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FAQS

What to do after you've had an accident?

Call 911 if anyone is injured. If the police are summoned, get a copy of the accident report, or find out where you can get a copy.
Exchange information with the other driver: Driver’s Name, Address, Driver’s License Number, License Plate Number, Year, Make and Model of their Vehicle, Phone Number, Insurance Company, Policy Number, Insurance Company Phone Number.
Write a complete description of how the accident happened as soon as possible so the details are still fresh in your mind. Include the date and time of the accident, location, as well as the weather conditions. Describe the damages done to all vehicles that were involved.
If your cell phone takes photos or if you have a camera, take pictures of your vehicle and the other party’s vehicle. If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to also exchange contact information with them.
It is not a good idea to admit fault after your accident. When you report the accident to the insurance companies, they will get statements from all the parties involved, and it is their job to determine who was at fault, or the percentage of fault attributed to each of the drivers.
If your vehicle is not drivable, or is unsafe because of damages, please call our towing company at (908) 618-3791 to pick up your car and tow it to our facility. We will take it from there and guide you through the entire repair process. Your insurance company will send their estimator to our shop to inspect the damages and write an estimate.

What if the insurance company sends the check directly to me?

Don’t worry, it’s not a problem. Just bring the check with you when you pick up your car. You can endorse it and leave it with us to pay the repair bill.

My car's repairs are finished, but I never received payment from the insurance company. What should I do?

Many insurance companies will send a check directly to the repair facility. If it is written out to both of us, you will endorse the check when you pick your car up after the repairs have been completed.

What if my car is a total loss?

If the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds the value of your car, or a percentage that is determined by your insurance company, your car may be a total loss. The insurance company determines the value of your vehicle and will pay you this amount. It’s important to provide the insurance company with copies of any recent repairs, new tires or battery, DMV registration, and low mileage can all increase the amount of your settlement.

If my car is totaled, can I still keep it?

You can ask your insurance company what it would cost to keep your car and pay for the repairs out of pocket. The title for your car will have “Salvage.” Your insurance company may not want to insure your car after it’s salvage, so ask them what their policy is on it.

When can I wash my car after repairs?

During the first month, it’s best to hand wash your car and don’t wax or polish your vehicle to allow the finish to dry and harden completely. Commercial car washes stiff brushes could mar the finish. Never “dry wipe” your car, this may scratch the finish. Avoid parking under trees where tree sap and bird droppings can damage a freshly painted surface. Rinse off any gasoline spills as soon as possible.

Is the repair work covered by guaranteed?

The warranty covers the original owner of the vehicle that was repair by Samuel Auto Body, LLC. and is not transferable if vehicle is sold or given away.
If a Warrenty claim is made it must be made to Samuel Auto Body, LLC. and work covered by the warranty must be performed by Samuel Auto Body, LLC. unless expressed written waver is provided by Samuel Auto Body, LLC. and signed by owner of his agent.

Do I need an appointment for an estimate?

Our estimates are free, and you may drop in for an estimate anytime during our hours of operation. It is not necessary to schedule an appointment for an estimate. Most estimates take approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending upon the extent of the damage. We are well known and other may be here getting an estimate. We recommend you make an appointment and can use our form.

How long will the repair process take?

Not one collision is the same, nor simple repair each process needs it’s required parts and labor. We do not take short cuts here at Samuel Auto Body, LLC., we are completely honest with our customers and we will make sure we make our process as easy going as possible. We work with a local rental car palace and they can pick you up and bring to their location for paperwork.

How do I know if I can trust your shop to repair my car with quality?

Come see what our shop is repairing and compare. Samuel Auto Body, LLC. makes high quality long lasting repairs.  We even have a lifetime warranty on our repairs! We Also hat 5 Star rating on Google Reviews and Yelp.

How do I know if you can fix my type of car?

Ask us about your vehicle.  Ask the shop manager if they have a lot of experience repairing your make and model vehicle. Body shops often specialize on a particular type of vehicle or body repair. Read online reviews, we have a 5 Star rating on Google Reviews and Yelp.

How do I get a claim number?

A claim number is issued by your insurance company or the insurance company of the person who caused the accident when the accident is reported to them. Once you give us your claim number, we will contact your insurance company and work with them to get your car back to you as soon as possible.

Can my insurance company tell me where to have my vehicle repaired?

No, it’s your right to take your car to the auto body repair facility of your choice. Insurance companies are prohibited by law from requiring your repairs be done at a particular automotive repair shop. It’s your car, and it’s your right to choose where you take it.

Do I have to bring my car to my insurance companies' drive-in claims center?

Insurance companies may want you to bring your car to their drive-in claims center before getting your car repaired, but you may leave your car at our shop, and then ask the insurance company to inspect it here. Never drive a car that is unsafe because of collision damages.

If my car appears safe to drive, should I take my vehicle to a repair shop for an inspection?

It’s a good idea to have a trained technician look at your car and assess the damages. There may be hidden damages that make your vehicle unsafe to operate.

What's a deductible?

When you purchase automobile insurance you have the option to choose the amount of your deductible. A lower deductible, usually means your insurance premium will be higher, and a higher deductible, usually reduces what you pay for your automobile insurance. Your insurance company will issue a check to cover the repairs of your vehicle which will bring it back to its pre-accident condition. If the accident was your fault, the insurance company will subtract/deduct your deductible from the repair bill. It will be your responsibility to pay this amount to us when you pick up your car. For example, if you have a $500 deductible, and the collision repairs are $600, the insurance company will write a check for $100 and you will be responsible to pay $500 to us when the repairs are completed.

Do I always have to pay my deductible?

No, if the accident is not your fault, you will not have to pay your deductible. Some insurance companies will “Waive” your deductible, others will have you pay your deductible and then reimburse you once the person who hit you has accepted “Liability” for the accident and it’s been determined that it’s not your fault. The insurance companies will investigate your claim and determine who’s at fault. Once a liability decision is made, the percentage of fault will be decided. It’s best to contact your insurance company to see how they handle this.

What of the cost of repairs is less than my insurance deductible, can I pay for the repairs myself?

After reviewing your estimate, you can decide if it makes sense to pay for your repairs or make a claim with your insurance company.

Can you order the parts before I drop off my car?

Absolutely. Having the parts ahead of time reduces the chance of a part being unavailable or on a national back order, which can increase the time it takes to get your vehicle back to you. This helps us provide a quicker turnaround time to get you back into your car.

Where do I get a rental car?

When it’s time to leave your car, we can make the necessary arrangements to have a local rental car company pick you up at our shop. The rental car agency will take you to their office and get you into a rental car. When you’re making your claim with the insurance company, be sure to ask how much your per day rental coverage is, so the rental car company can provide you in the right class of car.

What happens if the insurance company has issued a check for my repairs and additional damages are found?

We will handle this for you by calling your insurance company, and they’ll send out an estimator/adjuster to review the damage. A “Supplement,” is another estimate that will be issued to cover the additional repairs. It’s always a good idea to bring your car to us, we’ll call the insurance company for the approval to disassemble your car, so they can see all hidden damages which reduces the repair time.