FAQ

Customers often have questions about the auto body repair process. Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions. If your question is not answered here, please contact one of the representatives at the Herb Connolly Collision Center for a complete and courteous discussion of all of your concerns.

1. Do I have to have my repairs done at a particular auto body shop?
No, you can have repairs done at the auto body shop of your choice. However, because Herb Connolly Collision Center maintains a "Preferred Repair Facility" relationship with most insurance companies, the repair process is greatly accelerated and most insurance companies offer a warranty for repairs done by Herb Connolly.

2. Do I need to get two or three estimates for my insurance company?
No, In fact there is no law requiring vehicle owners to obtain more than one estimate. As mentioned above, Herb Connolly Collision Center is a "Preferred Repair Facility" and works directly with most major insurance companies. We have three estimators on staff to provide you with the only auto body repair estimate you need.

3. If my car is not drivable, can you help me?
Yes. We’ll make arrangements with a local towing service to have your vehicle brought to the Herb Connolly Collision Center. We will pay any associated expenses and simply include them in the bill to your insurance provider.

4. To whom do I pay my deductible?
Any deductible costs or other expenses not covered by the liable insurance company should be paid directly to Herb Connolly Collision Center.

5. What are betterment or depreciation charges?
These are charges determined by your insurance carrier on parts that have a specific lifetime associated with them or wear out over time. These charges are pro-rated based on the year and mileage of your vehicle. Examples of these parts are radiators, exhaust components, tires, and specific suspension parts just to name a few. If your repair includes the replacement of parts that are partially (or fully) depreciated, you may be responsible for paying for the portion of these parts that you "used up" before the loss occurred. Again, these charges are determined by your insurance carrier and are outside of our control.

6. Do you use after-market parts or original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) parts?
The State of Massachusetts has a parts law that allows an insurer to make a parts selection based on the year and / or mileage of the vehicle. A claimant (a person hit by another insured) does not have that option. OEM parts are required if your vehicle is less then 24 months or has less than 24,000 miles. If your vehicle has been insured for over 24 months or has in excess of 24,000 miles your insurance provider can choose a certified aftermarket part or a part of "like kind in quality (LKQ)". Please refer to your automotive collision insurance agreement or call the Herb Connolly Collision center located in Framingham, MA for more information.

7. Will you provide me with a ride home when I drop off my vehicle?
Yes. Herb Connolly Collision Center provides courtesy shuttle service for customers in the Metro West area, and the surrounding areas between the hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM.

8. What if I need a rental car?
Herb Connolly Collision center has rental vehicles on site and also has partnered directly with Enterprise and Hertz, and has a wide selection of cars and trucks to satisfy your transportation needs. We will also direct bill your insurance company for your rental so you will not experience any associated out of pocket costs.

9. How long will it take to fix my car?
Repair time will vary based on factors such as the severity of damage, parts availability, and supplemental hidden damage that must be verified and approved to be repaired by your insurance provider. Our streamlined efficient work flow design at Herb Connolly Collision Center maximizes productivity and speeds up repair time. We do our best to provide you with an accurate estimate of repair time and are happy to keep you updated regarding the progress of the repairs to your vehicle.

10. How will I know when my vehicle is done?
Herb Connolly Collision Center will notify you as soon as the repairs to you vehicle are completed, but we invite you to call to check the status of your vehicle or discuss any phase of the repair process.

11. What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept insurance checks, bank or cashier checks, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, debit cards, and personal checks less than $500 unless advanced arrangements have been made.