Should I Claim Insurance or Pay for the Car Repair Myself?

You've accidentally scraped the side of your car.

There's a dent in the door.

You've backed into something.

Now you're looking at the damage thinking:

“Is this worth claiming through insurance, or should I just pay to repair it myself?”

It's a common question.

There's no single answer because it depends on the damage, your insurance policy and your excess.

First, Find Out How Much the Repair May Cost

Don't judge the repair cost purely by how the damage looks.

A relatively small dent or scrape may require more work than expected once the damaged area is properly assessed.

Depending on the damage, repairs could involve:

• Removing trims or components
• Panel beating
• Dent repair
• Surface preparation
• Primer
• Colour matching
• Spray painting
• Blending paint into surrounding panels
• Replacement parts

Getting the damage assessed gives you much better information before deciding what to do.

Check Your Insurance Excess

Your excess is the amount you may have to contribute when making an accepted insurance claim.

For example, if the repair cost isn't significantly more than your applicable excess, you may want to consider whether making an insurance claim makes sense for you.

But don't make the decision based on assumptions.

Check your policy or speak to your insurer so you know exactly what excess applies.

Consider the Full Extent of the Damage

What looks like a cosmetic scrape isn't always purely cosmetic.

Damage can sometimes extend behind the visible panel or bumper.

Having the vehicle properly assessed can help establish what actually needs repairing.

Ask for a Quote

A repair quote gives you something useful to compare against your insurance excess and policy.

You can then make a more informed decision about whether you want to:

• Make an insurance claim
• or
• Pay privately for the repair.

Private Repairs Are an Option Too

Not every panel beating job needs to involve an insurance company.

Orewa Panel & Paint undertakes both insurance and private vehicle repairs.

If you decide not to claim through insurance, we can assess the damage and provide information about the repairs required.

Not Sure Which Way to Go?

Start by finding out what you're dealing with.

Send Orewa Panel & Paint photographs of your vehicle damage or bring the vehicle in for assessment.

Once you understand the likely repair required, you can compare that information with your insurance policy and excess and decide which option is right for you.

Panel Beating & Accident Repairs in Orewa

Orewa Panel & Paint provides:

• Insurance repairs
• Private accident repairs
• Panel beating
• Dent repairs
• Automotive spray painting
• Rust repairs
• Structural and WOF repairs

With more than 35 years of industry experience, we're here to help get your vehicle looking right and back on the road.

Insurance or private repair?

Contact Orewa Panel & Paint and tell us what's happened. You can also upload photographs of your vehicle damage through our online quote form.