Your insurance company is very likely to recommend a repair shop. But you do not have to use the shop that they suggest. In fact, it is a good idea to find your own repair shop and have them give you an estimate. PDR Denver Colorado
Why Choose Your Own Shop?
One of the big reasons to choose your own repair shop is that you can pick one that provides the type of service you want. For instance, not all technicians offer paintless dent repair (PDR), which utilizes special tools to return the dents to its original form, without grinding/sanding/repainting.
Major dents may require traditional repair methods that use grinding, sanding, and fillers to patch the dent and paint over it. But PDR is preferable where applicable since it returns your vehicle to its original form, thereby remaining value.
You will want to select a repair shop that can perform PDR and specializes in hail damage repair. Your insurance company will likely recommend the cheapest shop that may not have as much experience with hail damage as a specialist.
Payout Discrepancies
Problems can result when the insurance estimate is much lower than what your body shop is charging for the repair. This can happen when the adjuster misses some of the damage when calculating an estimate.
A reputable repair shop will work with the insurance adjuster to explain the extent of the damage and the cost of proper restoration to the vehicle. This can help mitigate the tendency of adjusters “low balling” estimates. And even if you have already filed a claim, your insurance adjuster can issue a supplement estimate to cover the actual cost of repairs.
Another advantage of going with StormWise is that we are among the best repair shops for your vehicle’s hail damage, and deal with your insurance company. We’re more than happy to handle the entire process of seeking a supplemental payment if necessary (it almost always is).
Deductibles
Most comprehensive insurance plans include a deductible. These are usually between $500 and $2,000.
Note that auto insurance deductibles are not like health insurance ones, where, in any given year, once you meet it, you pay no more healthcare costs. Auto deductibles are usually per incident, so each claim means you pay the full amount.
When a repair shop is within an insurance company’s “direct repair network,” they cannot waive deductibles. This is because insurance companies know that these payments are deterrents to getting your vehicle repaired.
The way this works is that your insurance company pays out the total amount for repairs minus the deductible. But, when you allow companies like StormWise to handle your claim, we take out your deductible from our own profit. So, all repair costs are covered, and you pay nothing for your hail damage repair.
PDR Denver Colorado 