THE STATE OF OHIO HAS A COMPREHENSIVE MOTORIST BILL OF RIGHTS. PLEASE READ & BECOME FULLY AWARE OF YOUR RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER OF VEHICLE REPAIR IN OHIO.

    IN OHIO, YOU HAVE THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO SELECT THE COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY OF YOUR CHOICE. NO INSURANCE COMPANY, INDEPENDENT AGENT, REPRESENTATIVE, APPRAISOR, ADJUSTOR, OR STAFF MEMBER OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY CAN LEGALLY FORCE YOU TO, OR AWAY FROM ANY SPECIFIC REPAIR SHOP, OR REQUIRE THAT REPAIRS BE MADE BY A SPECIFIC REPAIR SHOP OR INDIVIDUAL.


    Here we have included online resources so you know your rights. They are:
    The Motorists' Bill Of Rights
    Safety, Qualty, Repair


 

MOTORTISTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS

Choosing a Collision and Refinish Center

As the owner of a motor vehicle, damaged in an accident, you have the right to choose the shop where you wish to have your vehicle repaired. This is the law.

Do I Need More Than One Estimate?

No. Do not waste your time or that of several shops getting estimates. Select a repair facility that you feel comfortable with, then notify your agent or insurance company, or ask the shop to make the call on your behalf. Your insurance adjuster may have to inspect the damage. This can be done at an insurance drive-thru claim center or at the shop you have chosen.
Notify Your Insurance Company.
Before authorizing any repairs, notify your insurance company or agent and tell them where the damaged vehicle can be inspected. Most, if not all, policies require notification.

Is the Work Guaranteed?

Most collision repair centers guarantee their collision work to some degree, which may not include the paint job. Ask to see a copy of the shop’s guarantee before repairs are started then have any information you do not understand clarified.

Qualified Collision Repair Centers

Verify your shop of choice is registered with the state of Ohio. Also, look for certificates of technician training. Membership in professional association and the Better Business Bureau indicate the shop is current with the latest repair procedures.

Know Your Shop

Make sure the shop you choose:

  1. Maintains a reliable and professional reputation. Ask acquaintances for recommendations.
  2. Appears properly equipped and organized to handle today’s technical repair needs.
  3. Maintains specialized equipment and systems for peak performance.
  4. Has technicians that are thoroughly trained and certified.
  5. Shop Cleanliness. First impressions are important and say much about technician/owner attitudes and professionalism. If you are comfortable with the shop and its people, chances are you will be satisfied with their repair work.

Inspect the Repairs

Before driving away:

  1. Check the appearance of the repaired area-both close-up and from a distance.
  2. Examine the paint for color match, texture, and overspray.
  3. Take a test drive to check for mechanical repairs if any were required.
  4. Check that the vehicle is clean.
  5. If not satisfied with the work, mention your concerns immediately.

In the worst cases, have the repair work inspected by an independent repair facility.

 

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE THINGS THAT SOME

INSURERS WANT YOU TO BELIEVE.

  1. THEY WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO GET YOUR CAR REPAIRED.

Actually, the ORC Ohio Revised Code tells you it is your right to take your vehicle to the shop of your choice. This is your choice, and not that of the insurers.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHERE YOUR REPAIRS ARE MADE.

  1. INSURERES WILL TELL YOU “THIS IS ALL WE WILL PAY”

Insurers are bound by state insurance laws, and by the policy of insurance. Their responsibility is to indemnify their insured’s, and the owners of vehicles their insured damage. They are responsible to return the vehicle to the condition before the loss. REMEMBER MOST INSURERS DO NOT REPAIR VEHICLES FOR A LIVING; THEY ARE ONLY “THIRD-PARTY” PAYERS.

  1. SOME INSURERS WILL DEMAND THE USE OF (OFF-SHORE) OR “AFTERMARKET” PARTS.

The Ohio Department of Insurance will hide behind the “Generic” parts, another name to confuse the consuming public with. Call them what they are “COUNTERFEIT PARTS”.
We like to refer to these types of parts as “COUNTERFEIT”. These parts are reverse engineered; they are not of the same quality as original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts. The OEM parts go through rigorous testing and are also CRASH tested. “COUNTERFEIT PARTS” ARE NOT CRASH TESTED. SOME INSURERS WILL TELL YOU “THEY THE INSURER WILL WARRANT THOSE PARTS FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR VEHICLE.” ACTUALLY THE LAW IS VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHO WARRANTS THOSE “COUNTERFEIT PARTS”. THE OHIO REVISED CODE 1345.81: USE OF NONORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AFTERMARKET CRASH PARTS “WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THESE AFTERMARKET CRASH PARTS ARE PROVIDED BY THE PARTS MANUFACTERER OF DISTRIBUTOR”. WHO CAN YOU TRUST YOUR VEHICLE WITH? CHOOSE YOUR OWN REPAIRER.

  1. SOME INSURERS WILL ACTUALLY TELL YOU; IF YOU TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO THAT SHOP, YOU WILL HAVE EXTRA OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

What they are really telling you is this is all we are willing to pay. They already have a DRP (direct repair program) arrangement with another shop in the area. What a DRP arrangement for most insurers is: the shop and the insurer have entered into an agreement to repair that insurance companies claims the way the insurer wants the repairs made, which might not be in your best interest. Of course this type of decision is for cost savings only. If the repair facility repairs the vehicle the way the insurance company demands, then the insurer is 100% liable for that entire repair. Again, you the consumer are stuck in the middle, what is the correct and safe way to repair my vehicle? Make sure you take your vehicle to an OBOA shop. Ohio Body Shop Owners Association member shops only use the finest materials, parts, equipment, and technology to return your vehicle to its safety status and condition before the loss.

  1. SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES MIGHT OFFER YOU A FREE RENTAL VEHICLE WHERE THERE IS NO RENTAL COVERAGE, OR A SAVINGS ON YOUR DEDUCTIVLE IF NOT A COMPLETE WAVER ON YOUR DEDDUCTIBLE IS YOU WILL TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO XYZ BODY SHOP. THEY WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO CONTROL THE REPAIR PROCESS. AGAIN, THIS PROBABLY ISN’T IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.
  2. SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL TELL YOU “THE SHOP YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE IS HARD TO GET ALONG WITH, OR THAT THEY ARE UNREASONABLE.” TOUGH TO WORK WITH. They usually won’t slander any further than that”. What they are really telling you is, the shop you have chosen wants to do all of the repairs and procedures necessary to return your vehicle to pre-accident condition. These are of course not what the insurance companies want to pay for. They know all of these procedures and repairs are necessary they just don’t want to pay for them. Their DRP’s know not to charge the insurer for these necessary procedures; this is what they agreed to when they signed on with that insurer. You also have to ask yourself this question: If the insurer isn’t going to pay for these necessary procedures, is the shop actually going to perform these procedures if they aren’t going to get paid to do them? Remember, it is your vehicle, it is your decision, don’t let the insurance company win; just make them pay the claim.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, READ THE LAWS, DON’T BE INTIMIDATED...
WWW.OBOA.NET
PH :614-589-6262
FAX :740-927-2566