When you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, it’s only natural to want repairs from the best auto body shop available. However, as the team at Bob Hastings Collision in East Rochester, NY, notes, navigating the ins and outs of insurance and repair work isn’t always easy.

The following tips can help you get the coverage you need from your insurer while still allowing you to work with the collision center of your choice:

• Call Immediately: Calling your insurance company is one of the most important things you can do after an accident has caused damage to your vehicle. Don’t delay in making the call to report the damage. If there is only minor damage to your car and it is still safe to drive, your insurance company will probably have you go to a drive-in claims center to get an estimate and offer a list of repair centers you can go to.
• Choose Your Shop: When your car has suffered serious damage (including when it requires a tow), get it to your preferred auto body shop right away. The insurance company should then send its adjustor to that location to make the estimate. Remember, the insurance company can’t force you to go to any one shop — however, their estimate may not always cover the total cost of repairs at your preferred location.
• Get the Estimate: After you get an appraisal from the insurance company, you have a few options available. You can go to one of the shops recommended by your insurance company (which will fully cover your repair costs), go to the collision center of your choice and pay the difference, or dispute the insurance company’s estimate. Fully understand any differences between the insurance estimate and shop recommendations before trying to arbitrate.

No matter what type of auto body repair you need, the team at Bob Hastings Collision will help you get your car back into shape and honor all insurance claims. To learn more about the services offered by this auto body shop, visit them online or call (585) 383-8150.