Getting into a car accident isn’t anything that any of us want to happen. Car accidents can be anything from minor fender benders to more serious accidents that can be life threatening.
If you’re accident wasn’t life threatening, there’s probably going to be some kind of repairs needed on your cars. From small touch-ups to more intense repairs, there are certain steps you need to take in order to get the best repairs for your money.
Below are the top five tips you can get for getting your car fixed after an accident. Follow these and you’re sure to be driving around in your car in no time!
Never Accept Fault at The Scene
The first action to take after your accident is at the scene of the crash. The number one rule of car accidents is to never accept fault by saying “I’m sorry” or “This was my fault”. That’s because these couple of words can come back to haunt you if the other people in the accident decide to sue you for damages.
If you don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars in court, don’t accept fault, but rather give the police and insurance companies the job of deciding fault, if there is any. Make sure to gather any kind of information that would be relevant, including photos of the accident and insurance information.
It’s Time for A Damage Estimate
After the accident, has happened and all information has been gathered, you’ll want to work with your insurance company to get a damage estimate on your car. This will tell you exactly how much money you’re looking at to repair your beautiful vehicle.
Make sure to get quality estimates and not just the one that’s most affordable to you.
Choose the Best Repair Shop for You
Auto body repair shops are everywhere. There are tons in every community around the US, so choosing the best one for your budget and needs is an important tip in getting your car fixed after an accident.
The first thing to consider in this step is if your insurance company requires you to repair your car at a certain shop. Check your contract to see if there’s any mention of this.
If you do have the right to choose your own repair shop, do a quick Google search of shops in your local area and pick the one with great customer service reviews and that have a dedication to excellence. You only want the best for your car.
Used Parts Call for Caution
Check with the repair shop that you choose if they will be using used parts on your car. Most of the time, repair shops will choose used parts for repairs over brand new parts to save money. However, there obviously comes with a risk if you’ve never been to this shop and are unaware of the quality of said parts.
You can ask the shop which parts will be used and which will be new when you speak about the repairs. This way, you will be able to know exactly where the parts are coming from and how high of quality they are.
Watch Out for Additional Damage
Sometimes with bigger accidents, there are additional damages that are found in the repair process. When this happens, the shop will contact your insurance company to get an appraisal for the damage and contact you. This is another reason why it’s important to choose the best repair shop you can. Excellent shops will make sure to spot this additional damage and help you repair it.
Even though we wish car accidents would never happen, there are high chances that you will get in some kind of accident in your lifetime. If you do get in an accident, it’s important to know what to do afterwards. If you follow these tips and do your research, you will be in the best spot to get your car repaired in no-time.
