Auto Repair and Quality Estimates

No one gets into a car, truck or van in the morning expecting to be in a major collision by the end of the day. Yet, for many people, this is a frightening reality. Traffic collisions happen all over the United States every day, hour and minute. Whether it is a minor fender-bender type of incident or a major high-speed collision on a highway, there is no way of knowing when you might fall victim.

When this happens to you, it can be difficult to know just how to react. Even in the case of minor traffic accidents, it can be easy to feel shocked. Mentally preparing yourself for the day that an accident occurs can be the best thing for you to do. That isn't to say that you should dread getting into your vehicle for fear that today is the day that you will wind up in an accident. Being prepared means knowing the steps to take after an accident occurs.

One of the steps you should understand in the case of an accident where your car isn't totaled or only suffered very minor damages is how to go about getting auto repair. If you and the other party involved decided to resolve the damages outside of insurance, then you need to know the steps to take to get any damages paid for. If you are the victim party, then you need to find a reputable body shop or auto repair center.

Finding a reputable place that does free estimates for repairs will help you get a quality estimate that the other party involved will feel comfortable paying. The idea is that you want to get your damages on your vehicle fixed. If the cost will be less than the insurance deductible of the at-fault party, then you two can agree to have the costs paid for out of pocket.

If you have a friend that works on car bodies, even if they are trustworthy, chances are the at-fault party will not feel comfortable paying the amount your friend suggests. It is best to get an estimate from a nationally known auto repair shop. Name recognition will help the at-fault party feel more comfortable and ultimately you will be more likely to get the cash for the damages.

Expect the at-fault party to want to see the written estimate for the damages. If they agree with what the shop said, they will likely give you a cashier's check for the full amount. You can sign something that suggests you will no longer hold them responsible for any damages and that the situation is settled. If they do not agree and you aren't able to resolve the issue, turn the police report over to insurance and let them deal with it.

It is extremely important that you get a quality, reputable estimate in the case of damages incurred. You want the auto repair done to your car to be lasting.