Understanding the Chrysler Company Car Lease Program Vehicle Damage Policy

Navigating the intricacies of a company car lease program can be straightforward when you’re well-informed about the policies and procedures in place. If you’re part of the Chrysler Company Car Lease Program, understanding the vehicle damage repair policy is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive guide to ensure you’re fully aware of the requirements and steps to take should your company-owned vehicle sustain damage. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance and a smooth process for any necessary repairs.

Key Requirements of the Vehicle Damage Repair Policy

For any vehicle under the Chrysler company car lease program, specific protocols are in place to manage damage and repairs. These are designed to maintain vehicle quality, ensure compliance with legal standards, and streamline the repair process.

Firstly, all repairs must be carried out at a Stellantis franchised dealership or a sublet facility referred by one. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure quality and adherence to Stellantis standards. Alongside authorized facilities, the policy strictly mandates the use of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for all repairs. This ensures the integrity and performance of your Chrysler vehicle are maintained to factory specifications.

Federal and state regulations necessitate full transparency regarding any body damage repairs on company-owned vehicles, especially when these vehicles are sold. To comply with these regulations, Stellantis has established a clear procedure that must be followed across the United States, District of Columbia, and Canada.

Before initiating any repairs, it is essential to contact Stellantis Claims (CEI) at (800) 313-7448 for all claims and damage appraisals. This initial contact is crucial for starting the formal process. Following this, obtaining a vehicle damage claim number is mandatory. This number acts as a reference point throughout the repair process and is essential for tracking and authorization. Crucially, an authorized damage appraisal must be completed before any repair work begins on the company vehicle. This appraisal ensures that the extent of damage is officially assessed and documented by Stellantis.

Important Note: Participants in the Chrysler company car lease program may bear financial responsibility for repairs up to 100% if the damage is a result of negligence or unauthorized modifications. Negligence can include a range of incidents such as interior or exterior damage caused by the vehicle custodian, driver, or occupants. Examples of negligence include spills, upholstery damage like tears or burns, using the wrong fuel, damage from ice scraping, pet-related damage, cracked or damaged radio screens, and damage from improperly secured cargo or tonneau covers.

Furthermore, it’s explicitly stated that repairs performed at independent facilities are not authorized and will not be reimbursed. Participants who opt for unauthorized repairs at independent facilities will be personally responsible for all resulting costs. It is also important to note that personal property damaged as a result of a vehicle accident is not covered or reimbursable under the Chrysler company car lease program vehicle damage policy.

Accident and Damage Reporting: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the unfortunate event that your Chrysler company-owned vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident, prompt and correct reporting is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you handle the situation effectively and in accordance with the Chrysler company car lease program policy:

Prioritize Safety and Aid the Injured: Your immediate concern should be for the well-being of everyone involved. If there are injuries, ensure that anyone hurt receives help immediately. Call for medical assistance if necessary.
File a Police Report: It is crucial to file a police report for any accident involving a company vehicle. When reporting to the police, adhere to the specific laws and regulations of the state or region where the accident occurred. Obtain a copy of the police report for your records.
Complete the Accident/Damage Report Form: Before leaving the scene of the accident, it’s important to complete all sections of the Accident/Damage Report Form thoroughly. This form captures essential details about the incident. Always keep a copy of the completed form for your records. You can access the Accident Reporting Kit and Accident/Damage Report Form by clicking here.
Contact Stellantis Claims (CEI) Immediately: As soon as possible after the accident, call Stellantis Claims (CEI) at 1-800-313-7448. Provide them with the information you’ve gathered and completed on the Accident/Damage Report Form. It’s important to identify yourself as an employee of Stellantis when you call. Experienced claims specialists are available 24/7 to assist you.
Contact Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. for Specific Queries: For questions related to injuries or damages to third-party vehicles or property, contact Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. at 1-866-850-1933, or 1-248-452-6050. They are the designated contact for these specific types of concerns.
Comply with All Stellantis Procedures: Ensure that you fully comply with all accident and fleet procedures set forth by Stellantis. This includes any internal reporting requirements or documentation processes beyond the standard steps.
Authorized Stellantis Dealership for Vehicle Repairs: Remember that all vehicle repairs and associated paperwork must be handled by an authorized Stellantis franchised dealership. Do not take the vehicle to an independent repair shop, as this could lead to non-reimbursement and policy violations.

