Can You Choose Not to Repair Your Vehicle After Damage Assessment?
1 Answers
Generally, vehicle owners are not allowed to forgo repairs after damage assessment, as there is a principle that the vehicle should be repaired where the assessment is done. Moreover, the assessment process involves dismantling the vehicle for inspection, which incurs labor and facility costs. Therefore, 4S shops prefer that owners proceed with repairs there, or they may charge a disassembly and inspection fee if the owner chooses not to repair. Relevant information about vehicle damage assessment is as follows: Special Circumstances: Some insurance companies transfer the assessed amount directly to the owner's account after assessment. In such cases, owners who only want compensation without repairing the vehicle are allowed to do so. Owners are also not obligated to have the assessment done at a 4S shop; they can take the insurance company's assessment report to a designated repair shop. After repairs, an insurance representative can inspect the work. Important Notes: Owners should be cautious not to sign any agreements with the 4S shop before confirming the assessment price, or they should carefully review the agreement terms. There have been instances where owners sent their vehicles for assessment in the morning, signed documents, and later decided against repairs upon seeing the assessment price in the afternoon. The 4S shop then demanded compensation, claiming that parts had already been ordered from the manufacturer.
