When you get in a car accident, being insured can help cover repair costs that can get rather expensive. But before you file a claim through an auto insurance provider, there’s one thing you should do — visit a trusted auto body repair shop like C & H Body And Fender in Honolulu, HI, and get an estimate of how much the work will cost.

In any collision, you should call the police right away to file an accident report. In most cases, you should take photos of the damage, exchange info with the other party, and contact your insurance company right away to inform them of the accident. Keep in mind that letting your insurer know about the collision isn’t the same as filing a claim — it’s just part of the formal procedure.

After you follow these steps, the next best thing to do is to take your car to your preferred auto body repair shop to fully assess the damage. Most certified body shops should completely inspect the damage and submit their estimate to your insurance company, or that of the at-fault party.

In many cases, the estimate an auto body repair shop provides will be more accurate than what a claims adjuster would anticipate. As such, if you don’t submit the shop’s estimate first, you could end up getting less money than you need from your insurance provider.

It’s also important to remember that it’s always your choice of where you get your repair work performed. Many insurance companies may direct you to other auto body shops that tend keep claim costs down, but these collision centers may not provide the work you need or the quality you prefer.

When you’re responsible for your car’s damage, you’ll only be able to file a claim through your own insurance policy. Before you decide to file a claim, it’s important to review the terms of your policy to see what exactly they will cover and how much your deductible will be. If the deductible is more than the cost of your repairs, you may be better off financially to pay for the work out of your own pocket.

Whether you’ve been in an accident or need auto paint repair for a small scratch, C & H Body And Fender is one of the most trusted auto body shops in Honolulu. These specialists are not only committed to delivering quality results, but they also offer free auto body repair estimates and will help with the insurance process. To request a quote, contact the shop today at (808) 841-3618. You can also contact the team online.