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I've Been In An Accident | Towing | Rental Cars | Estimates | Repair Process | Insurance | Payments | Post-Repair Care
What to do in the Event of an Accident
1. SAFETY FIRST
If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on its flashers. Put out warning triangles or flares if you have them. Then stand a safe distance away while you talk to other drivers or wait for help.
2. ARE YOU INJURED?
Double-check yourself and others around you to make sure no one is hurt. Even a fender bender might have caused an injury that's not noticeable right away. Summon medical help if there is any doubt.
3. CALL THE AUTHORITIES
Call the police, especially if there has been substantial damage or anyone is injured or acting confrontational. Ask for the investigating officer's name and contact information, and for the accident report number so that you can follow up.
4. EXCHANGE INFORMATION
Obtain the name, address, phone number, drivers license number, plate number, and insurance information of any other drivers involved in the accident, along with the names of anyone with injuries and any witnesses. However, don't argue over who is at fault or admit blame.
5. RECORD THE SCENE & CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE
If possible, take photos of the scene (a cell-phone camera can come in handy) or draw a diagram showing the cars' positions. Contact your insurer right away.
6. CALL DAN'S
After recording the scene, call Dan's Paint & Body (520) 795-0075 and we will guide you through the next steps of getting your vehicle repaired quickly and safely.
Towing
Yes! Give our partner Frontier Towing a call (520-748-1100) and tell them you want to bring your vehicle to Dan's Paint & Body. They will get everything set up for you.
If you are going through insurance, the tow bill will be billed directly to them. If you decide to pay out of pocket, the tow bill will be added to the final bill and due at the time the repair is complete.
Rental Cars
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. We partner with Enterprise Rental 520-747-9700.
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.
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.
Call us at (520) 795-0075 and make an appointment.
No, it is YOUR decision who and where your vehicle will be repaired. If you decided on a shop, have your insurance company deal directly with them. Remember, it’s your choice, not the insurance companies!
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 your insurance adjuster already came to look at your vehicle you are able to 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 estimate.
Repair Process
Yes, it is your responsibility, and your right, to choose who will repair your vehicle.
There are many factors to consider when estimating length of time for the repairs like part availability, paint and material dry times and availability of specific equipment within our facility. We understand that you depend on your transportation and we work very hard to complete the repair in a timely manor. Rushing repairs could result in a less satisfactory repair. Our professional estimators are happy to estimate how long it will take and do our very best to meet or exceed that goal. Remember, we don't get paid until the job is complete so it's to our advantage to complete the work in a timely manner.
Vehicles with frame or suspension damage will require a two or four-wheel alignment. We have specifications on every vehicle to insure that the frame or unibody is returned to its pre-accident condition. With precise frame repair and state-of-the-art alignment equipment your vehicle will drive and handle the same as it was manufactured to do, except in cases when the vehicle has normal and incidental wear on undamaged parts.
With our highly skilled and trained professionals we are able to reproduce the finish on your vehicle. We use only the highest of quality paint manufactured by BASF. We not only duplicate the precise color but also the texture.
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 any one of our shops. 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. We warranty all of our work and will fix any issues that arise. If it turns out to be something the insurance company needs to be brought in on we have procedures in place to get everything taken care of.
Insurance
A deductible is the portion of the total repair cost that you may be responsible for. It may be included in the terms of your auto insurance policy. There can be different deductibles amounts indicated on your policy for different types of incidents (Collision, Comprehensive, or Glass claims). If the accident was not your fault and the repairs are being paid by a company other than your insurance company then chances are that you do not have a deductible. You may not have any out of pocket expenses at all.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand what choices you have when your involved in an accident. We can help you with all these types of choices and help determine what's in your best interest.
The cost of repairs plus the value of the vehicle in damaged condition (salvage value) - is greater than the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle prior to the accident.
There are a lot of repair facilities who advertise to save your deductible. What they fail to tell you is how they are able to do this. You should also be told what part of the repair they are not going to do or what is going to be sacrificed. As a rule, insurance allowances to repair vehicles at a repair facility are regulated very tightly. We hope that if you choose to use a facility who is going to "save your deductible", or any portion of it, that they are not forced to sacrifice the quality of the repair to make a profit.
(Original Equipment Manufactured) are 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. If the insurance only pays for Aftermarket you have the option to pay the difference and receive the same part your vehicle was manufactured with.
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, or in some instances allow the repairer to make the determination. They may use a vehicle evaluation service or the newspaper to determine pre-accident value. The owner should also determine the value independently.
Sometimes. If you feel the ACV offered by the insurance company is too low, then you are obligated to prove this either through documented receipts of vehicle enhancement or written statements by qualified experts to determine the proper value.
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 Dan's Paint and Body.
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.
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.
"It's Your Vehicle, It's Your Choice, Choose Dan's!"
ADDRESS:
Dan's Paint & Body
3810 E. 22nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: (520) 795-0075
Fax: (520) 323-0059
HOURS:
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM