Frequently Asked Questions
If the insurance company’s estimate is
lower than the shop’s estimate, do I need to pay the
difference?
According to North Carolina state law, your insurance
carrier must negotiate in good faith
with your
choice of a shop to arrive at an agreed price for repairs.
It is the role of the professional collision repairer to be
an advocate for his or her customer by working with an
insurer to document and identify physical damage.
When an insurance company issues a check, am I
responsible for any additional charges?
Any estimate is just that — an estimate. An appraiser can only report that damage which is visible. When additional damage becomes evident as the repair progresses, a claim can be re-opened and a supplemental payment issued. In fact, most large collision repairs require at least one supplement to the original estimate.
Will I be forced to use the repair shop with
the lowest bid?
The repair facility which writes the lowest estimate is not necessarily the best place to have your car repaired. In fact, obtaining repairs from the low bidder is usually not in the best interest of the customer. When one considers the safety issues involved in collision repair and the considerable investment one has in his or her vehicle, the value of quality repairs becomes clear.
A modern, well-equipped collision repair center represents an enormous investment in equipment, training and people. As is often the case with goods and service, one gets what one pays for. Remember, the choice of shops is entirely up to you.
If my car has been in an accident, will it be
inherently, permanently modified or changed for the
worse?
A collision brings about many changes to an auto. It is the role of the collision repair technician to restore the safety, function and appearance of your car to pre-accident condition. Using the latest in repair technology and original parts, your car is structurally rebuilt to its factory dimensions and tolerances. It is then refinished using the finest urethane paints which, in many cases, will actually surpass the original finish in terms of corrosion protection and gloss retention. We guarantee it.
Will my car be worth less after the accident?
Value retention and safety should be of primary concern to a collision repair customer. A inexpensive or otherwise poor repair will cause additional loss to a car owner in terms of their enjoyment of the car, safety, and return at trade-in. Substandard repairs which often go unnoticed by consumers, can lead to premature failures of the repair, inconvenience, and/or liability.
Individuals with leased vehicles should also be careful in selecting body shops. Substandard repairs, which often occur without their knowledge can result in end-of-lease charge backs.
Will the paint match after the repair?
We use the latest technology available to match paint. Our technicians accomplish an accurate match in almost all cases.
Once my car’s frame is bent, will it always
be bent?
The collision repair industry has come a long way with regard to structural repairs. Years ago, a car with a bent frame was often considered a total loss due to the lack of equipment and training in these types of repairs. And, unfortunately, some vehicles with bent structural members were returned to their owners without the necessary corrections made. These cars wore out tires prematurely, tracked erratically, and were generally unsafe.
The science of repairing collision damage has come a long way. Contemporary vehicles are held to much tighter tolerances than the ballpark standards of the full frame vehicles of the 1960’s and 1970’s. For example, the dimensions for each Ford Focus made this year may differ by as little as 3 millimeters (about one-eighth of an inch) from car to car.
These new build standards demand new repair technology and skills in collision repair. Today, there is repair equipment with accuracy as high — if not higher — than that of the original manufacturer.