Following an accident, it may be obvious the kind of auto repairs required depending on the type of accidents and the parts affected. However, it may not be a straightforward and obvious to the insurance companies and auto repair shops. Oftentimes, these two disagree over the repairs needed and it is important as the vehicle owner to pay particular attention to such disputes. The body shop may give its estimate which the insurance company may turn down or the insurer may generate its original estimate which the repair shop upon assessment disagrees with it. In either case, the solution lies in understanding the points of contention so that a comprise can be reached at and have your vehicle repaired. There are several variables on which body shops and insurance companies disagree. Below are some of them.

Replacement of Vehicle Parts

At times, the garage may require that a part of your vehicle be replaced due to the damage suffered following the accident. On the other hand, the insurance company may dispute, wanting the body shop to first repair it before concluding that it is irreparable and hence needs to be replaced. Whoever carries the day here depends on how they advance their case.

The Replacement Parts to Use

As the vehicle owner, your interest is not just to have your vehicle fixed, but also repaired with quality parts preferably from the original equipment manufacturer. In a bid to save money, the insurer may advocate for cheaper replacement parts thereby bringing a disagreement.

The Length of Time for Repairs

The body shop being at the centre of the repair process usually estimates the number of hours it takes to repair the damage. For instance, they may estimate a dent to take about 6 hours to fix. Since each extra hour adds to the labour cost and depending on your policy you may be entitled to a rental car, the insurance company may try to minimise the financial loss by advocating for fewer repair hours. Other areas of dispute include the labour rate and some errors in the estimate such as the replacement of parts which haven't been damaged or omitting damaged areas that actually need repair. Most of these disputes are typically resolved fairly quickly, but on your part, you should be vigilant on the type of policy you take. For instance, some policies may spell out that only original equipment manufacturer parts should be used in the event of a repair. This will be your lifeline.