|
The CALIFORNIA MOTORISTS BILL OF RIGHTS states that:
YOU, THE OWNER OF A DAMAGED VEHICLE, have the legal right to CHOOSE THE BODY SHOP OF YOUR CHOICE to repair your damaged vehicle; NOT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY! Your insurance company CANNOT suggest, recommend, say you have to, force you, try to intimidate you or even mention that you must take your vehicle to their shop of choice for any reason what so ever,
"UNLESS YOU ASK THEM FIRST FOR
A RECOMMENDATION!"
REMEMBER, the vehicle belongs to YOU. It is your's, NOT your insurance companies. You want quality, they want to control the cost. You want it repaired to PRE-LOSS condition, they want it repaired for less. They may want cheap "aftermarket" parts that may not fit correctly; YOU may have the legal right to refuse them. That car is YOUR'S, not theirs, do not let them tell you otherwise. Insurance adjusters are called "ADJUSTERS" for a reason; "To adjust claims" and that does not mean to automatically pay more for quality pre-loss condition repairs.
Otherwise, they are in violation of California State Insurance Code Regulations.
SB551: SECTION 1. Section 758.5 is added to the Insurance Code Effective January 1, 2004. This section of the insurance code stipulates that an insurance company may not suggest or recommend that your vehicle be repaired at a specific automotive repair dealer unless a referral has been expressly requested; and the claimant has been informed in writing of the right to select the repair dealer of their choice. Once a claimant has specified a repair dealer to repair their vehicle an insurance company may not suggest or recommend that the claimant select a different automotive repair dealer.
Your insurance carrier is also required to provide you with this notice in writing at the time they assess your vehicle’s damage.
Do not let anyone tell you where you have to take your vehicle for repair. You have the right to choose the shop to repair your vehicle; use this right!!! The regulation is there to protect you.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A SHOP CHOICE, check with family and friends, your mechanic, your dealer. Then if you do not have a shop your insurance carrier may have a recommendation for you, if you ask for one first; if they have one and you accept taking your vehicle there be it known that your insurance company must also warrant repairs and the shop that peformed the repair.
Depending on your vehicle, the year and mileage of your vehicle, you might wish to check with your new car dealer on a recommendation for collision repair, this to ensure that any shop that repairs your vehicle will be in compliance with your vehicle warranty, resale value and/or any lease obligations you might have.
Check on the any shops that you are recommended to take your vehicle to. Check that they are licensed with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair and do not have a history of citations. Ask them for a copy of their lifetime warranty and insurance information so that you may be comfortable knowing that your vehicle is in safe hands.
Check for shop certifications: ICAR, ASE, SRS and New Vehicle Manufacturer repair certifications are evidence that continued shop personnel training is in place. A shop that does not have any training in place may not be up to date on current vehicles, as well as repair methods and may not have the technical knowledge to repair your vehicle.
Upon completion of repairs, be sure you receive a signed copy of the final repair invoice, a copy of the shop's written warranty and you may ask for a copy of any parts invoices, showing what parts were used in the repair. Have the shop estimator or manager go over the repaired vehicle with you. Have the shop estimator or manager show you what repairs were performed on your vehicle. Be sure that you are comfortable with the repairs and the vehicle when you pick it up. You may ask them to show you the vehicle and the repairs done to the vehicle.
Reputable shops do lifetime warrant repairs. And, all shops can and do sometimes overlook something you may feel is repair or loss related. You know your vehicle better than any repairing shop. If you see, hear or feel anything out of the ordinary, go back to the shop and they will, if they are any kind of shop at all, take care of any loss and/or repair related problems. Do not just keep driving the vehicle and think, "Oh well it isn't so bad"; it is and can be taken care of. Just take it back and let them correct it. None of us are perfect, we can miss something, so let us know, let us correct any missed imperfections.
All auto repair facilities, dealerships and body shops must be City licensed, have a State of California EPA number and be insured and registered with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Complaints regarding these types of shops are investigated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and handled accordingly. Be sure you check on any shop you wish to take your vehicle to by calling the Bureau of Automotive Repair and/or by visiting the web site that is listed below.
- Bostrom's Auto Body City License Number: 020165
- Bureau of Automotive Repair Registration: Ag228617
- California EPA Number: Cal0026110
- NIACS Number: 11121
This establishment is registered with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair, in accordance with the Automotive Repair Act of 1971
A customer is entitled to:
- A written estimate for repair work
- A detailed invoice of work done and parts supplied
- Return of replaced parts, if requested at the time a work order is placed.
Questions concerning the above should be directed to the manager of the repair facility.
Unresolved questions regarding service work may be submitted to the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
For further information, contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair at 1-800-952-5210
Monday – Friday
Or, visit the Bureau’s web site at:
www.Autorepair.ca.gov
|