Who do I pay my deductible to?
To the collision shop doing the repairs. Your insurance company will pay the full amount of the repair, except your part (look at it as a co-pay), the deductible.
Example: Assuming you have a $500 deductible and the cost of repairs to your 2004 Mazda 6 is $2500.00. Your insurance company will pay $2000.00 to the body shop of your choice and you (the insured) will pay the repairer (Classic Colors) the remaining $500.00 for the repairs done to your vehicle. Same if you have a $1000.00 deductible, the insurance company would pay $1500.00 of the $2500.00 and you would pay $1000.00.
Do I have to pay my deductible?
Yes. In order to have a quality repair done to your vehicle, back to manufacturers specifications, then you want to pay the full cost of repairs. In essence "you get what you pay for". Typically, if a shop will cover your deductible then there are $500 or $1000.00 worth of repairs NOT being done to your car. If a shop offers to cover your deductible make sure you get all the facts as to what the repair consists of before you consent to the repairs.
Do I have to take my vehicle to the shop my insurance company suggests?
No. You have a right to chose the shop that repairs your vehicle. Insurance companies are aware of this right, however they may attempt to steer you in the direction that benefits them the most. Just make sure that the shop you pick can answer all your questions properly. Also make sure they explain the work being done in detail and offer you a lifetime warranty.
When will my car be ready?
This question is asked in our shop everyday. The answer depends on several variables. A typical or average repair may take 5-7 business days prior to supplemental damage discovered after dissemble.
Here is a list of possible delays to your vehicle repair:
- Your Insurance Company - delays in coming to agreed price for additional repairs, re-inspections.
- Supplements - which are additional repairs needed once the vehicle is dissembled.
- Supplement Parts availability - additional parts we may need once the vehicle is dissembled.
We do everything we can to limit the amount of time your vehicle is in our shop, however due to many factors during the repair process it's difficult to give an exact date and time.
