Your Policy Coverage

It’s important to understand what your insurance policy covers. This will ensure you know what to expect from the claims process. Some important items to review include:

  • The amount of your deductible
  • Your coverage limits for each category of coverage you purchased
  • Whether you have rental car reimbursement
  • Whether you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (this may be important if you were hit by a driver with inadequate insurance coverage to pay for the damage to your vehicle)

Work with Your Insurance Adjuster

Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to handle your claim. The adjuster will typically contact you to schedule a time to evaluate the damage to your vehicle and discuss next steps. The adjuster may also ask you to provide any information you may have regarding the events of the accident, including photos, the police report and contact information of witnesses.

Get a Repair Estimate from an Auto Body Shop

vehicle repair estimate You’ll need to get a repair estimate from an auto body shop. While your insurance company may recommend a collision repair shop, you have the right to work with the body shop of your choice. Once you receive an estimate, the insurance adjuster will compare their initial assessment of necessary repairs with the body shop’s recommendations in order to arrive at a settlement offer.

If your vehicle is fully paid off, the settlement check will be made out to you and you will be free to handle repairs in any manner you’d like. If you still owe money on the vehicle or if you lease your car, the settlement check will be made out jointly to you and the collision repair shop to ensure all necessary repairs are made. This step protects the interests of the vehicle’s lien holder.

Repair Your Vehicle

Once your claim has been approved and the settlement check has been issued, you can bring your vehicle to the auto body shop to complete the repairs. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying the deductible on your policy. This amount will be withheld from the final settlement check.

If your insurance policy includes rental reimbursement, you’ll be able to arrange for a rental car up to the daily limits of this coverage. If you choose a vehicle that exceeds this daily limit, you’ll be responsible for paying the difference.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

Accurate Auto Body has been providing comprehensive collision repair services for over 25 years. During this time, we’ve earned a reputation as one of the top auto body shops in the Denver metro area.

We offer customized auto repair consulting that will provide you with a detailed estimate and an explanation of the different repair options available to you. Our team regularly handles insurance claims. We work with all insurance companies and have the experience necessary to ensure your claim is approved quickly.

When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you’ll benefit from our Focus on You Service System™, which ensures you receive:

  • Personalized attention throughout the entire repair process
  • Guaranteed pricing
  • Faster turnaround times
  • Flexible appointments to accommodate your schedule
  • Guaranteed delivery dates
  • Repair updates delivered in your desired method of communication (phone, text, email)
  • Full auto insurance coordination

Schedule an Appointment

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accurate Auto Body serves customers in Aurora and throughout the Denver area.

7 Tips for Collision Repair after a Winter Car Accident

Posted on: February 16th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 4 Comments

7 Tips for Collision Repair after a Winter Car Accident After a slow start to winter, we’re beginning to see some snowier weather both in the Denver area and up in the mountains. For the many ski aficionados in the Denver area, this is a cause for joy. However, the snowy and icy roads also increase the likelihood of a car accident. If you’re involved in an accident this winter, you’ll need to fix any damage to your vehicle to ensure it works properly. The following tips will help you navigate the collision repair process.

Call 911 Before Leaving the Accident Scene

The first thing you should always do after a car accident is make sure no one has been seriously injured. If someone has been badly hurt, dial 911 immediately to request emergency medical assistance.

Even when no one appears to have suffered a serious injury, you should always call the police and request an officer be dispatched to the scene. This is an important step since the official police report serves as an important piece of documentation of the accident. In many instances, the police report will provide insight regarding who was at fault, and this information will be very helpful when you file a claim with your insurance company.

Sometimes the other driver may ask you to avoid calling the police, especially in situations where the accident didn’t result in large scale property damage or a serious injury. However, it’s always best to ask for a police officer to evaluate the accident scene and file a report. This is especially true if you believe the other driver caused the accident.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Before leaving the scene of the accident, make sure you exchange the following information with the other driver:

  • Name
  • Contact information
  • Vehicle registration information
  • License plate number
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance information

If there are any witnesses present, record their names and contact information as well.

