INSURANCE CLAIMS
Insurance Claims in Central Ohio
The claim is its own ordeal — the estimate, the adjuster, the supplements. That is the part we take off you.
After a collision, the repair is only half of it. The other half is the claim — the adjuster, the estimate, the parts approvals, the supplements — and it lands on you at the exact moment you have the least patience for it. That is the part we take off you. We handle the back-and-forth with your insurer so you are not negotiating a subject you never chose to learn, and so the repair that gets approved is the one your vehicle actually needs.
Two things are worth knowing before you do anything else. First, the choice of shop is yours — in Ohio, an insurer can recommend a repairer, but it cannot require you to use one. Second, our job in the claim is not to fight your insurance company; it is to give them a complete, documented, OEM-standard repair plan that is hard to say no to — and to keep it moving so you are not the one making phone calls.
One Claim, Handled Start to Finish.
Open your case and we take it from there — the estimate, the carrier, the supplements, and the repair. Free local towing is available to qualified customers based on location, and rental vehicles are available so you stay mobile throughout.
Start Your ClaimWhat the Claims Process Actually Involves
Most people only file a collision claim once every several years, so the process feels opaque from the inside. Here is what is actually happening between the accident and the finished repair:
- The first estimate is rarely the final number. An initial estimate is written from what can be seen with the panels still on the car. It is a starting point, not the whole story.
- Hidden damage shows up during disassembly. Bent structure, damaged sensors and cracked brackets often only appear once the outer panels come off — which is where supplements come in.
- A supplement is a documented request for more. When we find damage the first estimate missed, we photograph it, document it against the manufacturer’s repair procedure, and submit it to the carrier for approval before we proceed.
- Parts type is part of the conversation. Whether a repair uses new manufacturer parts, aftermarket, or recycled parts is governed by your policy language — and we will tell you what is being proposed and why.
- Calibrations and safety systems are line items too. Modern vehicles need documented calibrations after many repairs, and those belong in the estimate rather than being quietly skipped.
- You have a deductible, and sometimes a total-loss decision. Your deductible is set by your policy, and if the damage is severe the carrier may weigh repair against total loss — we will walk you through what that means for your vehicle.
Why Drivers Let Excite Manage the Claim
- We document to the repair procedure, not to a target price. Every line is backed by the manufacturer’s published method for your specific vehicle, which is what makes a supplement easy to approve rather than easy to deny.
- We deal with the carrier so you don’t. The estimate, the supplements, the approvals, the parts discussion — we handle that correspondence and keep it moving, and you get the summary instead of the hold music.
- We put safety ahead of the estimate. If a repair the car needs is not on the estimate, we do not skip it to keep the number down — we document why it is required and get it added.
- We explain every step in plain language. What a supplement is, why a part was chosen, what a calibration does, where your deductible fits — you should understand your own repair, and we make sure you do.
- The choice of shop stays yours. You are never obligated to use a carrier’s recommended shop. Bring the vehicle to us and we work with whatever coverage you have.
- Up-front the whole way. You see what is being requested and why before it happens, and the vehicle comes back documented, calibrated where required, and cleaned inside and out.
Quick Insurance Questions
The questions we hear most about the claims side of a repair. If yours isn’t here, call the shop at (614) 930-6103 — we’re glad to walk you through it.
Do I have to use the shop my insurance recommends?
No. In Ohio, an insurer can suggest a shop, but the choice of who repairs your vehicle is yours. A recommended shop may be convenient, but it is a recommendation, not a requirement — you are free to bring the car to us, and we will work with your coverage the same way either shop would. If you ever feel pushed toward a particular repairer, that is worth pausing on.
Will you work directly with my insurance company?
Yes — that is most of the point. Once your claim is open, we handle the estimate, the supplements, the approvals and the parts discussion directly with your carrier, and we keep it moving so it does not stall on a missing photo or an unanswered call. You get updates in plain language; we deal with the paperwork.
What is a supplement, and why did my estimate change?
A supplement is a documented request to add to the original estimate when we find damage that could not be seen at first. It is completely normal — the first estimate is written with the panels still on the car, and disassembly regularly reveals bent structure, damaged sensors or cracked parts underneath. We photograph and document each item against the manufacturer’s procedure and submit it to your carrier for approval before proceeding, so the number moves for a reason you can see.
What if the insurance estimate does not cover everything my car needs?
That is exactly what the supplement process is for. If the repair your vehicle needs is more than the initial estimate allows, we document the difference against the manufacturer’s repair procedure and make the case to your carrier — a well-documented, procedure-based request is far harder to deny than a bare higher number. Our aim is a complete, correct repair, not the cheapest one that clears the estimate.
Who decides whether my repair uses new manufacturer parts?
Your policy language largely governs whether a repair uses new manufacturer parts, aftermarket, or recycled parts, and it varies from policy to policy. Where the manufacturer’s procedure or a safety system calls for a specific part, we document that and advocate for it with your carrier. Either way we will tell you what is being proposed for your vehicle and why, rather than letting it be decided quietly.
Do I still pay my deductible?
Your deductible is set by your policy and is generally due on a covered repair. In many cases we can help you save on your deductible for qualified insurance work — ask us about your specific situation when you open your case and we will tell you plainly what applies. We will never promise something your policy does not allow.
What happens if my car is declared a total loss?
A carrier may weigh repairing the vehicle against declaring it a total loss when the damage is severe relative to the car’s value. If your vehicle is heading that direction, we will explain what the numbers mean and what your options are, without pressure — there is nothing in it for us in pushing a repair that does not make sense. Questions about valuation and settlement are best confirmed with your carrier or agent.
Should I file a claim, or pay out of pocket?
That depends on your deductible, the size of the repair, and how a claim might affect your policy — and those are questions for you and your agent, not for us to decide. What we can do is give you an up-front estimate for the repair itself, so you have a real number to weigh against your deductible before you make the call. Many smaller cosmetic repairs are paid out of pocket for exactly that reason.
How do I get started?
Request an appointment or send photos of the damage, and we will get you an estimate and open the case. If the car is not drivable, start with our towing page; if you are still at the shaken, what-do-I-do-first stage, our after an accident guide lays out the whole sequence.
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