GTA

     Almost 300 accidents happen every day in the GTA. If you’re involved in a collision do you know what to do? How does insurance work? Who’s going to fix your car? Well, earlier this week we spent the day taping an industrial film. The story line? Exactly that, what is involved in getting your car back on the road. This particular segment was to take place in a local body shop. The Folks at The Dominion General Insurance Company recommended one of their “preferred” shops.
     I’m not a great fan of body shops. The body shop has traditionally been seen as a dirty, dusty, hazard waste producing, blight on the landscape. The shop we were recommended to, CarStar in Mississauga. I must admit it’s been a long time since I have been in such an up to date facility as this new Carstar Collision Centre. Visiting with Ian and Lisa at CarStar, I was blown away. Clean, organized, efficient. Following the story line we were lead through all the departments in the shop. The drive-in appraisal area, the frame machines, the latest paint booths, the clean-up area, the delivery area where the customer picks up the finished, or should I say “refinished” product. Insurance companies are the main customers of such facilities; they refer to these high end shops as “preferred shops”. These facilities are in direct contact with your insurer. Through the Direct Repair Program, appraisals are handled electronically over the internet. Pictures and damage descriptions are received by the adjusters at the insurance company over a secure data line.
     Decisions are made quickly and efficiently. To speed things along, shops like Carstar have a pre-authorized limit. According to Ian Ladd owner of this facility, “ CarStar is authorized to proceed on repairs up to $10,000”. That authorization covers the majority of the repairs performed at CarStar. Less waiting, less hassle. Shops order parts electronically from known and reliable suppliers. In short the entire process is streamlined to increase efficiency to get the damaged car back on the road ASAP. The speed of the repair has a direct relationship to the overall cost of the claim. Lower cost equates to less pressure on rates. We spent the entire morning with the folks at CarStar. A great experience and real eye opener.