Collision Centers: Why Certified Collision Repair Matters

Collision Centers: Why Certified Collision Repair Matters

Collision repair is one of those things that has to be left in the hands of those who know what they are doing. If you trust your collision repair to someone who isn’t properly trained, your decision will likely result in a lot of wasted money. Once you pay the mechanic, the deal is done, and you’re stuck with whatever he has (or hasn’t) done.

Are you tired of dealing with these kinds of mechanics? Are you sick of shelling out good money for repairs, only to be forced back to the shop by the need for more repairs? Well, if that’s the case, you’ve probably been going to the wrong mechanic.

Why It’s Important To Choose A Certified Collision Center

The auto business has changed a lot in the last few decades. Before the 1980s, most cars were built in a very similar fashion. If you have ever peered under the hood of an older vehicle, you have probably noticed a simplicity that modern cars usually lack. Back then, a mechanic didn’t need a whole bunch of different certifications to work on someone’s vehicle.

Of course, times change. These days, cars are becoming more like computers, with all the complexity that you would expect from such. And even now, the auto companies are still trying to one-up each other with various technology and gimmicks, each one racing toward a nonexistent finish line. That is why you need to make sure to choose a certified mechanic when it’s time for collision work.

Without proper training from the manufacturer, a mechanic will probably not know all the important points that are necessary in order to do a good job. To ensure that you get someone with the knowledge to do things right, always make sure that you ask to see an I-CAR certification.

Another obvious benefit of using a certified mechanic comes from your car’s warranty. Most auto manufacturers will guarantee work done on a car of their brand. However, they will only cover those repairs that are done by a licensed and certified professional. There is a very logical reason behind this: The company doesn’t want to pay for anyone else’s mistakes.

What Is An I-CAR Certification?

I-CAR stands for Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair. It’s basically a trade organization that works hand-in-hand with many of the world’s biggest auto manufacturers. The I-CAR certification program was created to deal with rampant fraud in an industry that doesn’t always have the best safeguards against that kind of thing.

I-CAR provides training, research material, and a lot of other resources to collision specialists. Since 1979, they have served as the definitive authority in this field. That is why certification from them means so much. If you see a mechanic with an I-Car Gold Class certificate, you have found a very good one indeed.

To be fair, however, we should realize one thing: The I-CAR program does not require that all of a business’s employees be trained in the necessary skills. In other words, not everyone at your local auto shop has completed their I-CAR certification. The program stipulated that a certain percentage of people in a business must be certified in order to qualify for all the benefits. That’s why a smart consumer should ask the people at the garage about who will be working on their car and what will be done.

The Certified Mechanic Always Has The Right Tools

There are many kinds of vehicles (especially foreign vehicles and older vehicles) that require special tools. If your vehicle is one of these, it is even more important that you choose a mechanic that is properly certified. While other mechanics will be forced to improvise as best they can, a certified mechanic will have all the right tools to get the job done quickly and easily.

The Certified Mechanic Always Gets The Right Parts

We’ve all had to deal with this problem at least once: You take your car to the shop for some much-needed repairs, only to find out that you will have to wait for a part to arrive. Then, a day or two later, you head back to the shop to get the job done. When you get there, you find out that the wrong part was ordered, and thus, you will have to wait even longer.

Why does this happen? Because the mechanic is probably ordering parts from a variety of different sources, and some of those sources are (of course) less reliable than others. Not to mention the fact that a non-certified mechanic will be more likely to misidentify the needed part. When you choose a certified mechanic, you can bypass both of these frequent problems.

A certified mechanic will always know the correct part to order, and will always order it directly from the company. It’s very hard to get the wrong part when you do that! They should be using only brand new OEM parts, and there is more than one reason for that. First: OEM parts will have no wear and tear. Second: OEM parts will be guaranteed to fit your car. Third: Only brand new OEM parts will be covered by any kind of warranty. As soon as you start throwing used parts on there, you can kiss that warranty goodbye.

Conclusion

Whenever you want to get collision repair work done, it just makes sense to shop around and find the place with the greatest number of certified people. You might even consider calling up I-CAR or your vehicle’s manufacturer so that you can verify the certifications of anyone who will be working on your car. After all, the world has a lot of scumbags in it, and you can never be too careful.

