1. Where do I get a claim number?
2. Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my car for repair?
3. If my vehicle's frame is damaged is the car a total loss?
4. Can you match my car paint color?
5. Can I get other service work done on my car while it in the body shop?
6. How long will the repairs take?
7. Can I get a ride home when I drop off my car?
8. How can I get a rental car?
9. How will I know when my car is done?
10. Is there a warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?
11. Do I have to pay a deductible?
12. Who do I pay a deductible to?
13. What forms of payment do you accept?
14. What are Betterment Charges?
15. Can I wash My car?

1. WHERE DO I GET A CLAIM NUMBER?
A. Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Please bring this with you to begin the repair process; Milstead Collision will do the rest.
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2. WILL THE PARTS BE ORDERED BEFORE I DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR?
A. Absolutely! We generally order your vehicle's parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later unless your vehicle is found unsafe to drive, and then we would help you arrange for a rental vehicle as soon as possible. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time.
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3. IF MY VEHICLE'S FRAME IS DAMAGED IS IT A TOTAL LOSS?
A. No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance company's determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art computer measuring system, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. It may be determined that a section of your vehicles frame is bent beyond repair if that becomes the case that section of the damage can simply be replaced.
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4. CAN YOU MATCH THE PAINT COLOR?
A. Today's modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Milstead Collision has made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle's paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
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5. CAN I GET OTHER SERVICE WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP?
A. Yes. Just let your collision specialist know what other work you would like done so that he or she can make the necessary arrangements.
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6. HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE TAKE?
A. Your collision specialist can give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the repairs to your vehicle.
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7. CAN I GET A RIDE HOME WHEN I DROP OFF MY CAR?
A. Yes. At Milstead Collision we provide free shuttle service to and from the shop within a 15 mile radius.
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8. HOW CAN I GET A RENTAL CAR?
A. If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy or if you are the claimant. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are. Milstead works closely with Enterprise Rental.
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9. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CAR IS DONE?
A. You will be notified when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to call or e-mail your collision specialist during the repair process if you have questions or concerns.
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10. IS THERE A WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE?
A. Yes. Milstead Collision guarantees body repair and paint repair as long as you own your vehicle. All mechanical parts are given the manufacturer’s warranty only.
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11. DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE?
A. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you aren't sure about your deductible, you can call your agent and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.
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12. WHO DO I PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE TO?
A. If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay Milstead Collision when you pick up your vehicle.
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13. WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
A. The easiest and most convenient way to pay for your portion of the repairs to your vehicle is with a major credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover & American Express. We also accept bank certified checks, Ins. Checks or Bank money orders, and cash.
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14. WHAT ARE BETTERMENT CHARGES?
A. Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle.
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15. CAN I WASH MY CAR?
A. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS

• DO Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
• DO Always use clean fresh water.
• DO Wash your vehicle in the shade
• DON'T use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface.
• DON'T "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
• DON'T drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days.
• DON'T park under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface.
• DON'T spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish.

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