Car Warranty Scams You Need To Know About

You’re thinking about extending the warranty on your vehicle, but you’re also aware of the scams out there concerning car warranties. You want coverage on your car, truck or SUV, but you’re in a quandary about how to go about it. So, what do you do when you really want to extend your warranty? Ask yourself, I need to know about car warranty scams and how I can avoid being taken for a ride. Here is some information that will give you the lowdown on what to avoid.

 

Phone Calls and Mailings

You may recall receiving a phone call or two or even robocalls from telemarketers trying to use high-pressure tactics to convince you that the warranty on your vehicle is about to expire and you need to extend it before the deadline approaches. You may have also gotten a notification in the mail showing the expiration of the warranty on your car. A letter or postcard will appear as though it’s from the vehicle manufacturer, a car dealership or a state motor vehicle department, and there will be a phone number to call to extend coverage. Before you call that number, which you shouldn’t, check directly with the manufacturer of your vehicle to determine your warranty status.

 

Third Party Contracts

When you’re dealing with are third-party entities offering extended warranty contracts, you need to watch out for what they are peddling as their representatives will do what they can to convince you they are operating legitimately. They usually have no connection or ties with the company that manufactured your vehicle.

Again, contact with a third-party company can happen through a phone call, an online offer or a mailing that appears to be very official. If you buy into their hype, you’re asking for services you’ll likely never receive. Even if the company is operating legitimately and has no connection with the manufacturer, you want to examine every aspect of the contract to determine whether your vehicle will be covered for any repairs or service. There is always the notorious fine print clauses that usually translate as denial of repairs for common everyday wear and tear types of problems or anything that is thought to be an existing issue with your vehicle. A third-party contract can leave you without extended warranty coverage for the most basic repairs, or nothing at all.

 

Protecting Yourself Against Car Warranty Scams

If you find yourself in the situation of trying to recoup services and money from an unscrupulous third-party warranty company, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or you can go through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and lodge a complaint with them. They can help you recover your money and shut down harassment from scammers. You can also make a request through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that your phone number be placed on their National Do Not Call Register.

Having to deal with robocalls coming into your home or business can be a real annoyance. One way to combat calls is to use robocall blocking software that helps stop calls from unscrupulous car warranty companies. Caller ID is also an easy way to screen and identify calls from telemarketers. Many cell phone company providers offer apps that can help you screen calls. An honest warranty company should provide a genuine number that can be contacted to stop continuous car warranty scams calls.

When you take calls from telemarketers, validate the company’s authenticity before you provide them with any of your personal information such as your Social Security number, credit card numbers, driver’s license number or bank account specifics. With any mailings you receive regarding your car’s warranty, you can check with the manufacturer through their contact information. You can also go online and confirm whether the warranty information matches what’s on any correspondence.

 

Real Extended Warranty Help

You can get a manufacturer’s extended warranty on a new or used car. This is the safe route to take as you can be confident that your vehicle will be dealt with professionally through a certified auto repair shop that uses original parts and employees highly trained mechanics.

If you don’t want to invest in the cost of an extended warranty through the manufacturer, start your own repair and replacement savings account for your vehicle to offset the costs of maintenance, repairs and replacement parts. Putting aside some money every month is often less expensive than an extended warranty that you might not use that often.

When you decide on an extended warranty, you may want to think about investing further in an exclusionary policy that covers anything that is not listed or covered on your policy. Being unsure of what is or isn’t covered in an extended warranty can leave you with having to pay out of pocket expenses for an uncovered repair or replacement.

Whether you’re thinking about investing in an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer or a reputable third-party warranty and aren’t that familiar with car warranty scams, complete the online contact form, and an expert will get back to you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Whatever you decide, make sure you get the answers you need concerning car warranty scams and always read the fine print in any plan. Save yourself the expense and trouble that a third-party extended warranty scam can cause. Please fill out our online contact form to have more of your auto repair needs met.

How to Insure a Car That Has Prior Damage

You’ve just purchased a vehicle that has prior damage and you’re probably wondering, am I going to recover the cost to insure my vehicle with this existing damage? Well, the answer is no, as you’re not going to get any coverage for previous damage. There are reasons that is so and here are a few explanations why.

