Dealing with the results of a car accident can be exhausting. Not only do accidents often cause physical and emotional damage, they may also cause significant damage to your car. Regardless of who was at fault at the time of an accident, you often need to take charge to ensure that your car is repaired in a timely and efficient manner. To help you move through the repair process without issues, follow this list of steps to take after an accident. Call the Insurance Company Following an accident, you or the responsible party in the accident needs to file a claim with the insurance provider. After filing a claim, the insurance agent assigned to your claim should be able to guide you through the process of completing the repair process. She or he will likely assign you a specific repair shop or ask you to select one in order to receive an assessment of the damages. Get an Estimate Whether or not the damage caused to your car was your fault or the other party’s, you need to get an estimate for the cost of repairs to report back to the insurance company. Choose a trusted mechanic and take your car in for an estimate. If you’re unsure of the estimate provided by the mechanic, you may also want to take it to another mechanic for a second opinion. The insurance provider may also require a specific mechanic or have an on-the-road estimator come to evaluate the car personally. Determine Who Covers Costs If you were at fault in the accident, you need to determine with your insurance company how much of your car repair bill, if any, will come out of pocket. Before the mechanics begin to do any work on your car, you should know exactly how much you will have to pay yourself. Once your insurance agent confirms the amount, you should be ready to take the car to an expert in collision repair in Winchester, VA. Select a Mechanic Many insurance providers have specific mechanics that they work with, and they’ll request that you take your car to that repair shop. However, if you have a personal preference for a different mechanic, you can work with your provider to have those services covered. If there is a large variation between the estimates of your mechanic and the mechanic suggested by your provider, you may want to ask the mechanics about the discrepancy and explain the difference to your provider. Before dropping off your car, be sure to discuss receiving a rental as part of your coverage. Verify the Repairs After you have chosen your provider and your car is finished, verify that you have received all of the necessary repairs. The mechanic may have noticed additional damage while repairing your car, and you will need to call your insurance provider to ensure that those damages are covered as part of your claim. You’ll then need to work with the mechanic to complete the remaining repairs. Once these repairs are completed, the process should be complete. Accidents can be stressful, and unfortunately, taking care of your car repairs often plays a large role in that stress. To reduce your stress and stay on top of the repair process, follow the steps outlined above. Find a mechanic who specializes in collision repair in Winchester, VA, to ensure that you’re taken care of and that your car receives the services it needs. As you take the process one step at a time, you’ll find that it’s less stressful, and before you know if your car will be back on the road.
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