Was Your BMW Damaged In An Accident? 3 Facts You Should Know Before Having It Repaired

Purchasing a luxury vehicle, such as a BMW, can require a significant financial investment. Consequently, when this vehicle becomes damaged in an accident, you will understandably be in quite a hurry to have it restored to its former glory. However, before you rush off to the nearest auto body shop in search of repairs, there are a few facts that you should know.

Fact #1: You Have The Right To Chose Any Repair Shop You Want

The insurance company will likely make a not-so-gentle suggestion that you visit one of the repair shops that they work closely with. While you are certainly free to take this suggestion if you wish, you should know that you are under no obligation to visit one of these repair shops. In fact, the law provides you with the right to choose any repair shop that you want without the fear of losing your insurance coverage as a result. This fact is especially important when dealing with repairs to high end vehicles, as not all repair shops will be equipped with the tools and skills necessary to repair these vehicles properly.

Fact #2: You May Have The Right To Demand OEM Parts

If your insurance company has accepted liability for the damages to your vehicle, they will be responsible for restoring your vehicle to the same condition it was in prior to the accident. This is a very important fact for you to remember, especially if your vehicle was still relatively new at the time of the accident.

Many auto repair shops will use aftermarket parts in order to keep costs to a minimum. While this can be a beneficial strategy when paying for your own repairs, it may not be the right strategy for people who are relying on their auto insurance to cover the bill.

If your vehicle contained all original manufacturer parts at the time of the accident, you have the right to demand the use of original parts when performing repairs to your vehicle. Exercising this right can help you to maintain the resale value of you vehicle and ensure that your vehicle truly is restored to its previous condition.

Fact #3: Not All Damages Will Require Prior Approval

While most accident-related damages will need to be assessed and approved by the insurance company before repairs can be completed, this is not true of all types of damage. This is because certain types of damages will need to be repaired immediately in order to prevent further damage to your vehicle. These repairs are often referred to as emergency repairs.

The most common type of emergency repair is auto glass repair, since allowing auto glass to remain compromised could result in water damage to the interior of the vehicle, and ultimately cause the vehicle to be at a higher risk for theft or vandalism. When dealing with this type of damage, there is no need to obtain prior approval in order to use your insurance coverage to cover the cost of any necessary repairs.

Bringing a copy of your insurance policy with you to the repair shop will allow you to determine whether or not your insurance coverage provides for this type of emergency repairs.

Visit a repair shop like August European to learn more about your auto repair rights.