In spite of this caution, we advise you to trust the word of your certified mechanic, as long as they can prove that they are, in fact, certified! If you have found this article to be helpful and informative, please help to support our work by filling out the contact form below.

5 Ways To Prepare Your Car For Winter

5 Ways To Prepare Your Car For Winter

Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to start making preparations. Unless you are lucky enough to live in a place where it never snows, you will certainly need to take a few precautions to make sure that your vehicle can make it through the rough months ahead. In this article, we will go over five of the things that you really need to do (right now) in order to prepare your car for the winter.

1. Get An Engine Tune-Up

When it’s cold outside, the oil in your engine will become thicker. This isn’t a huge problem, but it does make it harder to start the car. At this point, any little problem in your engine or ignition system will make the situation worse. All of these problems might combine to create a situation where your vehicle won’t start at all.

A tune-up can include a lot of things, as it’s just a general term for preventative maintenance. The job might include replacement of filters, spark plugs, spark plug wires, replacement of the distributor cap and/or its internal rotor, oxygen sensors, or PCV valves. Talk to your mechanic and make sure that all of your vehicle’s needs are met.

2. Replace All Fluids And Filters

If you think about it, there are quite a few liquids that we put into our vehicles. There’s oil (which isn’t really a liquid but functions like one), transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and your vehicle may have others. That’s a lot of liquid that could possibly freeze. Even if these substances do not freeze in the winter (and many of them do not), they will still become thicker and less able to move through the system quickly.

All of those liquids that we put into our cars tend to break down over time. This is just a natural consequence of those liquids having done their job. So, before winter gets here, you should immediately do an oil change, and change all of your other fluids as well.

3. Buy Some Fuel De-Icer

Ideally, you should always buy premium gas that is free of fillers. However, most of us just can’t afford to do that. For the vast majority of the population, regular gas is the norm. That means that your car will end up burning more than just gasoline. As you probably know, gasoline does not freeze. However, some of the filler substances will thicken or freeze.

You can deal with this problem before it happens by stocking up on fuel de-icer, also known as gas-line antifreeze. It’s not hard to use, either. All you have to do is empty the bottle into your gas tank once a month. Of course, the instructions could vary somewhat, depending on what brand you buy. Either way, this stuff can go a long way toward keeping your vehicle functioning well in the snowy winter months.

4. See To Your Windshield And Heater

Have you ever noticed that car heaters tend to stop working right when you need them most? Those things always seem to break down right around the time when the weather is at its coldest. If you think about it, that makes a lot of sense. The heater will be working its hardest during the coldest months, and that makes it more likely to break down. You can deal with this issue by getting your heating system inspected and repaired before you actually need to use the thing. That way, your heater can go into the winter fresh and prepared to do its job.

We should also talk about your windshield. Ice on the windshield is probably the most annoying thing about winter driving. Unless you feel like getting real familiar with that scraper, we would advise that you also have your defrosting system inspected and repaired if necessary. It should be mentioned that heating/defrost systems are not that complicated. If you are technically inclined, you might want to do some DIY work.

5. Check For And Correct Any Electrical Issues

You may already know this, but car batteries just don’t work as well during the winter. If you want to know why this is, take a look at the label on a car battery some time. You will see two sets of numbers marked “CA” and “CCA.” That first one stands for “cranking amps,” and it’s a measure of how much power the battery can put out at one time.

The numbers marked “CCA” stand for “cold cranking amps.” You will notice that the CCA number is always lower than the CA number. This is all the proof we need to understand that car batteries don’t put out as much power when they’re cold. That’s why you need to make sure that your battery (and everything to which it is connected) is in good shape before the weather gets cold.

You can buy an electrical tester, but most auto parts stores will check your electrical system for free. Make sure they check the battery, alternator, starter, and ignition coils. If even one of these parts stops working, it can cause the whole system to malfunction.

Conclusion

Even in the modern age, the weather still presents us with certain problems that must be overcome. There are some other things that you can do to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the winter. However, it would be outside the scope of this article to go into the entire list. We would recommend that you do some further reading, and you will see that we have given you the five most important points. We thank you for reading this article, and we ask that you do us one more favor and fill out the contact form below. That will enable us to continue educating you about all kinds of useful topics like this.

