Forms
Customer Information
This form is for customer information.
Download for Malden Center | Download for Chelsea Center | Download for Stoneham
Accident Report Form
Do you know the type of information you should collect at the scene of an accident? Be prepared. Print this form and keep it in your car for future use.
Download Accident Report Form
Commonwealth of Mass Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report
(choose Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report form)
This is the police report that is required by your insurance company to be filled out with all the necessary accident information. After completing the report, copies must be forwarded to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Insurance Agency or Insurance Company directly and to the local police station where the accident occurred.
FAQs
Today’s Collision offers free estimates for repair work. We take care of the entire repair process for you from towing your damaged vehicle to bringing it back to show-room condition. Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding repairs. If you need assistance, please contact us at 1-866-59-TODAYS.
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
1. I’ve never needed collision repairs before. Briefly explain the Claims Process.
When you contact your insurance company (or the other drivers insurance company) they will ask you to explain what happened. When that is complete ask them for a claim number. With your claim number we can handle everything for you from that point including dealing with the insurance appraiser and getting you a rental car if you need one.
2. Do you offer Towing Services?
You can have your vehicle towed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including HOLIDAYS by STEPHENS AUTOMOTIVE at 617-876-4400. If it is after hours our tow company has their own indoor facility which they will store the vehicle there till the next day. You do not have to worry about paying for the tow, all tow charges will be billed to us and we will collect it from your insurance company.
3. Do you offer Car Rental Service?
Yes. We can make arrangements with Enterprise Car Rental to meet you at our facility.
Enterprise Rent A Car: 800-Rent-A-Car.
Chelsea Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car 324 Marginal St Chelsea, MA 02150 Tel.: (617) 887-1628 Malden Location: 99 Commercial St Malden, MA 02148 Tel.: (781) 321-9898When the repairs to your vehicle are complete you may pick up your vehicle and leave the rental with us. If you have rental car coverage Enterprise Car Rental should be able to set up a direct billing with your insurance company unless your policy states otherwise. If you are a claimant once the other persons insurance company has accepted liability you should be entitled to a rental vehicle (equivalent transportation) at their expense while we’re repairing your vehicle. We can also make these arrangements for you.
4. When is it that I get a Surcharge and how much would it be for?
You get a surcharge when you are at fault in an accident. If you are not at fault there will be no surcharge to you but the other party. You also do not get a surcharge if you report nothing under your Comprehensive part of your policy. For example a “Hit & Run”, “Vandalism” or “Fire” to your vehicle. On any of these you would get your deductible taken but no surcharge. The surcharge points are as following UNDER $500.00 “Nothing” / $500 – $1,500 3 POINTS / $1,500 – & OVER 4 POINTS and a Moving Violation is 2 POINTS) DO I NEED TO GET 2 OR 3 ESTIMATES?
5. Do I need to get 2 or 3 Estimates?
No. There is no law that requires this. It is the insurance companies obligation to adjust your claim fairly. If you leave your vehicle with us we will supervise the insurance appraiser and make sure they write a fair estimate that will restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition.
6. How soon can I leave my vehicle for it to be repaired?
We can provide you with the earliest appointment available. Unless your vehicle is un-drivable then you may be able to leave it immediately.
7. How long will the repairs to my vehicle take?
At the time that you drop off your vehicle to us we will give to you a target date. We will be able to update you within a few days to confirm that target date. This will be once the parts are ordered and we know that they will be delivered in a promptly way and that we have called the insurance company for any additional damages if necessary.
8. How will I know when my car is done?
You will be notified when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. We will normally contact you a day in advice.
PAYMENTS AND WARRANTY
1. Do I have to pay a Deductible?
The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry broad collision, and you were not at fault, your insurance company most likely will waive your deductible. Insurance companies determine fault by your account of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the accident report filed with the police department. If you aren’t sure about your deductible, you can call your insurance company and they will tell you whether your deductible has been waived or if you will be responsible for paying your deductible when you pick up your vehicle. Please note that if liability has not been determined and your deductible is “pending” further investigation you will still be responsible to pay your deductible at the time you pick up your vehicle.
2. Who do I pay my deductible to?
If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay Today’s Collision Repair Center when you pick up your vehicle.
