Top Auto Inspection Services in Houston, TX 77093
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Swift Equipment Solutions
By Sam Clark 1 May 31, 2018
I bought the diesel generator from Swift Equipment Solutions. I liked their services. Now it is my go-to service provider for any power requirements. I would recommend this company for your power requirements. Complete generator installment procedure was done very well by the installers. ...read more
Lucas Auto Care
By Brian Fry June 27, 2015
The owner, Tyger, is trustworthy. He has always been a straight shooter and explains the work that needs to be done. His rates are not the cheapest, but the work is high quality and he stands behind his work. He is also helpful in describing the work which was "essential" vs work that could be delayed. I highly recommend Lucas. ...read more
Chimney Rock Car Care
By sarenaa323yahoocom November 24, 2014
Always great! The food, service and value keep becoming better every time we come back. Victor and Marco were so great. ...read more
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Who is Auto Exam?
Auto Exam is Houston̢۪s oldest and largest pre-purchase inspection company. Auto Exam has been protecting consumers in Houston since 1992. Call Auto Exam before you get stuck with a bad used car! ...read more
By Auto Exam Inc November 16, 2018
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Like us on Facebook for exclusive offers and additional savings! http://www.facebook.com/universallubeandoil ...read more
By Universal Lube & Oil - Auto Repair LLC March 08, 2018
NEW PARTS, GUARANTEES, and YOUR INSURANCE ESTIMATE
Many vehicle owners think that after an accident, regardless of how old or beat up their vehicle is, that since they pay insurance, they get new parts. Or, they think that all after market parts are bad and will only result in a lesser quality repair.Yes and No.... Often, this starts with changes that Insurers have been slipping into their policies for years. Insurance policies are written according to a given State's Insurance Laws, and only over ridden by changes in State Laws. Generally speaking, your insurance company is only responsible for repairing the vehicle to the condition it was in just prior to the loss. They do not have any responsibility to make the vehicle better than it was. When it was wrecked your vehicle had five year old parts, so buying LKQ (used/salvage parts) is an acceptable repair by industry standards. The use of LKQ parts, and for that matter the use of Aftermarket, has been given a bad name because of the way that most shops utilize them. The shop is responsible for NOT USING bad, or junk parts. They are responsible for NOT USING poorly made Aftermarket parts. The shop is responsible for using good, applicable parts in their repairs. It is the shop's responsibility NOT TO USE bad salvage parts. When parts are received they are to be checked over and inspected for proper condition and working order. If you order a door, and what you got has been previously reworked, and is in poor condition, DO NOT ACCEPT IT! If a part comes in that looks like someone has walked over it, DO NOT ACCEPT IT! If everything that can be found is scrap and unusable, then it is the responsibility of the shop to settle this with the insurance company. If the insurance company cannot find quality, used parts, then it may require OEM or Aftermarket, depending on the condition and value of the vehicle. If the condition of the vehicle is below average, it may be worthy of Aftermarket to keep from having a total loss. This is something that the shop and insurance company involved need to discuss and come to a mutual decision as to what is best for proper repairs. Of course, you the owner, has a major role in this decision, but your position should be inline with the shop recommendation. If you are in a good shop, and they actually practice what they preach, they will look out for you during the repairs. This also goes to Aftermarket parts. True, good shops would prefer using new OEM, or at least LKQ, or Used parts... and certainly the OEM Manufacturer's would prefer you stuck with their parts only. But the shop's concern is due to fit and alignment with Aftermarket parts. However, every shop knows who in their area, supplies the BEST fitting Aftermarket parts. Here in the Houston area, we have 3 suppliers who have, in our opinion, USABLE Aftermarket parts. Since we have a lifetime guarantee on our work, we MUST be the responsible party and choose the proper path to satisfy our customer, and the guarantee. The same thing comes to other repairs, such as refinishing. For any shop, and using the best painters, it can be extremely difficult (sometimes impossible) to perfectly match five year old, weathered paint. However, simply because "unrepaired and undamaged" areas not related to the loss won't match, the insurance company does not owe for a complete refinish of the vehicle because of old faded, or damaged paint. The shop owes for an honest, diligent attempt to perform the best blending operation possible. This has been a long running problem, primarily because so many of the parties directly involved in the situation, do not have a true understanding of what can be done. Painters lack experience and knowledge. Appraisers and Adjusters only have a "classroom knowledge", and not actual hands-on, multi-year experience. And, most owners have never attempted to repair a panel, let alone stand there and watch the repair from beginning to end. What I am saying is this, "Everyone knows WHAT they want, WHAT they should expect, but not everyone knows how to achieve it, or if it can be realistically done." Many insurance companies refuse to pay for blending operations, or pay in-adequately for the shop to perform refinish operations. Some shops simply cannot match day old paint, due to experience, poor quality materials, or other problem. Unfortunately, shops like this will typically throw in the towel and say, "that's all I was paid to do, take it up with them, but pay me for what I have done before you go". The insurance company is not responsible for these problems unless it is at a shop they steered you to, such as a DRP facility. If you picked the shop, you are pretty much stuck with dealing with that shop yourself. If this is a DRP shop, the Insurer doesn't "guarantee" the repair, they simply put the squeeze on the shop. Regardless of the situation, the Insurer simply tells the shop to make good, or they will have payments withheld and lose future work. It is the unqualified shops that make it bad for everyone, and good shops and good insurers get stuck in the middle to often as a result. Now, let's talk about the "mystery guarantee" that Insurers talk about. First, any guarantee of quality, workmanship, and safety is on the back of the repair facility... large or small. DRP's (Direct Repair Programs), are similar to your doctor being on your health plan's designated list of care givers. The shop has agreed that in return for the insurance company sending them work, they will do things the way they want, take what they are willing to pay, all under threat of losing the work being sent to them. If you have a problem, the "alleged guarantee" they give comes down to this with the shop... "get the customer off my back, and off my phone, or I won't pay you and I'll send (it's called steering) the work to your competitors". Although we have limited DRP's that come through our shop, we only work with those insurers and claims management programs that support our approach and concern for our customers. Our primary concern is SAFETY, then QUALITY, and that equals CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. So, this brings us to questions of "how many estimates do I need", and "the Insurer's estimate is lower than my shop's estimate". Don't worry, this happens most of the time. Many claims people are gambling that you take the money, cash the check, and they never hear from you again. The claim is off their desk, and their claim reserve drops back into the company fund. It has a certain built in "loss reduction guarantee" for them. If you take the estimate into the SHOP OF YOUR CHOICE, and the shop cannot do the repairs for that amount, it is the shop's job to call for a supplement. If the shop calls for a supplement, the insurance company is pretty sure that the vehicle is under repair and the money will be spent on repairs, and not beer, a movie and dinner. They will send an appraiser to verify the additional amount, make sure the shop is working off their estimate, and issue a supplement amount the shop agrees to with the claims department. I have never seen an insurance company pay additional amounts WITHOUT having the car under repair, or paid invoices that can be verified after repairs are done. The operative word here is "verified", and that changes from company to company as to what they will do under these conditions. In the end, rely on your shop. Make sure that they understand what you want, and that you understand what they can really do. True that sometimes you will end up with a situation that would require the customer to get a lawyer, or take the lead on a specific demand to the Insurer. In our experience, more than 97% of the time, the shop due to experience and relationships, can solve the problem faster, cleaner, and to greater satisfaction for everyone. That is, if they are a qualified, professional, trained shop that operates ethically in our business. ...read more
By Motor Haus of Greater Houston November 09, 2012