 

Previous Damage

Any previous damage that happens with a vehicle is not going to be covered by car insurance. Say you have a truck with a severely crushed back fender, and you failed to make a claim for the damage when it occurred. Now you want to make a claim as you are selling the truck to a friend and want to repair the damage. Well, it’s too late, and you must pay for any repairs out of pocket. Car insurance coverage will not pay for any repairs or fender replacement at this stage.

 

When Damage is Covered

If the damage is present on your vehicle and you plan on selling it or passing on that vehicle to someone else, you must follow normal procedures with any kind of damage that occurs. If you want to qualify for coverage, you must report the damage at the time of the accident. Second, the damage has to have been an actual insurable occurrence, such as an accident with another vehicle.

 

Insignificant Damage

Usually, when previous damage is insignificant or slight, some vehicle owners will not make a claim for minor damage such as a gash or small dent. Repairing the damage isn’t worth the time and trouble when the deductible costs are more than the repair. So, instead of doing the repairs, most people will simply drive their vehicle with the damage.

 

False Claims and Insurance Fraud

When a vehicle has damage from a previous accident and a policyholder attempts to claim coverage weeks following the accident, that scenario hints of insurance fraud. Maybe your vehicle had a tree limb fall on it in an area where tree limbs often fall and you lacked the right type coverage (comprehensive) to repair the damage done. That means you failed to purchase coverage for falling limbs and other objects. Instead of paying for the damage out of pocket, you quickly add comprehensive coverage to your policy. In the meantime, another tree limb in the same area falls on your vehicle. Now you make a claim. An insurer would consider this kind of action insurance fraud.

When a policy is new, you cannot claim any damage that came before the inception of the policy. It will not cover damages that you fail to report at the time of an incident.

 

In-depth Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud can be even more in-depth when drivers create incidents and try to collect on claims under false pretenses. For example, maybe you’re trying to parallel park in a crammed parking spot and you jump the curb and badly scrape the side of your car and put a nice dent in it. Instead of notifying your insurance company, you wait a while and claim that someone ran into your vehicle and pushed it up over a curb and sidewalk while you were away from your vehicle. You then make it your intention to submit a claim for the earlier damage.

 

Can any Vehicle be Covered for Previous Damage?

When a vehicle exceeds damage limitations, there may be issues with coverage. If a vehicle has more than surface or cosmetic damage, there are questions whether the vehicle may be seriously impaired and actual driving made difficult if not impossible.

 

Liability Coverage

You might have a chance for liability coverage, and there is even less of a chance for collision and comprehensive coverage. With both collision and comprehensive insurance, you’re dealing with physical damage and insurance companies may not want to deal with those coverages for an already damaged vehicle.

 

Collision Coverage

With collision coverage, any previous damage usually negates coverage when a new accident occurs. An insurance company may have difficulty determining new accident-related damages from the old ones and deny coverage.

 

Comprehensive Coverage

Even a non-accident related incident that falls under comprehensive coverage will not garner coverage because of previous damage to a vehicle. There may be issues with comprehensive coverage, just as there are with collision coverage. A claim faces denial because of the difficulty in recognizing previous damage from more current damage, despite a non-accident situation.

 

The Safe Way to Go

If you own a vehicle with previous or pre-existing damage, you are eligible for liability coverage. Most any registered vehicle that’s legal to drive on the road is eligible for minimum liability coverage. Even if your vehicle has previous damage, liability coverage is available. It covers costs you incur on other drivers and any property. You need to know, however, that you might need to go through a different insurance provider that deals in high-risk insurance, particularly when there’s considerable damage to your vehicle. Also, you’ll probably be ineligible for either collision or comprehensive coverage when your vehicle has significant prior damage.

 

Prior Damage Legalities

With prior damage concerning your vehicle, it’s important to be upfront with your insurance carrier. When any damage occurs, contact your provider as soon as possible. Your company will document the damage and a company representative will assess the damage and take pictures of any damage. Any future claims will show documentation of previous damage that you report. Remember that any existing damage will not be under coverage. There is no reason to worry about insurance fraud when you are forthcoming about reporting damage when it happens.

