Auto Insurance Company Connecticut

Reader’s Question:

Kathleen of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I just had a minor accident a few weeks ago. The whole repair process was horrendous. My auto insurance company has designated body shops. Is it advisable to use their designated body shops?

Kathleen

Bridgeport, CT

Hello, Kathleen. I am familiar with the arduous routine that follows when you need to have your car fixed. After the experiencing the shock of having a road accident, you will deal with the trauma of having it repaired. First, remember that your auto insurance can not and should not force you to pick one of their designated shops. And also, check to make sure that the repair cost is not cheaper than your deductible. Otherwise, you are essentially paying for the repair.

There are benefits, though, if you go with one of their designated shops in your area (Bridgeport, CT). Insurance companies have devised this designated body shop program to lessen the inconvenience of having an insured car repaired. Studies have shown that after going through the process of having a car repaired (arranging to have the car towed, obtaining repair estimates, choosing a body shop, looking for a rental car, etc), people would usually want to change their auto insurance company. If you choose a designated repair shop, the tedious process mentioned above will be minimized if not eradicated. The object of designated repair shops is to improve customer satisfaction, so that the policy holder won’t think of cancelling the policy. Of course, the auto insurance companies get discounts from these shops. They get their discounts, you get convenience.