KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
As the owner of the vehicle, it is your right to choose where and how your collision damaged vehicle is repaired. The insurance company can not refer, suggest or recommend a shop, and in fact, according to a federal decision rendered in 1963, (www.consentdecree.com), it is illegal for the insurers to even suggest which shop you must use unless you specifically ask for a recommendation. Other things to be wary of are referrals from insurance companies. Insurers may utilize lists of “Preferred” or “ Direct Repair Program“ shops. If you hear something along the lines of "That shop isn't on our list", it could sound as if the shop you selected is somehow less qualified to repair your vehicle. It isn't necessarily true that these “Preferred” shops are better equipped or their technicians are better trained to do higher quality repairs. More often than not, the criteria for getting on and remaining on these lists is minimal and often these shops are evaluated by controlling the cost of the repair. While there are some equipment requirements like frame and unibody repair systems, paint booth and A/C evacuation systems most of this equipment is found in nearly every shop. Most alarming is that training and certification standards in the collision industry are minimal and usually require that only one technician be trained through a nationally recognized industry association. Even with proper equipment and training, the reason that many quality minded shops elect not to be included on these lists is their unwillingness to agree to cutting corners in the repair process to comply with the insurers criteria. Also, MOST insurers require the use of imitation parts, material and parts capping, and labor rate concessions in order to be included and remain on these lists. Giving up these concessions drastically reduce their profits and may force DRP shops to sacrifice quality to satisfy their insurance partners. A CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS INSPECTION PROGRAM FOUND EVIDENCE OF FRAUD IN 43% OF THE
COLLISION REPAIRS ! MANY TIMES THE REPAIR FACILITY WILL SELL OUT THE CONSUMERS’ INTEREST FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY, WHOM THEY
BELIEVE ARE THEIR REAL CUSTOMERS ! Unknown to most drivers, the repair of a collision damaged vehicle could pose safety risks greater than the accident itself. This may be due to your insurance company limiting the cost of repairs by using imitation parts, parts and labor concessions, material capping and omitting procedures. While it is common knowledge that the auto parts market is lucrative, the imitation parts business is even better particularly if you can force consumers to buy poor quality parts. If the insurer limits the cost of your repairs by demanding concessions from the repair facility, it is possible that there is remaining damage and improper repairs to your vehicle. Your insurance company owes YOU the cost to repair your vehicle because you pay insurance premiums to cover YOU for the entire loss. Any and all discounts related to the repair process are owed to you not the insurer. As the person entering into the contract of repair the right to negotiate for discounts is your right not the insurer. Insurers send appraisers to estimate the damage to your car to protect their financial interests and now you have the same power when you utilize our Collision Monitoring Service!!
