We offer free consultative services with people that have had accidents with their vehicles.
Location
DamageMAX operates nationally throughout the continental US.
Amenities
Whether you have liability only or comprehensive collision coverage, DamageMAX can help you get the most from your insurance company. We are the damaged vehicle experts and the advocate of the consumer.
Don’t: estimate or try to remember the mileage if the vehicle is not with you. Use the last repair receipt (oil change). If you can’t find anything with the exact mileage, be prepared to “adjust” your thinking along with the same rate that the guidebooks will adjust your vehicle value. We typically see a 10-12% error rate when people guess the miles on their vehicle. This could cost you several hundred dollars of adjustment on a total loss settlement.
Emissions Inspection
Several Manufacturers including: Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Hyundai & Kia all have issued statements warning that use of E15 will VOID your factory warranty coverage. This will damage the engine, emission systems and the Federal Emissions Warranty will be void as well.
Stuctural Damage/Repairs: the severity of the collision will dictate how extensive the repairs are that are needed to restore the vehicle to roadworthy condition. Anything can be fixed – all it takes is money. It has always been up to the insurance company what gets fixed and what get's totaled out but make no mistake, a severely collision damaged vehicle will take a huge value hit. It does not matter how well it was repaired. There are companies sprouting up all over the US that perform frame and structural checks to try to "restore" some of this lost value by certifying the repairs with laser alignment devices, etc. Great! So the car you are trying to sell has been in a serious accident but relax, it was repaired with military precision and its "better than new"? Help me understand here…were their robots welding it together like it was at the factory? How about, NO!
DRP network shops are collision repair facilities that your insurance company collaborates with to keep their costs down. The collision repair shop must meet insurance company mandated service levels and terms if they are to remain in the DRP network. Some of those requirements will benefit YOU but most will benefit the insurance company. Collision repair shops suffer from overcapacity so they tolerate the Direct Repair Programs as a source of business.
DamageMAX specializes in used vehicles, wrecked vehicles, crash parts and powertrain components. We are HATED by insurance companies! Why? Because we call them out on low ball total loss payouts and collision repair estimates. 45% of all accidents require MULTIPLE estimates to complete the repairs to a commercially acceptable standard. These estimates are quite common and referred to as supplemental repair orders and the best body shops know how to justify them and get them approved. DamageMAX will help the consumer get the most form the insurance company plus DIMINISHED VALUE. If your vehicle has an insurance claim it will be reported to CarFax and AutoCheck and it will hurt your vehicle’s resale value. The comments on the CarFax report could come from Law Enforcement, Insurance Carriers, Towing Companies, Auto Dealers, Auto Repair Centers or Industry Sources. The comments tell a story that could be far worse than reality and create doubt in the mind of a purchaser (dealer or retail buyer) and the vehicle value will suffer tremendously. Now more than ever it makes good business sense to sell the damaged vehicle and keep the repair check from the insurance carrier. The repairs will take weeks, parts are on backorder and there are supply chain plus workforce quality issues.
Towing Service
Your job is to let them know you have had the accident pronto, they will give you a claim number and a new toll free number to call for information regarding your claim. Then, you have to wait to hear from an "adjuster". I wonder why they call them "adjusters' anyway, do they adjust your claim up from what it's supposed to be? Or downward to save their company money? Once you report the claim, they will have the damage estimate performed. If you are lucky, that will be done at the shop it was towed to, otherwise the adjuster will ask you to move it to a shop that is in his/her network. They will suggest that it will be done faster, better and of course they offer "free towing". If you agree, Congratulations! You just got "steered" to a DRP (Direct Repair Program) Collision Shop. Does it really matter to you? Yes, because steering is illegal in most states! Plus, it's fairly certain now that you will not be getting a total loss settlement. You see friends, insurance companies are pretty good at triage which is a fancy name for knowing (at a quick glance) whether your car is repairable or will be totaled. The insurance company will keep you in the dark while they make the best decision for them–not for you and your family. They lead you where they want you to go and you are powerless.