The Right to Choose.
That is the crux of the issue in auto body repair as insurance companies try to control the care of your vehicle the way they control your personal healthcare. It is your right to choose your own collision repair facility and to have the insurance company pay for safe and proper repairs to your vehicle so it retains its value and meets important safety standards.
However, insurance companies often do not volunteer information about those rights or what is at stake in the selection of a repair facility. Instead when you report a collision and need information about how to get your vehicle repaired efficiently and effectively, the insurance representative is likely to tell you about referral shops or preferred shops or merely provide a list of licensed auto repair shops in the state. That's not much help.

Know Your Rights.
In New York State, you have the absolute right to select the collision repair shop of your choice to make repairs. No insurance company or independent agent or representative or staff member of an insurance company or appraiser can legally refer you to or away from any specific repair shop or require that repairs be made by a specific repair shop or individual. Nor can they require you to have your vehicle inspected at their drive-in claims center. If you request it, your insurer must inspect the damage to your vehicle at your chosen collision repair shop.
· You have the right to have your vehicle towed to any location that you choose.
· You must notify your insurance company before repairs begin.
· You do not have to go to a drive-in claims center. Your insurer must inspect the vehicle at any location you choose.
· You do not need to get two or three appraisals.
· Your insurance company is responsible for payment to restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition.
· Your insurer must negotiate in good faith with the shop of your choice.
· The registered repair shop you choose can provide an estimate of damage and assist you with the processing of your claim to ensure safe and proper repairs are made to your vehicle.

Make Informed Decisions.
There are compelling reasons to choose a trusted provider who you know will make sure the vehicle is truly restored to its pre-accident condition, rather than one "suggested" by the insurance company. Factors to consider include:

Who does the shop actually work for - you or the insurance company?
Referral repair shops work for the insurance company. Independent repair shops work for the consumer.
Insurance appraisers work for the insurance company. Independent collision repair facilities work for you. They are looking out for your best interest. They will negotiate directly with the insurance company for the proper repairs so that your vehicle is safe for you and your family. Independent collision repairers look out for your interests and will serve as your advocate in the repair process.

Preferred or referral repair shops represent the insurance company in both negotiations and the repair of the vehicle. They contract with insurance companies regarding the repairs, the costs and the repair procedures. The insurance company sets the rules and the repair shop simply follows them to keep the insurance company's costs down. But the cost reduction has to come from somewhere. It may affect the quality and thoroughness of the repair service and/or the quality and condition of the parts used. You have paid your insurance premiums with the expectation of receiving safe and proper repairs - not cheap repairs.

What kind of parts will be used to repair your vehicle?
The best assurance you have of a correct repair is through the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Other companies manufacture parts that are made to look like your vehicle's parts, but may never have been crash tested and may affect the performance and safety of your vehicle.
They are not covered under your vehicle manufacturer's warranty and there are no provisions for recalls based on the safety or performance of these parts. Consumer Reports reported on the results of its extensive study of non-OEM parts in its cover story in the February 1999 issue.
Your insurance company may attempt to use imitation parts to save money on your vehicle's repairs. Independent repair facilities will help you negotiate with your insurance company for the appropriate original equipment manufacturer's parts to maintain the integrity and value of your vehicle.

Article 12A of the vehicale & Traffic Law,Section 398D Requires that every repair shop post a sign stating

PURSUANT TO SECTON 2610 OF THE INSURANCE LAW AN INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT REQUIRE THAT REPAIRS BE MADE TO A VEHICALE IN A PARTICULAR PLACE OR REPAIR SHOP. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR AUTOMOBILE REPAIRED IN THE SHOP OF YOUR  CHOICE .

Know your rights

NEVER drive a vehicle that could be
unsafe  because of damages.

BY LAW , you are not required to
obtain more than one damage report (estimate).

SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES
may want you to visit their drive-in
claims center before having your
vehicale repaired. You can do this, or
you may leave your vehicle at our facility and request that the insurance company inspect it here.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to choose
the repair facility of your choice. This
right is guaranteed you under Section
2610 of the New York State Insurance
Law. (see top of web page).
 
BE CAUTIOUS if your insurance
company tries to pick a repair shop for
you. In most cases insurance company referral shops offer discounts to the insurance company in order to be on
their list. Could this mean discount 
quality for you?

DIFFERENCES in damage  reports
(estimates) are common. A lower
estimate may not include all necessary
work. If you're not sure why one
estimate is different from another
you've received, please ask us. This 
also includes estimates written by an 
insurance company.

CHOOSE a repair facility that is
equipped with uni-body repair equipment and has the ability of duplicating your vehicale's finish
using quality products and state-
of-the-art-equipment.

Choose a repair facility that is a
registered repair shop and is certified 
ICAR, ASE etc. Repairing today's
vehicles demand highly educated and
highly skilled technicians.

ASK if the repair facility offers a written repair warranty.

ON YOUR BEHALF , we can
negotiate your insurance claim for you,
with no hassle and with your best
interest in mind. We can repair your
vehicle properly and quickly. This is
backed by our education, equipment
and most of all our years of experience, since 1978.
  

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Serving WNY
 since 1978

Camp Rd Collision 
Foreign and Domestic
Repairs and Sales