What Are Crash Parts?

What Are Crash Parts

You would think that crash parts would simply mean emergency exterior and interior parts needed for immediate replacement on a severely damaged vehicle. However, not all crash parts, otherwise known as cosmetic parts, are created equal. Many of these parts are looked at as aftermarket parts, or non-original equipment manufactured (Non-OEM). Crash parts are actually parts made through independent manufacturers who produce less costly replacement parts then OEMs, or original equipment manufacturers. 

Categories

 Many of these parts that are considered crash parts, or aftermarket parts, are divided into different categories. What constitutes a crash part? Here is a breakdown of parts. 

Crash Parts

 Crash parts are sheet metal or plastic parts installed on the exterior of a motor vehicle. When you speak of aftermarket parts, you are talking about non-original parts and non-original manufacturers. A “non-original manufacturer” is a manufacturer other than the original manufacturer. For example, an OEM, or original part, would be from a company that produces the gear shift, steering wheel, or tires that are placed on a new vehicle. They could be installed on a car, truck, or another type of vehicle as it goes down an assembly line in a car plant. 

Crash Parts/Aftermarket Parts

Again, most crash parts are both sheet metal and plastic parts. Auto body shops install these on the outside of a vehicle. These aftermarket parts usually include:

  • Hoods
  • Doors
  • Fenders
  • Bumper
  • Bumper accessories
  • Inner and outer panels

Aftermarket Crash Parts Certification

 CAPA, or the Certified Automotive Part Association, additionally categorizes aftermarket crash parts. This association assures the adaptability and quality of replacement or aftermarket parts. 

 To assess the quality of the parts, CAPA examines a host of different areas of a manufacturing plant. They assess the actual manufacturing process, the equipment used, and the final products produced. If the replacement parts meet specifications in their configurations, appearance, structure, composition, and mechanical processes, the aftermarket parts will rate a CAPA certification. If the parts are in line with new OEM parts, CAPA gives them their seal of approval. 

Mechanical Parts

 Those parts that are mechanical and not included within the crash parts category include:

  • Engine parts
  • Batteries
  • Filters
  • Shock Absorbers
  • Mufflers

Consumer Crash Parts Issues

 The latest trend when it comes to crash parts is repair shops involving consumers more in the repair process. When it comes to repairing a damaged vehicle, it boils down to whether or not an insurance company is going to pay for original equipment (OE) replacement parts or an alternative. Repair shops do their best to educate consumers as to what their rights are concerning the use of those parts.

Crash Parts Legislation

 In addition to shop owners going to bat for consumers, it seems that crash parts legislation has come into its own. Most states have put through legislation intending to inform vehicle owners of the steps involved in a collision repair, and the parts used. In addition, groups led by the Automotive Service Association determined at a recent meeting with repair service experts, insurers, consumer groups, and service-related industries that an across the board policy should make consumers aware of the following:

  • Consumers should be aware of the kinds of parts that auto body shops install in their vehicles.
  • Consumers should be aware that they have the right to authorize (in written form) what parts the auto body shop can use on their vehicle during the lifetime of that vehicle.

 In addition to the consumer protections, they placed a draft consent form under consideration. This consent form would inform the consumer of the kinds of parts that an auto body shop would use on their vehicles, along with a listing of the parts used in the repair. Once informed, consumers would be able to decide whether or not to use the parts selected. If a consumer chooses to agree to use the listed parts, he or she would sign the form. Another issue that arose was what parts an auto body shop would or wouldn’t use through a warranty period of a vehicle. The various groups did agree about a consumer’s right to know what type of parts an auto body shop would use. 

Different State Crash Parts Legislation

 Those that deal in collision repair also have a right to know what their state’s particular crash parts legislation entails. For example, the state of Washington requires that any transaction associated with an invoice must show whether any parts are used, rebuilt, aftermarket, or Non-OEM (body parts). 

 It’s important that consumers know what type of parts are being used in their vehicles and what their rights are when it comes to repairs. If you have questions regarding what your state may or may not require, or simply want to know more about crash parts, complete the online contact form. A parts expert will get back to you with the answers you need to understand your protections as a possible crash parts consumer.

