The following are answers to the questions most often asked by our customers. Please feel free to contact us in person, by phone, or by e-mail if you have additional questions. We are here to help.
Do I need to make an appointment to get an estimate? Not at all! You can stop by anytime during business hours.
How long will it take? It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending on the extent of damage.
Is there a cost? Estimates are free. You are responsible for your deductible, if you have one, payable to Nourse Collision Center at the completion of repairs. Nourse accepts payment in the form of check, cash or credit/debit. The insurance company is responsible for all repair expenses above your deductible. It costs you no more to choose the repair facility that provides the highest quality repairs.
Do I need more than one estimate? No. You have the right, as the vehicle owner, to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice. Your insurance comany is responsible for the cost of returning your vehicle to the condition it was in prior to the accident. You will be responsible for paying any deductible amount as specified in your policy.
What if my vehicle needs to be towed to your shop? We work closely with a very reputable local towing company who will tow your vehicle to our shop and direct bill us. We will include any towing charges on our estimate for your insurance company to pay.
Will you use new factory parts in the repair of my vehicle? That depends on your insurance policy. Most insurance companies require the use of salvage or aftermarket parts in the repair process. Each company will have different guidelines for when the salvage or aftermarket parts are to be used, usually depending upon the age of your vehicle. We will be happy to inquire about specific requirements with your insurance company if you would like. Remember that you are our customer, not the insurance company. Our goal is to make sure you are completely satisfied with your repair.
How long will it take to repair my car? Because each situation is different, there is no standard time period necessary to make repairs. The length of time is dependent on the extent of the damage, availability of parts, and of course, your insurance adjustor's timeliness. However, we do everything we can to keep your repair time as short as possible.
Will my insurance pay for a rental car? Yes, if you have rental coverage. Also check with your agent or insurance company to see how much of the rental is covered; some policies pay the full amount, some will only pay a percentage. If the claim is a liability claim (the accident was not your fault), the full amount will be covered.
How can I get a rental car? If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements.
Can you save me my deductible? An honest repair shop will always say no. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. It states that if you are involved in a collision, you are responsible for the first portion of the repairs (your deductible) and sometimes any depreciation or betterment on mechanical parts. The insurance company will pay the rest.
How difficult is it to match my paint color? Yes, it may be difficult. However, a high-quality facility will take the steps necessary to ensure your satisfaction with the match. The following is a brief description of how paint-matching works.
Your vehicle carries a paint code, printed on a label frequently located on the driver side door jamb. This code specifically identifies your car's color and is used by the repair shop to determine which paint-mixing formula should be used. This works fine if your vehicle is precisely the color specified by the paint code. However, in the actual vehicle production, there are often slight variations.
If your vehicle is not the exact color specified by the factory, the first step in paint matching is "tinting" or varying the amount of the components in the formula. Sometimes, a perfect match cannot be obtained by tinting alone. In these cases, blending techniques are used. The last little bit of variance is made invisible by painting portions of the vehicle adjacent to the repaired areas so that the color changes are unnoticeable. This can make the difference between a very good match and an invisible repair.
Proper paint-matching techniques require a high level of skill and sometimes a great deal of patience. At Nourse Collision, all our technicians are trained and certified by the paint manufacturers. Be sure you select a repair facility that will take the time to produce a match in the perfect range and will not be satisfied with merely good results.
What exactly is a Direct Repair Shop? A direct repair facility is a body shop that works directly with your insurance company as a preferred shop. Body shops earn the right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements, such as having certified technicians, using the proper equipment, and having a record of satisfied customers. A preferred shop actually writes the estimate, orders the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having to wait for an insurance adjuster.
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