When insuring a vehicle that has prior damage, it’s important to remember that an insurance company is unlikely to cover damage that is already there. It’s best to report any damage right away that happens whether you make a claim. If you fail to report previous damage, you could face the consequences of insurance fraud. If you’re still questioning how to insure a vehicle that has previous damage, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you with the options available to you.

Do I Need Collision Coverage on My Insurance Policy?

Determining whether you need collision coverage is an important part of any decision making when establishing or re-configuring an insurance policy. There are different insurance coverage choices and collision is one of them. There are reasons for having it and not having it. Here is some general information on collision insurance coverage, just what it covers, and any current requirements. You can better decide whether you need collision coverage included on your vehicle insurance policy.

 

Collision Insurance Requirements

State car insurance laws vary from state to state. No states require drivers to carry collision coverage as part of their minimum requirements. Collision coverage is optional according to state laws.

 

What Collision Insurance Covers and Other Particulars

 

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance covers damage that you cause to your vehicle when you hit a stationary object such as a tree, pole, fence, pothole, mailbox, guardrail or some other fixed object.

 

Other

  • Collision insurance will pay for a claim when hitting any of the above objects. Since these objects are avoidable on a street or in a road, insurance companies will consider you at fault for hitting any of them.
  • Filing a claim for hitting an object may cause a premium increase.
  • Accident forgiveness may negate increases.
  • Insurance will only pay damage for your vehicle even when you’re at fault.
  • Coverage will pay for damages when a rollover accident occurs. If you’re at fault, collision insurance will still pay the damages.
  • When another driver is at fault in a rollover incident, the driver’s insurance should pick up the cost for damages.
  • If a vehicle is in total disrepair and not salvageable, collision coverage will insure the vehicle at its current cash value. Insurance estimators will determine repair costs or whether damages extend beyond the possibility of repair.

 

Collision Coverage When the Other Driver is at Fault

  • When another driver is at fault, collision coverage will pay for damage to your vehicle.
  • When another driver completely totals your car or damages it significantly, your collision coverage will take effect.
  • Collision coverage will cover costs when the driver of another vehicle lacks sufficient insurance to cover damages.
  • Your insurance provider will cover the costs of damage to your vehicle and will pursue reimbursement through the other driver’s insurance company.
  • When the insurance company of the other driver stalls or fails to act expeditiously, your insurance company needs to take prompt action to rectify the situation. If you carry collision insurance on your overall car insurance policy, you may ask your insurance company to act on your behalf.
  • If you have to use this option and pressure your insurance company, and you were not at fault in the accident, you should not experience an increase in rates. It’s important to speak with your insurance agent concerning whether this situation will affect your insurance rates.

 

Property Damage Insurance

One thing to keep in mind with collision insurance coverage is that it only covers damage to your car. It doesn’t cover damage that you may do to someone else’s vehicle. Property damage insurance, which is part of your liability coverage, which is a requirement in nearly every state, is the coverage that will pay for damage to another driver’s vehicle. When the other driver is at fault and damages your vehicle, their liability coverage pays for damage to your car. Your collision insurance does not cover damage by someone else.

 

Other Situations in which Collision Coverage Operates

Sometimes collision coverage will pay for damage that is not part of your policy. Say you don’t have comprehensive coverage which covers acts of nature, vandalism, theft and other situations. When comprehensive insurance coverage is lacking, these losses can go through collision insurance coverage. Other instances include hit-and-run accidents or non-insured driver accidents. Remedies for losses under these situations can fall under collision coverage, but using it in these cases may increase rates. Your carrier may consider the damage your fault. That is one reason comprehensive insurance is an added benefit, as is underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). They both make up for most any damage in various situations.

 

When to Purchase Collision Insurance

When you have a newer vehicle or one that requires extensive and expensive repair, collision coverage is important. It’s also usually a necessary requirement if you took out a loan to buy your vehicle.

