Smash Repairs and Auto Insurance

If you get into a minor accident and your vehicle is salvageable, you need smash repair services. Smash repairs are mainly done to restore your vehicle to its state before the accident or better. Smash repair work entails inspecting the damage thoroughly, identifying the damaged components and replacing them. Panel beating work and painting is also performed after the interior is repaired.

What should you know about smash repairs and insurance?

The Accident 

If you get into an accident, you can be in any of the situations highlighted below:

• You get into a minor accident with minor damage
• You get into a major accident and the vehicle is written off
• You get into a major accident, but the car is salvageable

What happens next depends on whether you have comprehensive or third-party insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance

If you get into a minor accident with minor damage, the insurance company can recommend a smash repair company and pay for the repair based on the insurance cover terms and conditions.

If you get into a major accident and the vehicle is written off, the insurance company pays you your insured amount and other costs highlighted in your insurance cover, for example, part of your hospital bill.

If you get into a major accident, but the car is salvageable (not written off), the insurance company can recommend a smash repair company and pay for the repair based on the insurance-cover terms and conditions.

Third-party Insurance

Third-party insurance has a very limited cover, therefore:

• If you get into a minor accident with minor damage, the insurance company may not cover all the repair costs; check whether the insurance cover takes care of any repairs. You might be required to look for a smash repair shop yourself and pay for the entire repair without assistance.
• If you get into a major accident and the vehicle is written off, the insurance company does not cover the loss. If you are lucky enough to come out of the accident unscathed, you end up bearing the loss and buying another vehicle with your hard-earned money. A smash repairer may not be able to repair a totalled vehicle; you can sell it off to an auto wrecker to at least get something out of it.
• If you get into a major accident, but the car is salvageable, the insurance company may not cover all the repair costs. Check whether the insurance cover takes care of any repairs. You might be required to look for a smash repair shop yourself and pay for most of the repair.

For more information, contact a local repair service.

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