Questions about estimates

 

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How does it work?

In some cases, the insurance company will want you to get an estimate through their own process.

Don’t worry! When you contact us, we will ask what insurance company you are using and we’ll know how to work with them.

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It used to be (30 or 40 years ago) that when you had a collision, you had to go around to three different collision repair centers, get estimates from each of them, and bring them to your insurance agent. The insurance company would then make a payment directly to you based on the estimates.

 

This is now history! We can work directly with your insurance company and avoid unnecessary duplicate work.

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Will my car total out?

This depends on three factors: the cost of repairs, the value of your vehicle, and the policies of your insurance company. Different insurance companies lean towards totalling out vehicles, whereas others will invest more in repairing the vehicle.

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The value used to make the decision to total or not is made by the insurance company, not by the body shop.

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It used to be that Hyundais, for example, had such a low resale value that they would total out after even a tiny accident. Nowadays, Hyundais are much more desirable and hold their value better, so even for a $20,000 repair, the insurance company might pay up.

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Since every situation and environment is different, consult with a professional to achieve the best possible outcome.

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The cost of repairs has gone up over time

In the 1980s and 1990s, cars were simpler. There were no backup cameras, wave radars, lane sensors, or sculpted LED headlights. Typical costs for a bumper, grille and headlight repair were in the $1,000 range. Nowadays, with the increased technology, custom panels, and fast driving speeds, even a simple fender-bender repair can be over $8,000.

For example, on a vehicle with custom shaped LED headlights integrated into the grille, a smashed headlight alone can cost over $4,000. The headlight and grille piece can only be obtained from a specific supplier, and is a single large piece, meaning it’s not possible to replace just the headlight.

Questions? Contact our Oksan Automobile Repair Shop! It’s fast, easy, and free.

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