Avoid Discussing Fault

Never discuss fault or apologize when speaking with the other driver or a police officer at the scene of the accident. Any admission of fault on your part can potentially impact your insurance claim. It’s best to let the police and the insurance agents analyze the accident evidence in order to determine fault.

Take Pictures of Vehicle Damage

man taking cell phone photos of car accident damage If it’s safe to do so while you’re still at the accident scene, take photos of the damage to both vehicles. If possible, take photographs of the positioning of each vehicle and any indicators, such as skid marks, which may help determine who was at fault. These photos will be helpful when filing an insurance claim and when dealing with the auto body shop.

Notify Your Insurance Company

You’re required to notify your insurance company of the accident within a timely manner. Answer all questions honestly, but don’t admit fault to the insurance adjuster. In many instances, the insurance company may want to schedule an appointment for an adjuster to examine the damage to your vehicle.

Get Several Collision Repair Estimates

Before fixing your vehicle, your insurance company will want you to get a collision repair estimate breaking down the cost of all necessary repairs. It’s always best to get estimates from 2-3 collision repair shops. This will allow you to compare the list of necessary repairs as well as the prices quoted for each item. When you have several estimates, it will give you a better understanding of what truly needs to be done. Keep in mind that your insurance company may also want their adjuster to provide you with an estimate before signing off on repairs.

The auto body shop should detail the following information as part of the estimate:

  • An itemized list of all necessary repairs
  • Which parts need to be replaced
  • Whether replacement parts will be new or second-hand
  • Whether original manufacturer parts or generic parts will be used

While cost is generally a factor for most people, it should not be the only factor. In many instances, you’ll get what you pay for. When you choose the lowest estimate, you may run the risk of receiving poorer quality repair work.

Choose a Collision Repair Shop

auto body mechanic examining vehicle repair work Once you have your estimates and the insurance company has signed off on the repairs, you’ll need to choose an auto body shop to work with. In some instances, your insurance company may recommend a collision shop for you to use. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not required to work with their preferred shop. You should always choose the body shop you believe will provide the best quality collision repair work.

Before choosing an auto body shop, check out their reviews online. This will allow you to learn about the experiences of other customers. Be wary of working with a shop that has numerous poor reviews.

In addition to working with a reliable collision repair shop that has a strong reputation, you should always ask for a written guarantee associated with any work performed. This will give you piece of mind that repairs will be completed correctly.

Before the shop begins work on your vehicle, discuss protocol for how they will handle any unexpected repairs not listed as part of the estimate. You should also speak with your insurance company to make sure they cover these extra repairs. Once the work has been completed, examine the vehicle carefully before taking it home. If you’re not satisfied with the repairs, work with the body shop to make sure they address any issues you may have.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

If you’re involved in a car accident this winter, Accurate Auto Body can help. We have more than 25 years of experience, and we offer comprehensive collision repair services to address any damage your vehicle has sustained.

You’ll benefit from our exclusive Focus On You Service System™ which ensures you receive the exceptional quality service you deserve. When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you can count on:

  • Highly personalized attention throughout the repair process
  • Guaranteed pricing
  • Faster turnaround times
  • Guaranteed delivery dates
  • Auto repair consulting to ensure you understand all of your options
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Repair update options that meet your unique needs
  • Full auto insurance coordination

By placing the needs of our clients first, we’re able to deliver the exceptional customer service you deserve. Our goal is to provide the finest quality collision repairs in order to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Our technicians have extensive experience working on all makes and models of vehicles, ensuring we’re able to address any items that are unique to your specific vehicle.

If you don’t have collision insurance, we can still help. Our team regularly handles repairs that don’t go through insurance, and we’ll work with you on a repair plan that fits within your budget.

Schedule an Appointment

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accurate Auto Body serves customers in Aurora and throughout the Denver metro area.

