Consumers enjoy rights when they revenue their vehicle to a object repair shop.
In the event a person needs to take his car to an auto body repair shop, he should be well aware of his rights in order to avoid being taken advantage of. Anyone who feels as if repair work was done incorrectly may file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Under the guidelines of the California Insurance Code, an insurance company can't force a consumer to have auto body repair work done at a particular shop. Under the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 10, Chapter 5, Section 2695.8(g), an insurer can only request replacement parts if they are equal in quality to the original parts that were damaged.
After the Fact
Consumers have the right to an invoice after auto-repair work is done.For example, under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) section 5.05(3), the repair shop must provide the consumer with a written estimate regarding the cost of labor, the cost of the parts needed and the cost of the repair service. The written estimate must be signed by the vehicle owner.
Insurance Companies
Prior to Repairs
Consumers have a right to know how much auto repairs will cost.Auto body repair shops are obligated under law to to give the consumer a written estimate for work that needs to be done.Once an auto body repair shop finalizes the repairs to a customer's car, the customer is entitled under law to receive an invoice of the work done. The invoice must include the cost of all work done, as well as what parts were used, and whether or not those parts were new or used. The invoice must also include the price of the parts as well as the company that provided them.
