Being in any collision is stressful enough. Toss in dealing with the complex world of the insurance company, and you’re bound to be stuck on endless phone calls or trying to put together a mountain of paperwork just for a quick repair.
The next time you’re looking for a quality “auto body shop near me” in the Metro Atlanta area, trust the team at Atlanta Auto Collision. We are here to support you through the insurance process.
The harsh reality is the average private passenger auto collision claim (just for physical damage) is around $5,992. Without insurance to support that repair, you could get stuck with the bill – even if the accident was entirely not your fault.
Our team is more than a simple body shop. We act as your partner, helping you navigate through car damage repair and the insurance process. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Understanding The Auto Body Insurance Claims Process
When the adrenaline wears off from a car accident, one of the first things the police will ask is whether you’ve contacted your insurance company or not. Before you move cars or call a friend for a ride home, contact your insurance policy provider. The typical claims procedure looks like:
- File a claim for the accident and damage with your vehicle insurance provider.
- Receive an estimate of what they will cover for repairs.
- Select a car body shop near me for the work to be done.
- Authorize estimated repairs with your provider’s approval.
- Get a “loaner” rental vehicle during the work.
The part that makes every car owner a little worried is who is on your side during the claims process. Is the auto body shop working for you, or is the insurer? How do you know you’re being guided toward the best-fit solution that won’t empty your bank account?
Why Collision Insurance Claims Can Be A Hassle Without Help
It may come as a shock, but you are not required to use an automotive body shop from the insurance company’s list of pre-approved places. Most of the time, you can work with a paint and body shop you already trust as long as they are licensed and have the proper certified technicians.
- Why would you want to make a different choice than what the insurance policy recommends?
- You might get stuck with delays in an adjuster inspecting your car.
- The paperwork for the insurance company is much too confusing to manage on your own.
- Insurers tend to limit communication with customers to avoid missteps.
- You’ll get pressured to use a specific shop over another alternative.
- Arguments over car damage repair concerning OEM vs. aftermarket parts.
The best way to avoid these headaches is to stick with a collision repair team you know will advocate for your vehicle’s best outcomes and your best interests.
How We Help You Navigate The Body Repair Claims Process
At Atlanta Auto Collision, we work with you every step of the way. We have collaborated with all the major vehicle insurance companies in the area and understand how to provide clear documentation using specific terminology and timeliness that ensure your claim moves forward. When you work with us, you get:
- Free & Detailed Estimates – We take the time to carefully inspect your vehicle, taking strategic photos and preparing a thorough estimate using industry-recognized software. That will be sent directly to your insurance company to reduce timelines.
- Clear Communication – We also keep you in the loop. You don’t have to worry about a paint and body shop doing the work without prior authorization. You will know everything that is happening so there are not any surprises when the vehicle is back in working order.
- Parts Advocacy – One unique quality that separates our team from other collision repair options is we advocate for the best possible parts your vehicle needs. We fight for OEM components with the insurance policy so it aligns with our car damage repair report.
- Direct Adjuster Contact – Any time the insurance company adjuster has a question or needs additional documentation, we can handle that for you. Our goal is to remove the frustration from the repair equation, including working directly with insurance services.
- Claim Filing Support – Are you unsure about how to file your claim or what information you need to fill in? Our expert technicians can walk you through the process step by step. A big reason we have so many local return and referral clients in Smyrna and Metro Atlanta is our collaborative process.
- Fast Approvals – We know what it takes to speed up claims. That experience reduces delays so you can get back on the road in your vehicle as soon as possible.
Avoiding Long-Term Problems with the Wrong Paint and Body Shop
Unfortunately, some shops around Georgia will cut corners now and then. They are focused on getting your vehicle out the door quickly without the care and attention to detail needed. The result is often:
- Mismatched paint that fades over time.
- Weak panel connections leads to structural faults.
- Misaligned safety systems or ignored recalls.
- Voided warranties due to improper parts.
These issues could mean expensive re-repairs down the road no one wants. That is why it is imperative that you work with an auto body shop you trust that understands how to get the best results from your insurance company.
A Quick Overview of Collision Insurance
We should take a moment to cover what collision repair using auto insurance means. The goal of collision insurance is to pay for the full repair or replacement of your vehicle should it be “totaled” in a crash. The problem is not all insurance policies cover collisions.
Before you do anything else, be sure to review your insurance policy so there is collision coverage. Even if you’re financing or leasing your car, you want collision insurance so you don’t get stuck with the bill.
In most cases, collision coverage works with:
- A crash caused by you or another driver.
- A collision with an object (tree, mailbox, building, etc.).
- Your car rolling over.
- Another driver hitting your car (insured/uninsured).
- Damage from local infrastructure (potholes, curbs, etc.).
- Hit-and-run accidents.
Collision insurance tends not to cover things like non-traffic events like a deer running into your vehicle while it’s in the driveway or a sudden hailstorm. If you cause damage to others while driving, that is different insurance. Normal wear and tear is also not covered.
The final piece you need to know is collision insurance pays to repair your car to its previous condition. You want a professional paint and body shop to negotiate on your behalf so the OEM parts are used and not something “equivalent” that may cause issues later on.
Let Us Take the Stress Out of Insurance Claims
At Atlanta Auto Collision in Smyrna, we handle everything on your behalf. From the initial assessment of your damaged vehicle to an insurance-friendly estimate and scheduling repair. We ensure you’re taken care of – always providing straight answers for your peace of mind.
Accidents are unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit through a nightmare of an insurance policy. As a trusted and experienced auto body shop in Georgia, we provide support for drivers all over the Metro Atlanta area. Get the top-tier collision repair you need, and stop searching for quantity over quality like some body shop near me on Google provides.
Give us a call today, and let’s work with your insurance company to get you back behind the wheel once again.
