How Do You Handle Billing and Payment—Do You Bill the Insurance Company Directly or Do I Pay Upfront?
Confused about who pays for collision repairs?
Learn when shops bill insurance directly
and when you might need to pay upfront.
Nature's Symphony
If you've recently been in a car accident, you likely have more than enough to worry about. The last thing you need is confusion about who’s paying for the repairs and when.
One of the most common questions we get is:
“Do I have to pay for repairs upfront, or does the repair shop bill the insurance company directly?”
The short answer? It depends on your situation, your insurance policy, and where you go for repairs. In this blog, we’ll explain how it works, when you might have to pay upfront, and how VICE makes the process easier.
When You Typically Don’t Have to Pay Upfront:
✅
If you're going through insurance (your own or the at-fault driver’s)
✅ If the repair shop is approved by the insurer
✅ If the insurance claim has already been accepted and approved
In these cases, you may only be responsible for your deductible (if required) — and in some cases, even that may be waived or delayed.
When You Might Need
to Pay Upfront:
There are a few situations where you could be asked to pay out of pocket first, such as:
❌ If you're not filing through insurance
❌ If your insurance hasn’t approved the repairs yet
❌ If you want to use a shop that isn’t in your insurer’s network
❌ If you're still waiting on a liability decision from the insurance company
This is why it’s so important to work with a repair facility that understands the claims process and knows how to advocate on your behalf.
How VICE Handles Billing
for Collision Repairs
At VICE, we prioritize your peace of mind. Here’s how we help with billing:
- We bill the insurance company directly once repairs are approved
- We coordinate with attorneys for personal injury cases
- We keep you informed every step of the way
- We don’t surprise you with unexpected charges
- We never pass along hidden fees to the customer
Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Need Help With a Claim? We’ve Got You Covered
Whether you’re dealing with your own insurance or the at-fault driver’s, VICE is here to help. We’ve built strong relationships with insurance companies and injury attorneys, and we know how to get repairs approved quickly — and paid for fairly.
We believe your focus should be on recovery, not paperwork. Let us handle the details, so you can move forward without added stress.
