All of us drive day to day, without planning for an accident, but unfortunately accidents will find us. As such, we need to make sure we are prepared to handle it as much as possible. One of the prep work for this is to ensure you that you have the right insurance to help take care of auto body repairs, car rentals, medical bills, and legal actions.
Why The Wrong Car Insurance Can Be Detrimental
Regardless of how severe the accident maybe, it is important to have the right insurance coverage to protect you and your passengers. Without appropriate coverage, you may encounter these issues:
If You Are At Fault For The Accident,
- The car rental cost could be your responsibility, as it will be necessary to have a temporary car to get around in during the auto collision repair timeframe. This can add up quickly, when it is at your own expense.
- Hopefully no one was seriously injured, but medical expenses for you and your passengers may fall on your shoulders, if there were little medical coverage on your plan, and no one has health insurance.
- The insurance company may opt for collision repair with non-OEM parts, as it will be more economical. They may send you to facilities lacking appropriate certifications and training for the job.
- Your insurance premium will increase, and payment for the above could be financially inhibiting to you as well.
If The Other Driver Is At Fault
- The other party’s insurance will pay for your expenses, and they are generally required to repair your car to pre-accident condition.
- As you do not have to accept non-OEM parts for your repairs, it is important that you request OEM parts. The reason is that original OEM parts use quality materials that ensure better functionality, durability, and efficiency specific to each car model. As such, the car should perform as designed from the manufacturer. This video perfectly explains why OEM parts are necessary for auto collision repair, as it can be injurious to you and your love ones.
Know Your Rights
Contact your car insurance representative to find out the coverage needed to appropriately protect you and those you care about in the future. Ask your agent about the following:
- What does your plan cover (car rental, medical, lawsuits, etc.), in the event of a car accident ?
- What is covered if your vehicle is damaged, and can you choose OEM parts for the repair
- Are auto body shops they recommend certified collision repair facilities
- Check laws and regulations regarding insurance policies
- Check laws and regulations regarding auto body shops
- Understand your rights as a consumer in auto collision repair
For your own protection and preparedness, it is recommended to know what your car insurance plan covers and upgrade as necessary. Requests OEM parts for repairs, and a certified collision repair facility nearby.
At Mission Viejo Auto Collision, we belong to the Assured Performance Collision Care Network. It is a certification body for leading car manufacturers which inspect, and certify qualified auto body shops as part of the trusted network. Should you and your love ones need auto body repair, contact the team at Mission Viejo Auto Collision at (949) 951-7503.