Fixing My Car – What to Expect

At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we deal with car accidents all the time. The majority don't result in injuries and are called "property-damage-only collisions." But we know that they still add a lot of stress and confusion to your life. That's why we've created our Car Accident Resource Center.

Many questions car accident victims ask involve fixing their vehicle. You may have questions such as:

• Who pays?
• Will the other driver's insurance company contact me?
• Will I get a rental car?
• Can I receive compensation for the ‘inconvenience' of fixing my car?
• What can I do if the insurance company is being difficult?

We've answered these questions and more below.

Who Pays for Car Repairs

After an accident, you basically have two options for repairing your vehicle. You can go through your own insurance company or through the at-fault party's insurance carrier.

Repairs Through Your Own Insurance Company

The fastest and easiest way to repair your car is through your own insurance company. If you have collision or comprehensive coverage on your policy, depending on the type of accident, your insurance company will pay cover repairs after you pay the deductible. If the other person was at fault for the accident, your insurance company may seek reimbursement from them later.

Repairs Through the Other Driver's Insurance Company

You also can try to get the other person's insurance company to pay for the repairs, assuming they were at-fault. The driver should notify their insurance company about the collision, and the insurance company should contact you to open an insurance claim. You won't need to pay the deductible as you would through your own insurance company, but know that you may face delays in fixing your vehicle. For many people, that can be very inconvenient.

The other insurance company also will send out an adjuster to evaluate the damage to your vehicle. They may downplay the damage to your car or send you to one of their preferred providers, who may want to use generic or salvage parts to repair your car. If you want to use our own auto body shop or mechanic, you may have to negotiate back and forth.

Keep in Mind…

Pennsylvania auto insurance law only requires $5,000 in property damage coverage for drivers, which may not be enough to pay for the repairs to your vehicle.

Many times in making a property damage claim, people want to receive additional compensation for the inconvenience of the accident, renting a car, and fixing their vehicle. Car accidents ARE very inconvenient, but unfortunately you can't seek additional compensation because of that fact. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to make claims for such circumstances as part of a personal injury claim.

If the other person's insurance company doesn't contact you to start the claim process, or if they are delaying your claim, you can contact them. If you continue to have problems, you can contact your own insurance company for help.

More Information Regarding Car Repairs

Get more information related to fixing your car. Learn about:

• Preferred providers
• Rental car options
• What to do if your car is totaled
• And more

We hope our Car Accident Resource Center has helped you to understand your rights as a car accident victim, and we encourage you to share the information with your friends and family. You never know when you'll be in an accident, so it's good to be prepared and understand the insurance claim process.

If you were injured in a car accident, please contact Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free legal consultation. There's no obligation to use our services. Call 412-668-5335, or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started.

‍