By following these steps diligently, participants in the Chrysler company car lease program can ensure they are fully compliant with the vehicle damage policy and facilitate a smooth resolution process after a vehicle incident.

Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy in Detail

The vehicle damage appraisal process is a critical component of the Chrysler company car lease program’s vehicle damage policy. It ensures that all damage claims are assessed accurately and managed efficiently.

Upon contacting Stellantis Claims (CEI), a representative will be assigned to your case. They will provide you with a vehicle damage claim number, which is essential for all subsequent steps. The CEI representative will then coordinate with a Stellantis franchised dealership to arrange for an initial damage inspection. This dealership will conduct the initial assessment and provide a damage estimate. The CEI representative will manage the entire claim and repair process from this point forward, ensuring adherence to policy and quality standards.

However, it’s important to note certain exceptions where a vehicle damage estimate is not required immediately. These exceptions are designed for situations requiring urgent repairs for safety or routine maintenance items.

Repairs that DO NOT require a vehicle damage estimate:

Safety-related repairs: Items critical for vehicle safety such as headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, and side view mirrors must be addressed immediately. These must be repaired without waiting for an appraisal. If a Stellantis franchised dealership is not immediately accessible for these safety repairs, you are authorized to use a licensed repair facility. In such cases, the participant will need to pay for the repairs upfront and then request reimbursement from Stellantis.
Tires: Tire-related issues are covered under a separate tire policy. Refer to the ‘Tire’ page under the Maintenance, Modifications & Roadside tab for detailed procedures on tire replacement and repair within the Chrysler company car lease program.
Wheel alignments: Routine wheel alignments do not require a damage appraisal.
Windshield glass replacement: If the windshield needs replacement due to damage (like chips or cracks) and there is no associated body damage, a claim and appraisal are not needed. However, if windshield damage is accompanied by body damage, a claim must be filed as per the standard procedure. For details, refer to the ‘Glass’ page under the Maintenance, Modification & Roadside tab.
Stolen radios and equipment: In cases of theft of radios or equipment where there is no accompanying body damage, a damage estimate is not required. Refer to the section on ‘Stolen Equipment’ for specific steps.

For all other types of damage not listed under these exceptions, the standard Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy must be followed to initiate repairs under the Chrysler company car lease program.

Handling Different Types of Damage

The Chrysler company car lease program vehicle damage policy provides specific guidelines for handling various types of vehicle damage, ensuring clarity and proper procedure for each situation.

Body Damage: Any body damage that exceeds the standards defined by the Company Vehicle Operations Wear Square requires an accident claim and a repair estimate from a franchised dealer. The Wear Square is a tool used to measure damage extent and tire tread depth. For a visual guide on using the Wear Square, click here. Wear Squares are provided upon vehicle delivery or can be requested from Company Vehicle Operations.

Body damage under $1,000: If the estimated cost of body damage is less than $1,000, repairs should generally not be made unless the damage significantly detracts from the vehicle’s appearance or impacts safety or structural integrity. Prior approval from Company Vehicle Operations is required for repairs under $1,000. It’s important to retain any repair estimates for unrepaired damage under $1,000, as these will be needed when the vehicle is turned in at the end of the lease.
Body damage of $1,000 or more: If the repair estimate is $1,000 or greater, the claim must be approved by Stellantis Claims (CEI) before any repairs commence.

Normal wear and tear: The policy explicitly states that repairs for normal wear and tear, such as minor scratches and dings, are not authorized and should not be undertaken.

Rims/Wheels: Damage to rims or wheels necessitates filing a claim for repair or replacement. If both a tire and rim are damaged simultaneously (e.g., due to pothole impact), a single claim should be filed with CEI covering both. Whether a scratched rim is covered depends on the severity of the damage; in such cases, a claim should be filed to obtain an appraisal.

