Insurance Claims Advice & More
The basic answer to that is… no we’re not. But, insurance companies are large corporations doing millions of dollars of business each year. Do you think that an insurance company is going to lead business to another company without getting something in return? That answer is also no.
So, when your insurance company recommends you to a preferred vendor, it’s because that vendor has made a deal with the insurance company to give them something in return (cheaper rates or discounts) those support the insurance company and not to the customer.
The insurance company is seeing the benefit and you’re not. So would you rather have a company that is working in your interest as the consumer first and the insurance companies second?
Choosing an independent shop or a company can protect your interest first and the big corporations second.
When you’re a preferred vendor of an insurance company, there’s a conflict of interest. The shop should be working for the customer not for the insurance company. And if they ask you if you want to go with their preferred vendors, it’s your right to say, “No.”
You can choose a company that you are comfortable with and whoever you go with, we recommend that you look at their reviews online and do some research. Talk to them and make sure you’re comfortable with the shop.
They will be the ones who represent you to the insurance company to make sure your vehicle is repaired correctly and that your rights are protected.
If you have any questions about working with insurance companies or have any doubts, please feel free to give Tiffany a call at 915-533-0912. With her background working as an insurance agent and adjuster for almost 20 years, she can give you advice on how to protect your rights.
If you are involved in an auto accident in a used vehicle, you don’t want to bring it in for a repair and discover it was previously in an accident and wasn’t repaired properly. Even if you’ve requested a Carfax on your vehicle, sometimes not everything is reported.
If you’re going to buy a used vehicle, we have a couple tips that you should look consider.
- Open the hood and look around. If you have bolts or covers missing, that is a red flag. Check for any bolts that aren’t flush or any panel that has shifted.
- See if you hood has a label. If it doesn’t, it may have been replaced or painted over.
- Look for labels on the inside of your driver’s side door. If they are missing, the door has been repaired.
- Feel along the edges of the door panels for raised paint lines. If it has been painted, that’s another indication that it may have had repairs done.
- Bring it to Pronto Body Shop for a free used vehicle check-up.
Just because the vehicle has a clean CarFax report doesn’t mean it’s never been in an accident or had repair work done. Insurance companies report to CarFax, but auto shops and owners don’t. If you ever have a car you are considering buying used, try these steps to see if it’s been in an accident or bring it to Pronto Body Shop for a free used vehicle inspection.
Here are some tips from lawyer Alexandria Serra with https://traffictickets915.com about what to do when you get a citation from an accident.
“You can always fight your ticket. Never ever pay your traffic citation. No matter the situation. Don’t admit guilt because it hurts you on your license and you may end up paying surcharges.”
Once you get your vehicle repaired at Pronto Body Shop, connect with Serra Law, PLLC to see if you can get the ticket dismissed. There’s no guarantee, but it’s worth it to keep the ticket off your record.
Remember that if the ticket is dismissed it doesn’t change your liability for the accident damage if the insurance company determines that it was your fault. Avoiding the ticket keeps points off your record and helps you avoid an increase in your insurance cost.
Lawyer Alexandria Serra with https://traffictickets915.com shares why leaving an accident isn’t a good idea.
“Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense and the level of offense depends on if someone was injured. You could definitely end up in a criminal court because of that. If they find out the license or registration on the car, they are going to come track you down. They have a whole team of police officers who investigate these types of accidents.”
So what is your responsibility at an accident?
- If there is an injury, you need to make a police report or make sure the person who is injured gets medical help.
- If there aren’t injuries, you need to exchange information with the other party in the accident and then you are free to leave the scene.
If you ever have a question from a situation that you aren’t sure of, call Pronto Body Shop or Serra Law, PLLC. We want to help protect you from legal trouble!
What if You are in an Accident and the Person at Fault Has No Documentation?
If you’ve been in an accident with someone who refuses to give you their information because they are undocumented, don’t have insurance, or don’t have a license, they are still responsible for the damage to your vehicle. The insurance company isn’t going to notify police or immigration and the cops rarely respond to an accident that isn’t blocking traffic or a major intersection.
- Get the person’s contact information.
- If you have questions, give us a call at Pronto Body Shop, 915-533-0912.
Can a Police Report be Changed?
Lawyer Alexandria Serra with https://traffictickets915.com shares if a police report be changed for insurance purposes.
Supplementing a Police Report
“El Paso PD won’t change a police report, but they will supplement it. If there is a witness who comes forward or something wasn’t added to the report, I would encourage you to call the non-emergency line and ask the office who handled the report to supplement it.”
What if information on the report is wrong?
“If it’s something simple like incorrect insurance information, you can take care of that with the reporting officer. But, if you are cited with a traffic ticket because of the accident, you may want to get an attorney involved.”
The El Paso Police Department non-emergency number is 832-4400. Connect with Alex Serra at https://traffictickets915.com or call us at 915-533-0912 for additional support.
Any time you do additional work on your vehicle or add items that aren’t factory installed, it’s worth it to add an endorsement to your car insurance to cover those items.
If you are in an accident and have an upgraded stereo system or custom rims and your insurance company won’t cover them if you haven’t taken this simple, extra step.
