| Since there are several choices, how does a person | | | | carrier will have to pay out less in claims. But |
| go about choosing a body shop? Well, since those | | | | regrettably, this is a case of "you get what you pay |
| involved in a auto accident will be speaking with their | | | | for" as the aftermarket car parts are frequently of |
| insurance company representative, in many instances | | | | lesser quality. They are more inclined to fail, resulting |
| they are going to patronize the shop advised by their | | | | in added repair work being needed, and in a worst |
| insurance agent. | | | | case scenario, can mean that the "fixed" car is |
| Insurance agents are quick to suggest an auto body | | | | dangerous to drive! |
| shop when a customer is in need of vehicle repairs | | | | Given that there are legal issues involved if auto |
| resulting from an automobile accident. However, it | | | | repairs are done in a substandard manner, for what |
| could turn out very badly for the client if he takes his | | | | possible reason would a body shop willingly enter into |
| car to the shop his insurance company representative | | | | the insurance company's direct repair program to |
| has advised. Let me explain: | | | | start with? The answer is simple: they don't want to |
| When your insurance company representative steers | | | | be forced out of business! Because it's a matter of |
| you toward a repair shop, it's going to be a shop | | | | the survival of their business. After all, if the vast |
| within his company's "direct repair program." The | | | | majority of body work is sent by insurance |
| program consists of an agreement between the | | | | representative referrals, what does that mean for |
| insurance firm and the repair shop. Under the | | | | those repair shops who won't "sign on the dotted |
| agreement, the shop must repair the cars of | | | | line"? |
| customers sent by the insurance firm. In turn, the | | | | Suppose you need repairs and choose to patronize a |
| insurance carrier must point their clients to the | | | | body shop outside the company's "network"? Your |
| member body shop. | | | | insurance firm may well play "dirty tricks" to convince |
| Additionally, the auto body repair shop must estimate | | | | you that you made the wrong choice. Perhaps they |
| the price of vehicle repairs using aftermarket car | | | | will hesitate at paying for repairs - or maybe drag |
| parts. But there's still more - should a lawsuit result | | | | their feet about sending out an adjustor to check |
| because of substandard vehicle repairs, the body | | | | out your vehicle. |
| shop is under agreement to indemnify the insurance | | | | Does this result in a hassle for you? Sure. But it's well |
| firm and bear liability. | | | | worth it when the only other choice is to go to their |
| But you may be thinking "So why would I care if the | | | | "preferred" body shop and have to endure the |
| body shop fixes my car using aftermarket parts?" | | | | potential results. |
| Just what does that mean to me?" The answer is | | | | In conclusion, when you're in need of an auto body |
| "LOTS!" | | | | shop, know your rights! If the shop your agent |
| Aftermarket car parts, otherwise known as | | | | recommends is using aftermarket auto parts, find |
| replacement crash, salvage, or rebuilt parts, are auto | | | | another shop. And if your insurance representative |
| parts that are created by a company other than the | | | | says "They won't agree with our appraiser", "We |
| original maker or vendor. They are typically produced | | | | can't work with that shop", or "We won't guarantee |
| in Taiwan. | | | | the repair when you go there" be aware that these |
| They are less high-priced compared with the parts | | | | and other similar statements are misleading at best, |
| manufactured by the car maker (to the delight of | | | | and at worst, outright falsehoods! |
| your insurer) and using them means you insurance | | | | |