How To Avoid Auto Body Insurance Fraud

How To Avoid Auto Body Insurance Fraud

It seems common knowledge today that some auto body repair shops have chosen a dishonest way to do business, and fraud has become part of the game with auto body work. There are ways to avoid both insurance fraud schemes and other scams, and the signs are definitely out there to watch for and be aware of in the collision repair racket. Here are some tips on how to deal with them.

Deductibles and Related Maneuvering

Be cautious when auto body shop personnel suggest that your deductible can be waived, buried or recovered. Your deductible could simply be hidden in an over inflated repair estimate, or in shop charges for more expensive original equipment parts that are then substituted with cheaper, damaged, counterfeit or previously repaired parts. You also need to watch out for services not given or parts paid for, but not installed. Inflated costs, switching out of parts, the inclusion of parts or neglect of services are unlawful in many instances.

More can happen when the body shop repairer misrepresents the actual damage and states that a vehicle is more seriously damaged than it actually is. This type of action is hiding repair costs from the insurer and including the deductible within the repair costs. Obviously, the repair costs have been increased and the body shop profits while the insurer is left with paying the manipulated repair costs and the deductible.

Tow Truck Connection

If you’ve been involved in an accident and your vehicle looks to be a serious contender for body work, you want to be cautious when an unsolicited tow truck driver shows up on the scene a little too quickly and attempts to get you and your vehicle to a repair shop right then and there. This is a ploy used by unscrupulous tow truck drivers as they charge outlandish fees for transport, plus they take your vehicle to a dishonest body shop that may hold your vehicle hostage with ever increasing fees and demands for insurance payments. Also, the tow truck driver may make a concerted effort to refer you to unethical health care providers and lawyers who make a living through fraudulent insurance scams.

Airbag Replacement

Believe it or not, this is just one other car repair scam that is both dangerous and expensive for insurers and policy holders. Faulty airbag replacement is really no replacement at all. Once an airbag has been deployed through an accident situation and is brought into a repair facility for replacement, mechanics simply neglect replacing the airbag with a new one and resort to stuffing the vacant airbag compartment with all kinds of junk materials like aluminum cans, packing peanuts and other materials, which will allow the airbag deployment sensors to function.

Another tactic that fraudulent mechanics use is the installation of an already used or stolen airbag. Once installed, the repair shop simply charges full price to the insurance company for a new airbag. There are even crooked shop owners who will attach an already used or deployed airbag to a steering wheel to create the appearance of an already deployed airbag when the one behind the steering column is still in perfectly good shape. This is just another tactic to increase the amount of an insurance claim.

In most instances, you’re not getting a new airbag and any bag that may be a replacement will likely be unusable and unworkable. With the prevalence of this kind of scam, some states have passed laws to protect consumers from faulty airbag replacement. If an airbag has been replaced with a defective one, those responsible could be penalized with prison time and high fines.

Glass Replacement Fraud

Another insurance fraud involves windshield and other vehicle glass replacement on your vehicle. If you are approached out of the blue by a so-called windshield or glass repair technician, be wary of what they are pitching and selling. They may try to convince you that your windshield needs to be replaced on the spot, and they may just have the perfect windshield replacement for your vehicle. You will likely be told that your car insurance will completely cover the replacement, and their replacement windshield will probably be one that has seen better days. Your insurance rates could be impacted by such a scheme, especially if a technician latches on to your car insurance information and uses it to make other replacement claims using your name and insurance. Falling for this scam could cost you your insurance coverage and a lousy windshield or glass replacement.

Watch for Chop Shops

Another problem with untrustworthy repair shops is their “side work” that usually involves taking on parts from stolen vehicles. You certainly don’t want to unknowingly put your damaged vehicle in a repair shop that is a front for a chop shop that has dismantled stolen vehicles and sold the parts to your repair shop. You don’t want stolen parts as replacements for your vehicle and the strong possibility of your insurance being overcharged for stolen parts.

A Word to the Wise

If you want to avoid auto body insurance fraud, you want to find an auto body shop that is ASE ( Automotive Service Excellence) accredited as well as one that is associated with other creditable organizations. You also want to find a shop that is clean, organized and run in a professional manner and has a stellar reputation.

