What Is the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act?

What Is the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act?

In New Jersey, most people have to take their vehicles in for repairs from time to time. The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act is the name of several different bills that have been proposed by Congress and some state legislatures. This law would require car manufacturers to provide the same type of information to repair shops that they do to car dealerships.

Many independent automotive repair shops, such as Elmer’s Auto Body, have supported the various versions of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. Many dealerships and manufacturers have opposed this bill. At the federal level, this bill was first introduced in 2001. However, it was not adopted by any state or the federal government until 2012 when Massachusetts enacted its Right to Repair law. Massachusetts’s law came about after a binding ballot initiative passed with 86% support of the voters. In 2014, several groups, including the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, the Association for Global Automakers, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, signed an agreement based on the law in Massachusetts that the manufacturers would follow the provisions of the law of Massachusetts in all of the states. This change would allow independent repair shops to have access to the same information that dealerships do so that consumers have a greater ability to take their vehicles for repairs where they want instead of being limited to dealerships.

Background of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act

In 1990, amendments to the Clean Air Act mandated that all vehicles built after 1994 would include computer systems to monitor the vehicles’ emissions. Car manufacturers were also required to give independent repair shops the same types of emissions repair information as they gave to franchised new car dealers. California passed its law that required that the same types of emissions information and service tools would be provided to independent repair shops and to keep websites with the service information on a subscription basis.

Later, on-board computers advanced to the extent that they now control all of the vital systems of cars. These changes meant that automotive repair became highly technical and required the use of computer diagnostic tools.

State legislation

In 2012, Massachusetts passed the Right to Repair Initiative with 86% support by the voters. The first proposed bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives in 2001.

New Jersey is one of the states that have had similar bills introduced. In 2006, it was introduced in the State Assembly and passed overwhelmingly. However, the bill did not pass the state Senate before it adjourned. Similar bills have been introduced in many other states.

Opposition to the Right to Repair bills

Multiple groups that represent the repair industry support the Right to Repair bills at both the state and federal levels. Initially, vehicle manufacturers opposed the law based on the National Automotive Service Task Force or NASTF, claiming that the proposed bills were unnecessary.

The NASTF set up a website in 2001 to guide technicians on how to obtain service information and specialized service tools. During that same year, the manufacturers said that they were committed to fixing all gaps by the beginning of 2003. The major associations of manufacturers announced that they had reached an agreement to provide independent shops the same training and service information as they offered to dealerships. However, two major manufacturers’ associations were not a part of that agreement. Instead, they said that they were not required to follow the agreement because there wasn’t any law that made them do so.

In 2005, Consumer Reports published an article that said that consumers would be helped by the passage of a federal Right to Repair Act because it would allow independent service shops to compete with dealerships. In a 2005 survey, 59% of people who responded said that they had trouble getting information about how to repair their vehicles or to obtain the tools that they needed. Out of the respondents, 67% said that they had to send their vehicles back to the dealerships.

Consumers and individual repair shops alike derive benefits when independent repair shops like Elmer’s Auto Body can access the service information and tools that they need to complete repairs. Allowing independent shops the needed information and tools helps them to compete with dealer shops. Competition helps to keep prices more affordable. It will enable people to access information and repairs when they are needed instead of having to send their vehicles back to the dealerships.

Elmer’s Auto Body has provided auto body repair services to people in South Jersey for more than 70 years. We are dedicated to providing the highest-quality services to all of our customers. To learn more about the repairs that you need and how we can help you, contact us today by filling out our contact form or by calling us at one of our three locations.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Rust?

Does Auto Insurance Cover Rust?

The body of your car, truck, SUV, or van is made out of metal. When metal is exposed to wet, cold climates, it can rust over time. Advances have been made in materials that are used to manufacture vehicles, including carbon fiber. The carbon fiber helps to prevent corrosion, but it is impossible to make a vehicle that is immune to rust. There are some steps that you can take to help to prevent rust from forming on your car. You should regularly wash your vehicle and avoid driving it through water puddles if you live in an area that salts the roads. While taking proactive steps can help you to extend your vehicle’s life, there is no guarantee that your vehicle will not rust. Here is what Elmer’s Auto Body believes that you should know about rust and your automobile insurance policy.

What causes rust to form on vehicles?

