♦ CAN I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP OF MY CHOICE?
♦ WHERE DO I GET A CLAIM NUMBER?
♦ WHAT IS A DIRECT REPAIR SHOP?
♦ WILL THE PARTS BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
♦ VEHICLE’S FRAME IS DAMAGED – IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
♦ CAN YOU MATCH THE PAINT COLOR?
♦ CAN I GET OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP?
♦ HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE TAKE?
♦ CAN I GET A RIDE HOME WHEN I DROP OFF MY CAR?
♦ HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
♦ IS THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE?
♦ DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE?
♦ WHO DO I PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE TO?
♦ WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
♦ WILL THERE BE ADDITIONAL CHARGES BILLED TO ME AT THE END OF THE REPAIR?
Yes! You have the right to take your vehicle to the Collision Repair Facility of your choice. The Law states that an Insurance Company may NOT require or demand the repairs to be done at a specific Auto Body Repair Shop. Your Rights are protected under the "Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations".
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Just jot it down and bring it in with you when you come in to begin the repair process, “AF Auto Body” will do the rest.
A direct repair facility is a body shop that works directly with your insurance company as a "Preferred Repair Shop" on their "Direct Repair Program" (DRP). Body shops earn the right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements. These include having certified technicians, using the proper equipment, and most importantly, having a record of satisfied customers. When you use a preferred shop, the repair process is streamlined. A preferred shop actually writes the estimate, orders the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having to wait for an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies constantly monitor their preferred shops to ensure quality repairs.
Absolutely! We prefer to order your vehicle’s parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time. Please discuss the arrangements with our service adviser at the time you schedule your vehicle drop-off.
In accordance to the guidelines stipulated by your “Insurance Provider” and the “Bureau of Automotive Repairs – B.A.R.” we are required to obtain several “Authorizations” and “Approvals” prior to and during the repair process. Typical examples of these are…
A)Insurance – Agreement To Pay For Repairs: We will personally contact your Insurance Provider, before commencing the repairs to your vehicle, to ensure that they have accepted responsibility to pay for the repairs to your vehicle.
B) Customer – Authorization To Pay: Per your Insurance Providers guidelines, we may be required to obtain your authorization signature of consent which directs your Insurance Carrier to pay our repair facility for the repairs to your vehicle.
C) Customer – Tear Down Authorization: At the time you drop off your vehicle at our store, we will require your authorizing signature that allows us to “Tear Down” your vehicle in order to identify all the visible damage. This procedure allows us to present you with a thorough “Initial Estimate” of repairs that will allow us to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
D) Customer – Authorization To Commence Repairs (“Initial Estimate”): Per the “Bureau of Automotive Repair – B.A.R.”, after we have reviewed the “Initial Estimate” of repairs with you, we are required to obtain your signature of consent which gives us authorization to proceed with the repairs to your vehicle. Your verbal authorization over the phone, along with your drivers License Number is also acceptable by your Insurance Provider and the Bureau of Automotive Repair
E) Customer – Authorization to Approve “Supplements”: We may identify hidden damage or latent defects to parts during the course of repairs. This additional and associated cost is referred to as a “Supplement for Repairs”. After estimating the cost, to rectify these issues, we will obtain approval from your Insurance Carrier to cover the additional Supplement Repair costs. Before continuing the repairs to your vehicle we will also contact you to get your approval to commence these supplemental repairs. It is possible that we may need to process several supplements through the course of repairs that will require your approval. Your verbal authorization over the phone, along with your drivers License Number is acceptable by your Insurance Provider and the Bureau of Automotive Repair
F) Customer – Final Authorization: At the conclusion of the repairs and time that you take delivery of your vehicle, your appointed estimator will review the final estimate of repairs with you during a visual inspection of your vehicle. At this time you will be provided with a “Warranty of Repairs” and required to sign the “Final Authorization” document that acknowledges that all repairs reflected in your estimate have been performed and that you will be taking delivery of your vehicle.
No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance companies determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art laser measuring system, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can simply be replaced.
Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. “AF Auto Body” has made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure a perfect match for “Factory Finishes” in the final step, of the restoration process. Paint fade, mismatched colors, clear coat deterioration or any other quality concerns to the current status of the paint quality on your vehicle may restrict our ability to restore your vehicle to its “Pre-Accident” condition.
Yes. Just let your adviser know what other work you would like done so that he can make the necessary arrangements to prepare an estimate for repairs.
Your adviser can give you an estimated time frame of how long it will take to complete the repairs to your vehicle. Please note that although we make every effort to meet the delivery target dates we propose, it is possible that we identify hidden damage to your vehicle during the repair process. This directly impacts our initial proposed target date due to additional labor time needed and the possibility of additional parts orders. We will also advise you by phone or email with any updates.
Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience and will work diligently towards that goal. We also provide a vehicle pick-up and delivery service for you.
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car, if you have that option on your policy or if you are the claimant. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out, if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are. They will also require a credit card and driver’s license from you.
You will be notified by phone when your vehicle is ready to be picked up.
Yes. “AF Auto Body” offers a written warranty on all workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. Our “Body” and “Paint” Labor repairs carry a Life-Time warranty. Parts are supported by a factory warranty. Note that parts subjected to common “Wear & Tear” are not supported by a warranty (i.e. Brake Pads, Rotors, Mufflers, Tires, and Batteries etc)
The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you aren’t sure about your deductible amount, you can call your Insurance provider who will also tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.
If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay “AF Auto Body.” when you pick up your vehicle. If you aren’t sure about your deductible amount, you can call your Insurance provider who will also tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.
We accept “Cash”, “VISA”, "Discover", "American Express" or “MasterCard”.
The only additional charges that may be billed to you by your Insurance Carrier are “BETTERMENT CHARGES”. These Charges are commonly applied to parts that are replaced during the repair process that are subjected to wear and tear and need replacement with time. Typical examples of these parts are: tires, brake pads, batteries, upholstery, mufflers and suspension parts. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle or if a measurement of usage can be measured, such as tire tread depth. You will be responsible to pay all “Betterment Charges” at the time of completion of repairs.
Just to be safe, don't wash your car for the first 7-days - then follow the precautions below.
