Where do I get my claim number?
Am I required to take my vehicle to a certain shop?
Am I required to take my car to an insurance company’s drive-in claims center?
Are you open Saturday?
Can the parts be ordered before I drop off my vehicle for repair?
If my vehicle’s frame is damaged is it a total loss?
Why is there a difference in repair estimates?
Can you match the paint color?
Can I get other service work done on my vehicle while it is in the body shop?
How long will the repairs to my vehicle take?
Can I get a ride home when I drop off my car?
How can I get a rental car?
How will I know when my car is done?
Is there a warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?
Do I have to pay a deductible?
Who do I pay my deductible to?
What forms payment do you accept?
What are betterment charges?
Can I wash my car?
WHERE DO I GET A CLAIM NUMBER?
Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. If you have not yet reported the accident and need assistance doing so please come in or call us and we will help you every step of the way.
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AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A CERTAIN SHOP?
No. Section 167C of the New York State Law states YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to have your car repaired in the registered shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot direct you otherwise.
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AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE MY CAR TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY’S DRIVE-IN CLAIMS CENTER?
Not at all, especially if you are not comfortable driving you vehicle while it is damaged. Contact us at (516) 371-3161 24hrs a day and we will promptly dispatch a tow truck or flatbed to assist you in getting your vehicle to our facility.
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ARE YOU OPEN SATURDAY?
Yes, 8:00 - 12:00 and by appointment, we are open 8:00-5:00 Monday - Friday.
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CAN THE PARTS BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
We generally order your vehicle's parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later unless your vehicle is found unsafe to drive, then we would help you arrange for a rental vehicle as soon as possible. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time.
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IF MY VEHICLE'S FRAME IS DAMAGED IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
Not necessarily. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance company's determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art measuring system, we can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. Frame sections can also be replaced when it is determined that it is bent beyond repair.
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WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN REPAIR ESTIMATES?
This is very common and is usually caused by a difference in the method of repair. Just ask us to explain and we will be more than happy to do so.
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CAN YOU MATCH THE PAINT COLOR?
Today's modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Burnside Collision has teamed up with The DuPont Performance Alliance to provide our customers with the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle's paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
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CAN I GET OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP?
Yes. Just let us know what other work you would like done so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
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HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE TAKE?
We can give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the repairs to your vehicle. Be sure to check with us for the specifics on your vehicle.
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CAN I GET A RIDE HOME WHEN I DROP OFF MY CAR?
Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We want each customer's visit to be a positive experience and will work diligently towards that goal. We provide a pickup and delivery service.
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HOW CAN I GET A RENTAL CAR?
If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy or if you are the claimant. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are. In any event we can arrange for on site rental pick up.
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HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
You will be notified when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to contact us at any point during the repair process if you have questions or concerns.
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IS THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE?
Yes. Burnside Collision guarantees all repairs with a Lifetime Warranty.
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DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE?
The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry broad collision, and you were not at fault, your insurance company 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 agent and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.
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WHO DO I PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE TO?
If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay Burnside Collision when you pick up your vehicle. If you aren't sure about your deductible, you can call your agent and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.
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WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Cash, Insurance Company Checks, and Certified Funds.
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WHAT ARE BETTERMENT CHARGES?
Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle.
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CAN I WASH MY CAR?
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS
Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge. Always use clean fresh water. Wash your vehicle in the shade
Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface. Do not "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish. Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days. Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface. Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish. · Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS
Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the finish to dry and harden completely.
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