HOME | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a deductible?
Who do I pay the deductible to?
Can the shop help bury my deductible?
Who is responsible for the quality of repairs?
Can I have my vehicle repaired at the shop of my choice?
Will my insurance company pay for a rental vehicle?
What is the difference between the estimate and the repair order?
Will the shop refund money if the actual repair times do not take as long as estimated?
MPI says my car is a total loss. What does that mean?
How is the Actual Cash Value determined?
Is the ACV negotiable?
When are you open?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Can I get other work done, not covered by insurance, while my car is in your shop for repair?
Your Frame Repair Questions
Q. Do I have to pay a deductible?
A. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your MPI policy. If you were not at fault, MPI most likely will waive your deductible. Insurance companies determine fault by your account of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the accident report filed with the police department. If you aren't sure about your deductible, you can call your Estimator and they can tell you whether MPI has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.
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Q. Who do I pay the deductible to?
A. If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay us when you pick up your vehicle. If you aren't sure about your deductible, you can call your Estimator and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.
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Q. Can the shop help bury my deductible?
A. No. When you purchased your insurance policy, you signed a contract saying you will pay the first amount of the claim up to your deductible. Repairers should not be asked to hide the deductible. That practice would constitute fraud by both the shop and consumer. The penalties for insurance fraud are severe.
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Q. Who is responsible for the quality of repairs?
A. The shop you choose is responsible for the quality of repairs.
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Q. Can I have my vehicle repaired at the shop of my choice?
A. Yes, it is your responsibility, and your right, to choose who will repair your vehicle.
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Q. Will my insurance company pay for a rental vehicle?
A. Yes, if you have rental coverage. Also check with MPI 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 can be covered.
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Q. What is the difference between the estimate and the repair order?
A. The dictionary defines an estimate as a rough or approximate calculation only. MPI may provide an estimate; however, it is up to the repair facility to discuss the repairs and provide the estimate to the owner for approval and authorization. Often it is initially impossible to estimate collision damage without dismantling the vehicle. The repair order is an actual blueprint of the repairs done to the vehicle listing the parts, their origin, the labor operations, and other relevant items. It can only be finalized upon the completion of repairs.
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Q. Will the shop refund money if the actual repair times do not take as long as estimated?
A. Generally not. Estimates are prepared using information supplied by independent repair information companies. They are not intended to be an exact representation of the time necessary to complete repairs, only the average and suggested cost to perform those repairs.
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Q. MPI says my car is a total loss. What does that mean?
A. The value of the vehicle - the sum of the cost of repairs plus the value of the vehicle in damaged condition (salvage value) - is greater than the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle prior to the accident.
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Q. How is the Actual Cash Value determined?
A. MPI will assign an appraiser to inspect the vehicle to determine its condition prior to the accident, or in some instances allow the repairer to make the determination. They may use a car evaluation service or the newspaper to determine pre-accident value. The owner should also determine the value independently.
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Q. Is the ACV negotiable?
A. Sometimes. If you feel the ACV offered by MPI is too low, then you are obligated to prove this either through documented receipts of vehicle enhancement or written statements by qualified experts to determine the proper value.
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Q. When are you open?
A. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. If we cannot accommodate your needs during regular business hours, please don't hesitate to ask for special arrangements. Early morning and late evening drop off is available for your convenience.
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Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. Visa, MasterCard, cheques, and cash.
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Q. Can I get other work done, not covered by insurance, while my car is in your shop for repair?
A. Certainly. Just let us know what other work you would like done so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
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Your Frame Repair Questions
Q. Are cars ever the same after the frame is bent? I've been told they never are.
A. Frame or unibody damage that is corrected properly result in a vehicle with no chronic post repair problems such as tire wear, vibration, or premature steering or suspension problems.
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Q. How can I be assured the frame or unibody has been repaired properly?
A. Although no method is foolproof, many shops can provide for you a before and after computer generated report of either frame or unibody damage and the subsequent corrective action. Also, in many cases, the shop performs a suspension alignment after all repairs are complete. A report can then be printed assuring no deviation from the factory specifications.
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Q. Who decides if a unibody or structural component should be repaired or replaced?
A. The repair shop, as experts, should make the call on this. Their decision should be based on the manufacture's recommendations as well as ]-CAR guidelines for structural components.
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Q. How is the decision made whether a structural part is repaired or replaced?
A. The decision is based upon the degree of damage sustained by that particular structural component. Unibody cars are designed and built with crush zones to disperse the energy of an accident. It is important for the repair shop to recognize the limitations of damage that can be repaired safely. This is a very important aspect of the repair process.
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Q. How are such structural parts replaced?
A. They are typically accomplished by a welding method called GMAW, which is gas metal arc welding, commonly referred to as MIG welding. The proper welding technique is paramount to the safety of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the average consumer is not aware of this since the results of the welding operations are seldom seen once repairs are completed.
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Q. Can any welding method be used on unibody vehicles?
A. No. The steel used in structural components on unibody cars are commonly referred to as high strength (HS) and ultra high strength (UHS). Without getting into the metallurgy of these steels, they are used because of their high strength to weight ratio. The welding method and procedure is well defined by the vehicle manufacturer, and hence, I-CAR. Also restricted is the amount of heat that can be used in the straightening, repairing or welding of these components.
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Q. What else can I do to be assured the frame or structural unibody components on my vehicle are going to be repaired properly?
A. It is recommended you ask to see the credentials of the technician or technicians working on your vehicle. Ask to see the frame/unibody measuring and straightening system employed at the repair shop. Finally, ask some questions about the procedures that will be used on your vehicle, including if a before and after printout is available.
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Q. Do all vehicles sustaining frame or unibody damage automatically get a suspension alignment?
A. No. In general, if the impact has caused damage to areas around the steering or suspension components, an alignment should be performed to insure all the damage is repaired and to identify any bent steering or suspension parts.
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Q. Should I allow my windshield to be replaced in my yard or parking lot at work?
A. Absolutely not. In almost all cases, the windshield and back glass are structural components of your automobile. They are set with urethane, which cures to become an integral part of your car's structure.
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