DIFFERENCES
A Closer Look at How Some Insurance Companies Want To Repair Your Vehicle

SHELLEY AND MARK VENABLES

DID YOU KNOW...

Many Insurance companies want to fix it the cheapest way possible in the least amount of time.

We believe when you paid your insurance premium you already paid for your vehicle to be restored to its pre-accident condition as your policy promises, on time and without any discounts back to your insurance company.

The Direct Repair Shops some Insurance companies “recommend” are required to write each estimate using imitation and salvage parts, BUT…these shops are not required to tell you that they can negotiate on your behalf without your knowledge.

We believe in protecting your car’s warranty and value. This can only be done by providing a complete estimate, using original factory parts and by following your vehicle manufacturer’s repair specifications.
At Color Crafters, you are the customer. We do nothing without your knowledge and permission.

Some Insurance companies believe their so-called repair guarantee gives them the right to take away your freedom of choice and control who does the repairs.

We believe your rights should never be taken away to benefit any other party. The insurance company "guarantee" is a guarantee limited to the imitation parts they want to use on your car. The quality of the work and the liability of the repairs can only be guaranteed by the shop.
You know where we stand…and we hope you now have a little better idea where most insurance companies stand.

At Color Crafters…We Care About You and Your Car.

Some Insurance Companies Prefer Using Cheap Aftermarket Crash Parts When Repairing Your Vehicle.

CNN reports why aftermarket parts may not your best choice.

 “Aftermarket crash parts decrease your vehicle's resale value. This should be given serious consideration if you plan on reselling or trading in your car because many dealers check repair history.

Also … putting aftermarket crash parts on your leased car could cost you all or part of your security deposit, because technically you’re not returning the vehicle in the same condition as when it was leased.

The other huge concern with aftermarket crash parts is safety. Advocates of original factory parts claim that aftermarket crash parts aren't subjected to the same crash-testing procedures as original equipment manufacturers and therefore are not as safe.

In the end, it's your car…it’s your choice. And remember: when you play an active role in choosing your body shop and communicate clearly with both the repair facility and your claims adjuster, you won’t get caught off guard.”

JD POWER & ASSOCIATES Confirms The Importance Of Your Right To Choose Who Repairs Your Vehicle

Did you know… according to a recent collision repair study done by JD Power and associates, consumers who use an insurance company that requires their vehicle to be taken to one of its preferred provider shops for repair are less satisfied overall than those who are able to choose their own repair shop.

In other words… the more restricted the program, the less pleased and satisfied consumers were.

Could This Be Why Some Insurance Companies Want To Repair Your Vehicle The Cheapest Way Possible?

DID YOU KNOW… according to executive paywatch on the internet,  Edward m. Liddy, President and CEO of Allstate Insurance rakes in over 14 million dollars in salary each year, and has another 34 million dollars in stock options.

Glenn M Renwick, President and CEO of Progressive Insurance takes over 7.5 million dollars in salary annually, and has over 35 million dollars in stock options.

These incomes are not the exception, they are the rule in the insurance industry.

It’s pretty impressive how generous these insurance companies are with your money, that is, until you file a claim.

So, you might want to keep these multi-millionaires in mind the next time your insurance company wants to discount your repairs, use cheap imitation parts… now you know why they do it.

At Color Crafters, we work for you and only you. We have no contract with any insurance company. We use only original factory parts and back the quality of our work with a written guarantee.
At Color Crafters we believe when you bought your policy, you paid for your repairs (less the pre-agreed amount of your deductible)
That's why at Color Crafters the quality of your repairs won’t get lost in their Ceo’s Compensation Package.

Important to Know When You File a Claim:

Did you know when you file a collision claim you are no longer a client of the insurance company… you are now their adversary.

Your insurance company pays their agents, appraisers, claims adjusters, body shops on their “recommended list”, and a team of lawyers to satisfy your claim for as little cost to them as possible.

Car Claims: Don't Compromise on Quality
From CNN’s “Money 101”

A shop in your insurer's network of preferred providers -- an automotive version of an HMO -- may fix your car faster than others because you won't have to wait for an adjuster, or argue over repair costs.

However, because of their mandate from the insurer to keep repair costs low, such shops may stint on quality. It's probably better to find a repair shop whose reputation you trust.

Counterfeit or “generic” replacement parts

Watch out for "generic" replacement parts, particularly hoods and fenders. They may not fit or resist rust as well as parts by the company that made the car, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Before you authorize the repair, scan the repair order for generic parts labeled LKQ (like kind and quality).

Most likely, you'll prevail if you insist on OEM parts. A survey by Industrial Market and Research, an auto-industry research firm, found that 71 percent of consumers who demanded such parts ultimately got them.

If you can't convince your insurer to supply OEM parts and your car is fairly expensive, consider paying an appraiser to determine if your car's market value is significantly lower (diminished value) after the repair. Your policy should enable you to collect the difference between the old and new values.

So, who do you have looking out for you?
You have us… the skilled and experienced team at Color Crafters.

We work for you. We’re an independent repair service, free from insurance control.

Feel free to contact us with any concerns regarding your current collision coverage. (301) 868-8840