Even if you don't suffer any injuries, a car accident can throw your life into confusion. There will be paperwork that needs filling, forms to be submitted and many other things you'd rather not do. There's also a chance that your vehicle might not be usable in the short term or permanently.

Such situations are the reason why having good insurance makes a big difference. With a proper insurance cover, you could get your car fixed and back on the road in a very short time.

Who Pays for the Repairs?

The insurance companies are the ones who usually foot the bill after a collision. If the other driver was at fault, it will be their insurance company that will be responsible for paying for your repairs. If you were the one responsible for the accident, it will be your insurer who'll be covering the cost of repairs.

However, in some cases, some people prefer to cover the cost of repairs out of pocket. If the repair costs are lower than your deductible, your insurance company has no need to step in. If the costs are higher than the deductible and you were at fault, you may still want to handle the repairs on your own to avoid paying higher premiums.

The Other Insurance Company Won't Pay

Unfortunately, insurance companies can be uncooperative or unresponsive when you file a claim. If this is the case and you can't afford to wait, you can choose to have your insurer pay for the repairs. Your insurance company will then try to get the other insurance company to reimburse the cost of the repairs.

Before your insurance company pays for the repairs, in this case, you'll still need to pay the deductible first. However, this should also be reimbursed if the other insurance company eventually pays up.

Does Choice of Repair Shop Affect Reimbursement

It's always a good idea to choose an auto body repair shop that's recommended by the insurance company. This shop will have an established relationship with the company, reducing the possibility of disagreements over repair costs.

Insurance companies will provide their estimates for repairs costs. If the cost of repairs exceeds this amount, you might be stuck paying the difference. Unless the agreement states otherwise, you should be free to choose a repair shop of your liking. However, you should still check with the insurance company to avoid any issues during reimbursement.

Contact a service, like High Point Body & Paint, for more help.