I'VE NEVER NEEDED COLLISION REPAIRS BEFORE. CAN YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE CLAIMS PROCESS?
When you contact your insurance company (or the other drivers insurance company) they will ask you to explain what happened. When that is complete ask them for a claim number. With your claim number we can handle everything for you from that point including dealing with the insurance appraiser and getting you a rental car if you need one.
DO I NEED TO GET 2 OR 3 ESTIMATES?
No. There is no law that requires this. It is the insurance companies obligation to adjust your claim fairly. If you leave your vehicle with us we will supervise the insurance appraiser and make sure they write a fair estimate that will restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition.
DO I HAVE TO GO WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DIRECTS ME? No. It is your legal right to do business with the shop of your choice. Some insurance companies will try to steer you to one of their "DRP-direct repair program" repair shops on their list. Beware of this tactic. Many of these shops in exchange for referrals from insurance companies agree to skip certain repair procedures, use imitation parts, offer discounted labor rates and parts discounts that go directly into the insurance company pocket, not yours. These shops are nothing more than just managed care providers that work for the insurance company and not foryou.
We don't have any deals with insurance companies. The reason we refuse to do cheap, unsafe repairs in order to have business referred to our shop.
DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES "DRIVE-IN" CLAIMS OFFICE?
No, you are not required to all you have to do is tell the insurance company your leaving your vehicle with The Ultimate Paint Shop and to send their appraiser to our location. If they tell you they don't know when they can get an appraiser out to our shop don't believe it. When you leave your vehicle with us to repair we will also notify them that your vehicle is in our shop and request a field appraiser be sent to our shop. We'll make sure they send an appraiser out promptly. If you have the claim number and don't feel like dealing with the insurance company anymore we will do this for you.
IF MY CAR IS LEASED DO I HAVE LET MY LEASE COMPANY KNOW MY VEHICLES BEEN IN A COLLISION?
You are responsible for the condition of your leased vehicle. When your lease is up and you turn in your vehicle the lease company will do an independent appraisal of the condition of your vehicle. Other than normal wear, if they find any body damage, counterfeit parts or improper repairs you will be assessed at that time for the cost of repairing that damage.
HOW CAN I KNOW IF A BODY SHOP WILL DO A GOOD JOB? The Ultimate Paint Shop is a member of ACRB or Automotive Customer Relations Bureau. To be a member in ACRB a body shop must demonstrate excellence in their work. We are also Factory Certified to work on Audi, Lamborgini, and Saab. These manufactures have very strict guidelines and our technicians are consistently receiving training and testing on the newest collision repair technology and techniques. In fact we are the only body shop in Illinois that is certified by Audi of North America to work on Audi A8 aluminum frames
CAN I GET A SAFE AND PROPER REPAIR IF I GO BACK TO THE CAR DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS?
If you have a problem with your foot you wouldn't go to an ear, nose and throat doctor right? Obviously you'd go to a foot doctor. Specialization is the key for excellent service and product. Many people think that if they own a Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota or whatever they should go to the car dealership for repairs. If you do, this could be a big mistake. Let me explain why. Car dealerships specialize in selling cars that's what they do best. Car dealerships body shops are a sideline not a specialty. Many times these dealership body shops have deals with insurance companies that can include the use of imitation parts, discounted labor rates, parts discounts and may agree to skip certain repair procedures in exchange for referrals. We specialize in one thing. collision repair. We'll put our work and service against anyone in Tucson or the country and especially a car dealerships body shops work!
WHAT ARE OEM PARTS (Original Equipment Manufacture) Parts?
These are the parts made by the manufacture of your car for your car. OEM are the only acceptable body parts a repair shop can use in order to preserve your factory warranty, protect your safety and assure repairs to pre-accident condition.
WHAT KIND OF WARRANTY DO YOU OFFER?
When you choose The Ultimate Paint Shop, you get a limited LIFETIME WARRANTY on all paint work. Click on WARRANTY to read our full warranty details.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BILL?
The vehicle owner is. However the insurance company has a legal obligation to their insured to pay for the repairs. Generally an insured will pay their deductible and the insurance company will pay the rest to the insured.
DO INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE STANDARDS FOR COLLISION REPAIRS?
None that we're aware of. Some say they do but in practice it doesn't exist. Since most insurance companies and the shops they recommend don't ever do post repair inspections, it would be very difficult to police any standards they might have.
DOES MY INSURANCE COMPANY GUARANTEE THE REPAIR?
No. We do. As a steering tactic some insurance companies will tell you that if you take your vehicle to a shop on their list they will guarantee the repairs. But if you take it to a shop not on their list they won't. NOT TRUE! They have to stand by your repairs no matter what. If you get a sub-standard repair your insurance company has an obligation to intervene in the proper repair of your vehicle.
DO YOU OFFER CAR RENTAL SERVICE?
Yes. We can arrange for Enterprise Car Rental to pick you up at our location and when we're done with repairs you can leave their vehicle with us. If you have rental car coverage Enterprise Car Rental should be able to set up a direct billing with your insurance company unless your policy states otherwise. If you are a claimant once the other persons insurance company has accepted liability you should be entitled to a rental vehicle (equivalent transportation) at their expense while we're repairing your vehicle. We can arrange this also for you.
DO YOU OFFER TOWING SERVICE?
Yes. We are partners with Ultimate Towing. We can arrange a pick up for you, or you can call the at 847.555.5555
COULD YOU PROVIDE PICK UP AND DELIVERY SERVICES
Yes. To ensure that we can accommodate your schedule, please give us as much notice as possible.
ARE YOU OPEN ON SATURDAY?
