Auto Insurance companies as a general rule assess a claim, quantify the amount of damage, estimate the repair cost, write out a check in the name of the vehicle accident victim, and pay the auto body repair shop. Working from the estimated cost, the auto body repair shop will finagle their expenses so that the profits are large; in other words, they want as much of the insurance cash as possible. They do this by combining labor fees, finder fees, program fees, and operating cost. Also, they will repair your vehicle using used components, lower quality discount components, and substandard supplies such as bondo and fiberglass. To make sure that you, the client, will get the repair you deserve on your automobile, complete the following steps:
1. Never sign over your accident compensation claim check to the auto repair shop before the work has been performed. Auto body repair shops will tell you all kinds of stories to get you to accept a poor job. Don't forget, the service shop should not receive money until you determine the work ended and you should not shift on this point.
2. Let them know that all damaged car body components should be swapped for new auto body parts. Unfortunately, you cannot escape from having to use body putty or fiberglass to get seams level; though, you will be able to escape from applying body putty and/or fiberglass to fill out dents by simply using brand new components. Excessive use of body putty or fiberglass will devalue the vehicle.
3. Let them know you do not want pre-owned auto body components. Keep in mind, you buy vehicle insurance to ensure that if you do happen to get in a collision, they must be legally liable to pay a settlement to take the vehicle back to the pre-accident condition. The one and only occasion you must settle for used parts is when the new materials can't be found.