Uninsured Drivers and Vehicle Repair

Posted on: December 15th, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

uninsured auto body repair When you have been in the auto body repair business for as long as we have, you see a thing or two, as they say in the Farmer’s Insurance ads. Unfortunately, we all too often see our customers get into an auto collision where the other party does not have insurance. So, what happens when the other party is not carrying insurance, or it is a hit and run situation?

Understanding Auto Insurance

The first thing we need to take a look at is auto insurance itself. Fortunately, most drivers do carry insurance, so it is the law. However, enough people drive without insurance so some states require drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage. And, in most states, insurance companies are at least required to offer uninsured motorist coverage. As the name implies, uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you should you have a collision with an uninsured driver. Usually, uninsured coverage helps out more if you are injured and the other motorist, assuming they are at fault, has no insurance. In which case, your uninsured motorist policy can help pay for your injuries, as well as damages to your vehicle.

Collision Coverage

In most cases, if the other driver is at fault for the accident, but they have no insurance, your collision coverage will pay to repair your vehicle. However, it will not cover your injuries. So, if you are good and carry auto insurance, in most cases, you are covered for repair even if that other party has no insurance.

However, your insurance company will want to seek out payment somehow from the other party. This is why the insurance companies for both drivers like to sit down and determine which party is at fault. They can then weigh how much of their insurance will be allocated to the repair of your vehicle versus the other party’s insurance.

In the case where the other motorist is uninsured, while your coverage may cover the repair, you may later see an increase in premiums you pay for your coverage. That is why it is a good idea to go ahead and take advantage of uninsured motorist coverage, just in case.

Repairing your Vehicle Without Insurance

Sometimes you may choose, for varying reasons, not to repair your vehicle using your insurance. Perhaps you are afraid they will increase your premiums, or maybe you feel that the repair could be less than your deductible, so it is not worth it (however, collision repair is very unlikely to be less than the deductible). You may also choose to repair without insurance because the car was declared totaled, but you still want the vehicle repaired. In any of the cases above, most auto body shops will perform the repairs, but you will be the one paying. In which case, work closely with them on the estimate and truly understand the repair’s full nature. Also, understand that if you choose to repair a vehicle your insurance declared totaled and paid you the value of your car, you may not be able to insure that vehicle once repaired.

If you have a question about uninsured vehicle repairs and your options, give us a call at 303-344-2212. We are happy to help. And, if need be, take advantage of our free estimates.

Dent Repair After a Ski Weekend Fender Bender

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

fender bender skiing If you are lucky enough this year to secure a reservation to hit the slopes, you still need to pack your patience as you take on I-70 traffic. Even with fewer skiers hitting the road this year, there are still plenty of backups and slow conditions because, well, it’s Colorado, and the interstate can get covered with ice and snow. This combination of poor road conditions and traffic is often a recipe for fender benders. We say fender benders, as most collisions in snowy conditions are not as severe as many collisions we see at higher speeds in the city. So, sometimes these fender benders result in more dent repair than anything else.

You Got Into a Fender Bender – Now What?

Even if you think the collision is minor and a simple fender bender, you will still need to follow all the same practices as a typical collision. These practices include:

  1. Make sure you are OK, and no one is hurt
  2. Pull off to the side of the road
  3. Exchange insurance information with the other party
  4. Get names and contact information from any witnesses that may have stopped
  5. Please take pictures of your vehicle and theirs with your smartphone as a precaution
  6. If the vehicle is drivable and there are no injuries, get back on the road
  7. If the damage is more severe or there are injuries, wait for the State Patrol and other emergency responders for help

Get Your Dent Repair Estimate

As we mentioned earlier, many collisions are fender benders, and some may be little more than requiring dent repair – especially if you can drive your vehicle down the mountain and get safely home. Once you are home, call your insurance company and file a claim. Then, you can find a reputable auto body shop to get an estimate.

A reputable auto body shop will not just take your word for it that you “just have a dent” after a collision. Expect that a good shop will assess if there could be more structural or suspension damage lingering under the dent damage itself.

