By law, you have the right to select the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company may ask you to visit their drive-in claims center, but you may ask them to inspect the vehicle at our facility instead. You also have the right to select the parts used for repairs. However, an insurance company is not required to pay “more than a reasonable amount for such repairs and parts," as stated in the Texas Department of Insurance Bill of Rights. Some insurance companies may have ownership in the repair shop they recommend, and some pay bonuses to employees for sending customers to specific repair shops.
Repairing today’s highly complex vehicles is a time-consuming process, particularly when the goal is to rebuild the car to the manufacturer’s specifications. Only a small portion of the total repair time will be spent with a technician. Often, the greatest contributor to the long wait for the receipt of your vehicle is insurance approval. Your Sewell Estimator will handle all communications with the insurance provider. We work for you, so if we need your help to expedite the insurance approval process, we will contact you.
Most insurance policies have an established dollar amount policy limit for rental vehicles. The number of days of coverage will depend upon the cost per day for the vehicle that is selected. Often, much of the repair delay may be spent in wait time for insurance approval. If we run into any issues with your insurance provider, we will notify you.
There are three factors that make it difficult for Sewell to guarantee a completion date prior to starting the repair.
Sewell Collision Centers are committed to returning your vehicle to pre-loss condition, which includes replacing parts with those built by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), as well as adhering to the OEM’s repair procedures. This methodology can conflict with that of the insurance companies involved. Parts can be sourced through aftermarket manufacturers and wholesale vendors at a lower cost. Our repair methods guarantee the cosmetic quality and mechanical operation of your vehicle, as well as its safety features. If the insurance company is unwilling to cover the cost for OEM parts and repairs and you choose to use OEM parts, it can result in a cost difference.
You do not need multiple estimates before the insurance company will process your claim. You have the right to bring your vehicle to the collision center of your choosing, and you are not required to obtain more than one estimate.
Differences in repair estimates are common. There are a few possible reasons for this: First, not all body shops use factory-certified parts. When repairing a luxury vehicle, it is imperative that no unauthorized manufacturer parts be used in the repair, or else the manufacturer warranties could be voided. Additionally, our body shop has been certified to perform work on your vehicle because of the factory tools, equipment, and training we provide for our technicians. While this involves additional expense, it is something we would never consider operating without. If you are not sure why one estimate is different from another, please ask your estimator.
Ensuring the safety and appearance of your vehicle in the unfortunate event of a collision is our top priority, which is why we recommend a few insurance options that may not be included with your current insurance coverage:
