Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Just jot it down and bring it in with you when you come in to begin the repair process we will do the rest.
A direct repair facility is a body shop that works directly with your insurance company as a preferred shop. Body shops earn the right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements. These include having certified technicians, using the proper equipment, and most importantly, having a record of satisfied customers. When you use a preferred shop, the repair process is streamlined. A preferred shop actually writes the estimate, orders the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having to wait for an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies constantly monitor their preferred shops to ensure quality repairs.
Absolutely. We generally order your vehicle’s parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time.
No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance companies determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of-the-art laser measuring system, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can simply be replaced.
Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Dobbs Autobody has made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
Yes. Just let your advisor know what other work you would like done so that he can make the necessary arrangements.
Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience and will work diligently towards that goal.
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are.
You will be notified by phone when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. You can also check this website. You will see a message next to the last picture of your vehicle telling you that your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to call or e-mail your advisor during the repair process if you have questions or concerns.
Yes. Dobbs Autobody offers a written warranty on all repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.
Insurance companies determine fault when you make the claim and by reviewing the accident report filed with the police department. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. It is your responsibility to pay the body shop the deductible to pick up your car. If you carry standard collision, you will have to pay your deductible regardless of whether you were at fault. If you carry broad collision and you were not at fault, your insurance company will go after the other insurance company and will try to get the deductible back. It can take up to a year until they send it to you. The body shop is not involved in this part of the claim.
You must pay the body shop directly. As per your insurance policy your deductible is due upon completion of the repair to your vehicle. In some cases if fault is found to be the other person’s, and the claim goes through the other person’s insurance, that company may pay the whole claim. Each claim is based on the type of policy you have and whether you are going through your insurance company or the other person’s.
We accept Visa and Mastercard. Of course, we accept personal checks and cash.
Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated.
RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE FIRST 30 DAYS
DO’S
- Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
- Always use clean fresh water.
- Wash your vehicle in the shade
DONT’S
- Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface.
- Do not “dry wipe” your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
- Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days.
- Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface.
- Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish.
- Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface. Scrapers can act like a paint scraper on a newly painted finish.
RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE FIRST 90 DAYS
DON’T
- Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the finish to dry and harden completely.