Hopefully, it is Just a Dent

After you and your insurance approve the estimate, your dent repair work can get scheduled. If you were in a collision and the dent is large, you can expect more of a traditional auto body repair process, including new paint and color matching. If the dent is smaller, such as with hail damage, the auto body shop can often implement paintless dent repair.

If you found yourself in a weekend fender bender while going or returning from the slopes, give us a call. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and get you scheduled for a free estimate. Call 303-344-2212 or fill out our free estimate form online.

What Are My Options if My Car Is Totaled?

Posted on: September 30th, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 1 Comment

If your vehicle sustained serious damage in a car accident, you may be faced with the possibility that your insurance company will declare the vehicle a total loss. Once you file a claim with your insurance company, they will send an adjuster to assess the damage to your car. In general, your car will be totaled if the cost of repairs exceeds the current value of the car.

Each state has established thresholds which govern when a vehicle is considered a total loss. This threshold specifies a percentage of your car’s pre-accident value which must be exceeded in order to declare a total loss. Fortunately, Colorado thresholds require the damage to equal 100% of the current value of the car for it to be totaled. In some states, this threshold can be as low a 51% of the car’s value.

The current actual cash value of your vehicle is determined by a number of factors, including:

  • The age of the vehicle
  • The condition of the vehicle before the accident
  • Market value of your specific year, make and model
  • Resale value of similar vehicles in your area
  • The mileage on your vehicle

Once the vehicle’s actual cash value has been determined, it will usually be a numbers game to figure out whether it will cost the insurance company more money to pay for repairs or pay you for the value of the car. In most instances, the amount of money the insurance company will recoup from selling the car at a salvage auction will be factored into this equation as well.

If your vehicle is declared a total loss, your options may vary based on the specifics of your situation.

How Much Will I Receive for My Totaled Vehicle

The amount of money you’ll receive will depend on several factors, including:

  • The cause of the accident
  • Whether your state has no-fault laws governing car accidents (Colorado is a fault state, which means the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for the costs of repairs)
  • The terms of your insurance policy (or the at-fault driver’s policy if you didn’t cause the accident)
  • The amount of your deductible
What Are My Options if My Car Is Totaled?

What Are My Options if My Car Is Totaled?

You’re only entitled to recover damages up to the policy limits of the insurance coverage. For example, if the at-fault driver only carries $5,000 in property damage coverage and the value of your totaled vehicle is $8,000, the other driver’s insurance will only pay $5,000 towards the replacement vehicle. In order to recoup the remaining $3,000, you’ll either need to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or collision coverage on your insurance policy.

If the accident is determined to be your fault, the amount you recover will be dictated by the coverage you selected on your policy. If you have collision insurance, you’ll be able to recoup the value of the vehicle up to the limits of your coverage, minus the deductible. If your collision policy pays up to $10,000 and you have a $1,000 deductible, the maximum payout you can receive is $9,000 even if the value of the vehicle exceeds this amount. If you don’t have collision coverage, you may not be able to recoup any money for the cost of your totaled vehicle.

In Colorado, harsh weather can also cause serious damage to vehicles. It’s common for vehicles to be totaled due to extensive hail damage. In these situations, you will need to have comprehensive insurance on your policy in order to recoup the value of your vehicle. Your payout will also be dictated by the limits of your coverage and your deductible.

What Happens if I Owe More Money than the Value of My Vehicle?

The insurance company will only pay you for the actual cash value of the totaled vehicle, minus your deductible. If you still owe money on a car loan, it’s possible that this payout won’t completely cover the remaining value of the loan. In this situation, your insurance check will usually go to the lender to pay off as much of the loan as possible. After that, you will be responsible for paying off the remaining balance out of pocket.

Can I Dispute the Insurance Company’s Valuation of My Vehicle?

