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Q: What if the insurance company implies that I have to take
my car to one of their repair facilities?
A: In the state of Pennsylvania it is ILLEGAL for the
insurance company to tell you where to take your vehicle to
be repaired; it is your choice as a consumer to take your
vehicle where you feel comfortable having it repaired.
my car to one of their repair facilities?
A: In the state of Pennsylvania it is ILLEGAL for the
insurance company to tell you where to take your vehicle to
be repaired; it is your choice as a consumer to take your
vehicle where you feel comfortable having it repaired.
Q: What does it mean when the insurance company tells me they will only warranty
the repairs if I take my vehicle to one of their repair facilities?
A: Established body shops warranty their own repairs. In most cases the body
shop's warranty is equal to or better than the insurance company's "stated" warranty
the repairs if I take my vehicle to one of their repair facilities?
A: Established body shops warranty their own repairs. In most cases the body
shop's warranty is equal to or better than the insurance company's "stated" warranty
Q: After I have had an accident how do I handle the claims process?
A: There are multiple ways to handle the claims process after an accident. You can contact
or go to the body shop of your choice and let them walk you through the claims process,
call your insurance agent, or call the toll free number on your insurance card.
A: There are multiple ways to handle the claims process after an accident. You can contact
or go to the body shop of your choice and let them walk you through the claims process,
call your insurance agent, or call the toll free number on your insurance card.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: The insurance company and/or agent told me that I had to get more than one
estimate. Is that true?
A: NO! You are only required to get one estimate, so choose the facility you would
like to repair your vehicle and have them write your estimate.
estimate. Is that true?
A: NO! You are only required to get one estimate, so choose the facility you would
like to repair your vehicle and have them write your estimate.
Q: What do I do for transportation after an accident?
A: Our recommendation is to contact the body shop at which you would like to have
your vehicle repaired and they should be able to assist in getting alternate transportation
while your vehicle is in the shop.
A: Our recommendation is to contact the body shop at which you would like to have
your vehicle repaired and they should be able to assist in getting alternate transportation
while your vehicle is in the shop.
Accidents happen, We can help!!
Q: Who do I pay my Insurance deductible to?
A: Your insurance deductible is the portion of the repairs you will be responsible for
paying. You will remit that payment directly to the body shop at the completion of
the repairs.
A: Your insurance deductible is the portion of the repairs you will be responsible for
paying. You will remit that payment directly to the body shop at the completion of
the repairs.
Q: What forms of payment does Reliable Auto Body accept?
A: We accept Personal Checks, Cash, Visa & Mastercard for payment of deductibles
A: We accept Personal Checks, Cash, Visa & Mastercard for payment of deductibles
Q: I received a check from my Insurance Company, what should I do with it?
A: You have a few options on this one, you can either hold onto the check until the
repairs are complete, you can deposit the check into your checking account, or you
have us hold onto the check until your vehicle is complete. You can endorse the
back of the insurance check and sign it over to us when the vehicle is complete if
you don't deposit the check. (If there is a finance company on the check, please
notify the body shop representative immediately)
A: You have a few options on this one, you can either hold onto the check until the
repairs are complete, you can deposit the check into your checking account, or you
have us hold onto the check until your vehicle is complete. You can endorse the
back of the insurance check and sign it over to us when the vehicle is complete if
you don't deposit the check. (If there is a finance company on the check, please
notify the body shop representative immediately)
Q: What if my vehicle is deemed a "Total Loss"?
A: If your insurance company tells you your vehicle is a total loss that means the cost of
repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle. The insurance company will offer you a "settlement"
amount (Retail value of the vehicle plus sales tax) less any previous damage to the vehicle. It
is your responsibility to then clean out all of your personal belongings from the vehicle and
authorize the body shop to release the vehicle to the insurance company. You will then have
to remit the title to the insurance company to receive payment, if there is a lien on the vehicle
the insurance company will first pay off the lien and get the title and then pay you, the
owner, any monies after the lien is paid. (Please note each case is unique, and we will be
happy to answer any specific questions you may have about this process.)
A: If your insurance company tells you your vehicle is a total loss that means the cost of
repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle. The insurance company will offer you a "settlement"
amount (Retail value of the vehicle plus sales tax) less any previous damage to the vehicle. It
is your responsibility to then clean out all of your personal belongings from the vehicle and
authorize the body shop to release the vehicle to the insurance company. You will then have
to remit the title to the insurance company to receive payment, if there is a lien on the vehicle
the insurance company will first pay off the lien and get the title and then pay you, the
owner, any monies after the lien is paid. (Please note each case is unique, and we will be
happy to answer any specific questions you may have about this process.)