Vehicle Vandalism: In cases of vandalism, the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Process is applicable only when there is body damage, suspension, underbody damage, or stolen equipment.

Body Damage from Vandalism: Any sheet metal damage resulting from vandalism must be appraised and repaired as per the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy. A courtesy estimate from a Stellantis dealer can be obtained. If this estimate is under $1,000, repairs are typically not made. For estimates of $1,000 or more, a claim must be filed, and importantly, a police report must be provided.

Glass Damage:

Glass damage with other vehicle damage: If glass damage is accompanied by body damage, suspension, underbody damage, or stolen equipment, the vehicle must undergo inspection and repair according to the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy. A claim is required, along with a police report.
Windshield damage only: If there is only windshield damage without any other vehicle damage or stolen equipment, contact Safelite directly for replacement services.
Other glass damage (sunroof, window, etc.) only: If glass other than the windshield is damaged and there’s no other vehicle damage or stolen equipment, a claim must be filed.
Windshield and other glass damage: If both the windshield and other glass components are damaged, a claim must be filed.

Stolen Equipment/Vandalism: If equipment is stolen or vandalized and there is also body damage, suspension, or underbody damage, the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy applies. A claim should be filed, and a police report is necessary. Replacement of Original Equipment by Manufacturer (OEM) parts must be done at a Stellantis franchised dealership.

Personal Property: Stellantis is not responsible for theft or vandalism of personal property from company lease vehicles. Participants should address such losses through their personal insurance.

Hail or Salt Water Damage: Stellantis policy generally does not cover repairs for body damage (excluding glass replacement) caused by hail or salt water. However, all vehicles damaged by hail must be inspected to document the damage for disclosure purposes when the vehicle is turned in. Participants must follow the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy for this inspection, and the appraisal document should be kept in the vehicle’s glove compartment. In cases of severe hail or salt water damage, vehicle replacement may be considered. Participants should request a replacement through Company Vehicle Operations after the damage appraisal is completed.

Loaner/Rental Vehicle Policy

Understanding the loaner and rental vehicle policy is an important aspect of the Chrysler company car lease program, especially when your leased vehicle requires repairs that take an extended period.

For participants within the Southeastern Michigan (SE MI) area, if your lease vehicle will be under repair for three days or more, you should contact the Loaner Department at the Lapeer Road Marshaling Center at (833) 550-5783 to arrange for a loaner vehicle. Note: If any damage occurs to the loaner vehicle itself, the Vehicle Damage Appraisal Policy applies, and you should again contact the Loaner Department at the same number.

If you reside outside of Southeastern Michigan, there are two primary options for obtaining a loaner vehicle:

Indiana Residents: If you are an Indiana resident, you may be eligible to obtain a loaner vehicle within Indiana by emailing [email protected]. Note that this option is currently limited to Indiana and vehicle availability may vary. Insurance is included with this loaner option. If a local loaner is not available through this program, you should use the Business Travel option.
Business Travel Rental: For those outside SE MI, including when Indiana loaners are unavailable, you can book a rental loaner using Business Travel’s designated provider. Contact them at (669) 272-1325. Note: Loaner rentals via Business Travel outside of SE MI are permitted for drivers aged 18 and over. For drivers under 18 who are ineligible to rent, the lease program participant may rent a vehicle and provide an alternative household vehicle for the younger driver’s transportation. Insurance is included in the Stellantis contracted rate when renting through Business Travel for loaner rentals. Always state that you are a participant in the Company Vehicle Program when calling.

To rent through Business Travel for yourself or an approved dependent driver, email Company Vehicle Operations at [email protected] with the following details:

CID (Company ID)
Retiree First and Last Name
Dependent First and Last Name (if applicable)
Indicate for whom the rental is intended

Once your request is reviewed and verified, a validation letter will be emailed to you. This letter must be presented at the rental counter.