If you think the insurance company is undervaluing your vehicle, you have the right to dispute their assessment. However, it is usually challenging to prove the vehicle is worth more than the insurance company’s estimate. There are two ways to prove your argument:

  • Provide evidence as to the actual condition of the car – If you’ve made upgrades to the vehicle or kept it in pristine condition, it may drive up the actual cash value of your vehicle. You’ll need receipts for any upgrades performed and photos of the condition of your car to prove it’s worth more than the insurance company initially determined.
  • Hire an appraiser – You can work with a qualified appraiser who will provide an opinion as to your vehicle’s actual value. If the appraiser determines the car is worth more than your insurance company’s estimate, you may have grounds to dispute the settlement offer.

If you’re unable to reach a satisfactory settlement agreement with your insurance company, you have the following options:

  • Arbitration – A neutral third party, called an arbitrator, will determine the value of the vehicle based on the facts presented by you and your insurance company. Arbitration can either be non-binding (you still have the option to pursue litigation if you’re not satisfied with the outcome) or binding (the arbitrator’s decision is final).
  • Litigation – You have the option to have your dispute resolved in court. However, this should always remain a last resort option.

Always consider the costs associated with disputing the value of your vehicle before moving forward. You’ll need to pay for an appraiser in all situations. If you choose arbitration or litigation, you’ll want to have an attorney represent you. When you go to court, there will also be additional fees associated with your case. Often, these expenses will exceed the extra money you’re able to recoup from the process.

Can I Keep a Totaled Vehicle?

What Are My Options if My Car Is Totaled? When your vehicle is declared a total loss, the insurance company will usually take position of the car and it will be auctioned at a salvage yard. The insurance company keeps the money paid for the car at auction.

In Colorado, you’re legally entitled to keep a totaled car. However, you’re required by law to complete all repairs necessary to restore it to good working condition, and you need to get a Rebuilt Title Established by Salvage certificate for the vehicle before you can drive it.

If you would like to keep your totaled vehicle, you should inform the insurance adjuster of your intentions right away. In this situation, you’ll be entitled to recover the actual cash value of the car, minus the deductible and the amount your insurance company would receive at a salvage yard auction. You’ll then be responsible for arranging for all repairs and paying for them yourself.

When Should I Consider Keeping My Totaled Vehicle?

The decision to keep a salvaged car shouldn’t be made lightly. There are many factors to consider. The most important is safety. If the vehicle contains structural damage that cannot be safely repaired, you should never keep the vehicle. However, there are many instances where making the necessary repairs will restore the vehicle to safe working order. This is especially true if the damage is mostly cosmetic, such as after a hail storm.

If your vehicle can be safely driven after making repairs, the other factors to consider are largely financial:

  • Cost of the repairs – If you’re going to spend more money on repairs than you’ll receive from the insurance company, keeping the vehicle generally isn’t a smart financial decision.
  • Age of the vehicle – Is this an old vehicle that would need to be replaced soon? If so, it’s probably best to let it go now. If it’s a newer vehicle, is your goal to keep it for years in order to avoid car payments? In this situation, paying a little money out of pocket may be worthwhile if it will save you thousands of dollars in car payments over the next several years.
  • Remaining car payments – If you still owe money on a car loan, will the insurance check cover the balance of the loan? If so and you’re ok with making payments on a new car, giving up the vehicle is likely the best option. If your insurance check won’t pay off the loan, you may want to consider keeping the vehicle depending on how much you’d owe the bank to cover the difference.
  • Your financial situation – Can you afford to purchase another vehicle that will adequately meet your needs? This should be factored into your decision to keep the vehicle.

Keep in mind that not all insurance companies will offer you a policy on a totaled vehicle. You should always inquire with several insurance companies, including your own, regarding your ability to insure a salvaged vehicle before you decide whether to keep the car.

Can I Buy My Vehicle at Auction?