If you have any questions about what to do an endorsement for or how to ask for one, give us a call at Pronto Body Shop: 915-533-0912.
- If someone else is injured, call the police and make sure the person gets medical attention. If you are injured, take care of yourself first. The car is not as important as your own health!
- Exchange information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- The VIN number on their vehicle
- The license plate number
- The year, make and model of the vehicle
- If the vehicle isn’t driveable, have it towed to your home or a body shop. Don’t let your vehicle be taken to an impound. It costs more money to get it out.
- Give us a call at Pronto Body Shop for advice on turning in an insurance claim and getting the vehicle repaired.
Remember, it’s worth it to take the time to get as much information as possible from someone who caused an accident. These steps will help cover you with insurance and legally. If you have any questions, call us at Pronto Body Shop: 915-533-0912.
If your vehicle was involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can file a diminished car value claim with your insurance.
Each insurance company is different, but if you are the claimant, they should offer you a diminished value claim. Once your vehicle is repaired, contact the insurance company and tell them you were in an accident and the claim has been settled. Then, ask for a diminished value claim. They will advise you about the steps in the process.
Typically with a diminished value claim you will get 8 to 15% on whatever the claim value is. Have more questions about diminished value claims? Call us at Pronto Body Shop: 915-533-0912.
If you are involved in an auto accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, your insurance may not cover you. Check with your insurance agent and ask about adding a rideshare endorsement to your policy.
It’s only about $45-60 every 6 months. An affordable addition that can protect you if you are in an accident that is your fault while you are on the clock for a driving service.
Car thieves often target common car colors like white, black and other neutrals. Unique colors like yellow, purple or orange stand out too much to be re-sold before being found. If you want to change your car’s color, call us at Pronto Body Shop: 915-533-0912.
Even if you are in an accident that isn’t your fault and get the other person’s information, your claim can be denied by their insurance if the other party doesn’t answer the call when their insurance tries to verify your claim.
One simple tip to avoid this? Ask the other driver to call their insurance company right at the scene of the accident. Then you know that the insurance company has a statement verifying that the accident happened.
This can save you time and a lot of headaches working with someone else’s insurance to take care of your vehicle.
This is something you can add to your insurance to lower your deductible if you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist or if someone hits you in a parking lot or on a street and doesn’t leave their information.
This coverage lowers your deductible to $250 and keeps it from counting against your insurance costs. It will keep you from having to pay for repairs in full out of pocket. If you have any questions about adding this to your insurance, call us at Pronto Body Shop: 915-533-0912.
Receive a Credible Collision Repair Estimate From Our In-House Insurance Specialist
Having a trusted and friendly in-house insurance specialist and advocate is one aspect that sets Pronto Body Shop apart. Tiffany Menefee is a licensed insurance adjuster with over six years of experience and a licensed insurance adjuster for over fifteen years. Ms. Menefee’s extensive background as an insurance specialist in the auto industry means your vehicle will be well taken care of!
Dealing with an auto insurance company can be tough. For one, you can’t be certain if their recommended body shop is truly the best to do business with. Moreover, their adjusters may not discover the full scope of the damage, leaving you with issues down the road.
Collision Repair Estimates
Pronto Body Shop understands how stressful car accidents can be, which is why it’s our goal to make the entire process as easy as possible, allowing you to get back to your already-busy life. Our in-house insurance specialist and advocate is committed to resolving your claim efficiently while keeping you in the loop every step of the way.
Our estimates include providing you with a free estimate, helping you report your claim, and keeping you steer clear of any potential fraudulent information. One rule of advice we share with all customers, whether they have their vehicle serviced with us or not, is that the “three estimates” rule is a myth! You should also go with a body shop who makes you feel confident about the insurance claim process.
We’re Honest With Our Customers
Even if you decide to have your vehicle taken elsewhere, we’ll ensure you have the necessary upfront information. On a daily basis, Ms. Menefee provides valuable insight into collision repairs and how to deal with insurance companies. In addition to providing tips, tricks, and free professional advice, we provide collision repair estimates that cover the amount of work that needs to be done, guaranteeing your car or truck will be restored to brand new condition.
Since we place customer service in a high regard, you can be confident in our honest advice, meaning we’ll never take advantage of your business. One of Ms. Menefee’s passions is to educate customers. So if you’re looking for free, professional, and 100% honest advice, come to Pronto Body Shop in El Paso.
Benefits of Our In-House Insurance Specialist
Receiving fair and professional advice from an insurance advocate is one of the many ways we serve our customers. Having the confidence to navigate your insurance claim is why our in-house insurance specialist is passionate about her ability to assist you.
The benefit of working with our in-house insurance specialist includes:- Expert advice in collision repair estimates and claims
- Knowledgeable insight into your insurance coverage
- Free and reliable insurance assistance
- Over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry
Contact Pronto Body Shop Today
For all of your auto insurance questions, give us a call! Our on-site insurance advocate will walk you through the entire insurance process. Additionally, you can take advantage of our concierge services and let us handle all of the legwork for you. We’re flexible and do our best to accommodate your needs. Let us know how we can help today by giving us a call at 915-533-0912.
English
Spanish