Participants can rent a vehicle starting from the day their lease vehicle goes in for repair, provided they are aware that the repair duration will exceed three days. The reimbursement rate for rental vehicles is set at $35 per day, with a maximum reimbursement of $350 per incident. It’s important to note that your monthly lease vehicle payment continues even while the vehicle is under repair. If your vehicle is drivable, it’s advisable not to leave it at the dealership until parts are ordered and received, and the dealership is ready to begin repairs immediately. Note: Compact size rental vehicles generally comply with the $35/day price range. If a larger vehicle is required due to special needs, approval from Company Vehicle Operations is necessary and must be obtained via email.

For repairs exceeding 10 days or if the maximum rental reimbursement amount is reached, contact the dealership to understand the reason for the delay. For assistance in expediting repairs or if a rental extension is needed, contact Company Vehicle Operations. Note: If repairs extend beyond 10 days, you must request a rental extension from Company Vehicle Operations via email every 10 days.

Totaled Vehicles Procedure

In situations where a Chrysler company lease program vehicle is declared a total loss, specific procedures are in place to manage the vehicle and the participant’s lease agreement.

If the authorized appraiser determines that the vehicle is a total loss, they will notify the participant. Upon notification, the participant is required to take several actions:

Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle.
Remove the license plate, vehicle registration, insurance certificate, and any other lease-related documents from the totaled vehicle.
Return all removed items, except for the insurance certificate, to the Lapeer Road Marshaling Center at the address provided below. The insurance certificate should be transferred to the replacement vehicle.

Lapeer Road Marshaling Center Stellantis CIMS: 438-01-00 4300 S. Lapeer Road Orion Twp., MI 48359 Outside Line: (833) 550-5783

The participant is responsible for informing Company Vehicle Operations about the totaled vehicle status by submitting an Interim Vehicle Replacement Form. This form is available on the Company Vehicle Operations website under the ‘Forms’ tab. Allow 2-3 business days for processing before contacting the Lapeer Road Marshaling Center regarding vehicle replacement.

Within Southeastern Michigan: If you have a loaner vehicle from the Lapeer Road Marshaling Center, it must be returned at this point. You will then need to select an interim vehicle and retain it until your new vehicle, ordered as a replacement, is delivered. New vehicle orders can typically be placed during the second or third ordering phase after the total loss is processed.

Outside Southeastern Michigan: Participants outside of SE MI should contact Company Vehicle Operations for guidance on replacing a totaled vehicle. To remain active in the lease car program, replacement is mandatory. A new vehicle order can only be placed if the corporation is currently manufacturing vehicles.

Totaled Vehicles Not Being Replaced:

Within and Outside Southeastern Michigan: Participants who choose not to replace a totaled vehicle must complete a Termination Form, indicating the totaled status of the vehicle. This form, found under the ‘Bulletins and Forms’ tab on the Company Vehicle Operations website, must be completed, signed, and submitted to the specified number or address on the form. Submitting the Termination Form will halt monthly lease payments from being deducted from your payroll or pension check, effective from the date the vehicle was totaled. If a new vehicle has already been ordered but you no longer wish to take delivery, this should also be noted on the Termination Form.

Dealer Billing and Third-Party Contacts

For Stellantis franchised dealerships handling repairs under the Chrysler company car lease program, specific billing and contact procedures are in place.

Dealer Billing: The Stellantis franchised dealership is required to submit the repair order/invoice and the damage appraisal to Company Vehicle Operations for payment. Submissions should be directed to:

Fleet Operations – Vehicle Claims Email: [email protected] Phone: (833) 550-5783

Upon processing, a credit for the repair amount will be issued to the dealership’s Dealer Billing Statement under Billing Code “0057”.

Third Party Contacts: Should any subsequent claims or inquiries arise from third parties (individuals, attorneys, or insurance companies) regarding an incident, these must be immediately referred to Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. for handling and response. Participants or custodians of Chrysler company-owned vehicles are not authorized to settle any claims involving a Stellantis-owned vehicle. All claim settlements and communications must be managed through Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc.

By understanding and adhering to these comprehensive guidelines, participants in the Chrysler company car lease program can ensure a smooth and compliant experience regarding vehicle damage and repair processes.