The questions Kate answers ten times a day: who pays whom, what a deductible is, and why the insurance estimate is usually lower than ours.
If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company pays for the repair, a rental car and towing. You pay nothing. We open the claim with their insurer and work it from there.
If you were at fault, or it was a hit-and-run, your own collision coverage pays, minus your deductible. If you only carry liability insurance, the repair is out of pocket.
Hit-and-run or uninsured driver: your uninsured-motorist coverage or collision coverage usually applies. Bring your policy and we will tell you which.
The part of a claim you pay yourself, usually $500 or $1,000. Example: the repair is $3,200 and your deductible is $500. The insurer pays us $2,700, and you pay us $500 when you pick up the car. If the repair costs less than your deductible, there is no point filing a claim.
Adjusters often write the first estimate from photos, before anything is taken apart. Once the bumper or fender comes off we find bent brackets, broken clips, a cracked absorber or a sensor that needs calibration. We photograph everything and send a supplement; the insurer reviews and pays for the additional work. For covered repairs this does not come out of your pocket.
Most policies cover original (OEM) parts for newer cars and may specify aftermarket or used parts for older ones. We tell you what your policy allows before ordering, and we use OEM parts whenever it covers them.
If the other driver was at fault, their insurer pays for a rental for the length of the repair. If it is your own claim, rental is covered only when your policy includes it (it is cheap to add). Either way, we arrange the car so you are not without transportation.
No. In Pennsylvania the insurer can recommend network shops but cannot require you to use one, and your claim is paid the same way at the shop you choose. Give us the claim number and we handle the rest.
If the repair costs more than a set percentage of the car's value, the insurer declares a total loss and pays you the car's market value instead of repairing it. We tell you honestly when a car is heading that way, before you spend money on a tow or storage.
For smaller damage, paying yourself is often smarter than a claim: no deductible, no claim on your record. We quote repair and replacement options so you can choose. We accept credit and debit cards.
Real numbers from our own jobs. Parts delivery and insurance approval can add days, so we give you a firm date at the estimate and tell you right away if it moves.
Call or text (267) 722-8355, or use the form. We reply within one business hour (Mon–Fri 9–5).
