So you got into a car accident. Our sympathy goes out to you, first of all - car accidents are extremely stressful. And chances are that even if you and your passengers are totally OK and free from injury, your car is likely not. This means you'll have to contact car insurance, file a claim, and go through them for repairs. This adds another layer of (unavoidable) stress to the entire situation, and that's why we sat down with our Charlotte Toyota body shop to get you the tips to make it through stress-free.
Five tips for dealing with insurance after a car accident
Tip #1: Gather ALL info at the scene of the car accident.
Make sure you get all of the info you need at the scene of the car accident so you can quickly and easily file your insurance claim. You'll need the other driver's name, contact info, vehicle info (like make, model, year, and plate number) as well as their insurance information. It's also a good idea to get names and contact info of any witnesses, as well as a copy of the accident report from the police officers that come to the scene.
Tip #2: File a claim with insurance as soon as you can.
Keep in mind that there's a limit to how long after a car accident you can file an insurance claim, so you should get it handled right away. If you were at fault for the accident, you'll file with your insurance. If the other driver was at fault, you file with their insurance (you shouldn't have to pay for anything).
Tip #3: Find a repair shop.
The next step in the process should be to find an auto repair shop. You need to find one that a) you're comfortable with and b) will work with the insurance company you're using. To ensure you've got the right body shop, make sure to ask questions like if they can get the repairs done in a timely manner and what types of parts they'll use. For example, here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we use genuine Toyota parts on your Toyota instead of aftermarket parts to ensure the highest quality and best performance.
Tip #4: Get an estimate scheduled.
Most repair shops won't even start on your car repairs after a car accident until the insurance company has done their estimate. Insurance companies like to send adjustors out to examine the damage and get a ballpark idea of how much it's going to be to fix it. Set this up with the insurance company before you try to get repairs and a rental car scheduled.
Tip #5: Ask lots of questions.
Before you schedule repairs, ask your insurance company AND the auto repair shop lots of questions. How much is your deductible? Will insurance cover a rental car? When will your car be done? Does the body shop you chose have your insurance information and your contact information? How often will you be contacted about the state of repairs? Don't be afraid to ask too many questions - the more information you have, the better.
Schedule your auto body repairs at Toyota of N Charlotte
If you need auto repairs after a car accident, you're in good hands - visit Toyota of N Charlotte today! Our Toyota Collison Center is located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.
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