Shop Talk
Welcome to the Gold Coast Auto Body “Answer Blog,” where we periodically post news updates, technical articles, and other items of interest to our customers and friends in the luxury car community.
Category: Insurance
Car Insurance 101
Here at GACB, we always have a lot to say about auto insurance, sometimes good things, sometimes not so good. Suffice to say, it’s a complicated subject.
But you’d never know that from the ads and TV commercials most insurance companies run. The focus is always on the price, never on what you get for it – the quality of service, company reputation, coverage details and so on. All policies are pretty much the same, the thinking goes, so the best one must be the cheapest.
The result, at least from our experience, is that few drivers seem to actually know what’s in their policy. And that can be a huge problem when you have to make a claim.
Consider what Consumer Reports has to say about that in their most recent Car Insurance Buyer’s Guide:
“Claims payment is where the rubber hits the road in car insurance. Your insurer might push you to use shops in a direct-repair program (DRP) or use cheaper replacement parts, rather than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Tests by Consumer Reports and others have found that some non-OEM parts fit poorly, are more prone to rust and corrosion, don’t always meet federal safety standards, and may not provide good protection in a crash.”
Of course, we’ve already had plenty to say about the OEM problem as it relates to the integrity of the work we do. And in the coming weeks and months, we’ll be using this space to explore some of the other issues we think every driver should be aware of regarding their insurance coverage.
But for starters, we strongly advise everybody who owns a car to get educated about their auto insurance. Start by reading the Buyers’ Guide, then read your own policy, talk to your agent, and if you feel like it, come in and talk to us. It may take more than 15 minutes. But it’ll save you a lot more than that 15% on your next premium, too.
What does your insurance really cover?
If you can’t really answer that question, don’t feel bad. You’re far from alone. It’s been our experience that most drivers know very little about the terms of their auto insurance policy – even what coverages they have – because they haven’t read it.
The good news is, we have – in fact, we’ve seen just about every kind of coverage from every major company over the years, and we can help make sure you get everything you’re entitled to.
That said, you really should read through your policy before you call us to arrange a service appointment. Pay particular attention to the terms of rental car reimbursement. If you have any questions, bring a copy of the policy along when you come in.
Our Customers Weigh In
We take great pride in the work we do here at Gold Coast Auto Body, and we’re not the only ones. Read a few of the recent endorsements we’ve received from thousands of satisfied customers who know first-hand the quality and commitment we bring to every job we do.
