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here for our glossary of terminology | Facts
about deductible
Q: How soon can I get in?
A: A certain number of people will be involved in an accident
that leaves their vehicle not drive able (severe damage, wheel
off, radiator leaking etc.) If this is your situation we can
get you in immediately. We leave space open on our appointment
calendar to accommodate non-drivable vehicles. If your vehicle
is drivable, please ask when our next appointment date is
for drivable vehicles.
Q: What happens when my vehicle is towed in?
A: Please contact your Insurance company to report the details
of the accident. When we receive your vehicle, we will take
pictures of the accident damage. Write our estimate and will
call you with the preliminary estimate amount.The State of
Illinois requires you to sign an authorization to disassemble
your vehicle in order to obtain a more accurate estimate.
Q: Do I need an appointment for an estimate?
A: No appointment needed, just drop in anytime, Monday thru
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: How long do estimates take?
A: Allow approximately 15 minutes for the estimate to be written.
If there is a substantial amount of damage, or you have an
unusual vehicle (such as a specialty sports car), it may take
up to 30 minutes to inspect your vehicle and write the estimate.
Q: How do I get to your location?
A: You can click here for
a map to our shop.We are located right across the Avenue from
United Township High School (UTHS) next to Burger King.
Q: What are your hours?
A: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: What if I already have an insurance estimate?
A: We work with all insurance companies. Bring us their estimate
and we contact the insurance company for you if the estimate
doesn't cover all the related damage.
Q: Do you charge for estimates?
A: There's no charge for estimates at our shop, unless your
vehicle is over 10 model years old. There may be a fee for
mobile estimates. All fees are refundable when the work is
completed by us.
Q: Can you write an estimate over the phone?
A: We would prefer to see your vehicle in order to write a
complete visual estimate. Call us, it may be possible for
you to e-mail a photo to us so we can write a preliminary
estimate. Please remember if the wrong parts are ordered because
of an over the phone estimate the vehicle owner is liable
for a 25% RESTOCKING CHARGE.
Q: Why do I have to come in for an estimate?
A: So we can pre-order any needed parts, provide an estimate
as needed for your insurance company, etc. The process goes
smoother and you get your vehicle back sooner if we prepare
in advance for your appointment.
Q: Can you write an estimate on any vehicle?
A: Our estimate databases accommodate most vehicles on the
road. If you have, for example, a specialty sports car, collector/antique
vehicle, etc. it may not be in our database.
Q: Do you have mobile estimates even if the
car is drivable?
A: Please talk to one of our estimators. We may be able to
do this for a fee that is refundable when repairs are done.
Also, we may be able to write a preliminary estimate from
an e-mail picture.. Please ask for details.
Q: Does my car need to be clean for an estimate?
A: Ideally yes, but it isn't required. On hail damaged vehicles
it helps considerably to have the car washed.
Q: Do we use only original manufacturer parts?
A: We use O.E.M. parts (in some instances O.E.M. used parts
are figured). We will use alternate parts if you request or
approve them.
Q: Can we hide the deductible?
A: It is insurance fraud to "hide" the deductible.
Some insurance companies recognize the value in not doing
some of the accident related repairs, if your insurance company
agrees, we will offer to adjust the deductible to allow a
savings to you, Please see our section
on saving deductibles for more information on this subject.
Q: Is my estimate final and binding?
A: An estimate is only an estimate. Vehicles are designed
(e.g. bumpers) to cover support systems,brackets, impact absorbers,
steel reinforcements, intrusion bars, etc. in a manner that
makes it impossible to see all the damage. We need to disassemble
the damaged areas to be certain complete repairs are made.
With this in mind, it is likely that there could be additional
damage to repair, or additional parts ordered. Your insurance
company is very aware of this. When they write an estimate
they will advise you to take their estimate to a body shop
and have the shop call them if additional damage is noticed.
Q: Where do I park for an estimate?
A: Please pull all the way forward into of our 4 bay drive
in estimate area. If the door is not already open please sound
your horn.
Q: Where do I park when dropping off my car?
A: Please park in any open stall near our office front door.
Q: Who reports the accident to my insurance
company?
A: You need to provide details of the accident. Please contact
your Insurance Agent, Insurance Company, Fleet Manager or
Fleet Management Company. You also need to report the accident
to the State of Illinois if property damage exceeds $500.
Q: What is an Insurance Agent?
A: The person who sells you your insurance policy. For most
Insurance companies, the agent is the person to whom you report
the accident. This initiates the process of the claim being
paid by your Insurance company. Your agent can provide answers
to what coverage's you have, etc.
Q: What is an Insurance Adjuster, Appraiser
or Claims Representative?
A: The person who reviews the damage to your vehicle, and
carries forward the repair process.
Q: How does a total loss work?
A: If the damage on your vehicle is extensive enough to declare
it a "Total Loss", meaning the damage exceeds a
percentage of value, you and your Insurance Company will calculate
the value of your vehicle and settle the claim.