Most cars contain some parts that are built out of metal. If you live in a wet climate, rust can easily develop. Corrosion and rust can result from rain, snow, and humidity. Corrosive elements are widespread. If you live near the coast, your car is at risk of rusting much faster than the average. Exposing cars to water places them at risk for rust. When the water is salt water, the process speeds up. The ocean is made out of saltwater, making it understandable that you can see many rusty cars along the coasts.

People who live in snowy areas also may have a higher risk of rust. In many areas, cities salt the roads to melt the snow. This means that you can live away from the coast and still have your vehicle suffer rust from the salt on the roads.

Understanding full coverage auto insurance policies

Some people have the mistaken belief that their full coverage auto insurance policies will cover every hazard. However, full coverage auto insurance policies cover only the physical damage that is caused by the perils that are specifically covered under the policies. Most auto insurance policies contain exclusions for the types of perils and damage that will not be covered.

If you have full coverage auto insurance with comprehension and collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for vehicle repairs or vehicle replacements if your car is declared to be a total loss. You will be covered if you are involved in a car accident, including when your vehicle is damaged while it is parked.

Damage to your vehicle that occurs over time, including rust that develops, will not be covered by your full coverage auto insurance policy. This is because rust is considered to be normal wear and tear, which all insurance companies specifically exclude from their full coverage policies.

Do auto insurance policies pay if you are in an accident that was caused by rust?

While your policy will not pay to repair a rusted automobile part, you might wonder if your coverage will pay for incidents in which a part falls off of your car while you are driving because of rust. You can see that rust is developing when the metal begins going through oxidation. Oxidated metal is weaker and can cause bumpers or other parts to fall away from the vehicle. If your vehicle is rusted, a falling part can cause an accident that can harm someone else.

If a driver knows that his or her vehicle is so rusty that it is no longer safe to drive, he or she may not have a covered claim for damages. Drivers who do not know that the rust is present may still have liability coverage, however.

Why do insurance companies total cars after flood claims are filed?

Flood claims are sometimes filed when someone drives into water running across the road, storms flood a neighborhood, or a vehicle rolls into a lake because of a faulty emergency brake. If your vehicle is immersed in water, your insurance company will likely declare that your car is a total loss no matter what it looks like after it has dried.

Water damage can leave a vehicle susceptible to rusting. This means that an insurance company will likely total the car after a flood claim. You can talk to your insurance company if you have submitted a flood claim to find out how the company might handle it.

How to prevent your vehicle from rusting in the future

Since you now know that you will be unable to file a claim with your insurance company to complete rust repairs, you should take proactive measures to preserve the life of your car’s metal parts. Here are some things that you can do to help to prevent rust from forming:

  • Take your car to the car wash after driving it in the winter
  • Regularly wash your vehicle’s undercarriage
  • Store your car in a garage
  • Try to avoid driving through water on the roadway
  • Keep the paint on your vehicle maintained
  • Wax your vehicle
  • Repair any paint chips or bubbles as soon as possible

Self-insuring for rust

Self-insuring refers to putting money back to pay for repairs that you might need. This can be a good idea because repairing rust on your vehicle is not cheap. Depending on its size and location, removing a patch of rust could cost you from $500 to $1,000.

You can self-insure against rust by saving a small sum of money each month for emergency repairs. If you need to pay for rust repair, you will have the money available in your savings.

While auto insurance is important, it will not help you in every situation. You should read your policy so that you understand the exclusions that are contained in your contract with the insurance company.

Contact Elmer’s Auto Body

If you notice that rust is developing on your vehicle, you should take action quickly to prevent it from spreading. Elmer’s Auto Body has been a trusted auto body repair provider in South Jersey for more than 70 years. Contact us today to learn how we can help you by filling out our online contact form or calling one of our three convenient locations.

What To Consider Before Changing Your Car’s Paint Color

What To Consider Before Changing Your Car’s Paint Color

Changing your vehicle’s paint color involves many considerations and decisions. If you have an older, or even newer, vehicle in good shape, you may want to use the same color to renew its original vibrancy. You may want to change color altogether to achieve an updated or different look. There are some factors that you need to consider before taking the color change plunge. Here are some of those critical details you shouldn’t forget to take into account:

Paint Deterioration

 If the paint on your current vehicle is showing wear from simple age, years of exposure to extreme temperature changes, and plain old everyday wear and tear, it may be time to consider a new paint job. Though the original paint may have been factory perfect, enough time will deteriorate any paint job. When the paint on your vehicle shows extreme fading as well as cracking, peeling, scratches, and bare spots, it’s probably time to evaluate whether the paint on your vehicle has reached that stage. 

