Insurance
ALL INSURANCE CLAIMS ARE PROFESSIONALLY HANDLED FROM START TO FINISH:
FREE estimates and expert advice:
Regardless of what any insurance company may try to say, every driver should know BY LAW:
You are not required to get more than one estimate.
If you like the sound of your estimate, then go for it! Save your time!
You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice.
Choose your mechanic and repair shop. We guarantee ALL of our paint and body work for as long as you own your vehicle.
No insurance company can require you to go to a particular shop.
This is called steering, and it is illegal! Don't let the insurance company tell you where you have to go.
Understanding DRP Repair Shops
When you get into a motor vehicle accident or collision, your insurance takes care of all the repair costs. It sets you up with a “preferred” or “recommended” body shop, ensuring that your vehicle is repaired and back on the road in no time.
But did you know that these “preferred” body repair shops aren’t the best option?
Introduction to DRP
DRP means “Direct Repair Program”, and it refers to the programs all insurance companies have in place with body shops and auto repair facilities. The insurance company sends these facilities the cars that need repairing, and in return, the “preferred” shops meet the standards set forth by the insurance companies.
Sadly, those standards don’t usually involve excellence or top-quality repairs. Instead, they are almost always:
- Fast — No one wants to wait around for their vehicle to be repaired, so the insurance company makes sure the vehicles are fixed QUICKLY.
- Cheap – The insurance company wants to keep its costs low, so they find body shops that do the job at a lower price and with cheaper parts.
- Quick repairs aren’t always thorough – If the body shop technicians have to get through your repairs quickly, do you think they have the time to do a good job? They will often cut corners or deal with only the “surface” or visible damage, leaving the damage to the structure (the kind detected by a proper dismantling and thorough examination) unrepaired.
- Cheaper parts are used – The cost of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts is higher than the cost of aftermarket parts made by a third party. However, the cheaper aftermarket parts have a higher risk of being flawed, leading to vehicle breakdown or degradation. Insurance companies require the use of aftermarket parts when available in order to keep costs down.
In the end, the surface damage to your vehicle is dealt with, but you can never truly be certain that the vehicle is back to its original factory condition.
And that is a VERY bad thing! All of your vehicle’s safety features are built into its structure. If the structure is compromised (bent or damaged in a collision), the safety of your vehicle is compromised. Your vehicle is much more likely to be seriously damaged in the future, meaning you and your family are in much more danger.
Direct Repair Programs are the insurance company’s way of keeping costs low, but they are not a driver-friendly option. If you want to get your vehicle back on the road in tip-top shape, you need to avoid DRP body shops as much as possible!
Some insurance companies want you to believe that the first step in having your vehicle repaired is visiting multiple repair shops to obtain the lowest estimate. Quite simply put, this is not true. No law or moral standard says you must have your vehicle repaired at a “cheaper” repair facility. Would you select a surgeon based on price? Of course not…You would choose a surgeon based on their skill, service, knowledge and reputation. The same is true when it comes to auto collision repair service. Low estimates often leave off important operations necessary to properly restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition, leaving you and your family at the risk of driving an unsafe vehicle.
Many insurance claims offices or agents will attempt to influence your decision when selecting a repair shop. They often try to refer you to a list of “preferred” shops in your area. These are called Direct Repair Programs, or DRPs. WHY? Insurance companies with direct repair programs approach some repair shops and in exchange for the shop providing of discounts, use of junkyard and non-original, imitation parts and other cost-cutting techniques, promise to send repair work to the participating shop. The shop would then be present on the insurance company’s referral list. Many insurance companies have legal contracts in place with these repair shops. They are legally obligated to follow the insurance company’s directions. The repair shops participation in these programs are, in essence, working for the insurance company, not you, the vehicle owner.
If you choose a shop that doesn’t “participate” in these programs (such as Quality Paint & Body), the insurance agent or claims representative will tell you that your selected shop isn’t on their “approved list.” They will continue to tell you they don’t warranty that shops work and can’t guarantee the repairs. Make sure the shop of your choice has a warranty. Here at Quality Paint & Body we offer a lifetime warranty. Don’t be intimated by these steering tactics! It is illegal and not in your best interest. Be aware of your rights. Contrary to what you may be told, it is YOUR car and YOU choose who repairs it, not the insurance company.