Another important aspect on your part is to request a full and complete written estimate of any work to be performed and the parts that will be used before any vehicle body work is initiated. Any unusual services, costs or parts used should also be questioned. Consult with your insurance agent if you have any questions concerning your bill.

Avoiding auto body insurance fraud is something that every vehicle owner should have a working knowledge of and if you are at all unsure as to how your car insurance can be affected by fraudulent activity, complete the online contact form and an informed expert will provide you with the information you need to protect your interests and the interest and safety of your vehicle.

Explaining Car Bumper Repair Costs

Explaining Car Bumper Repair Costs

There is a number of factors that will determine car bumper repair costs. Understanding what is involved with the repair process will give you an idea of what your initial and final costs will be.

Type and Extent of Damage

Maybe you had a car wreck, rammed into a tree, or your vehicle was vandalized or stripped of parts, including your bumper. Whatever the case, you have to take into consideration any replacement parts as well as labor, paint and other repair materials. When you group all those necessities together, the average cost of a bumper repair can be anywhere from $900 to $1500 plus, or more. The repair process is going to totally depend on the kind and extent of damage. What those costs entail include:

Degree of Damage

The degree of damage to a bumper will govern the cost of repairs. The most common repairs usually involve small dents and scratches. If a bumper has scratches, the costs of repairs can vary from around $70 for materials for a clear coat, which can be done in your garage, or up to $1500 for a shop to improve a base coat with high-quality paints, supplies and other materials. A bumper scratch that is professionally corrected may include high labor and material costs.

Cracked Bumpers

A bumper can also be cracked, which can affect repair costs. Damage on the front or rear bumper is always more costly particularly if the front bumper is involved. In addition, pricing will go up with cosmetic and air intake repairs. A severely damaged bumper that is about to deteriorate and fall off should be replaced as it protects the front and back of a vehicle as well as and any passengers from possible injury. Safety is minimized with a faulty bumper.

Labor

Labor costs will go up with the degree of bumper damage. If the bumper is salvageable, the repairs are usually more basic and less costly. If a complete replacement is in the mix, labor costs are going to increase. Labor costs will also go up if the bumper has to be completely removed to make other repairs related to the bumper, and any underlying damage. Any kind of replacement is going to involve a thorough search for the exact match for the kind of vehicle and model you have. Labor and any materials used are naturally going to increase bumper repair and replacement, which can fall anywhere between $800 plus to 1300 plus. Other replacement costs are going to come through:

  • Any labor involved with removing an old or dilapidated bumper
  • Any labor related to a new bumper installation
  • The actual cost of the new or replacement bumper
  • Any costs connected with spraying for a true color match

Painting and Repair Costs

Both labor and materials are always going to increase costs whether it involves repairing a bumper or painting it. Paint jobs that are purely cosmetic in nature usually take a number of hours of labor, particularly if significant bumper damage is involved. If a bumper needs a coat of paint, the costs are somewhat steady and can run anywhere in the area of $150-$300.

As paint always enhances a vehicle as well as protects it, the value of a vehicle is heightened and that includes your bumper. In order to better determine the cost of painting a bumper, you have to consider the time involved with painting it, the amount of paint necessary and the cost of the paint. Painting a bumper yourself is always going to be considerably less than the labor and materials costs involved with a repair shop.

Other Related Bumper Damage

Oftentimes other associated damage is neglected when a bumper is being repaired. Much of bumper damage is linked to the lights, air intake system, headlights, taillights and other areas within the vicinity of a bumper. Damage should be inspected and scrutinized before bumper repair is initiated. Oftentimes the whole bumper has to be removed to get to other damaged vehicle parts. With bumpers, you need to remember that most of them have additional layers of trim. These trim layers will actually require serious repair in one stretch.

Replacing a bumper can be a expensive endeavor but there are ways to save on costs. If you are in need of a new bumper, need one repaired or just have general questions, complete the online contact form and a repair expert will get back to you with the answers you need to revitalize your bumper.

Does Having A Child Make Car Insurance Cheaper?

Does Having A Child Make Car Insurance Cheaper?

