Truck Accident - Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Q: Can I choose the truck repair facility of my choice to repair my truck?

A: Yes, you have the right to have your truck repaired at the repair facility of your choice, your insurance company may recommend repair shops that they have a contract with, but you make the final decision as to where your vehicle is repaired. By New York law it is illegal for the insurance company to tell you that your truck has to be repaired at any specific repair facility.

Q: Can an insurance company direct me to a specific shop?

A: No. The insurer should first ask if you have a specific shop that you would like to repair your vehicle. If you don’t, they may suggest different shops in your area, but they cannot require you to go to a particular shop.

Q: Who determines if my truck is a total loss?

A: Typically, if the cost to repair your truck exceeds 75% of its market value before it was damaged, then it's considered a total loss by most insurance companies. Insurance policies contain clauses that limit them from paying more than your truck is worth. The insurance company makes the determination if your truck is a total loss based on repair costs, salvage value and pre-loss market value.

Q: Should my insurance company be notified before repairing the vehicle?

A: Yes. The insurance company usually wants to inspect the damage before repairing.

Q: Am I responsible for obtaining more than one estimate?

A: No, you are not required by law to get more than one estimate. We work with all insurance companies and when required we can provide them with a detailed estimate of the necessary repairs as well as digital photos of the damage.

Q: What do I do if the insurance estimate is different from the shops?

A: Make sure to give the shop a copy of the insurance estimate. This serves as the starting point for the repair. Any additional damage that wasn’t included, or damage that the shop feels wasn’t addressed sufficiently will be added to the estimate as a supplement. We will then work with the insurance company to make sure the vehicle is returned to pre-loss condition.

Q: Why are estimates different from shop to shop?

A: There are many reasons. To start, estimates are written by people of varying experience, knowledge, and opinions. The lowest estimate may not be addressing all of the damages, or not repairing the vehicle to industry standards, while the highest estimate may not be the most cost effective or even the best repair for the vehicle. In any case, all estimates should be a detailed itemized list of the repairs. The estimate should include labor values for repairing, refinishing, replacing of parts, the price of the parts, what type of parts are being used, materials, and tax. If you have any questions about the differences in estimates we would be happy to go over them with you!

Q: How do deductibles apply?

A: If you are a claimant and the repairs are being covered by the responsible party’s insurance company, a deductible will not apply. If you are using your insurance company a deductible may apply in the amount stated in your policy. If you were not at fault, the deductible usually applies and is reimbursed to you, by your insurance company, once the claim is settled.

Q: When do I pay my deductible?

A: The deductible is paid to the repair facility when you pick up your vehicle.

Q: Am I responsible for the cost of the repairs?

A: Yes. You are usually responsible to the repair facility for payment of repairs unless your insurance policy specifies otherwise. Ordinarily, if you are insured, your policy states that the insurance company will pay you for the loss, less any applicable deductibles or depreciation. Any arrangements for payments by your insurance company are your responsibility.

Q: How long will the repair take?

A: This is determined by many factors, such as the severity of the damage, the availability of the parts that are needed and if additional damage is found during the teardown process. Once the vehicle is inspected we will be able to provide an estimated date of completion.

Q: Can you help me get a rental truck?

A: We work with Enterprise and Hertz Rent-a-Truck to assist you in setting up direct billing with your insurance company. If you are a claimant, where the other party is at fault, the other party’s insurance company should arrange and pay for the rental truck. If you are the insured, using your insurance company, you may be entitled to a rental truck if you purchased rental truck coverage in your policy.

Q: Do you offer towing?

A: Yes. We work with a local towing service and can assist with the necessary arrangements.

Q: Will my truck be repaired using original factory parts?

A: When we write an estimate at Fast Action Body Repair we always try to use original factory parts. Some insurance companies have it written in their policies that they can repair your truck with aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are parts not manufactured by the original builder such as Hino, International, Mack or Freightliner. We will work closely with you and your insurance company to have your truck repaired with original factory parts.

Q: Will my paint match?

A: Using a computerized color matching system, Sikkens and Dupont refinishing products, and our expert refinishing technicians, we guarantee your satisfaction!

Q: What is the warranty on my repair work?

A: At Fast Action Body Repair we guarantee all work performed for as long as you own your vehicle. We use Sikkens paint, the best paint available in the industry, which has a lifetime warranty against fading, peeling, and de-lamination. Replacement parts are warranted per the manufacturers guarantee.

Q: What types of payment do you accept?

A: We accept cash, check, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Q: Can I get a ride home?

A: We understand how difficult it can be to arrange for being without your primary mode of transportation. We are happy to accommodate our neighboring clients with a ride home when you drop off your vehicle for repairs.

Q: Will I be able to wash my vehicle after the repairs?

A: Yes, you can wash your truck as normal. Do not wax the vehicle for 30 days while the paint is still curing. Although the paint is hard when we complete the repairs, chemical vapors are still being released during this time, and any kind of sealant can trap these vapors in and can possibly can blemish the finish.

Q: How often should I rotate my tires?

A: Your truck tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate truck tires is a major cause of premature truck tire wear.

Q: Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?

A: YES. The failure of a timing belt in many commercial trucks can result in diesel engine damage. The cost of repairing a diesel engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

Q: What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes  on in my truck?

A: There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your commercial vehicle's diesel engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated.

Q: What should I do if my truck starts to overheat?

A: This is a very serious problem - if your truck overheats for too long, you can damage your diesel engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the diesel engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your truck towed to the nearest, trusted truck repair facility.

Q: Why is engine oil milky brown?

A: Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket, a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional diesel technician immediately.

Q: How do I make sure my truck batteries have a good electrical connection?

A: Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.

Q: Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my truck?

A: Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for heavy duty diesel engines, or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and commercial vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between preventative maintence service.

Q: When should I replace my commercial vehicle's fuel filter?

A: To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your truck's fuel filter approximately every 3,000 miles or as recommended in your commercial vehicle's owner's manual.

Q: I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?

A: Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the truck checked professionally by one our diesel truck electrician.