Does insurance cover auto body repair? A Stamford owner's guide

Most Connecticut drivers carry three coverages that can pay for body work, and they are not the same thing. Liability pays for the other car when you are at fault. Collision pays for your car when you hit something, regardless of fault. Comprehensive pays for things that are not a collision, like a tree limb, hail, or a hit while parked.

If the damage is someone else's fault, their liability coverage pays. If they are uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may pick it up. Either way, the first call is to your agent to open a claim and get a claim number. That number is what lets a shop start work.

The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance pays the rest. A higher deductible lowers your premium but raises your out-of-pocket on the day of the repair. If the repair costs less than the deductible, paying out of pocket keeps a claim off your record and your rates flat.

We work direct with the insurance carrier. That means we send the estimate, negotiate supplements when hidden damage turns up during teardown, and bill the carrier. You sign the work order and pick up the car when it is done. You are not the go-between.

One thing worth knowing. A written estimate from an independent shop is your right under Connecticut law. You are not required to use the shop your insurance company suggests. Pick the shop you trust, hand them the claim number, and let them handle the paperwork.