The Insurance Claim Repair Estimate Process

Being in a car collision is an unpleasant and stressful situation. The resulting car damage can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in repair costs. Thankfully, auto insurance is often there to help us cover the costs of these repairs. Yet, as many of us know, working with insurance companies can be stressful and confusing. Additionally, if we never had to submit a claim before, the fear of the unknown kicks in. You don’t know the next steps. Our collision repair team is here to help you understand the insurance claim process. The steps include the following:

• File Your Claim: The first step in the insurance claim process is to file your claim with your insurance claim. Provide your insurance company with details of the accident and those who are involved in it. Be sure to provide them with supporting documentation such as police reports, witness statements, and photographs of the scene.

• Schedule a Repair Estimate Appointment: Before your insurance company will cut you a check for the repairs, they need to get a repair estimate from a collision repair shop. You need to contact your local collision repair shop of choice and schedule a repair estimate appointment with them. They will then provide your insurance company with their estimate.

• Schedule an Appointment with Your Insurance Adjuster: You will need a final sign-off from an insurance adjuster. This involved the adjuster coming to the repair shop where your car is awaiting repair or to wherever you have the vehicle parked/stored. They will carefully examine your vehicle’s damage and determine if the recommended repairs are necessary and if the costs are appropriate from the estimate. If the adjuster agrees, your insurance company will be in contact with you and the auto repair shop. They will either give you a check directly for the repairs or pay the repair shop directly on your behalf.

• Schedule Your Auto Repair Appointment: Once your insurance company has approved your claim and agreed to the costs of repairs with the collision repair shop, it is time to schedule your auto repair estimate.

• Drop off Your Vehicle: Drop off your vehicle on the agreed-upon day and time. Our auto body pros will then begin fixing your vehicle.

• Pick Up Your Vehicle: After we complete the repairs on your vehicle, we will contact you and let you know that it is ready. You can then come pick up your car and get back to normal.