Expense

 The cost of painting a vehicle is always going to come into play. Painting almost any vehicle, regardless of its size or color, is going to be expensive. A new coat of paint is going to be less costly than purchasing a new vehicle, but there are still factors to weigh when trying to keep the expenses of painting to a minimum. The least expensive paint jobs available are usually through discount oriented paint companies with fast turnaround times, but as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” If your vehicle needs a decent and lasting paint job, you’re better off spending a little more at a reputable shop with expert paint technicians who are willing to go the extra mile. 

Color Changes

 Changing a vehicle’s original color to another color is going to increase a paint job two-fold. That added expense is due to the exterior parts of a vehicle’s body being regularly exposed to the elements, as opposed to interior areas that are hidden from view like a trunk, hood, engine, door jams, and other surfaces and openings. When the outside color is dramatically changed, then the interior parts will have to go through the same process at a higher price to ensure the colors match. 

 Another aspect to think about when you want a complete color change is that you won’t be able to reverse your choice to another color, or back to your vehicle’s original color, once your vehicle has gone through the painting process. Most of the original paint and any original sealant will have been stripped away. So, you need to think hard about a color choice long before your vehicle is in the body shop. 

Complete Removal

 If you plan on a total color change with your vehicle, be prepared. The interior of your vehicle will be stripped of both interior and exterior parts to do the job right. That means the removal of the seats, console, panels, trim pieces, and even the engine and other major components. You can save by going to a two-tone appearance with all those hidden spots, like the inside of the trunk, engine compartment, and door areas. The entire color change process is one reason why shops charge higher rates for a complete color change; whereas, there is usually a reduction in price and savings with the two-tone effect. 

Resale Value in Color Change

 Another important factor to be aware of with a complete color change is the effect it has on the resale value of a vehicle. Unfortunately, that value is usually affected negatively. Most repaints, regardless of the condition or appearance of the vehicle, will likely not increase its value. The same is true, if not more so, when it comes to more valuable vehicles. Most people want to remember the original factory colors on older or antique vehicles. If you’re planning on keeping your newly painted vehicle, the resale value is not as critical. If you are contemplating selling it, you should probably keep its original color to make a faster and more profitable sale. 

Never Going to Look the Same

 Any repaint job is never going to look the same as the original, fresh off the assembly line paint job. When someone other than the manufacturer applies the paint, it’s simply not going to look like the original. The reason for this is that the factory painting process involves the use of equipment that is specialized for the job. A new paint job will usually look good, but it just won’t be the genuine article. 

Lots of Preparation and Time

 Preparing a vehicle for a complete paint job means removing any clear coat and wax, as well as a good portion of the original paint. When a vehicle has major imperfections, dents, scratches, cracks, or other issues, all of these areas will have to be sealed, filled, sanded, and smoothed out. A lot of preparation is involved with scuffing up the painted areas and applying several primer coats to make sure any remnants of the old paint aren’t allowed to come through and combine with the new paint.

 Some less costly painting companies can complete a vehicle paint job within a couple of days, but with a more precise and thorough paint job, it’s going to take at least a week. The painting process involves a significant amount of work and time with a complete repaint, particularly when a new color is required. The job entails several days, not a few hours. You’ll need to be prepared to let go of your vehicle and make plans ahead of time for a rental car or another ride. 

 There are many factors outlined here that you should consider before changing your car’s paint color. Sometimes, the cheap route seems like a quick fix, but in the long run, finding a reliable paint and body shop with experienced technicians is the answer to giving your vehicle the superior paint job it deserves. If you are unsure of what choices to make when repainting your vehicle, complete the online contact form and an experienced technician will get back to you with the information you need to make the right color choice for you and your vehicle.

Fender Repair 101

Fender Repair 101

Any fender damage can be a real pain, and the whole idea of fixing the damage can put a real “dent” in your day. When it comes to thinking about the hassle and expense of repairing a fender bender, you may want to have some guidelines at hand. Any initial steps to tackle the problem are of definite help, and there several different ways to approach the situation. Here are some of them to get started. 

