Have you ever been involved in a seemingly minor fender bender? If so, did you swoon when you received the estimate for the repair costs?

Make no mistake about it: Auto-body work can cost a small fortune. Bearing this in mind, it’s important to know how to proceed before an accident happens – especially if you end up being the driver who causes the accident.

These tips can help.

1. Brace for impact. Make sure you’re happy about where your deductible is set for collisions on your auto insurance policy. It’s often set at $500, but you may have bumped it up to $1,000 at some point – a tactic that really can help you save on insurance rates over time. Considering the high cost of auto-body repairs, though, just be prepared to pay the full deductible amount out of pocket if the accident is your fault.

2. Understand the system. Your insurer may direct you to its list of approved repair shops, which can be just fine – but be aware that those shops might be tempted to take shortcuts with your vehicle in order to save money. That’s because they will only receive pre-negotiated rates from the insurance company, and those rates might be stingy.

3. Get more than one estimate. Take good notes when the first place you visit tells you what kind of repairs you need and how much those repairs will cost. Then quickly call three or four other shops and ask how much they would charge for the exact same work. Try a variety of businesses, including independent shops, chain outlets and dealerships.

4. Know what to expect when it comes to replacement parts. Many insurance companies want repair shops to use less expensive salvage or generic replacement parts, as opposed to original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, which match your vehicle exactly and cost more. You may not have much of a choice in the matter if you’re responsible for the accident – but if you’re not at fault, instruct the shop to use OEM parts.

5. How does the repair shop rate? You can visit the Web site of Assured Performance Collision Care to locate shops in your area that have been found to meet key performance standards.

6. Check the shop’s reputation and complaint history. As you zero in on a shop, check to see how many consumers have complained about it by visiting this Better Business Bureau site. You also can check with your state’s attorney general’s office or consumer affairs department. To find specific contact information for your state, click here.

If you want a RV you've got to have decent RV insurance. You can tailor your insurance policy to meet your specific needs so that you and your family and friends are protected against any unfortunate situation. No matter the state where you live or the type of RV you have, there are some aspects of insurance coverage that all RVers should carry.

 

It's very important to have adequate liability coverage for your RV just like with your auto insurance. Liability coverage can protect you as well as the people who may be riding in your RV at the time of an accident. In the case of RVs, it also does much more than that. People may be injured while in the vehicle if you are living in your RV. In case someone is hurt in or around your RV while using its electrical equipment or is injured by a fall, vacation liability coverage protects you much like homeowner's insurance. Comprehensive and collision coverage is also a necessity. RVs, like any other automobiles on the road, are often involved in accidents. I

 

f you think about the size and price of most RVs, you know that you could spend thousands of dollars on repairs or replacement. If your RV is involved in an accident or stolen, it's important to know if your insurance policy provides for you. There are 3 general types of coverage that are based on the value of your RV. Later we'll explain what these are. If you plan to live in your RV permanently, full-timer's insurance is a necessity. Traditional RV policies may not cover you in case an incident occurs while your RV is being used as a full-time residence.