Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know before I get into an accident?
At the accident scene, should your vehicle not be safe to drive, call a towing company to assist you with moving your vehicle. If the police are at the scene, inform them that you would like your vehicle to be repaired at Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center, this will be a savings to your insurance company only having to tow your vehicle once.
If your vehicle is safe to drive, take your vehicle to Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center. We are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm.
You should then contact the insurance company and advise them of the damage and the shop you’ve selected for repairs.
Some insurance companies have what is called “drive-in claims services”, it is not mandatory you use this service. Just inform the insurance company where their claims representative can see your vehicle.
If the accident is your fault, your insurance company will cover the damage to your vehicle and the other party. If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other parties insurance should cover your damages. Try to collect from the other insurance, this will entitle you to a rental vehicle and you won’t have to pay a deductible.
OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer”. These are new parts made by the same manufacturer who made your vehicle.
What are “Aftermarket” parts?
Aftermarket (A/M) is used to describe parts that are made by manufacturers other than the ones who originally made your car. Some aftermarket parts carry certification that helps ensure the basic quality of the part. Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than new OEM, and for some applications may be a better choice than used OEM parts. Some repairers and insurers list these parts as “Quality Replacement Parts”.
LKQ stands for “like, kind, and quality”. Most of us are more familiar with the other term for this category which is “used part”. The term LKQ should be more precisely define a sub-category of used parts that are just like the ones on your vehicle before the loss.
Do I have to use the shop my insurance company recommends or can I take it to Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center?
ou can always take your vehicle to Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center. The insurance company cannot tell you where to repair your vehicle. Some insurance people will attempt to convince or STEER you to fix your vehicle at their PREFERRED Shop: a shop that gives the insurance company special deals. These deals will often come at the vehicle owners expense which could compromise safety and the quality of the repairs.
Should this happen, please contact Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center so own professional claim handlers can guide you through this unfortunate practice.
Do I have to get multiple estimates?
NO, you do not need to get multiple estimates: you only need to notify your insurance representative as to where you will be having your repairs done. Your insurance company will work hand in hand with the shop of your choice.
What happens if more damage is found?
It can be difficult to see all the damage during the initial inspection, finding additional damage is very common. Estimates written without a thorough disassembly of the vehicle often have overlooked or hidden damages.
If additional damage is found, it is documented and discussed with you and the insurance company. The insurance company may or may not want to come to see the damages. These supplemental charges are itemized, authorized, and billed along with the rest of the repairs.
If the insurance representative wants to come see the additional damage, the repair process could be delayed 2-5 business days. Be mindful that any additional parts found to be damaged will have to be ordered and that can lead to more delays.
A deductible is a portion of the repair bill that is not covered by your insurance policy. The amount is determined by your insurance company and is set when you purchase your insurance.
When and where do I pay my deductible?
Your deductible is paid directly to Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center when your repairs are completed. The insurance company pays us for the work performed minus your deductible.
Can you save me my deductible?
No, and neither can any other honest repair facililty.
Is it hard to match the color of my paint?
No, almost all colors can be matched. We employ highly skilled paint professionals who are factory trained using state of the art equipment to assure colors are matched to manufacturer’s standards.
What about my personal belongings?
Before dropping your vehicle off for repairs, we recommend that you remove your personal belongings or anything of value. Our insurance covers damage to your vehicle as a result of fire or employee error, but it only covers the vehicle and the factory installed parts. We do not assume liability for other items that you choose to leave in your vehicle. Our team often removes interior parts to gain access to the damaged area or to protect the interior from damage and need ready access to these areas.
Does Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center fix my kind of vehicle?
Our skilled technicians are trained to repair all makes and models of vehicles, foreign and domestic.
Do we guarantee our work?
Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center warrants every repair we do. We offer fast, friendly quality repairs that are guaranteed! We repair our vehicles to meet or exceed all manufacturer repair standards.
What makes Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center different from other body shops?
We specialize in Insurance Claim handling. We work with your insurance company so your claim is handled in the most efficient manner. Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center warrants every repair we do. We offer fast, friendly quality repairs that are guaranteed!
We are a collision center who will keep you informed throughout the repair process.
Will Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center coordinate my rental vehicle for me?
We can assist you in setting up a rental car while your vehicle is at our shop for repairs.