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Know Your Rights
Your insurance company wants your vehicle properly repaired and you to be completely satisfied with their claim service. You have specific rights and obligations that you should be aware of. Review your policy. Understand your rights.
If an agreement cannot be reached between your insurance company and the repair shop, your policy has an "Appraisal Clause" whereby an independent appraiser can be called in to help resolve the matter.
You can use the collision repair shop of YOUR CHOICE. You are not required to use a shop selected by a claims adjuster. However, you are required by your policy to allow your insurance company a reasonable amount of time to inspect the damages prior to repairing them.
You are not required by law to get more than one estimate.
Only you, the owner, can authorize repairs on your vehicle.
Repair estimates will vary. A lower estimate may not include necessary things such as front or rear wheel alignments, re-aiming your headlamps, etc.
Ask what certificates the shop and its technicians have. Ask for a tour of the shop's facility. Verify that the shop has the following:
Only sign releases when the repairs have been completed to your satisfaction.
You will be required to pay for the repairs upon completion. To avoid delays, it will be up to you to secure payment from your insurance company along with any necessary endorsements from lien holders.
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