Q: Can you tow my car?
A: We have towing services available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. If you call after hours, the towing company will bill
Collision Repair Center. Please feel free to call us for assistance.
Please click here for specific
towing information.
Q: When are you scheduling for?
A: Our estimators can advise you when our next opening is.
After writing the estimate, seeing the damage, or reviewing
the Insurance Company's estimate we can advise you on approximately
how long the repairs will take. We will try to get you booked
as soon as possible.
Q: Can I fax my insurance estimate to you?
A: Yes! We will order parts in advance of your appointment
directly from your insurance estimate...no need to stop in.
We could possibly have a few questions you could easily answer
over the phone
Q: Are you affiliated with any other Collision
Center?
A: Definitely Not. Others have tried to copy our name, trying
to confuse potential customers.
Q: Can I just schedule an appointment and drop
off my car, then have you write the estimate?
A: Yes you can, however, the repair process will go faster
if we can write the estimate in advance, pre-order your parts
and have Insurance authorization in place.
Q: Do you have a drop box for keys?
A: We have an after hours drop box available. Please be sure
to lock your vehicle and take all personal valuables out of
your vehicle including your parking permit and/or garage door
opener.
Q: How long will repairs take?
A: A general guideline is to look at the total number of hours
on your estimate and add preliminary inspection time, paint
and/or glass urethane drying time, final inspection and clean-up
time. This will equate to approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times the
number of repair hours figured. Your estimator can advise
you when the estimate is written, how long it will take.
Q: Can we give you a ride?
A: We would be happy to give you a ride, in the general vicinity
- approximately a 10 mile radius from our shop. Please arrange
in advance so we can accommodate your needs.
Q: Do you have rental cars?
A: Rental cars are available through Hertz
and Enterprise. The
cost varies by the size of the vehicle. Either one will meet
you at our shop or take you to their facility (6 blocks away)
in order to drop off their driver and for you to pick up your
car.
Q: Who pays for the rental car?
A: If you carry rental car coverage, your Insurance Company
covers the rental car per the policy provisions. If another
company is paying for the damage on your vehicle they may
pay for the rental car. If you do not have rental coverage,
the cost is approximately $22.00 per day varying by the type
of vehicle and the number of days you have it. Collision Repair
Center does not pay for rental cars although we can help with
the arrangements. Clickhere for
more specific rental car information.
Q: Do you do rust repair?
A: We can do rust repair, but there is no guarantee. Rust
repair on the surface, (rusting where the surface is not distorted
by rust pushing outward through the metal) is usually more
cost-effective. Many times, the cost of rust repair is too
great to recover when you sell your vehicle later, and it
becomes a more sensible choice to purchase a new vehicle instead.
Q: Do we have trouble with pearl finishes?
A: We can match pearl finishes and other 3-stage paint systems.
Q: What is your warranty?
A: We offer a Nationwide written 36 month warranty on workmanship
and as long as you own your vehicle on paint. Parts and sublet
repairs are warranted by the manufacturer or provider. No
warranty on rust.
Q: What is the aftercare procedure for freshly
painted vehicles?
A: It is okay to wash your vehicle any time you like. We will
have already washed your vehicle when you pick it up. We do
not recommend using brush type car washes. Please wait 60
days before waxing your newly painted surfaces.
Q: What do I do with my Insurance check?
A: Please hold on to the check until the repairs are completed.
We will need to collect it, along with any applicable deductible
when we release your vehicle to you. If you are uncomfortable
with keeping it we can hold it for you until your car is ready
for delivery, at which time you can endorse it over to Collision
Repair Center.
Q: What do I do if my Insurance check has a
lien holder listed on it?
A: You have two options:
(1) Have the check re-issued by the Insurance Company to have
two payees on it - your name and Collision Repair Center,
Inc. or
(2) Have the lien holder sign off on the check prior to picking
up your vehicle. (They may ask for a copy of the estimate
and the check to be stamped by Collision Repair Center, Inc.
“For Deposit Only”).
Q: Who do I pay my deductible to?
A: When your vehicle is ready to be picked up, the deductible
is paid to Collision Repair Center, Inc. (CRC).
Q: Who pays for the tow bill?
A: Collision Repair Center, Inc. will pay for the tow bill
when the vehicle is delivered to us, then we will bill your
Insurance Company as applicable. If there is no insurance
company involvement the tow bill will be added to the final
repair bill. It is a cost associated with the accident.
Q: What methods of payment are acceptable?
A: Insurance checks made payable to Collision Repair Center,
Inc. and/or you, personal checks up to $1000.00, VISA, Master
Card, Discover or cash.
Q: Can we deliver your car?
A: We can assist you within our general vicinity - approximately
a 10 mile radius from our shop. Please make advance arrangements
for delivery. For a fee, your car can be towed to you.
Thank You For Choosing Collision Repair
Center, Inc.!
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