Fender Bender Causes and Characteristics

Fender benders are usually minor car accidents that can happen at slower driving speeds, or even while parked. A runaway shopping cart can be the cause, as can a rear-end collision, backing out of a driveway or parking space, or hitting a mailbox. You can identify fender bender characteristics through the appearance of numerous scratches, scrapes, cracks, and dents.

Fender Inspection

If you don’t have the time to deal with a fender bender repair yourself, the first thing to do is arrange for an inspection with an auto body repair expert. An inspection will entail a thorough examination of any exterior damage. It will also include the removal of outer trim and hardware to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage. This kind of examination will help a collision expert determine how to properly repair or possibly replace any parts if the damage is significant, or beyond repair. 

 With a broken or severely damaged fender area, there may be unseen damage that requires moderate to extensive repairs. That could mean the replacement of any number of interior or exterior parts. In this situation, a more thorough assessment or examination should be conducted, including an estimate for repair replacement and labor costs.

Magnitude of Damage

Depending on the magnitude of the damage, minor fender repairs can be completed in a few hours. Any scratches that go along with a dent can be buffed out, and any intense or deeper scratches can be covered. The dents can be pushed out, and any cracks that occur alongside the dents can be filled with the right type of body filler or putty. If the fender bender is minimal, there is usually no need to replace the full bumper. 

 An expert body person can repair most dents by working with the right materials to restore the fender to its original shape and fit. Once the body shop repairs the damaged spots, they will place a primer over the area. The primer is allowed to set and cure. After that, the damaged area is sanded to get a smooth surface for paint application. Most paint can be easily matched through computer color technology to formulate a specific color for a vehicle. Once painted, a clear coat is applied, and any remaining flaws are buffed out for a smooth and even finish. 

Do-it-Yourself Fender Repair

 When fender damage is less serious, repairing a minor problem can be done on your own if you have the time and patience. With so many vehicles today having both metal and plastic parts, the pliability of both materials allows an amateur mechanic to repair minor dents and other flaws. There are several easier methods that you can use to repair fender benders. Here are some of the more successful options.

Hot Water

 Hot water use can make dent removal easier. Simply boil water in a pot and pour the water over the area in need of repair. The water should soften the plastic area and make it more pliable. Apply pressure behind the bumper, and steadily push out the dent. The dents may be somewhat alleviated, but their appearance will likely not be perfect because of the initial damage. This process can also work using a hairdryer to heat the area and push out the dent. Again, the procedure probably won’t leave a completely smooth finish. 

Suction Devices

Several suction devices can help when working out a dent. A plunger for sink use could be useful in a larger dented area, while a windshield mount used with cellphones could be used for smaller dents. The windshield mount should contain a pulling handle device.

Before tackling a smaller dent, clean the area thoroughly. Once clean, insert and press the windshield mount suction device onto the dent. Use the handle and pull the cup out, and the dent should release. This action should work with more shallow dents that are sunken or concave in appearance. However, this method is less effective with more involved dents and creases. 

Hot Glue and Pulling Sticks

 Similar to kits used by professionals, using hot glue and a wooden dowel is another do-it-yourself method for repairing a dent. Though a bit more taxing, the process is somewhat effective. Place hot glue over the area of the dent, and place the dowels on the glued area. Allow the glue to set up. The placement of the dowels allows you to pull on the various sections of the dent. Pulling should be straight out and at an angle to detach the dowels. A hairdryer can be used to soften and remove the glue. 

Filling and Painting

 One of the more difficult and time-consuming methods for fixing a fender bender is through using body filler on the area in question and repainting it once you repair the damage. Body filler is used to build the dented and creased areas back to their original profiles. The area where you will do the work should be clean and dry. In addition to the body filler, you’ll need sandpaper (both wet and dry), cutting or rubbing compound polish, and paint. This method is a step-by-step process that relies on completing each step carefully to avoid imperfections with the filler, the sanding, the polishing, and the final layer of paint, which you need to match to the vehicle’s original color carefully. This method is effective, though difficult.

