12/29/2025
# # # # Edit to add another paragraph at the end, more useful information. # # # #.
After hearing a few horror stories from friends and relatives, I feel it is time to make this post.
Things your Insurance Might Tell You After an Accident."
Did you know that after an accident, you have the legal right to choose where your car is repaired? 🚗⚖️
Insurance companies often try to "steer" you toward their preferred shops to save themselves money, but that isn't always what's best for YOUR safety. Here are the facts:
❌ MYTH: "We won’t warranty the work if you don’t use our shop." ✅ REALITY: The insurance company never warranties the work—the REPAIR SHOP does. We provide a lifetime warranty on our craftsmanship regardless of your insurer.
❌ MYTH: "It will take longer to get an adjuster to that shop." ✅ REALITY: By law, insurers cannot purposely delay your claim because of your shop choice. We work with all carriers to keep the process moving.
❌ MYTH: "You’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket." ✅ REALITY: You are entitled to a safe, proper repair. We negotiate with adjusters to ensure they cover the necessary parts and procedures to get you back on the road safely.
Don't be pressured. It’s your car, your claim, and YOUR choice. 🛠️
If you ever have any questions about an insurance claim or if you are just looking for a new insurance company, feel free to reach out to us. Obviously we cannot give legal advice, but we may be able to help point you in the right direction. Automotive repair claims should not be difficult or stressful, we will do anything we can to help you through the process.
One more thing insurance companies are doing is asking you to send pics so they can write an estimate, it is not possible to write an accurate estimate based on pics, especially since most of the people writing them have never worked on a vehicle, they are trained by the insurance company to write to their "standards". I have seen estimates from this process for $1500 when the vehicle has over $10,000 in damage, that is a big discrepancy. The reason insurance companies are doing this is they hope you will take the payment from that "estimate" and never get your car fixed, that just saved them thousands of dollars. If your insurance asks for pics, just politely tell them you will have the shop of your choice write an in person estimate and take detailed photos.
Chad & Jennifer Miller
Southside Auto Body
269-953-1239