Can I pick up my car from the 4S shop if the insurance company hasn't paid for the repairs?
4 Answers
Generally speaking, you cannot pick up your car if the insurance company hasn't made the payment. However, some 4S shops may allow the car owner to pick up the car by providing a guarantor or paying a certain deposit even if they haven't received the payment from the insurance company. Pay attention to verifying the vehicle information: This mainly includes the vehicle repair unit (owner's name), license plate number, engine number, chassis number, entry time and exit time (settlement time). The key points are the engine number and chassis number. The owner should carefully check these two numbers against those on the vehicle license to prevent the settlement staff from making input errors. Otherwise, in case of an accident, there might be no way to file a complaint. Ask questions about the repair items: Through the repair items listed on the settlement sheet, you can understand what repairs and maintenance operations the vehicle has undergone at the service station this time, whether they exceed the agreed repair items with the reception staff, and whether the labor cost is appropriate. It is recommended to review the items carefully and ask more questions to avoid losses.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've had similar encounters a few times. Typically, after completing repairs, 4S dealerships will require the insurance company to transfer the payment before allowing you to drive the car away. This is their industry practice because the dealership fears significant losses if the insurance company delays payment. Last time my car was repaired after a collision, the entire cost was covered by insurance, but the insurance company took half a month to review the claim, and the 4S dealership held onto the car the entire time. I spoke with their manager, who said unless there's proof the payment is on its way or the car owner signs a liability waiver to pay upfront, they won't release the car for safety reasons. If you're in a hurry, it's best to proactively communicate and ask if you can pay the repair costs first and then claim reimbursement from the insurance company later. However, this approach carries risks—you might not get the money back and could face additional hassles. It's advisable to confirm the process with the 4S dealership before repairs to avoid delays.
From my observations in the auto repair industry, 4S shops typically insist on waiting for insurance company payments before releasing vehicles, otherwise they would bear financial losses. For instance, when a friend's car underwent major repairs but the insurance company's system malfunction delayed payment, the 4S shop held the car for a full week, with the owner explaining it was standard procedure. If you urgently need the vehicle, you could negotiate signing a prepayment agreement—retrieving the car first and then claiming reimbursement from insurance—but this requires written proof and mutual trust. Avoid forceful actions in most cases, as disputes could complicate matters further. Additionally, I advise car owners to clarify shop policies in advance, especially for high-cost repairs, ensuring clear timelines to prevent delays from both ends.
I experienced this when I was younger. After the car was repaired, the 4S shop notified me that the insurance payment hadn't arrived, so they delayed handing over the car. At that time, I was anxious and went to the shop to ask, but could only wait for a few days. They said the system default was not to release the car until full payment. Later, I learned my lesson. Now I proactively coordinate with both parties before repairs to ensure synchronized progress. If I really can't wait, I pay out of pocket to get the car first, but I make sure to keep all receipts to file a complaint with the insurance company. In short, don't impulsively take the car to avoid being blamed.