In most instances, buying your vehicle at the salvage yard auction isn’t a viable option. In most instances, you’ll need a special license to attend the auction. These licenses are usually reserved for auto dealers and auto salvagers. Make sure you check with the auction house to find out if you are able to bid on your car before assuming you can do so.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

If your vehicle is totaled by the insurance company, Accurate Auto Body shop and collision repair can help you arrive at the right decision. We offer customized auto repair consulting services that will:

  • Inform you of your options
  • Recommend the ideal solution to pursue
  • Answer all of your questions
  • Devise a personal repair plan if you decide to keep the vehicle
  • Assist you with the claims filing

When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you’ll benefit from our Focus on You Service System™, which ensures:

  • You’re treated with respect throughout the entire process
  • Your schedule is accommodated when repairs are made
  • You’re provided with guaranteed pricing and completion dates
  • Your vehicle will be fixed right the first time

Please contact us today to discuss your repair options. We offer collision repair services in Aurora, Denver, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

Do I Need Collision Insurance for My Auto Policy?

Posted on: September 25th, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 2 Comments

In Colorado, you’re legally required to carry an auto insurance policy for your vehicle. That being said, you do have a fair amount of control over which types of coverage to include on your policy. One coverage option that can be extremely beneficial in the right situations is collision insurance.

What Is Collision Insurance?

Collision insurance covers the costs associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle after a car accident. This type of insurance will cover damage caused by:

  • A collision with another vehicle where you are at fault for the accident
  • A single-vehicle collision with a stationary object, such as a tree, fence, car, pothole or mailbox
  • A single-vehicle rollover accident

Is Collision Insurance Required?

Do I Need Collision Insurance for My Auto Policy?

Do I Need Collision Insurance for My Auto Policy?

Colorado does not require you to carry collision insurance as part of your policy. However, there are certain exceptions. You will typically be required to have collision insurance if you lease your vehicle or have payments remaining on a car loan for a vehicle you purchased. In these situations, collision insurance is required to protect the lender or leasing company from financial loss after an accident.

While collision insurance usually isn’t required, there are many situations where it’s in your best interest to purchase this coverage for your vehicle. This is particularly true when you have a newer vehicle that would be expensive to replace in the event of a total loss. Ultimately, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to determine whether the cost of this coverage, which can run several hundred dollars a year, will deliver enough value after a serious accident to justify the expense.

Factors to Consider When Determining Whether to Purchase Collision Insurance

Unless you’re required to purchase collision insurance by a lender holding a lien against your vehicle, the decision should be strictly based on financial factors, including:

  • The value of your car – If your vehicle is still relatively new, the cost to repair or replace it with a car of equal value may be fairly high. However, an older vehicle that has depreciated in value significantly may not justify the expense of the coverage.
  • Your financial situation – Can you afford to pay for costly repairs out of pocket? Will you be able to pay for a new car if your vehicle can’t be repaired? If not, collision coverage can be very important.
  • The cost of your collision insurance – There are two aspects to the cost associated with collision insurance: the amount you pay for this coverage on your monthly premiums and the deductible you must meet before this coverage kicks in. These costs must be deducted from the amount you’ll receive after an accident when determining the value of this coverage.
  • How long you intend to keep your vehicle – Are you hoping to drive your car for several more years in order to avoid car payments? If so, collision coverage may be more desirable. If you’re planning on trading in your vehicle in the near future, it may not be worth paying for this coverage.

You can determine the maximum value of your collision insurance using the following formula:

current value of your car – [the cost of your premium + your deductible]

For example, if your vehicle is worth $10,000 and you pay $350 every six months for collision insurance with a $1,000 deductible on your policy, the maximum payout you’ll receive from your collision insurance is $8,650. In this situation, collision insurance would most likely be a worthwhile purchase. However, if your vehicle is only worth $2,000, the maximum payout would be $650 with the same premium and deductible. In this situation, collision insurance may not make as much sense since you won’t receive a lot of value for the cost of the coverage.

Collision vs. Comprehensive Insurance

Accurate Auto Body Collision Repair Aurora, CO

Accurate Auto Body Collision Repair Aurora, CO

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by an accident. However, it won’t protect you from damage caused by issues such as fire, severe weather, fallen objects, vandalism or theft. These situations are covered by comprehensive insurance. As with collision, comprehensive insurance generally isn’t required unless you still owe money on your vehicle to a lender or leasing company.

For newer vehicles, it’s common to carry both collision and comprehensive. As your car gets older and its value depreciates, the value of these coverages diminishes. You may decide at some point that it only makes sense to carry one of these coverages. Which should you choose?

When choosing between collision and comprehensive insurance, consider the following factors:

  • Your driving record – If you haven’t been in an accident that was deemed your fault in years, you may want to bet on your driving ability and opt for comprehensive. However, if you find that you’re regularly causing car accidents, keeping your collision coverage may be more prudent.
  • Where you live – Denver typically gets several serious hail storms each year. If you don’t park your car in a garage, you’re much more likely to sustain serious hail damage in one of these storms. Also, do you live in an area that experiences high rates of auto theft? In both of these situations, comprehensive insurance may make more sense.
  • The cost of each coverage – In general, the premiums for comprehensive are much lower than the premiums for collision. If you’re concerned with keeping your monthly insurance costs as low as possible, this may be a factor to consider.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

If your car has been damaged in an accident, Accurate Auto Body Shop and Collision Repair can help. We provide a comprehensive array of auto body repair services to address all of your needs. We work with all insurance companies, and our team will help you through the insurance claims process if you have collision coverage. If you don’t have collision insurance and play to pay out of pocket, we’ll provide you with customized repair options to accommodate your budget.

When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you’ll benefit from our Focus On You Service System™ which ensures:

  • You’re treated with the highest levels of respect throughout the repairs process
  • You receive guaranteed pricing for your repairs
  • You receive guaranteed completion dates
  • You receive the proper information necessary to understand all of your options
  • You experience faster turnaround times
  • Your vehicle will be fixed right the first time
  • Your unique scheduling needs are always accommodated to the best of our ability
  • Insurance claims are handled as efficiently as possible (we’ll cut through the red tape to get your claim moving along)

Schedule a free auto repair estimate with Accurate Auto Body today. We offer collision repair services in Aurora, Denver, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

Insured vs. Non-insured Collision Repair

Posted on: August 21st, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 1 Comment

Insured vs Non-insured Collision Repair As a Denver Auto body shop, we do get a lot of questions concerning collision repair. And, many of those questions come down to insurance. Is it better to have their insurance cover auto body repairs and pay the deductible, or pay everything out-of-pocket? We call this the great “insured vs non-insured collision repair” debate. Let’s take a look at both the pros and cons of each.

Insured Collision Repair Pros

First of all, you have insurance for a reason, and it is the law. But, that does not mean people will actually use their insurance to cover the cost of collision repairs. However, the big pro to using insurance for the repair is the fact you pay less money out of pocket. All you have to do is pay your deductible, which, depending on your policy, could be anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Depending on the severity of the damage to your vehicle, this could be a lot cheaper than paying for the repair yourself.

Insured Collision Repair Cons

While the most significant factor for carrying insurance is the fact that they will fit the bill for repairs, it does come with a downside. When you make a claim with your insurance company, and they cover the cost of repair, they will likely increase your fees. As a result, your monthly bill can go up for a period of time. You will have to weigh the impact of the increased insurance cost versus that of paying out of pocket for your repairs.

Also, when insurance gets involved, they may decide not to repair your vehicle based on the repair estimate compared to the cash value of your car. If repairs, for example, are more than the actual car value, they may decide to pay you the car’s cash value. Typically, if the damage exceeds 65 to 70 percent of the car’s market value, insurance can choose to “total” it.  If your insurance does total your vehicle, you can still choose to have it repaired at your own expense.  However, if it is too much of a financial burden to get it fixed, you are better off parting with the vehicle.

