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FREQUENLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
THE
COACH WORKS has highly skilled professionals to
answer all of your questions and concerns about the restoration
of your vehicle. We will guide you through every step of the repair
process. The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions
concerning vehicle repair. Please feel free to call
or email our staff for any other issues or questions.
What
is a direct repair shop?
Can I go to any body shop?
Is the estimate free?
Are you open on Saturday?
Can I get a ride home/work when I drop off my car?
Will my car be as good as it was before the accident?
Is there a warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?
Where do I get a claim number?
How can I get a rental car?
What happens if my vehicle is totaled? How much damage
equals totaled
If my vehicle's frame is damaged is the car a total
loss?
Can you match my car paint color?
Do I need to pay anything when I drop off my car?
Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my car
for repair?
Can I get other service work done on my car while
it in the body shop?
What happens if I find more damage? Do I have to pay
the difference?
How long will the repair take?
How will I know when my car is done?
Do I have to pay a deductible? Who do I pay my deductible to?
What forms of payment do you accept?
What are Betterment Charges?
Can I wash my car?
WHAT IS A DIRECT REPAIR SHOP?
A direct repair facility is a body shop that works directly with
your insurance company as a preferred shop. Body shops earn the
right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements.
These include having certified technicians, using the proper equipment,
and most importantly, having a record of satisfied customers. When
you use a preferred shop, the repair process is streamlined. A preferred
shop actually writes the estimate, orders the parts, and repairs
your vehicle without having to wait for an insurance adjuster. Insurance
companies constantly monitor their preferred shops to ensure quality
repairs.
CAN I GO TO ANY BODY SHOP?
Yes, you have the right to have your vehicle repaired at any facility
you choose. Sometimes the insurance company would prefer for you
to go to one of their "repair partner's" body shop, but
you always have the option to have your vehicle repaired at the
facility of your choice.
IS THE ESTIMATE FREE?
Yes, the estimate is absolutely free and takes about 10-30 minutes
to complete depending on the extent of the damage.
ARE YOU OPEN SATURDAY?
No, but we are open 8:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Mon - Fri. In some instances
special arrangements can be made for pick up and delivery after
our regular hours and on Saturday.
CAN I GET A RIDE HOME/WORK WHEN I DROP
OFF MY CAR?
Absolutely.
WILL MY CAR BE AS GOOD AS IT WAS BEFORE
THE ACCIDENT?
Yes. Our technicians are extremely well trained in the use of state-of-the-art
repair equipment and methods, ensuring that your vehicle will be
returned to its pre-accident condition.
IS THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY
VEHICLE?
Yes. The Coach Works offers a written warranty on all repairs for
as long as you own the vehicle.
WHERE DO I GET A CLAIM NUMBER?
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you
report your accident. Just jot it down and bring it in with you
when you come in to begin the repair process, we will do the rest.
HOW CAN I GET A RENTAL CAR?
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements.
Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that
option on your policy or if you are the claimant. Check your policy
and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental
coverage and what your specific limitations are.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED?
HOW MUCH DAMAGE EQUALS TOTALED?
Each insurance company has it's own formula for determining a "total
loss". In most cases it is between 70-80% of the value of the
vehicle. For example, if the insurance company determines that your
vehicle is worth $10,000.00, and the estimate for repairs is $9,000.00,
they will more than likely establish your vehicle as a "total
loss". Body shops do not "total" vehicles. Only an
insurance company can brand your vehicle an economic total loss.
IF MY VEHICLE'S FRAME IS DAMAGED
IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds
the insurance company's determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays,
most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction.
Our highly skilled technicians can return your vehicle to its original
factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section
is bent beyond repair, that section can simply be replaced.
CAN YOU MATCH MY PAINT COLOR?
Our modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly
specialized paints. We have made a major investment in the finest
paint system available and constantly upgrade its technology and
equipment to ensure that each vehicle's paint matches. We take special
pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step
in the restoration process.
DO I NEED TO PAY ANYTHING WHEN I DROP
MY CAR OFF?
No. All payments are processed at the end of the repair.
WILL THE PARTS BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP
OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
Absolutely. We generally order your vehicle's parts as soon as you
authorize our shop to perform the repairs.
CAN I GET OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE ON
MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP?
Yes. Just let our estimator or office personnel know what other
work you would like done so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FIND MORE DAMGE? DO
I HAVE TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE?
No. We will assess the additional damage (called a supplement) and
will contact your insurance company for a re-inspection and/or approval
to perform the additional repairs. The insurance company will be
billed directly for the supplemental repairs.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
Every accident situation is different of course. Our estimators
use insurance company approved computerized systems to estimate
the extent of the damage to your vehicle. From there it's a fairly
routine matter to estimate the cost of the repairs and how long
the repairs will take. However, it's important to keep in mind that
once the repair process begins, previously undetected conditions
may be revealed. This may require additional repair time. If this
happens, you will be notified immediately. In fact our office personnel
will contact you as often as you like, either by telephone or e-mail,
to update you on the status of your vehicle's repair.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
You will be notified by phone or we can also notify you by email
when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to call or
e-mail our office during the repair process if you have questions
or concerns.
DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBE?
WHO DO I PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE TO?
The amount of the deductible that you will be responsible for is
determined by your insurance policy. It will be your responsibility
to pay us when you pick up your vehicle. Your insurance company
will usually advise us as to the amount of your deductible when
they approve your claim.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Checks, Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
WHAT ARE BETTERMENT CHARGES?
A betterment is applied only by the responsible insurance company.
It is normally allocated to wearable parts, such as tires, batteries,
moving suspension parts, exhaust systems and transmissions. What
the insurance company is saying is, yes, your battery was damaged
during the accident, and yes they owe you a replacement battery,
but the battery that was damaged was 2 years old. They may pay 70%
of the replacement cost, and ask that you pay for the remaining
30%. They only owe to replace what was damaged. What was damaged
was a battery with 30% wear. In extreme cases, betterment is also
applied to exterior paint.
CAN I WASH MY CAR?
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS
DO'S -
Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash
solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
Always use clean fresh water.
Wash your vehicle in the shade.
DON'TS -
Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could
mar the finish and damage the surface.
Do not "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch
the finish.
Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done
in the first 30 days.
Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to
attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will
damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot
a freshly painted surface.
Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield
solvent on the new finish.
Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface. Scrapers
can act like a paint scraper on a newly painted finish.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS
Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the finish
to dry and harden completely. |
