| Stop your vehicle if it is clear,
safe and legal.
Move the vehicle out of the traveled roadway, if it is clear,
safe and legal. (In some states it is against the law to move
the vehicle from the place where the accident occurred. Check
the ordinance in your area.)
Turn off the ignitions of the cars involved.
Make a first aid check of all persons involved in
the accident.
Call the police and, if necessary, emergency
medical services.
Mark the scene of the accident with flares or
retroreflective triangles.
Gather the names* of all persons in the motor
vehicles and people who witnessed the accident.
Make a quick diagram of where the vehicle
occupants were seated and indicate the vehicles' direction of travel
and lane. Also note the date, time and weather conditions.
Ask to see the other driver's license* and write
down the number.
Exchange insurance company information. DO NOT
discuss "fault" or make statements about the accident to anyone but
the police.
Get a copy of the police report of the accident
from the local precinct.
|
How do you find a shop you can trust to service your
vehicle--one that will make you feel confident about your choice
and provide quality repairs at a fair price? Here are some tips:
Start with the most obvious. Is the facility
neat and clean?
Are employees genuinely concerned with your
questions and are their answers direct, to the point and
reasonable?
Look at the credentials of the business and
the employees who will service your vehicle. Most shops will
post educational certifications or accomplishments and
professional business affiliations in their waiting areas. Some
affiliations to look for include trade association membership,
such as the Automotive Service Association (ASA), and membership
in the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Look for certification or
education offered by the National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence (ASE), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto
Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the Automotive Management Institute
(AMI).
Ask about the equipment used to diagnose and
perform the service. Is it up-to-date and are the technicians
educated in the proper equipment use?
Ask about the shop's warranty. Most automotive
service facilities will warranty their parts and labor either in
writing or in shop posted announcements.
Ask family, friends and neighbors for their
recommendations. Word-of-mouth referrals are the shop's best
form of advertising.
|
No law requires you to get more than one
estimate
No insurance
company can specify where to have your car repaired.
By law you can select where to have your
repairs done.
Must I notify my insurance company before making
repairs?
Yes, insurance policies require that you notify the company or your
agent, make a report, and tell them where the damaged vehicle may be
inspected.
Who pays the repair bills?
You must arrange for payment. Most insurance policies state the
insurance company will pay you an amount equal to the damage incurred
less any deductibles or depreciation.
Who is responsible for repairs?
The shop. That's why it is important that you select a facility that is
properly trained and equipped to repair your automobile.
If there is a problem with the repair job, who should you contact?
First, contact the shop manager. If your problem is not resolved,
contact your insurance company claims manager. You may also want to
contact the office of consumer protection and the local office of the
Better Business Bureau.
If my insurance company or another insuance company fails to pay my
claim what can i do?
First contact your insurance agent. Then talk to the branch or regional
claims manager of the insurance company. If that fails, contact the
Texas Department of Insurance at 512-463-6515 or 800-252-3439 |
