-Where do I get a claim number?
-What is a direct repair shop?
-Are you open on Saturday?
-Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my car
for repair?
-If my
vehicle's frame is damaged is the car a total loss?
-Can you match my car paint color?
-Can I get other service work done on my car while it
in the body shop?
-Can I get a
ride home when I drop off my car?
-How can I get a rental car?
-How will I know when my car is done?
-Is there a warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?
-Do I have to pay a deductible?
-Who do I pay a deductible to?
-What forms of payment do you accept?
-What are Betterment Charges?
-Can I wash My car?
WHERE DO I GET A CLAIM NUMBER?
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance
company at the time you report your accident. Just jot it down and
bring it in with you when you come in to begin the repair process,
Al Serra Collision will do the rest.
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WHAT
IS A DIRECT REPAIR SHOP?
A direct repair facility is a body shop that
works directly with your insurance company as a preferred shop. Body
shops earn the right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting
certain requirements. These include having certified technicians,
using the proper equipment, and most importantly, having a record of
satisfied customers. When you use a preferred shop, the repair
process is streamlined. A preferred shop actually writes the
estimate, orders the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having
to wait for an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies constantly
monitor their preferred shops to ensure quality repairs.
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ARE
YOU OPEN SATURDAY?
Yes, we are open Saturdays from 9:00am to
2:00pm.
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WILL
THE PARTS BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
Absolutely. We generally order your vehicle's
parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your
vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later. This enables us to
provide quicker turnaround time.
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IF
MY VEHICLE'S FRAME IS DAMAGED IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
No. A car is a total loss only when the price
of repairs exceeds the insurance companies determined value of your
vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body
as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid
of our state-of the-art laser measuring system , can return your
vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined
that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can
simply be replaced.
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CAN
YOU MATCH THE PAINT COLOR?
Today's modern factory finishes incorporate
multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Collision Express has
made a major investment in the finest paint system available and
constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each
vehicle's paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to
match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
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CAN
I GET OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY
SHOP?
Yes. Just let your advisor know what other work
you would like done so that he can make the necessary arrangements.
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CAN
I GET A RIDE HOME WHEN I DROP OFF MY CAR?
Yes, we would be happy to provide this service
to you. We want each customer's visit to be a positive experience
and will work diligently towards that goal.
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HOW
CAN I GET A RENTAL CAR?
If you need a rental car, we can help you make
the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a
rental car if you have that option on your policy. Check your policy
and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental
coverage and what your specific limitations are.
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HOW
WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
You will be notified by phone when your vehicle
is ready to be picked up. You can also check this website. You will
see a message next to the last picture of your vehicle telling you
that your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to call or
e-mail your advisor during the repair process if you have questions
or concerns.
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IS
THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE?
Yes. Collision Express offers a written
warranty on all repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.
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DO I
HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE?
The amount of deductible that you will be
responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry
standard collision, you will have to pay your deductible regardless
of whether you were at fault. If you carry broad collision, and you
were not at fault, your insurance company most likely will waive
your deductible. Insurance companies determine fault by your account
of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the
accident report filed with the police department. If you aren't sure
about your deductible, you can call your advisor and he can tell you
whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether
you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.
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WHO
DO I PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE TO?
If your deductible is not waived, it will be
your responsibility to pay Collision Express when you pick up your
vehicle. If you aren't sure about your deductible, you can call your
advisor and he can tell you whether your insurance company has
waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.
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WHAT
FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Visa, Mastercard, Discover & American Express.
Of course, we accept personal checks and cash.
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WHAT
ARE BETTERMENT CHARGES?
Parts that wear out and need replacement with
time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are
commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during
the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your
insurance company and are pro-rated.
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CAN
I WASH MY CAR?
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30
DAYS
DO'S
· Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and
a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
· Always use clean fresh water.
· Wash your vehicle in the shade
DONT'S
· Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff
brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface.
· Do not "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
· Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done
in the first 30 days.
· Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to
attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will
damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a
freshly painted surface.
· Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or
windshield solvent on the new finish.
· Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface. Scrapers
can act like a paint scraper on a newly painted finish.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS
DON'T
· Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will
allow the finish to dry and harden completely.
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