How to Have Insurance Cover Body Shop Costs

If you want your insurance to cover body shop costs, you need to prepare well in advance of any possible accident or breakdown. Because not all types of insurance offer the same coverage, understanding what you are and are not allowed to do will improve your chances of getting full coverage or a refund for any expenses you incur along the process of having your car repaired.

Instructions

1

Find out in advance what your insurance covers and what it does not. Most insurance companies offer a standard coverage for their basic premium and this may or may not cover your costs related to body shop repairs. If you already have insurance, call your company and ask for an itemized list of items covered by your premium.

2

Obtain a list of body shops authorized by your insurance company. Many companies that allow for body shop repairs coverage will only allow you to visit a pre-approved list of professionals. Keep a list available in case of accident or emergency repair. The last thing you want is to be caught on a weekend without access to this information.

3

Visit the Insure.com website to understand your rights when it comes to insurance covering your body shop costs (see Resources below). Because policies vary widely, it is important that you understand what your rights and obligations are when the need arises.

4

Buy collision repair to ensure that you are fully covered for body shop costs. Collision repair covers everything (except your deductible) needed to return your car to working condition following an accident or breakdown. Make sure that the policy you buy covers parts, labor and diagnostic.

5

File the appropriate paperwork as soon as the accident or damage happens. Depending on your policy, this may require a police report, a body shop estimate or a signed declaration. Some companies also have a time limit when it comes to filing a claim, so find out in advance what the procedure entails.