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Towing
Yes! Call us at (316) 788-1528 and let us know you require a tow to the shop.
Usually the tow companies bill us for the tow charges. Sometimes they bill the insurance company directly. Either way, you shouldn’t be out of pocket for the tow. If you decide to pay out of pocket for the repairs, the tow bill will be added to the final bill and due when the repair is complete.
Rental Cars
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 or if you are the claimant. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are.
We do have two loaner cars for those customers that do not have rental coverage or any other form of transportation.
Estimates
We offer all estimates free of charge and appreciate you making an appointment so we can guarantee the time it requires to make you feel comfortable in your decision to let us repair your vehicle.
Click Here to Start Your Estimate, or call us at (316) 788-1528 to make an appointment.
No, it is up to you to decide how many estimates you would like and if you want to compare with more than one shop. If you have decided on a shop, have your insurance company deal with them directly.
If your insurance adjuster already came to look at your vehicle, you can call and schedule the repairs, you can fax or email us a copy, drop it off, or give us your insurance information, and we can attain our own copy of the estimate. We must start the repair process from the original insurance estimate.
Each insurance company has different parts guidelines. Many insurance companies only allow for aftermarket (copied and made by another company), remanufactured (previously damaged), or used (LKQ) parts to be used during the repair. You always have the choice to pay any difference in part price if you would like to use all factory parts in your repair. We have negotiated with most of our OEM vendors to sell us OEM parts cheaper so that we can “price match” the aftermarket prices and provide safe and proper repairs with the OEM parts that your vehicle was designed for.
Repair Process
Yes, it is your responsibility, and your right, to choose who will repair your vehicle. If you cannot decide on a repair facility, your insurance company can recommend, not demand, a repair shop.
There are many factors to consider when estimating length of time for the repairs like part availability, how quick we get approval of the supplement amount, and the load demand on the shop. Trust us in that it is in our best interest to return your car to you as soon as possible. We understand that you depend on your transportation and we work very hard to complete the repair in a timely manner.
Yes, vehicles with frame or suspension damage will require a two or four-wheel alignment. We have specifications on every vehicle to ensure that the frame or unibody is returned to its pre-accident condition.
With our highly skilled professionals and paint matching technology, we are able to reproduce the finish on your vehicle. We only use the highest quality paint.
You have the right to retain ownership of the vehicle, however the amount of the settlement may be reduced by the salvage value.
Yes. We have a limited lifetime warranty on all of our work for as long as you own the vehicle. It is important to know that your body shop is the only party responsible for a warranty on your repair, NOT your insurance company.
We do everything in our power to ensure your vehicle is back to pre-accident condition as your vehicle leaves our shop. If you notice anything that doesn’t seem right or experience any problems, please do not hesitate to give us a call or stop back in.
Insurance
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Make sure to write it down and bring it with you when you come in to begin the repair process; we’ll do the rest.
If you were not at fault and the repair is going through the other party’s insurance, then you will not have a deductible. A deductible is determined at the purchase of your insurance policy and can range anywhere between $50 and $3,000. If the repair is going through your insurance policy, then the cause of the accident will determine the deductible amount. Ask your insurance company or go through your policy to find out.
The cost of repairs have exceeded a threshold (usually 75%) of the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the vehicle prior to the accident.
Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) is a term for parts made by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
These are parts not made by your vehicle manufacturer. They are also known as Quality Replacement Parts (QRP). Aftermarket parts are much cheaper than OEM parts and might not have the same fit and function as OEM parts.
LKQ – (Like Kind & Quality). These parts are more commonly referred to as used parts. These parts generally come from automotive salvage yards. Salvage yards purchase damaged or totaled vehicles, remove the good parts and sell them as LKQ parts. All LKQ parts are inspected for prior damage, rust, and to make sure they are OEM and not Aftermarket.
The insurance company will assign an appraiser to inspect the vehicle to determine its condition prior to the accident.
Subrogation is the process by which your insurance company pays for the repairs to your vehicle, and is obligated to collect from another insurer or party. Your collision coverage will require you to pay your deductible, which may be refunded once the other party pays.
Payments
When the repairs are complete and you are satisfied with the repairs. The insurance check issued will be minus your deductible amount, if you have one. At the time you pick up your vehicle you will pay the deductible amount to Shelton Collision Repair.
Your deductible is due when you pick up your vehicle. If you are expecting your deductible to be reduced or waived, we suggest you contact your insurance carrier and confirm prior to picking up your vehicle.
Payment is due at the time the repair is complete. Please bring any insurance checks with you and your deductible – if you are going through insurance. If you want, you are able to simply sign the check over to us and do not need to deposit it into your account.
No. When you purchased your insurance policy, you signed a contract saying you will pay the first amount of the claim up to your deductible. Repairers should not be asked to hide the deductible. That practice would constitute fraud by both the shop and consumer. The penalties for insurance fraud are severe. If a shop offers to save your deductible, they are absorbing that at your cost. They are not doing the said repairs in order to make up for your deductible. This could lead to unsafe and unsatisfactory repairs which will ultimately cost you at some point.
We accept cash, checks (insurance or personal), Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
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. (Example: If your tire has 50% of the tread remaining, you would owe for the 50% of the tire that has been used) These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles and age of your vehicle.
Post Repair Care
You are able to wash your vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge as soon as you get it back.
For the first 30 days we suggest that you:
- Do NOT use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes/sponges can mar the finish and damage the surface.
- 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.
For the first 90 days we suggest that you:
- Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the finish to dry and harden completely.
