Dealing with the stress of a collision is hard enough without trying to figure out how your accident insurance works. Here are some answers to frequently-asked questions about insurance policies.
Will the insurance company guarantee your work?
We guarantee our own work, but the insurance company does not have the legal right to guarantee a third party's work.
Who pays for repairs?
It depends on the circumstances. If you were at fault, but have comprehensive or collision insurance, the insurance company would pay the costs minus your deductible. If the other party was at fault, their insurance company should pay.
Do I have to accept the insurance company's appraisal of damage?
No. Check the "Appraisal Clause" in your policy if you have differences with their appraisal. It allows you and the insurance company to gather an opinion from an appraiser you both agree upon, or a third-party "Umpire" if you cannot agree.
Do I have the right to a rental car?
If you have purchased rental car coverage and were not responsible for the accident, you may seek reimbursement from the insurance company or, if another driver was responsible for the accident, their insurance company. If you do not have rental car coverage and were responsible for the accident, you have no grounds to ask for reimbursement. If the other driver was liable, you can generally seek reimbursement from their insurance company.
Who do I call to file a claim?
Reach out to your agent or insurance provider. If someone else is liable for your damages, it's essential to also get in touch with their insurance agent or company. The assigned adjuster will then guide you on any further necessary actions.
What does my policy require me to do after an accident?
Inform your insurance provider about the accident's details, including the time, location, and circumstances of the incident. Provide the names and addresses of individuals injured in the accident as well as any potential witnesses. Collaborate fully with the investigation process. Lastly, acquire or grant authorization for your insurance company to secure necessary documents, medical records, and relevant information.
I’ve been going to Muffler and Go for quite some time now. Chris and the guys are the best! They are honest and friendly. I recommend them to everyone I know.
debra ganske, 08/27/2025
This review covers work performed by Muffler & Go (M&G) over the summer of 2025 on 3 different vehicles our household owns.
The first car was my son's 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, which he purchased with a relatively new exhaust system already installed. The exhaust components themselves were great but the installation was awful. We brought the car to M&G to have the dual exhaust removed, pieces modified (cutting, bending, welding) and reinstalled by Kevin (their top custom exhaust specialist). The result was truly a work of art. The exhaust was routed through some tight areas in a way where nothing rubbed, rattled or was in the way as it had before.
Because of the work done on my son's car, I decided to bring in my newly restored (after sitting 37 years) 1968 Chrysler New Yorker to have its dual exhaust system completely replaced. Again Kevin was given the job, this time to create a complete custom stainless steel exhaust system. Somehow Kevin was able to route the pipes to fit through some tight areas and tuck the pipes and mufflers very close to the bottom of the car in a way that honestly looks better than what the factory had done. I later found a slight rattling that only occurred under certain conditions and the owner, Chris Burke, told me to bring it in and he'd have it taken care of while I waited, which they did. Within two weeks of the installation, I then realized the mufflers that were chosen were just a bit too loud for me. Since I originally agreed with M&G to install these particular mufflers, I thought I was going to have to pay to exchange them for quieter ones. However Chris offered to exchange them for a quieter pair free of charge (for both the mufflers and the labor to exchange them). You just can't ask for better customer satisfaction efforts than this! I am now super happy with the sound and the quality of the installation.
The third car we brought in was my son's daily driver, a 2014 Chevy Equinox with the Ecotec 2.4 inline 4 cylinder. Because we brought it in to M&G with a potentially damaging loose timing chain (a VERY common problem on this engine), Chris said it was an urgent issue and arranged to get in right away. Eventually the timing chain and associated components were replaced along with a new engine valve cover with integrated PCV, oil & filter and spark plugs. Got my son's car back on the road within two days and averted potential disaster from a broken timing chain. Later, we took the Equinox in again for a cooling system flush, brake system flush, two wheel alignment, replace all brake rotors & pads and replace parking brake shoe & lining w/ parking brake kit before my son drove back to college 500 miles away.
We've decided to switch all of our car service needs over to Muffler & Go after seeing the quality of work that they do and Chris taking considerable time to show me around the shop, explain the way they find parts as inexpensively as possible and introduce me to their service specialists. The front desk and waiting area is immaculate and reflects Chris's need for neatness and order. The shop area is well organized and you can tell everything is well maintained. They also have the latest in diagnostic testing equipment so they're able to perform service on many things other shops may not be able to do.
In terms of pricing (as the owner will also tell you) they aren't the cheapest or the most expensive. Based on what I have experienced over the years at this and other shops, I'd say their pricing is in line with what you'd expect from a shop that uses the right parts and does an exceptional job of installation & servicing. There's a great deal of automotive expertise in their employees and Chris himself told me he works hard to treat them well in order to keep them. I've long known Muffler & Go has a great reputation and I now know why.
Their business name is Muffler & Go but it is obvious that they do much more than exhaust systems. I'm one of their newest customers and I can say I'm 5 star satisfied so far.