If you have an older and less costly vehicle, it makes little sense to buy collision insurance as the cost to repair your older vehicle may be more than what you put out for the insurance coverage. Since collision insurance is not a requisite, you’ll want to look at the cost to insure your vehicle, your vehicle’s value and the cost of repairs.

 

Consider Deductible Amount and Overall Costs

Another important thing to consider with collision insurance is the deductible amount you’re willing to go with if you add collision coverage to your policy. If you have a larger deductible, premiums will be lower but you’ll be paying out a large deductible if an accident occurs and your vehicle has major repairs. Your overall costs for collision insurance will vary and will depend on the car you own, its age, its current worth, your driving record, your age and gender. Collision coverage will probably be higher if you have a poor driving record and have filed claims for damage in the past.

Whether you need collision insurance is something that requires careful thought and consultation with your insurance provider. Should you have further questions concerning a collision policy, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you quickly with the answers you need to make an informed decision.

How To Protect Your Car’s Paint From Sun Damage

You cringe when you look at your hood, roof, trunk lid and all the other vulnerable spots on your vehicle that have taken a brutal beating from the sun. You see the cracks, buckling, paint chips and flakes that fly away in the wind only to make your vehicle appear more ready for the junkyard than your driveway. You know constant exposure to the sun can damage the paint on your car, but how do you protect it from repeated exposure? You also want to know why it happens and what to do about it. Here are some reasons sun exposure ruins the paint on your car and some ways you can combat it.

 

What Sun Exposure Does to a Vehicle

Car paint damage happens because of ultraviolet or UV rays that penetrate the paint on a vehicle’s surface. Years of exposure to this invisible and powerful form of sunlight speeds up a strong infusion of energy that produces heat, and a breakdown of molecular bonds in paint that results in oxidation. The longer exposure to the ultraviolet rays occurs, the more chances that the paint on a vehicle reflects less and less light and becomes duller and duller. The transference of light diminishes outwardly, which means less noticeable paint color on a vehicle.

 

Ways to Protect your Car Paint

There are preventatives in decreasing the sun damage to your car while protecting it at the same time. Here are some suggestions.

  1. Keep your vehicle in a covered space such as a garage, carport, portable carport, a large shade tree or other areas away from the sun. Besides keeping your vehicle undercover, look for parking areas that provide shelter when you are working or just out and about. Anytime your vehicle is away from the penetrating rays of the sun, you can protect the paint, headlights, rubberized trim and other areas of your vehicle that readily absorb heat.
  2. Wash your vehicle as often as possible in a shaded spot. Rinse your vehicle first and then use a cotton cloth and a mild automotive cleanser that removes dirt, grease, and other debris. If there is an accumulation of mud or bird droppings, try using an automotive clay bar to gently remove the stains without harming the paint. Once you have removed the stains, thoroughly rinse your car to clear any remaining residue.
  3. Hand dry the exterior of your vehicle with a soft cotton cloth after washing it or after a rainstorm. Hand drying helps prevent the accumulation of any chemicals or other substances found in water that can cause a chemical reaction when exposure when exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
  4. Wax your vehicle with a quality product after washing and hand drying it. Waxing prevents ultraviolet damage to the paint on your car, plus it deters dirt, grit and environmental pollutants from sticking to your car. Also, waxing is a good way to hinder pitting.
  5. Apply a paint protection film to your vehicle. There are now many coatings or film kits that cover the exterior of a vehicle and protect its paint while allowing the color of a vehicle to show through. They are available in both spray and protective film, which you can apply yourself or you can go through a professional film specialist.  You can cover an entire vehicle and the headlights that can show wear, pitting and yellowing over time through exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  6. Use a car cover to protect your vehicle’s paint from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. If you have no other way to protect your vehicle, a car cover can be a quick and handy way to protect your car without having to find enclosed parking. Car covers today easily fit most car models. They are durable, weatherproof, windproof, dustproof, biodegradable and made to endure the elements.  There are even disposable plastic car covers that you can use in a pinch to dodge the rain, other weather, and messy street situations.

