Read Helpful Information about Towing, Collisions & Repairs
Being in an accident is a very stressful situation. Don’t let matters get worse by not knowing what to do in terms of towing, reporting the accident and choosing a company for repairs. To make these matters easier on you, Healey’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. offers helpful tips, including:
Tow-In Procedures
Tips for After a Collision
10 Things to Know Before Repairs
If you have any questions about repairs, would like to request a free estimate or want to schedule our services, please contact us.
Tow-In Procedures
If you’ve never been in a collision before, you may not know who to call to tow your car to your auto repair shop. Healey’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. is here to help. Follow the steps below to make sure the towing process goes smoothly.
1. Contact a trusted towing company. It can be recommended by a friend or based on reviews you’ve read. They’ll give you an estimated time for arrival.
2. Contact a friend for a ride.
3. While waiting, get your personal items out of your vehicle. Be sure to take the essentials like your keys, chargers and anything of value. Cold gear, wiper fluid and other items can stay in the car if you can’t carry them.
4. The police will have given you a sticker after evaluating the accident. Be sure the sticker is in your vehicle.
5. When the tow truck arrives, give a set of vehicle keys to the tow truck driver to provide our technicians access to your vehicle.
6. Call Healey’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. and give us your name, phone number, car make and model, your licence plate number, insurance information and the name of the yard your vehicle was towed to so we can bring it to our shop for repairs.
Tips for After a Collision
After a collision, you need to remember certain details for the authorities and your insurance company. It’s a stressful time full of havoc, so we’ve compiled several tips to help you get through the process more easily.
1. Check for injuries. Check yourself, any passengers in your cars and the people in the other vehicle. Do not administer first aid on your own, unless you are qualified to do so.
2. If you are able, move your vehicle to the side of the road to get out of the way of traffic. Turn off your vehicle once it is parked.
3. Call the police, even if there is only minor damage.
4. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved in the collision.
5. On paper or your phone, take notes about the accident. Describe what happened, where everyone was seated, etc. This will help the police evaluate the situation when they arrive. You can also take photos of the accident to ensure clarity.
6. Call a towing service as explained above.
7. After the police arrive and evaluate the accident, write down the police incident number for your records and your insurance company.
8. Call your insurance company, giving them the police incident number and information about the collision.
9. Never admit fault, offer to pay damages or deny injuries when talking to other parties involved.
10 Things You Should Know Before Having Your Car Repaired
Some people name their cars, washing them every weekend and taking time to perform the minor repairs as needed. If you care about your vehicle, you need to make sure you consider these points before taking it in for repairs after a major collision or a minor fender bender.
1. Your car is the second largest investment you’re likely to make. Preserve its value and your safety by having it repaired professionally.
2. Never drive a car that could be unsafe because of damages.
3. Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claims centre before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at our shop and ask that the insurance company inspect the car here.
4. There is no law requiring you to obtain more than one estimate or appraisal.
5. You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.
6. Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you’re not sure why one estimate is different from another you’ve received, please ask us.
7. Choose a shop that has uni-body repair equipment and certified (by I-CAR or ASE, for example) technicians.
8. Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.
9. Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty.
10. Let us help you negotiate your claim with the insurance company.
