Q: How long will it take to repair my vehicle? A: Vehicle repair time is determined by the complexity of the damages.  Sudden Impact will make the repair in a timely manner without compromising quality standards for the sake of time.  As an added convenience to our customers, we have implemented a Repair Tracking System that allows you to monitor the progress of the repair from your computer at any time. Q: How do I know when my car will be ready? A: When you schedule the repair, we will give you a tentative completion date.  It is a good idea to check with us the day before the tentative completion date to see if the repair is still on track.  Also, some repairs may be included in our Repair Tracking System–see the answer to the prior question. Q: How and when do I pay for the repairs? A: Payment is due in full when the vehicle is finished.  We accept insurance checks, money orders, VISA, MasterCard and cash.  If you have received a check from an insurance company, please do not deposit the check, but bring it to the shop when you drop off your vehicle.  We will hold that check and have you endorse it after the repairs are finished. Q: Can I drop-off or pick-up my vehicle after shop hours? A: If prior arrangements have been made with Sudden Impact, you may drop off your vehicle before or after shop hours.  There is a key drop in the back door of our office.  Just lock up your vehicle, put the keys into a key envelope that you will see in a holder on the door, and toss the envelope through the key slot in the door.   If you need to pick up your vehicle after hours, please make arrangements with the shop. Q: What do I bring to the shop? A: Bring any insurance estimate that you may have received from any adjuster.  Q: What about a rental car? A: If you are entitled to a rental car through an insurance company, please let us know and we will help you to make the arrangements.  Whether you are getting a rental car through an insurance company or at your own expense, the closest rental car agency to our shop is Enterprise in Salisbury–their phone number is 704-636-2446.  Enterprise will pick you up at our shop when you drop off your vehicle, and they will give you a ride out to our shop when your car is finished. Q: What if my car is not drivable? A: If your car is not drivable, you should choose the repair shop where you want to have the repairs made and have the car towed to that shop.  Any insurance adjusting that may need to be done can be done at the shop of your choice.  If you would like to have your vehicle repaired at Sudden Impact, just give us a call and we will make arrangements to have the vehicle towed to us.   USE ANY SHOP: Q: Do I have the right to select the shop that will repair my car? A: Yes.  In order to expedite your claim, select the repair shop, leave your vehicle there and notify your insurance company of the location of the vehicle.  You have the right to select the shop of your choice whether your insurance company has a “direct repair program” or not.  It is illegal for an insurance company or adjuster to “make” you take your car to a drive-in claims center or to a shop that they have chosen–please see the section of this website titled “Your Rights”. Q: Do I need to get three estimates? A: No.  You do not have to obtain more than one estimate–from the shop of your choice.  Do not get an estimate from a shop that you would not let repair your vehicle.   INSURANCE QUESTIONS: WARNING!! INSURANCE STEERING IS ILLEGAL!!  YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE SHOP TO MAKE YOUR REPAIRS!! Q: Must I notify my insurance company before repairs are started? A: Yes.  Insurance policies require that you notify the company or your agent, make a report and tell them where the damaged vehicle may be inspected.  Q: What if my insurance company’s estimate or check is lower than the shop’s estimate? A: When the shop of your choice and the insurance company do not agree on how the car should be repaired, just let the shop know about the difference.  Be sure to give the shop a copy of the insurance company’s initial estimate, and the shop will contact the insurance adjuster to discuss and negotiate any difference.  Q: What if my insurance company gives me a check? A: Accept the check, even if the amount is different from the body shop’s initial estimate.  Hold the check (do not deposit it).  Sudden Impact holds all checks until the repair is finished to the customer’s satisfaction and then asks the customer to endorse the check over to the shop after the shop is completed. Q: What if the insurance company has a “direct repair program” and the shop of my choice is not one of the shops participating in the “program”?  A: Sudden Impact participates in the direct repair programs with several major insurance companies; however there are many programs that we do not participate in.  We work well with all insurance companies and are able to handle the claim without any inconvenience to the customer.  Some insurance companies ask for concessions and cuts in parts prices and labor to save them money.  Because our responsibility is to our customer, we do not participate in the “programs” that would require us to give the insurance company discounts, thus possibly causing  our work to be substandard.    We have staff at Sudden Impact that are trained and experienced in handling insurance claims with all companies–let us help you through the insurance maze!