Q: Can I wash my vehicle after it has been painted?
A: Our recommendations for freshly painted vehicles is not to wash them in any
automated car washes, any hand washing is fine and should not damage the paint (DO
NOT use dish washing soap to wash the vehicle). We also recommend that you do not
wax any freshly painted areas for 90 days (If you do it will not hurt the paint but the wax
will not stay on the freshly painted areas, due to the release of vapors)
A: Our recommendations for freshly painted vehicles is not to wash them in any
automated car washes, any hand washing is fine and should not damage the paint (DO
NOT use dish washing soap to wash the vehicle). We also recommend that you do not
wax any freshly painted areas for 90 days (If you do it will not hurt the paint but the wax
will not stay on the freshly painted areas, due to the release of vapors)
Q: When I report the claim to my insurance company what information should I
ask them for?
A: The important information to ask for is as follows,
- Claim Number
- Deductible amount
- Rental Car coverage, if any
- Contact Information
ask them for?
A: The important information to ask for is as follows,
- Claim Number
- Deductible amount
- Rental Car coverage, if any
- Contact Information
Q: Can you match the paint on my vehicle?
A: Yes, we have a camera that takes a picture of your vehicle's paint and our computer
system matches between what the paint color was at the factory and what it is today (after
any sun damage etc.) and gives us a formula to match the current color of the vehicle. (Please
note in most cases "blending" of adjacent panels is necessary to achieve proper color.)
A: Yes, we have a camera that takes a picture of your vehicle's paint and our computer
system matches between what the paint color was at the factory and what it is today (after
any sun damage etc.) and gives us a formula to match the current color of the vehicle. (Please
note in most cases "blending" of adjacent panels is necessary to achieve proper color.)
Q: How long will the repairs take?
A: The amount of time to repair the vehicle is dependent upon how much work needs to be
done to the vehicle. When you bring the paperwork to the body shop for review, please ask
your advisor their estimate on repair time. Sometimes repairs can get delayed when the shop
runs into additional damage to the vehicle.
A: The amount of time to repair the vehicle is dependent upon how much work needs to be
done to the vehicle. When you bring the paperwork to the body shop for review, please ask
your advisor their estimate on repair time. Sometimes repairs can get delayed when the shop
runs into additional damage to the vehicle.
Q: What if my insurance company writes Aftermarket or Used parts?
A: Dependent upon how your insurance policy is written, most insurance companies are
allowed to write used (LKQ) and aftermarket parts (parts that are new but not
manufactured by the vehicle's manufacturer) to repair your vehicle. Typically we handle
all LKQ or aftermarket parts the same way. We order them and, as long as they are good
and usable, we will accept them, if they are not we will reject them and get the insurance
company back out and have the estimate re-written. You may want to speak with your
insurance agent, because some companies are selling OEM parts policies (meaning only
new OEM parts are used in repairs.)
A: Dependent upon how your insurance policy is written, most insurance companies are
allowed to write used (LKQ) and aftermarket parts (parts that are new but not
manufactured by the vehicle's manufacturer) to repair your vehicle. Typically we handle
all LKQ or aftermarket parts the same way. We order them and, as long as they are good
and usable, we will accept them, if they are not we will reject them and get the insurance
company back out and have the estimate re-written. You may want to speak with your
insurance agent, because some companies are selling OEM parts policies (meaning only
new OEM parts are used in repairs.)
Q: What is the difference between comprehensive & collision coverage?
A: Collision coverage on your insurance policy covers damage that is done to your vehicle
in the event of an at-fault accident with another vehicle or object; also, hit-and-run
accidents are covered under collision. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your
vehicle in an "act of god" incident (vandalism, fire, deer hits, hail, etc.). Most people carry a
lower deductible on their comprehensive coverage than on their collision coverage.
A: Collision coverage on your insurance policy covers damage that is done to your vehicle
in the event of an at-fault accident with another vehicle or object; also, hit-and-run
accidents are covered under collision. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your
vehicle in an "act of god" incident (vandalism, fire, deer hits, hail, etc.). Most people carry a
lower deductible on their comprehensive coverage than on their collision coverage.
Q: Do you offer towing services?
A: Yes, we are closely affiliated with California Detail Shop & Towing, just call
us and we will make arrangement to have your vehicle towed in right away!
A: Yes, we are closely affiliated with California Detail Shop & Towing, just call
us and we will make arrangement to have your vehicle towed in right away!