no one’s looking.” Their 18,000-square-foot auto body • sTATE oF cALIFoRNIAare commited to on-going training and have been AUTo BoDY REPAIRrecognized by General Motors, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, coNsUmER BILL oF RIghTs shop houses a team of highly trained technicians who DEPARTmENT oF INsURANcE Infinity, Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi and other leading manufacturers. A consumer is entitled to: “Integrity is our number one priority,” said Orris. “How • Select the auto body repair shop Sergio applies the final can we cut corners and maintain the quality we strive to repair autobody damage clear coat application. for? If we can’t do it right, I don’t want to do it at all.” covered by the insurance Both Byron and Pam strive to educate the public and company. An insurance their customers that the Department of Insurance says company shall not require the trightscan befor comes time about misleading by“We wantcornersaandtoan auto insurance companies • An itemized written estimate forrepairs to be done at a specificauto body repair shop.auto body repairs, and uponcompletion of the repairs, adetailed invoice. The estimateshopdonechoice,”shop.aanotherrepairsrepairtohavethebodytheythehavingcustomeratoknownotdirectvictimtochosenbelawcustomersthealready“Don’tPam.cuttingagainstthey’veit’sifsaidcarlegalatheirgettingandtoconsumersmisconceptionsitwhenhereinformation repaired after an accident. right, to save money for the insurance companies.” and the invoice must include an “In this economy, many businesses, including insurance The Orrises said the DRP, or “Discount Repair itemized list of parts and labor, companies, want to cut corners,” said Byron Orris, who Program,” is not a program they want to be connected along with the total price for the with his wife, Pam, has owned Byron’s Auto Body for 31 with. “We have been fixing cars for a long time, so work performed. The estimate years. “That is not good for the customer, because it we know the correct way to repair a vehicle after a and invoice must also identify all means their car won’t be in the original condition it was collision,” said Byron. “When a third party gets involved parts as new, used, aftermarket before their mishap.” to save money or speed up the process, it lowers the reconditioned or rebuilt. Orris explained that a lot of insurance companies tell quality and the value of the vehicle.” • Be informed about the coverage for towing and storage services. their clients where they should go to have their vehicle The Orrises’ strong stance on quality and integrity • Be informed about the extent of repaired, when it should be the other way around. “At has earned them many awards and recognitions. They coverage, if any, for a replace- Byron’s Auto Body, we believe that you, the car owner, are proud of their 21-consecutive-year “Best of” award ment rental vehicle while a should control the repair,” he said. “That is why we for an auto body shop, as voted on by Napa Valley damaged vehicle is being do not sign any contracts with insurance companies residents. “It means we are doing something right,” repaired. in exchange for referrals. When insurance companies they said. “We work hard for our customers, not the • Be informed of where to report control the repairs, that requires cutting corners, insurance companies. If a shop does it the other way suspected fraud or other deep discounts, after-market parts and kickbacks. The around, eventually their quality will suffer.” complaints and concerns about customer’s peace of mind and safety come first.” Being part of a community is give and take. Both auto body repairs. Orris said he and his team refuse to be compromised Byron and Pam appreciate the support from the local • See and obtain an independent by the use of substandard parts or materials just so community, and for that reason they graciously give repair estimate directly from a registered auto body repair they can be part of an insurance company direct repair back as well to numerous non-profits and children’s shop for repair of a damaged program. “Remember insurance companies don’t repair organizations. You can see the complete list on their vehicle, even when pursuing vehicles—trained technicians do,” Orris added. “If an new website at www.byrons.com. an insurance claim for insurance company sends you to a specific shop for repairing the vehicle. repairs, it’s about $$$ and the control of that repair.” BYRoN'S AuTo BoDY www.autorepair.ca.gov Byron and Pam have been running Byron’s Auto Body 906 Enterprise Way, Napa • 707.253.8615 with the motto “Integrity: doing the right thing when www.byrons.com ADvERToRiAl fEATuRE J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3 55
NVLife Jan-Feb 2013
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