Auto Accidents in Baton Rouge: Understanding Common Insurance Phrases

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at fault or not, combining the inconvenience of being without your car with the head-spinning jargon used by insurance companies makes it even more taxing. Unless you are well-versed in the legalities that surround auto accidents, and your rights as far as insurance coverage goes, you can quickly succumb to false information. Here is a list of common insurance phrases you may hear from an insurance company to persuade you to bring your vehicle to their preferred shop. 

The repairs won’t be warrantied if you go to a different shop.

It’s essential to keep in mind that insurance companies don’t make repairs; therefore, they can’t warranty any repairs. Speak directly with the shop of your choice to discuss any possible warranties on parts and workmanship.

If you go somewhere else, we can’t provide a rental.

As long as you have rental coverage on your policy, a rental car has to be provided, regardless of which shop that you choose. If you are not at fault and are a claimant that was hit by someone else, their insurance company has to compensate you for the loss of the use of your vehicle with a rental.

A non-preferred shop will cause delays and cost you more money.

This is an intimidation tactic. The insurer is legally responsible for all accident-related costs. Delays may happen, but they can happen at any shop, and again, this is the insurer’s responsibility. This is another strategy to persuade you to use their preferred shop and appeal to your desire to resolve the entire process.

That shop won’t agree with our appraiser.

Appraisers are not repair professionals, and they represent the insurance company. The repair shop should do what is best for you, not the insurance company.

These are only a few of the ways that an insurance company will try and persuade you to use their preferred shop. Preferred shops have pre-negotiated rates and agreements in place that provide more business to the shop, and discounts for the insurance company. In Louisiana, it is your right to choose where to have your car repaired. Medines Collision Center does what is best for their customers, not insurance companies.