Non-Insured Auto Body Repair Pros

When you opt to cover the repairs yourself, you do have more control over parts and the way you would like the replacement to go. And, you can, potentially, avoid an increase in your insurance rates. However, if you collided with another vehicle and that driver files a claim and has your insurance information, your insurance company will likely be contacting you and will have note of an accident. As a result, you may still see an increase in your coverage. That is why, for a dent or two, or a literal fender bender, you may be able to cover those repairs without the help of insurance. But, if it is a collision that involves other parties and has significant damage to your car, you should consider using insurance for your repair.

Non-Insured Collision Repair Cons

If you get the repairs done without insurance, your insurance may not provide you with coverage on your vehicle. After all, they are the ones who have to ensure the integrity of the vehicle after repairs. So, if you decide to have a car repaired, especially if doing it yourself or at a shop that is not in your insurer’s network, you run a risk losing any coverage you had on the vehicle. That is why if you have anything moderate to significant damage to your car, it is best to have your insurance company handle the repairs. After all, it would be bad to get your car repaired, and yet not find anyone to insure it, putting you at further risk.

Need Collision Repair

If you have any questions about insurance and how they work with auto body shops, feel free to give us a call. And, if you require auto body repair, we do provide free estimates. Schedule your free estimate online today!

Things to Check After Auto Body Repair

Posted on: April 10th, 2020 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 5 Comments

auto body repair check Having auto body repair work done on your vehicle is often such a relief that by the time you get your vehicle back, you’re ready to ride off into the sunset without a second thought. However, even with the most trusted auto body shop teams, it’s important that you take a little time for a post-repair inspection. Not sure where to start? Here are a few key areas to look over and double-check before getting too far down the road.  

The Area of Repair  

Whatever part of your vehicle needed tending to, it’s time to look that area over. Check for dimpling, make sure alignment is correct and the paint color matches. Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. Any auto repair team worth their salt will encourage you to do just that. Looking over the repair area is the first step to ensuring all is well after the repairs have been finished.  

All Electronic Components and Features  

The next step is one that people often forget, only to find out three days (or weeks) later when someone sits in their back seat for the first time that the window won’t roll down or the door won’t unlock like it’s supposed to. Checking all electronic components like windshield wipers, radio, automatic locks and windows, blinkers, etc. Is a critical step that you’ll thank us for later. Often it’s just a matter of connecting a wire that accidentally got left unconnected or flipping a switch that was overlooked in the final check before you were given a call.  

Alignment  

Depending on the work done, your alignment should be checked. Most auto repair shops will ensure that the alignment of your vehicle is adjusted if necessary even if the repairs they’re doing don’t directly affect that. For this step and the following two, we recommend asking your repair team if you can do a quick drive around the block before signing off. Making sure it drives like it should and feels normal is an important piece of the post-repair check puzzle.  

Sounds  

While you’re giving it a test drive, keep the music off (once you’ve checked to make sure all the music inputs and outputs work and the speakers sound like they ought to.) This is important to make sure your vehicle isn’t making any strange or new noises. If you notice anything that you didn’t hear before you brought it in, make sure you bring it up to your repair team so they can check it out.  

Brakes  

Brakes are an essential part of driving safely. Testing your brakes in a few different scenarios is a must-do when you’re checking your vehicle after a repair. Test them normally, and test having to pump them hard. No, we don’t recommend getting yourself in situations where that is required as it’s a very quick way to wear your brake pads out, but should a situation arise where you need to brake hard, you want the peace of mind knowing that your vehicle can do that. And if anything got messed up in the repair, it’s better to know now, in a situation you’re controlling, than last-minute when you can’t.  

Looking over the work done is not an insult to your auto body repair team, it’s a necessary part of the repair process. Conducting a post-repair inspection is expected and encouraged. After all, it’s your vehicle, and you deserve to feel fully confident in the work done. We know the world is a little intense right now, but we’re proud to be essential workers still open and operating for your auto body repair needs in this time. Need an estimate? Wondering how our processes have changed in light of social distancing regulations? Give us a call today or schedule an estimate online.