1. Get the Ball Rolling
Contact the insurance company of the presumed "at fault" driver. This information should be listed on the accident report provided by the Police Department or Sheriff's Office. Make sure that a claim has been filed. If not, ask if you can begin the claims process.
2. Find out what your responsibilities are
Does an estimator of the insurance company need to see your vehicle? Do you need to go to a specific shop for an estimate?
An estimate is exactly what it is titled... an estimate. It does not reflect the exact dollar amount the insurance company will pay to repair your vehicle!!!
You are not obligated to have your vehicle repaired at the same location that wrote your estimate!!!
You can choose any body shop to perform the repairs to your vehicle!!!
A good body shop will guarantee their own work with a lifetime warranty!!!
3. Once the insurance company has accepted liability make an informed decision on who you want to repair your vehicle.
Get the information! Ask people who have had previous repairs whom they would recommend. Check with Better Business Bureau. Get out there and visit some shops. Where do you feel most comfortable? Who has the training, the equipment, the reputation, the experience to perform the best repair? Don't be afraid to ask questions. Professionals know that most people don't deal with body repair often or at all, and are willing to take the time to talk with you.
4. Paperwork, paperwork,paperwork!
Once you decide who you want to perform your repairs, you will need to provide a copy of the insurance company approved estimate to the repair facility. Also, you will need to sign some authorization forms required by the State of Florida. These forms are to protect you. They are meant to confirm that you want that shop to order parts, perform the specified repairs, contact you in the event of finding additional damages, and allow the shop to operate your vehicle.
After signing the authorizations the shop will order the specified parts. This may take several days. But once the parts have arrived they should contact you to set up a date to drop the vehicle off for repairs. You will want to find out an anticipated time frame the shop expect to have your vehicle. This may change once repairs have begun as additional damages may be found as the repairs progress.
This is only a general outline and may not be applicable to all instances!!!!! Please ask for specifics.
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