Frequently Asked Questions and Misconceptions

Know your rights! If your insurance company is giving you a hard time or steering you away from an auto body shop you trust, remember that Rhode Island law states that: “Pursuant to Rhodes Island Law, the consumer has the right to choose the repair facility to complete repairs to a motor vehicle; and an insurance company may not interfere with the consumer’s choice of repairer.”

No, you don’t. A lot of the shops on an insurance company’s list have agreed to concessions in order to be on the so-called “list” of approved shops. The best shops are usually not on the insurance lists because they won’t cut corners, and legally you can choose any shop you want to repair your vehicle. The shops they often recommend are on a sort of “HMO” for collision repair. They set the deal for how your car will be fixed long before you ever get into an accident. Discounts or kickbacks, used parts, imitation parts, skipped procedure and more are often used in these programs. All this is in exchange for getting you to go to their shop. And if you have a problem keep in mind the shop and Insurance Company have a business relationship that makes them stick together. Good luck getting help from either if you have a problem with one of them. Beware of an insurance representative that tries to get you to go to a shop and states they are on a special program with them. Think HMO for collision repair.

People often refer to their agents as “My agent.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The agent works for the insurance company. That is why they are called insurance agents not customer agents. Inside insurance companies are referred to as producers. Insurance agents are paid by the insurance companies; their pay is based on the money they send in and the losses that go along with it. As soon as you have an accident you are affecting their pay. Some differences do apply to different companies. Ask your agent how he gets paid and you will get a better insight to where his concerns lie. Also, most agents must meet a certain quota to continue selling insurance for major insurance companies; you may get a policy with a company to meet a quota, not because it is a good value for you. A good agent will be your best defense against bad insurance companies and being under or over insured. A bad agent will sell you what he or she wants based on a commission with no regard for your needs. Choose an agent based on their reputation, reputations are earned not bought. Don’t be fooled by thinking all insurance companies are the same, unless you do homework you will not know how well your choice is until you have an accident. Ask your chosen body shop what insurance companies are good, they deal with them every day unless you get in accidents weekly, you don’t.

No way. Never go with the lowest estimate. The reason your insurance company wants the lowest estimate is to try to save them money, but you must ask yourself this question, what did they miss or leave off to make the estimate lower? Many shops write low estimates on purpose to get work in the door then turn in a large supplement bill to you and your insurance company.

No, you don’t. This is called steering. This means that your insurance company is trying to dictate where you’re to have your vehicle repaired. In Rhode Island this is illegal; your insurance company can’t tell you where to take your vehicle this is your decision to choose the shop you want to do the repairs.

Don’t bet on it! The only interest your insurance company is looking out for is their bottom line. The cheaper the repair is, the more money they save. They couldn’t care less if you have your vehicle fixed right as long as you aren’t complaining about it to them, there are a lot of insurance companies getting sued right now for trying to rip off their customers and cut corners on repairs. Insurance companies are in the business of money management, not fixing cars. This is their business and they are good at it. Your best interests are not factored into their bottom line, but your claim expenses are.

CALL THE SPECIALISTS

There’s no need to search around for the best shop or the best deal. Roy’s Auto Body has you covered. With a history of impeccable auto work and exceptional customer service, the team at Roy’s is your best option. Contact us today and we’ll have your car looking good as new in no time.

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