7 Things You Might Not Know About Collision Repair

Accidents are terrible. If you’ve avoided injury, there’s trauma, cost and downtime. This time can be fruitlessly extended if you get bad advice, pick the wrong shop, or otherwise get misdirected. Since it may be years between motorists having to deal with the aftermath of an accident, we are sharing these 7 tips to better inform the general public.

1. Your Car Can Be Restored to its Pre-Accident Condition

The first unibody car was built in the 1920s. It wasn’t until the 1970s oil shock that manufacturers adopted the unibody construction en masse due to its weight savings. With the accumulated experience of body-on-frame models then, there was a steep learning curve initially. The past four decades have produced tremendous strides in terms of tools and techniques deployed to repair cars. The shops that invest in searching OEM procedures and have serviced thousands of vehicles can correctly restore your car’s appearance, structural integrity, and functionality to factory specifications.

2. The Determination of A Car Being Totaled Is Not Solely Based on Cost to Repair

The main equation influencing your insurer rendering a “total loss” decision is: current replacement value compared to repair cost. In general, the newer your car, the higher its value. The more extensive your damage, the costlier the repair. OEM parts compared to aftermarket parts will likewise drive costs. Finally, the ability to restore functionality, such as air bags or aligned frame will impact whether you receive the go-ahead with a repair or get a replacement value check.

3. A Collision Could Have Hidden Damage

In terms of getting accurate repair costs and the repairs done correctly the first time, you’ll want your car to be properly assessed. You’ll want an experienced auto body shop that knows where to look for and how to spot hidden damage.

4. More Experienced Appraisers are More Accurate

For experienced appraisers, it isn’t their first rodeo. They can more credibly convince the insurance company to cover repairs that might otherwise be overlooked. Their experience enables them to guarantee their work – which should be of utmost importance to you.

5. Warranties Matter

A warranty for a repair shop is backed by the service provider, not your insurance company. Be sure to determine that the collision center you select offers a warranty. Additionally, check past customers’ testimonials and business history to validate their claim.

6. The auto body repair shop selected is 100% your choice

Part of your due diligence in shop selection is asking for advice from trusted sources such as friends, neighbors, and insurance companies. Continue your evaluation by reviewing photo galleries, reading reviews, and validating overall business operations. At the end of your investigations, pick the shop and the people who inspire confidence. This may or may not dovetail with all your sources – but know that your insurer is obligated to underwrite your repair from a duly licensed and authorized provider.

7. New Techniques and Tools Enable Paintless Dent Repair without Fillers

The best indicator of a quality shop is one that, like Goldilocks, does not over or under do it. New paintless dent repair (PDR) techniques allow lightly damaged panels to be repaired without the need for body filler or sanding. A fender bender or a hailstorm that does not chip paint might be more suitable for a less extensive process.