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Your Car, Your Choice

Providing high quality workmanship and great customer service to their clients has been a cornerstone of Pruitt’s Auto Collision.

By: Shelly Robinson | Category: Automotive | Issue: May 2011

Liz and Randy Pruitt of Pruitt’s Auto Collision.

Liz and Randy Pruitt of Pruitt’s Auto Collision.

Randy and Liz Pruitt are the kind of people who seem to know everyone, and in turn, everyone knows them. They both grew up in the community, their son Caleb is a second grader at Bailey Elementary, and Liz is a realtor and educator for Keller Williams.

As you can imagine, they are very in tune with Owasso and enjoy serving their friends, neighbors and the people they see around town each day. The Pruitt’s name is well known in Owasso for collision repair; Randy started early, working with his dad, Bud, at his auto repair shop and has now been in the industry for over 20 years.

While many changes in ­vehicle technology and repair have occurred in that time, providing high quality workmanship and great customer service to their clients has been a cornerstone of Pruitt’s Auto Collision. Randy and Liz feel that part of that customer service is educating the public about collision repair issues.

As in any business, there are things you may not be aware of until are you are faced with it and a decision needs to be made. When you haven’t had to deal with an accident or vehicle repair before, it can feel overwhelming.

Randy and Liz have been receiving an increasing amount of feedback from people who have a misunderstanding of how the estimate and repair phase works, especially when it comes to choosing the repair shop who will restore your vehicle. Liz explains that it basically comes down to a very simple fact; it’s your car and your choice where to have it repaired.

Liz compares it to medical insurance. “Auto insurance isn’t like an HMO; you don’t have to go to someone ‘in your network’ to get your claim paid.”  

“A really sticky issue in the industry is that after an accident, a customer calls their insurance agent and they are often assured that their repair will be handled more quickly, or with less paperwork or a better price, if they use a repair shop recommended by the insurance company.” Liz says sometimes they are told they can go anywhere, but if they don’t use one of the preferred shops, the adjuster can’t get there as quickly, they will have to pay for a rental car out of pocket and be reimbursed, or pay the difference in the repair costs.

“The problem with these claims is that they are simply not true. We’ve even had customers tell us that they were told their repair would not be guaranteed if they took it somewhere other than the shops suggested by their insurance company,” says Randy. “The fact of the matter is, the guarantee is from the shop itself, not the insurance company. Our warranty is given in writing and lasts for as long as you own your car.”

This practice, commonly referred to as steering, is not only illegal in the state of Oklahoma, but many feel that it can be dangerous as well. “The old saying that you get what you pay for is true,” says Liz. Oklahoma statutes state that “Insurers shall not require a claimant to … obtain a repair estimate or have the motor vehicle repaired at a specific repair shop.”

Liz says you have to ask yourself why a shop would be willing to do repairs less expensively and often times, cut-rate workmanship and refurbished parts are some of the ways that the cost is made up. “Insurance companies can have arrangements that work out well for the consumer, but there are times the bottom line takes precedent over the proper repair.”

Doug Heller, executive director of ConsumerWatchdog.org, a California-based consumer advocacy group, says an auto insurance company’s car repair recommendation is fine, as long as motorists are not steered or otherwise pressured into using inferior repair shops that have business arrangements with insurers. “This is not just a cost issue,” Heller says. “This is a safety issue.”

Today’s vehicles have many safety systems in place, and they must be properly repaired or replaced after an accident in order for them to perform correctly in a collision. Bumpers are one of the most frequently damaged parts and one that is critical to provide proper protection in a crash. “Always ask where the parts are coming from, are they new or after-market or refurbished?” Randy advises.

“You don’t need three estimates, and you don’t have to worry about the rates – Oklahoma has standard labor rates,” adds Liz. “You should have someone you trust repair your vehicle.” She urges customers to ask for references, check the shop out themselves and see who their friends and neighbors use.

Pruitt’s Auto Collision has a Hertz Rent-A-Car onsite, which is very convenient, and while Pruitt’s is happy to work with your insurance provider, they are a customer-oriented shop. “You’ll notice the difference right away.” 

For more information, contact

Pruitt’s Auto Collision

8231 N. Owasso ExpresswayOwasso, OK 74055(918) 274-4499www.pruittsautocollision.com


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Pruitt's Auto Collision

For more information, contact:

Pruitt's Auto Collision

(918) 274-4499 | Fax: 918-274-0405
8231 N. Owasso Expressway | Owasso, OK 74055
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