It happens to all drivers from time to time – benders, dents and scratches, and more complicated damages are simply inevitable no matter how experienced or disciplined you are on the road.
Naturally, the only thing you want after an accident is to fix the damage as soon as possible and go back on the road. However, many drivers waste a lot of time, nerves and money due to a wrong approach to the insurance settling.
In this article, we explain how to get a free estimate from a body shop that will be accepted by your insurance company and make the overall process smooth, easy and efficient.
Do your Homework
Before you enter a Body Shop, make sure that you are dealing with a credible establishment with a considerable history of collision repairers and a good reputation on the market.
Here at OHS Body Shop, we have rich experience with all kinds of repairments, including the consequences of collisions and accidents. Our branches are located in Kalispell, Whitefish, Polson, and Columbia Falls – all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley. We take pride in our professional reputation and history, doing our best to help our customers get back on the road as soon as possible.
However, make sure to get estimates from several body shops to have the most precise understanding of the price range in your case. Also, make sure that the quotes you receive include such parameters as spare part costs and mechanic’s work. Many car services allegedly avoid those paragraphs, making their estimates seem more attractive.
Don’t make rash decisions
As we already mentioned, somebody shops may exclude certain items from the free estimate to make their quotes look more attractive. However, eventually, the declared sum will differ significantly from the final price, calling for certain complications with the insurance company.
Moreover, in the car service business, low prices may be pretty suspicious. In case you get estimates from two different body shops and the final assessment differs significantly, there is a strong chance that the “cheaper” service may cause you specific trouble and even legal complications with the insurance company in the future.
In case you want to get back on the road as soon as possible
Insurance companies often delay repairs as their adjusters are never in a hurry to access the damage. If the adjuster did not arrive within a week and you are eager to get back on the road as soon as possible, you may pay for the repair yourself and then request reimbursement from your insurance company. However, you must understand that the procedure may become much more complicated in this case, and in many cases, car owners don’t manage to return all of the money.
Only in case you are dealing with a credible and reputable body shop that provides a clear and detailed estimate, you have the chance to minimize your effort in negotiation with the insurance company.
A transparent and honest estimate from a reliable and experienced body shop will not just return you on the road as soon as possible but guarantee smooth and easy settling with the insurance company. OHS Body Shop will help you take good care of your vehicle to minimize the risk of collision and other accidents and help you save your time, money and nerves in case of emergency.
OHS Body Shop serves the Greater Flathead Valley and offers auto body repairs and more at our service centers in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. Visit the closest to you to get comprehensive consultation from our qualified mechanics and the best prices in the area for all kinds of service.
