What to Do (About Your Car) After you've Been in an Accident: Archer Volkswagen Car Ownership Tips

March 19, 2019

Getting in a car accident can be one of the most stressful events of a person's life. For one, your car may be damaged badly enough not to drive -- and now you're out of transportation to get to work. And that's not even taking into account the police report, court appearances, financial and medical issues you may also have to deal with.

At Archer Volkswagen, we're here to help -- and cars are, of course, our speciality. On this page, we'll outline four steps that'll take you from the moments after an accident to getting back on the road. We'll help you take care of your ride; you can focus on the all-important issues of your health and safety.

Step 1: Have the Car Taken to a Reputable Garage or Service Center

In the moments right after an accident, your chief concern is probably to get out of the way of traffic. If the car has been immobilized, the only way to do this might be to call for a tow. In your frazzled state, you might call for a tow without first thinking about where they'll tow your car. That's why this is something to know beforehand. Think about and write down the contact info for a reliable body shop in your area, and keep it in the vehicle. When the tow truck arrives, let them know exactly where to take your car.

Don't know any trustworthy auto body shops in the area? Just have your vehicle towed to our service center at Archer VW! Our service center is a full-service, Volkswagen-authorized facility and we can handle most any repair you might need.

Step 2: Connect with Your Insurance Adjustor

If you believe that the accident is not your fault, you'll want to connect with your insurance company to file a claim. For that matter, even if you're at fault for the accident, you'll need to connect with your insurance company about repairs to your own vehicle. Waste no time in contacting your insurance company, so you can get the ball rolling on this long process as soon as possible. Insurance companies aren't exactly known for moving quickly when it comes time to pay out.

Step 3: Find Out About your Insurance Settlement

If the damage to your car was severe enough, the car may be "totaled" by your insurance company. Your insurance adjustor will have an evaluation performed on your car to determine the cost to fix it, as well as its actual cash value. If the cost to fix the car exceeds its actual cash value, the insurance company won't pay to fix it. Instead, they'll cut you a check for the cash value of the car, minus your deductible. If not, you'll pay the deductible and the insurance company will cover the rest of the cost to fix your car.

If the car is indeed totaled, you can still keep the car and even have it repaired at your own cost if you prefer. However, the car will then have a "salvage" title, letting future owners of the car know that the car was previously totaled, and had significant repairs carried out.

Step 4: Make a Plan to Repair or Replace the Vehicle

If your car can be repaired, make sure to get a complete readout of the condition of your car after the accident, so you can check that everything was fixed that should've been fixed. If you're unhappy with the work, visit our service center. Archer Volkswagen has a VW-certified service department, meaning we'll take better care of your car's German engineering than anyone else in town.

If your car was totaled and you choose to replace the car, stop by Archer Volkswagen to consult with our sales team. We'll gather some information about your unique needs and budget and help you find a new or pre-owned car that's just right for you! Don't settle for a "rebound car" just because you need a new car, like, right-now now -- we'll help you find a long-lasting, reliable car that'll serve you well for years to come.