Know Your Rights When Dealing with Auto Insurance
Navigating the complexities of auto insurance can be daunting, especially following a vehicle accident. At Hansen Auto Body and Automotive, we believe it’s crucial for you to understand your rights and the obligations of your insurance company. We are dedicated to empowering our customers with knowledge, ensuring that you can make informed decisions about your vehicle repairs. Here’s what you need to know when dealing with insurance claims:
Understanding Your Insurance Policy
Insurance companies are businesses, and like any business, their goal is to maximize profits.
This can sometimes lead to practices that seem to prioritize their interests over your needs. It’s important to remember:
You Are the Priority
Your insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company wherein they agree to cover losses. You are their customer, and they have an obligation to fulfill their promises to you, not the other way around.
Guarantees and Warranties
Some insurers may claim they won't guarantee the work unless it's done at their preferred shop. However, Hansen Auto Body offers a Lifetime Guarantee on all repairs, making such statements irrelevant. The guarantee of a repair's quality comes from the repair shop, not the insurance company.
Right to Choose Your Repair Shop
Under Connecticut State Law, you have the ultimate authority to select where your vehicle is repaired. Insurance companies might try to direct you to their partnered shops, but remember, you can choose your repair provider — a right we uphold at Hansen Auto Body.
Insurance Tactics
Be aware that some insurers might suggest that using their repair shops is easier. It's crucial to consider who this convenience truly benefits. At Hansen Auto Body, we handle claims daily and strive to make the process straightforward and transparent for you.
Negotiating Repair Costs
While insurance companies may attempt to control the repair costs, we negotiate directly with them to ensure that your vehicle is restored to its pre-accident condition without compromising on quality.
Concierge Services
If offered a concierge service, where you wouldn’t know the repairer of your vehicle, consider this carefully. This might be a strategy to minimize the insurer's costs at the expense of repair quality. Remember, when you choose Hansen Auto Body, we ensure you stay informed and involved in every step of the repair process.
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Visit us at our Stratford, CT location and experience the Hansen difference — where your vehicle is treated with the care it deserves, and customer service is not just a promise, but a guarantee.