3. What forms of payment do you accept?
Those customers that have a lien-holder on there insurance check are able to endorse the back of the check and Today’s Collision Repair Center will take care of the rest with the lien-holder. We accept Visa, MasterCard, cash and personal checks are also welcome.
4. Who is responsible for the quality of repairs?
The collision repair facility is. At Today’s Collision Repair Center we offer a lifetime warranty on all of our repairs.
5. Who is responsible for the Repair Bill?
The vehicle owner is. However the insurance company has a legal obligation to their insured to pay for the repairs. Generally an insured will pay their deductible and the insurance company will pay the rest to the insured unless you specifically notify the insurance you want them to pay the body shop directly. If this were so you would need to sign” Direction To Pay” which give authorization to the insurance to pay us directly.
6. Does my insurance company guarantee the repair?
In most cases, if the collision center is part of an insurance company’s special program, then the insurance company will guarantee it. At Today’s Collision, we guarantee it under any circumstances as long as you own your vehicle. Read more in our Warranty.
7. What kind of warranty should I ask for?
Lifetime. Any thing short of that is a lack of ability or confidence on the collision repair facilities part.
8. If there is a problem, whom should I contact?
The collision repair facility. If they are unable to satisfy your problem then contact your insurance company and ask them to intervene. If you feel you got a sub-standard repair and don’t want to deal with the repair facility anymore, bring it to us at Today’s Collision Repair Center. We will assess the problem and deal with your insurance company to resolve the problem.
GENERAL INFO
1. Could you provide pick up and delivery in special circumstances?
Yes. We can make the necessary arraignments at the time the appointment is made. We can also provide pick up and delivery service of a rental.
2. If my vehicle’s frame is damaged, is it a total loss?
No. A car is a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance company’s determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using unibody (frame and body as one) construction. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of the-art computer measuring system, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can simply be replaced.
3. Can you match the paint color?
Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Todays Collision Repair Center has made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.
4. Can I get more service work on my vehicle while it is in the Body Shop?
Yes. We can provide for you glass service (in-house), alignment service, inspection sticker service if necessary just inform us of what you may need so we will be able to make the necessary arraignments. Dealership customers also note that we can provide for you other services like taking your vehicle to the dealer for an inspections sticker, oil change or any other service work.
5. Are you open on Saturday?
Yes, 8:00AM – 12:00PM
6. What are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) parts?
These are the parts made by the manufacture of your car for your car. OEM are the only acceptable body parts a repair shop can use in order to preserve your factory warranty, protect your safety and assure repairs to pre-accident condition.
7. What is an “LKQ” part?
This generally refers to a “used” part. Insurance companies may figure “LKQ” parts on your vehicle if it is at least two years old or more. Our standard for “used” parts is that they must be at least as good if not better than the one that was on your vehicle before the accident. In the event our source of “LKQ” parts is not able to either find the part or find one that is acceptable we will contact the insurance company and they will have to pay for “new” parts from the manufacturer.
8. What is a “Quality Replacement” part of “Aftermarket” part?
“Quality replacement” parts or “Aftermarket” parts are less expensive parts. Some insurance companies figure these into their initial estimate. At Today’s Collision Repair Centers we will try our best to not use any “aftermarket” or “quality replacement” sheet metal, lights or bumpers in the repair of your vehicle. We will always request O.E.M. (original equipment parts) for the repairs of your vehicle. From time to time, our customers who are not going through insurance companies, but rather paying on their own, chose to use these parts as they are less expensive.
9. If my car is leased, do I have to let me lease company know my vehicle has been in a collision?
You are responsible for the condition of your leased vehicle. When your lease is up and you turn in your vehicle the lease company will do an independent appraisal of the condition of your vehicle. Other than normal wear, if they find any body damage, counterfeit parts or improper repairs you will be assessed at that time for the cost of repairing that damage.
10. Can I wash my car?
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS.
DO – Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge. Always use clean fresh water. Wash your vehicle in the shade.
DON’T – Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface. Do not “dry wipe” your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish. Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days. Avoid parking under trees and utility lines, which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface. Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish. Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface.
11. How do I get an estimate?
Free estimates are available at both of our locations and our satellite office at BMW & Mini Peabody on Route 114. Contact us at 1-866-59-TODAYS for your free estimate.