Protecting your car’s paint from the sun is important. There are several ways to protect your paint job and following the information here is a good start but if you need further help in protecting it, fill out the online contact form and an expert will get back to you with the advice you need to protect your vehicle from the damaging rays of the sun.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

It’s one of the oldest and most frustrating problems a car owner can face: A small dent or scratch requires you to get a whole new paint job. Paint jobs aren’t exactly cheap, and it feels silly to repaint the whole thing over one scratch. If you’ve thought this, you might be glad to know that your instincts were right. It is more than possible to repair a dent without damaging the paint. Not surprisingly, this process is referred to as “paintless dent repair,” or sometimes just “PDR.”

 

How Does PDR Work?

Paintless dent repair works by using movement and pressure to push the dent outward. If this is done carefully, and if the paint is not damaged in the collision itself, the dent can be neatly popped out. In many cases, you won’t even be able to tell that any damage was done.

There are a wide variety of special tools that PDR specialists use to effect these sorts of repairs. This is very much a specialized skill that requires training and experience, so you can’t expect the same level of quality from a DIY job. In most cases, PDR works by applying outward pressure.

There are two ways to apply this pressure and pop the dent away. As common sense might tell you, you can either push from the inside or pull from the outside. All methods of PDR fall into one of these two categories.
Pulling From The Outside

As an example of pull-method dent removal, a person might use a little bit of hot glue to affix a small handle-like tab to the area where the dent is located. Obviously, you have to be careful not to use an adhesive that will damage the paint, so hot glue is the most common choice.

An even better method is to use a powerful suction cup. There are numerous devices that use suction cups combined with plates and/or rods. Because they do not use any sort of adhesive, you don’t have to worry about scraping away any residue. That’s good because you can easily scratch your finish while scraping away the hot glue if you aren’t careful.

This method seems to be the best choice for DIY users. The pull method requires less skill and knowledge to do it right. You will have to buy some sort of pulling device, but these are usually pretty easy to use. Many of them resemble stapleguns or other hand-held tools, and there are many different varieties. Still, you should be fine as long as you follow the instructions.

 

Pushing From The Inside

This method seems to be the one preferred by professionals. You definitely need to have a little more expertise to do it this way, but it poses a lot less risk of collateral damage. This method usually involves the use of long probes that are inserted into small gaps in the vehicle body. By applying the right leverage in the right place, they pop the dent outward without ever touching the paint job.

For example, you might insert one of these dent-removal tools into the gap between the window and the door. You will have to roll down the window and gently peel back the rubber seal around the base of the window. You might also remove a tail-light so that you can insert the tool through the gap and gain access to the rear panel.

 

Is PDR Always Possible?

Obviously, there are times when this type of repair cannot be done. If the paint was damaged in the collision itself, PDR methods will not reverse that damage. Of course, such methods can still be helpful for removing the dents, but you will still need to repaint the vehicle.

Several factors will determine whether or not paintless dent repair is possible. These include:

  • The flexibility of your vehicles’ paint
  • The size and severity of the dent
  • The angle and depth of the dent
  • The thickness of the metal surface

Most automotive paint is flexible enough for PDR, but older vehicles with older paint jobs might have some issues. As for size and severity, PDR doesn’t work on massive dents. For the most part, its techniques are meant to deal with relatively small dents. Shallow dents are also better candidates for PDR, as there is less stretching and deformation of the metal involved. Finally, the thickness of the metal will make the dent easier (or more difficult) to “pop” back into place.

It should be noted that you can spot-paint a vehicle, doing just one spot. It often won’t come out perfect, but it can be very close if you choose the right paint and blend the edges well. Of course, that’s a separate topic, but it’s a good thing to know.

 

Conclusion

At Elmer’s auto body, we specialize in many different techniques. Luckily for you, paintless dent repair is one of them. While these methods are mainly suited for minor damage, you’d be surprised at what a professional can do with them. When it comes to paintless dent repair cost shouldn’t be an issue, as these jobs can normally be completed with minimal time, trouble, and expense. That’s the difference you get when you call the best.

With over 70 years of experience under our belt, you should expect nothing less than the best. If you have a dent that needs to be pulled, and you want it done in the most effective and efficient manner, fill out our easy online contact form or call one of our three convenient locations and ask us: Where can I get paintless dent repair near me?