If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If
they ask for a police report, phone or go to
the police department headquarters the
next day and you can get a copy of the report
for a nominal fee. In some states/provinces
with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not
be necessary. This is especially true if there
are no injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility
for your vehicle. Whether you select a
GM dealer/retailer or a private collision repair
facility to x the damage, make sure you
are comfortable with them. Remember, you
will have to feel comfortable with their work for
a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work
will be performed on your vehicle. If you have
a question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage
repairs, GM recommends that you take an active
role in its repair. If you have a pre-determined repair
facility of choice, take your vehicle there, or have it
towed there. Specify to the facility that any required
replacement collision parts be original equipment
parts, either new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember, recycled parts will
not be covered by your GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must
live with the repair. Depending on your policy
limits, your insurance company may initially value
the repair using aftermarket parts. Discuss this
with your repair professional, and insist on
Genuine GM parts. Remember if your vehicle is
leased you may be obligated to have the
vehicle repaired with Genuine GM parts, even if
your insurance coverage does not pay the full cost.
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Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the
vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For
example, your vehicle uses computer modules to
monitor and control engine and transmission
performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag
deployment and deploy airbags in a crash and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking to help the
driver control the vehicle. These modules may store
data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data
about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of
fuel consumption or average speed. These
modules may also retain the owner’s personal
preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions,
and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
Some information about your vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven may be recorded
on various modules if a crash occurs. Some
people refer to these modules asevent data
recorders (EDRs). These modules may record
several seconds of pre-crash and crash data, such
as data related toengine speed, brake
application, throttle position, vehicle speed,
yaw rate, steering wheel angle, lateral
acceleration, safety belt usage, airbag
readiness, airbag performanceandthe severity
of the collision.Unlike the ight data recorders
on airplanes, these modules do not record sounds
or conversations.
To retrieve this data, special equipment and
access to the vehicle or the module that stores the
data are required. Certain data may also be
sent to or retrieved by OnStar
®(see below). GM
will not access this information or share it with
others except: with the consent of the vehicle
owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent
of the lessee; in response to an official request
of police or similar government office; as part
of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process; or, as required by law.
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