I had a accident. what options I have?

Question

Accident wasn't my fault. I have a question
Insurance company phoned me and told that they will pick up the car and repair it. First of all they didn;t see the car. Second thing I want to know if I can take money and repair in my own garage or they will give me the money for car and take it???

Answer 1

You have the right to have the car repaired at the shop of your own choosing! The insurance company wants to take your car to a shop where they have a low bid. Some of these shops do good work, some do not. Most of the time they have to cut corners on the job, because the insurance company does not pay enough to anything but the bare minimum.

You can also take the amount of the estimate, and do the work yourself. If you owe money on the car, you may need the lenders permission, if it is your insurance paying!

Depending on the amount of the damage, they may consider the car to be a "total loss" and pay you the market value of the car.

Do not allow them to take the car! If you can drive the car, take it to several reputable body shops for estimates. If the car is not drivable, insist that they send an appraiser out to look at it!!

Answer 2

I have recently had a car accident myself (not my fault either) the third party insurers paid for it to be repaired! as far as im aware you are not able to take the money and repair yourself as it has to be agreed by the chief engineer of the insurance company (but like some people have stated call your insurers to double check)- an estimation person from a chosen garage (by the insurer) will come and evaluate your car, take pics then go back to the insurers, they will then arrange for your car to be picked up / or to tell you that the car is not repairable etc. Hope that helps

Answer 3

You have 3 options:

1) Let them fix it at their repair facility. This is a good option because you generally have a guarantee on repairs and will be in a rental throughout the process

2) Fix it at the body shop of your choice- the disadvantage is they have no say in if the body shop charges too much (you will have to pay the extra) or takes too long (you will have to pay for extra rental. It doesnt matter that they have not seen your car yet. They probably prefer to do the estimate at the shop so the car can be torn down property

3) Take the money from the estimate and dont repair the car

Answer 4

Their approved-repairer facility saves you from having to obtain quotes for repairs and will also probably mean the automatic provision of a courtesy car whilst yours is being repaired.

You don't have to use their approved-repairer but you must advise them of this and then submit two estimates for the repairs. The insurer will (probably) authorise the lower of the two estimates so make sure the garage you want to use is the lower of the two quotes. Under this arrangement though, you will probably have to arrange collection, delivery and cover for any courtesy car provided yourself so be prepared to do so before you instruct your insurers.

Answer 5

The purpose of insurance is to cover the cost of repairs. The reason that they want to do it is to keep costs down. They can do this by negotiating a contract, effectively "buying wholesale". Most companies that do this will guarantee the work for several years.

From the insurers point of view there is no reason to go with any other option. They would only pay you to do it if it cost them less. Why would you chose this option?

Answer 6

dont gett the car repaired by them..... take the money they will salvage the title and give you the car....fix it sell it for half the price thats what they run for...if they fix the car it will never drive or look the same...

Answer 7

Check your policy.

Answer 8

you have to do what they say as it will be in your contract.