Getting A Vehicle Repaired After A Collision
Having your own transportation makes getting around town a lot more convenient, as you can go places without relying on someone else. The sad fact about the convenience of a car is that it also puts you at risk for becoming a collision victim of of another driver. In some cases, you might even be responsible for causing an accident that is out of your control, such as if the roads are severely icy. Whether you are in a situation in which you caused an accident, or in which the other driver is liable, it is likely that your vehicle is in need of a repair. The questions and answers below will give you an idea of what to do when your vehicle is repaired for collision damage.
Who Caused the Collision?
It is important to know who is legally responsible for causing the collision, as it will determine who must pay for your vehicle repairs. If the other driver is responsible, contact his or her insurance provider as soon as possible to file a claim. You should then receive money in a sufficient amount to take the vehicle to an auto collision repair shop.
Is an Auto Repair Warranty Important?
Before getting your vehicle repaired, determine if a warranty is something that you want. There are some collision repair shops that will offer a limited time warranty for the work that they do. For example, if the trunk hood gets replaced during the initial repair and becomes loose in an untimely manner, a warranty can give you the right to get it repaired again without being charged. Be sure to ask the repair shop staff in advance if they offer a warranty.
Will You Need Temporary Transportation?
If you will need transportation while your vehicle is in the collision repair shop, you might not have to get one through a car rental business. There are actually collision repair shops that have their own vehicles that their customers can temporarily use if it is necessary. Using the rental vehicle might require that a fee is paid, but you might be able to get a discount for getting your vehicle repaired at the same shop. However, discounts will be at the discretion of the shop that you choose.
Does Your Vehicle Need New Paint?
If there are any dents or missing paint as the result of the collision, your vehicle will likely need new paint. When your vehicle is ready to be painted, tell the auto repair shop technicians that you want the color to be an exact match, The reason why is because sometimes a similar color is chosen that is noticeably different when it dries up. The technicians should be able to order the exact color if it is not already available in the shop.