Hot and Cold Air Use

 Hot and cold air can work reasonably well on fender benders. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the area of the dent. Once it is heated, freeze the area with compressed air. The expansion of the heat will expand the area while the cold contracts and diminishes it, which will help pull out the dent. This method works best on more superficial dents in body panels made of plastic, though it can work on metal panels as well. It’s not a perfect method, and the dents may reoccur with weather changes. 

Fender benders are never fun and can ruin the appearance and possible safety of a vehicle. Do-it-yourself techniques are great to have at your disposal, but they aren’t always going to give you a showroom appearance. You also want to make sure that those dents, deep creases, and scratches aren’t causing any mechanical problems before you dive into the do-it-yourself scene. If you want more than quick fixes, complete the online contact form, and a qualified professional will get back to you with the information you need to make an informed decision concerning your fender bender.

How Long Do you Have to Report a Car Accident?

How Long Do you Have to Report a Car Accident?

People do not plan to be involved in car accidents, but they sometimes happen unexpectedly. Whether you are at fault or not for an accident, you will have to deal with multiple things following it. Dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be a real headache for most people. If you suffered injuries in your accident, your first priority should be to seek prompt medical care. After you have sought medical care, you will then need to complete several other steps that are time-dependent, including filing an accident report and potentially filing a lawsuit. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we can work with you and your insurance company to repair your car while you attend to the other tasks that you will have to handle that are accident-related. In this article, we will provide you with some information about the steps that you should take, the timing of filing different documents and claims, and when you should complete different actions after your car accident.

Reporting a car accident

After a minor accident, you might not want to report it. However, there are few situations in which a report is unnecessary. Under New Jersey law, you must report any accident in which the damage exceeds $500 by filing an accident report with the state. However, if the damage was very minor, and no one was injured, you might not want to report an accident to your insurance company. In that situation, the damage may be less than your deductible. Your insurance company might also react by raising your insurance premiums. Low-speed crashes that have damage that appears minor may sometimes cost more than you might think.

If you cause damage to someone else’s property in an accident for which you were at fault, you should report it to your insurance company. This applies even if your accident was a single-vehicle accident. For example, if you glance down at your cell phone and run off of the road and run over someone’s mailbox, you will need to report your accident to the property owner and your insurance company. Even if your accident was not your fault, you still might want to call your insurance company.

How long do you have to report an accident?

If you are involved in a collision with another driver, you should call the police to report it from the scene. You should never leave the scene of an accident before help arrives. If you do, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident even if it was not your fault.

New Jersey requires people to file accident reports with the state within 10 days of when their accidents occurred. This report must be filed for any accident that results in damage of more than $500 or an injury or fatality.

For reporting an accident with another vehicle to your insurance company, you should do so as soon as possible. You may report the accident from the scene. A majority of insurance companies have 24-hour accident report numbers and mobile apps that you can use to report an accident. If your accident only involved your vehicle, you might want to wait to call your insurance company until you have had a chance to review your policy so that you can make a better decision about whether to report it to your company. Many companies have requirements for their policyholders to file claims within a specific time after an accident. You will need to check your policy or ask your insurance agent about this requirement.

Statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit

Most car accidents will not lead to lawsuits. However, if you were seriously injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may need to file a lawsuit to ensure that the insurance company will provide you with sufficient compensation to pay for your losses. All of the states have statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits. These are legal time periods for when you must file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right to file a lawsuit to recover damages in the future. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your injury. Since accidents must be thoroughly investigated to build a strong personal injury case, it is best to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your injury accident to provide him or her with plenty of time to build a case for you.

There are also different time limits for different types of lawsuits. For example, if your insurance company engages in bad faith practices when handling your claim such as unreasonably dragging it out or refusing to pay your valid claim, you may file a bad faith insurance claim. The statute of limitations in New Jersey for bad faith insurance claims is six years. However, many insurance companies include limitations in their policies to limit the time to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit. You will want to check your policy to see if this type of time limit is included in your policy.

Getting help

After an accident, you will have many things to deal with. Whether or not you were injured, you may have to also deal with car repairs. In many cases, it is possible to settle the property damage portion of your insurance claim while the injury portion is still being negotiated. Elmer’s Auto Body has decades of experience helping people to get the repairs that they need to their vehicles after car accidents. We can work with your insurance company to make certain that your vehicle will be restored to the condition it was in before your accident. To learn more or to schedule a repair estimate, contact us today by filling out our online contact form or calling one of our three New Jersey locations.