Having a child can make car insurance cheaper but the steps involved in making that happen concern a number of changes and policy adjustments. Savings can be realized with a family addition, but rates are no doubt going to be higher for carrying an older child or teenager as opposed to a baby or toddler. So, just what makes an insurance policy less costly when it comes to children? There are different circumstances that can have an impact on insurance costs. Here are a few particulars that will affect insurance costs when it comes to children.

Family Changes

Anytime a family member, particularly a new baby, is added to a family there are considerations to be made with car insurance. The safety of a child needs to be assured and that means assessing current insurance coverage and including coverage that benefits a child’s welfare, at an affordable family rate.

Vehicle Capacity

When you think of providing affordable insurance coverage for a new baby, you have to take a look at your vehicle’s capacity. Is it large enough to accommodate a baby car seat, a baby carrier, diaper, blanket and clothing bags as well as food and bottle bags, a stroller and any other items that are necessary to have on board.

Safer Vehicles

A large, heavy-duty vehicle is going to withstand crashes better as well as provide safety. A larger and safer vehicle, like a van or SUV, may present the possibility of a lower premium. It’s to a family’s advantage to investigate larger and newer cars that are top-rated for worthiness and overall safety.

Newer vehicles are usually safer and better able to withstand collisions, and finding the right vehicle with built-in safety features is important. Vehicles with smart airbags, an airbag on/off switch, adjustable rear shoulder belt anchors, rear shoulder belts, (LATCH) Lower Anchors and Tethers, active head restraints, automatic door locks, child safety locks, push/pull window switches, driver-operated window disabler, anti-pinch automatic windows, accident avoidance system, collision warning, transmission shift interlocks, built-in GPS and a host of other safety features that even include teen driver systems are all features that can be of help in lowering car insurance premiums while protecting precious cargo.

Lower Risk Drivers

Owning a larger, safer and newer car is a good precautionary measure, especially when it comes to transporting children. A new parent is more likely to drive in a responsible and safe manner when a baby or younger child is riding in the same vehicle. A conscientious driver is more likely to receive lower premiums as opposed to an adult who has no children and has a less than stellar driving record. In addition, married adults usually pay lower premiums for coverage than single individuals, as married couples are considered lower-risk drivers.

Lower Premium Possibilities

Though not every parent owns a home, there are those planning on a family who do own property of some kind, which probably qualifies them for a discount or lower insurance rates. Lower premiums are also available to those who have an additional policy through the same insurance company for both their car and home. Joint policies with multi-car, multi-driver discounts are another good way to secure lower rates. Any connection with driver safety and the ownership of a newer car can prompt discounts or lower premiums.

Home Ownership

Buying a home or condominium and becoming a legitimate homeowner is another way to gain a discount on car insurance. Most insurance companies offer a homeowner’s discount on car insurance policies.

Revisions

When family dynamics change, it may be time to revise and increase your liability limits. With children and additional riders in a vehicle, the thought of a possible accident could create a real challenge. With added coverage, there is supplemental insurance available to relieve the cost of all damages. When coverage is limited, any other damages that exceed the limits of the policy will be the personal responsibility of the policyholder.

Deductibles

In addition to liability limits, you may want to look over your deductibles. When family size increases and finances and budgets change, premiums can be affected. As premiums for car insurance can fluctuate with deductibles, there are ways to budget them. You can either lower your deductibles, which will increase monthly insurance payments, or raise deductibles to keep your rates lower. It is advisable and makes sense financially to pay slightly more on a premium particularly if you have to make a claim. Out of pocket expenses will be lower if a claim does occur.

Discounts for Older Children

There are discounts that parents can qualify for in relation to their teen drivers. Professional driving schools, defensive driving courses, electronically monitored driving, good student discounts, and other incentives are available to parents who want to lower their insurance costs and keep their teen driver safe.

Whether you have younger or older children, there are approaches that can be of help in lowering your car insurance rates. It’s important to explore the best providers and their policies. You want to find a policy that will support a growing family and the changes that come with new family additions. If you need further assistance with finding that policy, complete the online contact form and a specialist will get back to you with the information you need to make an informed decision concerning your car insurance needs.