Recovering financially from a car accident depends on who reports the accident. Find if auto body shops report accidents to insurance companies.
Did you know that roughly six million car accidents occur each year in the United States? In many of these cases, the vehicle will require work from an auto body shop before it will be safe to drive again.
However, in some cases, the driver may not want this reported to their insurance company. In this article, we’ll be covering when you should report accidents to your insurance company, and when it’s not necessary.
We’ll also help clear up an auto body shop’s role in the process.
Let’s get started!
Do You Need to Report an Accident?
There are a variety of reasons why you might not want to report an accident to your insurance provider. The main reason is that doing so will likely increase your premiums.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to the number of people involved and the extent of the damage. Any type of accident that involves more than one person should be reported immediately. If you don’t report it, there’s a good chance your insurance company will find out about the accident through the other party or parties involved.
The issue gets foggier for minor accidents that don’t involve other people. This occurs with accidents like backing your car into the garage or bumping a tree.
When this happens, you don’t have to report the incident. This can backfire. If your insurance company finds out about the accident, they can raise your rates whether you file a report or not.
In some cases, they can even use this accident to deny your claims for future accidents. So, you should weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision. If you don’t know how to file an accident report, then check out this helpful guide.
Will an Auto Body Shop Report Accidents to My Insurance Company?
An auto body shop will only report an accident to the insurance company if you choose to go through the insurance claims process.
When this happens, the auto body shop will need to communicate with the insurance provider to reach an estimate that they both agree on. That said, you can ask the auto body shop not to report the accident.
However, keep in mind that this means you will have to pay for all of the repairs entirely out of pocket. If you’re curious about how things work, check out our auto repair process.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Going to a Preferred Auto Body Shop?
A preferred auto body shop is one that works through an insurer’s direct repair program.
This is preferable for the insurance company because they get to dictate how the vehicle is repaired. Let’s take a look at some of the pros that come with selecting this method:
1. It Speeds up the Process
The biggest reason many people go with preferred auto body shops is they’re often quicker. This is because there are fewer channels of communication to go through.
Instead of having to contact both you and the auto shop, the insurance provider can speak directly with the shop. This streamlines any decisions needed in the claims and repair process. The result is a quicker turnaround.
2. It Can Be More Affordable
Generally, it’s more affordable to go with the shop your insurance provider recommends. This is because the insurance provider gets to dictate what parts are used and the amount of time spent installing them.
The down side is the auto shop could install cheap parts that break easily.
3. Take Out the Guesswork
No one wants to spend their day screening auto body shops to find a reliable one. Going with a preferred shop takes away the guesswork of finding a good one.
The shop has your insurance provider’s stamp of approval, which is usually more than enough to ensure an adequate job.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Going to an Independent Auto Body Shop?
An independent auto body shop is one that’s not beholden to any insurance company.
An estimator that works for the auto body shop will typically be in communication with you and the insurance company during the repair process. Let’s explore some of the pros that come with the independent option:
1. More Options
If you had a bad experience with an auto shop that’s your insurer’s preferred option, then you may want a different option.
Going with an independent auto body shop allows you to pick what works best for you. That way you get a good sense of the shop instead of taking your insurance provider’s word on it.
2. The Auto Body Shop Works for You
The biggest problem with preferred auto body shops is that they work for the insurance company.
This means that they don’t have your best interests in mind. Using an independent shop means you get to call the shots when it comes to the repairs.
3. They May Use OEM Parts
Insurance companies want to be able to keep their costs down. One way they do this is by having their preferred shops use cheaper parts. While this is more affordable, these parts may not last as long.
A reliable independent shop will use the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts. This ensures that they last much longer than cheaper options.
Want an Auto Body Shop You Can Trust? Look No Further Than Omaha Body Shop
Deciding whether or not to report an accident depends on how many people are involved and what type of damage was done. When in doubt, it’s best to report an accident to your insurance company.
From there you can decide if you want a preferred or independent shop. If you live in Nebraska, the decision is easy. Look no further than Huber Body Center. We offer free estimates so you know you’re getting a fair price.
If you do decide to file an insurance claim, we will work with your provider to come to an agreeable estimate. Call Huber Body Center today at (402) 496-4227, so we can get you back on the road safely as soon as possible.
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