I recently read a story on www.autobodynews.com about Geico Insurance charging the owners of domestic made cars a 10% fee for oem parts used in the repair process. For instance, if you have a 2000 Chevrolet car or truck repaired and the repair facility buys the part from Chevrolet, the owner has to pay 10% of the cost of the part in addition to any deductible or depreciable item he already owes. If this article is true, I find it unethical and I hope the Florida legal system finds it to be a illegal charge. If Geico has injected terminology in the policies they sell allowing them to do this, I hope everyone who reads this will investigate on their own before choosing a insurance provider. If this is fact, maybe a talking lizard isn’t the proper reptile to represent this company. Just my thought.

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2.       Are all insurance policies alike?  Absolutely not.  You should sit down and visit with your agent in person.  Don’t make the mistake of buying  cheaper  insurance over the internet or a toll free phone number.  Always remember  the old  saying  “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR”.  This certainly includes insurance coverage. The agent is best qualified to answer questions about your policy. Make sure you buy enough liability coverage. Ask if the company specifies what types  of parts are to be used in the repair process. Many companies specify aftermarket,used, or reconditioned parts.  These parts will work great in some applications and help keep the cost of the claim down.  This is not always the case. The goal of every repair should be to restore the vehicle to pre-accident condition. The costs of parts and materials are a consideration but should never be the cause of a poor repair. No one knows what parts are acceptable better than the repair shop. If the type of parts is a major consideration, you can buy policies from some companies that specify only new original parts on their repair estimates.

3.       What is a direct repair  or preferred shop program and am I required to participate? 

Many insurance companies have a list of shops they prefer you use after an accident. Sometimes the programs are good for the consumer and sometimes they are a nightmare. At Clinton Body Shop we are not working for the insurance company. We work for you. We strive to make the most economical repairs while providing a high quality  repair our main goal. We have the trained technicians and advanced equipment to perform the best possible repair.  Some companies share our commitment to this goal and we will participate in their program. However, there are companies who I believe use their lists and preferred programs to control the cost of repairs more than the quality of repairs. Some companies  include a very small number of shops on their programs. In my opinion these companies would be the WORST choice for a consumer.  Think about it. If an insurance company has a large market share but only directs work to a small number of shops, who is the shop working for? Are they  working for you or for the company who may be filling the shop with work? At Clinton Body Shop we work for you. We have been promising “pride in perfection” for 30 years and we don’t compromise your trust in us. Remember you always have a choice. Don’t be deceived by misleading statements or tactics such as the insurance company doesn’t guarantee our work or it may take longer to have the car looked at, etc. We have been in business since August of 1979 and we know how to help expedite the claims process.

4.       Is there a difference in repair shops?   Absolutely. Training and equipment are the big difference.  At Clinton Body Shop  I-CAR  training is absolutely necessary. Participation in  I-CAR ‘s highest level of training results in the coveted Gold Class status for a shop. Clinton Body Shop has the highest number of consecutive years of maintaining the Gold Class status of any shop in Mississippi. You would have to search the entire North  American continent  to find a shop with more Gold Class years than us. This commitment speaks for itself. You can read more about the gold class program at www.goldclass.com  

I hope this answers some important questions and helps you when selecting insurance coverage .  If you need a repair shop, call Clinton Body Shop at either location and we will do everything possible to give you the repair we promise. “We take pride in perfection”