Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
A. Get the name of the person(s) driving the other vehicle(s) involved along with their phone number, driver’s license, vehicle license, insurance information. Also try to obtain any witness’ name and number. Note the location, time and date. And, if you have a camera, take pictures. IMPORTANT: If the person(s) driving the vehicle(s) involved is unwilling to provide this information or if they do not have a driver’s license and insurance, then you have a problem, and you should notify the police and your insurance agent immediately.
Contact the shop of your choice and have them set up a tow or appointment to get your vehicle in the shop. If you need alternative transportation and have rental coverage or the other party’s insurance is paying the bill, ask the shop to set up the rental for you.
Contact the Insurance Company responsible and let them know where the vehicle is and/or where it is going and ask for a claim number. If the Insurance Company wants to examine your vehicle at your house or in their claims center, you have the choice of doing this, or you can inform the Insurance Company that you are dropping the vehicle at the shop of your choice and they can see the vehicle there. Remember, you’re free to choose.
Call the shop and give them the claim number. From this point on, the shop will negotiate on your behalf to insure that your vehicle will be returned to pre-loss condition.
Q. WILL MY VEHICLE BE THE SAME?
A. Dave Ure’s Collision Plus guarantees your vehicle will be as good esthetically and structurally, if not better than
its pre-accident condition.
Q. WHAT IF INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSES TO WORK WITH THE SHOP OF MY CHOICE?
A. By law, an insurance company cannot refuse your request and must negotiate with the shop of your choice. It is in both parties’ best interest to get your vehicle repaired and back to you as quickly as possible, without charging you extra.
Q. WHO PAYS THE TOW BILL?
A. The Insurance Company responsible for paying for your repairs is also responsible for paying the tow bill to the shop of your choice. If the Insurance Company selected a shop and you prefer to go elsewhere, they are still obligated to pay for the additional tow.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I PICK UP MY REPAIRED VEHICLE?
A. When picking up your vehicle after repairs have been completed, do this simple 10-step checklist and the chances of poor repairs will be minimized.
- Do not accept delivery of your vehicle without an itemized final bill. The shop is required by law to provide you an itemized repair invoice detailing what was actually done (not just an estimate of repairs). Included in the itemized statement will be codes designating the type of parts used. Verify that those parts are OEM factory parts and are indicated on the statement or in the warranty. Also included will be the total repair cost along with a record of payments received. Make sure you receive a written copy of their lifetime warranty.
- Schedule a “Walk Around” with the shop’s service advisor and have him point out each item on the final bill showing the OEM factory parts and explain the various procedures performed. The engine compartment should be opened and/or the trunk compartment with the carpet pulled back to show any hidden repairs.
- Look at all the gaps of the repaired or replaced panels. They should be level and even. Walk to the other side of the vehicle to compare.
- Stand back. Does the paint match? Are there any dirt particles or swirl marks in the painted area? Is the texture even?
- Look at the repaired panels listed on the final repair invoice. Are the panels straight and smooth? Are the lines that run the length of the vehicle straight? Look for sand scratches and/or “islands,” circles around the repaired area that show up a week to 30 days after the vehicle was painted. This will occur if the panel was improperly prepared or primed.
- Look at the exterior trim. All the trim should have been removed prior to painting. Look for tape marks and/or signs of paint around the edges of the trim and windows.
- If your vehicle had frame or suspension damage, get a copy of the alignment and a printout of the electronic frame measurement for your records. Ask for an explanation of the numbers before and after.
- Look under the vehicle in the area of the repairs for rust coating.
- Look inside the vehicle’s trunk and/or engine compartment for proper seam sealing that matches the factory seam sealing on the opposite side. Have the bolt heads been touched up? Are all the screws and bolts in each area that attach a component to the vehicle the same color and style? These are all telltale signs of attention to detail in a quality repair.
- If the repair bill was large (over $4,000) or if repairs included an alignment or framework, any reputable shop will recommend you take the vehicle for a test drive before paying.
Q. IF MY VEHICLE’S FRAME IS DAMAGED IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
A. No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance companies determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art measuring system, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can simply be replaced.
Q. CAN YOU MATCH THE PAINT COLOR?
A. Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Dave Ure’s Collision Plus has made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
Q. DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE?
A. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry broad collision, and you were not at fault, your insurance company most likely will waive your deductible. Insurance companies determine fault by your account of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the accident report filed with the police department. If you aren’t sure about your deductible, you can call your agent and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.
Q. IS THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE
A. Yes. We guarantee all of our repairs with a Lifetime Warranty.
Q. WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
A. We accept personal checks, insurance checks, VISA/MasterCard with a limit of $1,000.00 and, of course, cash.
Q. HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE TAKE?
A. We can give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the repairs to your vehicle. Although each case may be different , we make sure you know precisely what stage your vehicle is in at any given time.