FAQs
If you have a question that isn’t addressed here, please let us know. We would be happy to answer whatever question you may have about the collision repair process.
Collision repair can sometimes be confusing and we want to make sure that we answer all your questions from start to finish. Here are some commonly asked questions that you might find helpful as you go through your repair process:
Do I have a choice in where my vehicle is repaired?
Yes! It is your choice where you would like to have your vehicle repaired, despite what location options may be presented to you by an insurance provider. At Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center we work with all insurance companies, but we work for you – the customer. Don’t let insurance companies tell you where you have to take your vehicle to be repaired. By Nebraska law, you have the right to choose where you want your vehicle repaired. Nebraska law also states that you only need one estimate from the shop of your choice.
Can I drop my vehicle off to be repaired before or after business hours?
Our normal business hours at Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you would like to drop off your vehicle during normal business hours, we offer free courtesy service anywhere in Lincoln. If it works better for you to drop off your vehicle for repairs before or after our normal business hours, we do offer a key drop box for your convenience.
What is the difference between an “insured” and a “claimant?”
“Claimant” means you have been hit by someone else and are claiming the accident on someone else’s insurance. “Insured” means you are using your own insurance.
What is a claim number?
A claim number is a unique number generated by the insurance company once an accident has been reported. The claim number includes specific information about your insurance claim. Once we receive a claim number from you, whether you are using your insurance company or someone else’s, our administrative staff at Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center will assist you with all areas of the claims process.
How much is my deductible and who do I pay?
The dollar amount of your deductible is determined by the insurance policy you and your insurance agent contracted to. This deductible is then paid directly to the repair facility after the repairs have been completed.
What is betterment?
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.
What is a supplement?
An auto estimate is an approximation of the repair costs based upon the visible damages, current part prices, and the estimator’s opinion regarding the time it will take to perform certain repair operations.
Due to more and more of the cars components being shrouded in plastic and assembled more compactly, the full extent of the damages cannot be seen without disassembly, which would often render the vehicle un-drivable. For this reason, it is important to realize that the estimate may not include all that is necessary to complete the repair properly.
In order to ensure that billing be as accurate as possible, our estimators, as well as the insurance damage appraisers, estimate only what they can clearly see needs to be done, rather than guessing or including some “contingency costs”. Any suspect items are left as “open” items on the initial estimate, and will be repaired and paid for later on the supplement.
What do terms like OEM, LKQ, aftermarket, and reconditioned parts mean on my estimate?
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means that the part that is being put on your vehicle was built by the vehicle manufacturer (GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc.).
LKQ is an acronym for Like, Kind & Quality. LKQ is also known as used, salvage, or recycled parts.
Aftermarket Parts are new parts that come from companies other than the original manufacturer of your car.
Reconditioned parts are parts that have been repaired by companies other than the vehicle manufacturer and re-sold ready to paint or install.
While the choice of what kind of parts to use is yours, some insurance companies will only reimburse you (or pay) for aftermarket or used parts when available. Most insurance companies that mandate this policy are good about switching to an OEM part if the aftermarket or salvage one is defective. Most insurance companies require the non-OEM part to be ordered and the install attempted before they will consider paying for OEM.
What kind of warranty is included with my repairs?
We offer a full warranty on all services at Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center. Our paint carries a lifetime warranty for gloss and adhesion. Our parts follow the manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor.
If my car is leased from a dealer, how does that affect the repairs to my vehicle?
You do not need to have your collision damage repaired by a dealership. The manufacturer’s warranties are still valid after an accident as long as the repairs are completed according to manufacturer’s specifications with OEM parts.