Your insurance company wants your vehicle properly repaired and you to be completely
satisfied with their claim service. You have specific rights and obligations that you
should be aware of. Review your policy. Understand your rights.
If an agreement cannot be reached between your insurance company and the repair shop,
your policy has an "Appraisal Clause" whereby an independant appraiser can be called
in to help resolve the matter.
You are not required by law to get more than one estimate.
You may have the shop of your choice make the repairs. You are not required to use a shop
selected by a claims adjuster. However, you are required by your policy to allow your
insurance company a reasonable amount of time to inspect the damages prior to repairing them.
Only you, the owner, can authorize repairs on your vehicle.
Collision repair estimates will vary. A lower estimate may not include necessary things such
as front or rear wheel alignments, re-aiming your headlamps, etc. It's your car,
make sure it's repaired to your satisfaction.
Sign releases only when the repairs have been completed to your satisfaction.
The vehicle is being repaired for YOU, the owner. You will be required to pay for the
repairs upon completion. To avoid delays, it will be up to you to secure payment from your
insurance company along with any necessary endorsements from lienholders.