Tips
1. What to do if you’re in an accident.
1. Turn off the ignition.
2. Check all occupants of all vehicles for injury. If there are injuries, call 9-1-1.
3. Call the police. If there are no injuries, call a non-emergency number. If there is a question of fault, you will need a police report to back up the statements.
4. If possible, take pictures of the vehicles, the area, tag numbers, witnesses, marks or broken parts on the ground, and those involved.
5. Exchange information. You need the name of the insurance company, the name, phone numbers, and address of the insured, the policy number, and the vehicle year, make and model.
6. After the police have arrived and assessed, determine if your car is able to be driven. If there are any fluids leaking, tires or wheels damaged, windshield damaged, or air bags deployed, DO NOT DRIVE. Call a tow truck. If you do not specify to the officers, they will choose a tow company for you. This can be against your best interest, keep a card on hand for a tow truck driver, if possible. Tell the tow truck driver what body shop to take your car to for repairs. Specify it right then, and you may avoid excessive storage costs.
7. Call the insurance of the at-fault party and file a claim. If you have already chosen your body shop, tell the agent at that time.
8. If you have already chosen your body shop, call them and give them your information, and ask for an estimate. If you have not yet chosen your body shop, get an estimate from 1-3 body shops.
2. Selecting a body shop for repairs. 1. Ask them if they handle all insurance negotiations for you. Body Worx will work with any insurance to discuss repairs and request payment for the type of repairs that’s best fits your needs, and restores your vehicle to pre-accident condition.2. Ask them about their guarantee/warranty. Body Worx will guarantee your paint for the life you own the vehicle. We guarantee it will not fade or peel. If it does, we will warranty the finish and repair it at no cost to you. We will also guarantee our labor for life. Parts hold their manufacturer’s warranty.3. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau.4. Most importantly, ask your friends. Those who have had repairs done can tell you about their experience.
Insurance questions
1. I have liability insurance, will it cover repairs on my car?
No. If you are at fault, it will only cover the other parties’ damages.
Liability Coverage
Most auto liability insurance policies contain three major parts: liability insurance for bodily injury, liability insurance for property damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Bodily injury liability insurance does not protect you or your car directly. If you cause an accident in which other people are injured due to your negligence, this insurance protects you against their claims for damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Property damage liabilityinsurance pays for any damage you cause to the property of others, such as damage to another vehicle, fence, or tree caused by a collision.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you directly. This coverage pays if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability insurance. This coverage, in effect, takes the place of the liability insurance that the other driver should have purchased but did not. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver is at fault and whose limits of liability are lower than the damages you sustained. Your underinsured motorist coverage will pay you an additional amount up to your policy limits.
2. I was involved in an accident in which the other driver was at fault and had no liability insurance. Can my rates increase after I file a claim on my own auto policy?
No. Section 941 of the Oklahoma Insurance Code says that a company cannot assign driving record points, cancel, refuse to renew or increase the premium rate for any motor vehicle liability or collision insurance policy for the reason that the insured has been involved in a motor vehicle collision and was not at fault.
3. My automobile had original parts on it before the accident. Why is the company allowed to use “like kind and quality parts”?
Following an auto accident, an insurance company’s limit of liability is the actual cash value of the property or damaged part of the property at the time of the loss. Putting brand new parts on an older vehicle would result in betterment, which is not the intention of the policy. If you still insist on new factory parts, the company will likely require that you pay the difference between the new parts and the “like kind and quality parts”.
4. It sounds like the insurance wants me to use the body shop they choose, do I have to use that shop?
“Steering” is a tactic that some insurance companies use to pressure or “steer” a customer to a certain replacement facility. Often they tell customers that using a company “other than whom they recommend” will result in the customer having to pay a portion of the repair. In another pressure tactic, they tell the customer that the insurance company will “not guarantee the non-preferred” shops’ work. These statements are FALSE. The insurance company is required to pay for all repairs, less the deductible. Also, we offer a lifetime warranty on collision repair. Check with the shop you choose, most guarantee their own work.
5. Why is there a difference in price between different body shops and the insurance company?
It’s possible that a damaged item was missed, resulting in a lower estimate. We will compare our estimate with theirs, and if there are damages that need to be repaired and the insurance company did not account for these, we will work with your insurance directly to have these costs covered.
6. Do I have to pay you my deductible?
If the accident or damage was caused by you, the insured, then you are responsible for paying to the body shop the amount of your deductible. Check your insurance policy to see how much your deductible will cost. If the accident or damage was not caused by you, then you should have no out-of-pocket expenses for the repair.
Questions about Body Worx
1. How long have you been in business?
Body Worx started repairing vehicles in 1996, and incorporated in 1998.
2. Do you guarantee your work? Do you offer a warranty?
Collision repairs on frame, body components, and paint have a lifetime warranty. Mechanical repairs; including but not limited to, engine components, electrical, and operational parts have a 1 year warranty, unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer. Warranties are extended to the owner of the vehicle at the time repairs were completed. Warranty void on normal wear or damage done after delivery.
3. Where are you located?
Visit our contact us page for directions and a map.
4. Do you repair/replace windshields? Door glass? Back glass?
Any glass that is moveable, such as a door glass, can be ordered by us and replaced by us here at Body Worx.
Any glass that is stationary (must be glued in) we call an outside source to come to Body Worx to do the work. As Body Worx does not specialize in glass, we are unable to obtain the special rates and discounts that glass specialists are given. As such, we are not able to be as competitive with pricing. If you would like to call us, we would gladly give you the number to our outside source and they can price you directly, with our discount. And, they are a mobile service, so it may be easier for them to come to you for the repair, rather than coming to Body Worx.
Vehicle Repair Questions
1. What do I do about transportation while my car is in the shop?
If someone else is at fault, you are entitled to a rental car to use while yours is down, and they or their insurance will cover most or all the costs associated with the rental car. In some cases, if you choose not to use the rental car portion of the claim, you may be entitled to monetary compensation in exchange. If the accident is your responsibility, you may want to check your insurance policy for rental car coverage.
2. My car is not able to be driven, what do I do?
If you are in an accident and need a tow truck to move your vehicle, we will pay the towing expenses as will most body shops. Reimbursement to the shop for tow expenses will later be covered by the responsible party or their insurance.
3. What if I am unhappy with my repairs?
In the unlikely event that this happens, we will be happy to discuss your concerns and evaluate the options available to make it right by you. Our customers are our main concern, we are here for you.
4. How long will my car be in the shop?
It depends on the extent of the damage. Some small repairs can be in and out of the shop within 2-3 days. Full collisions can take 3-4 weeks. Parts replacement can be done the same day, if there is no paint work needed. When possible, we try to offer same week service, so that you can have the use of your vehicle over the weekend. As we are only open through the week, we are not able to offer weekend service, at this time.