Does Your Auto Insurance Cover Engine Fire?

Most people go through life thinking that they will never have to deal with something like a car fire. You’re prepared for things like collisions, theft, and vandalism, but what are the odds of your vehicle literally going up in flames? Believe it or not, one in eight fires that fire departments respond to involve a vehicle fire.

That means you need to consider whether your auto insurance covers engine fire. Not every type of auto insurance coverage will cover fire. Only comprehensive coverage will protect you against the costs of vehicle fire damage, regardless of the cause.

What Is An Engine Fire?

An engine fire is when a fire starts in your vehicle’s engine. The common cause of engine fire is a defect or design flaw. Poor maintenance may also be a culprit. If you let broken parts go or have leaky seals or bad wiring, the chances of a spark igniting a fire increase. For example, a bad gasket increases the likelihood of leaking flammable fluids, and if a frayed wire comes into contact with that liquid, you have a fire.

No one wants to deal with an engine fire, so bring your car in for maintenance and repairs today. Elmer’s Auto Body is one of the best auto body repair shops in New Jersey. We use only OEM parts and employ only certified technicians.

What Coverage Type Pays For Engine Fire?

As we mentioned earlier, the only coverage that protects you against fires is comprehensive car insurance. This is different from collision coverage that only covers damages from striking something, like a car accident. Comprehensive insurance deals with anything beyond the realm of a car collision. Being that it is an optional addition to your required policy, it costs extra and is oftentimes overlooked by many drivers.

The only time you are required to have comprehensive auto insurance is when you are renting or leasing a vehicle.

Another type of insurance you can purchase is called “supplemental fire insurance.” It will cover virtually everything having to do with fire, but you will have to review the specific wording of the policy that you choose. Supplemental insurance is meant to fill in gaps and cover any potential liabilities.

What Kinds of Car Fire Are Covered By Comprehensive Insurance?

Here are three scenarios in which comprehensive car insurance will cover fire damage:

  • There is a wiring defect or mechanical problem that sparks an engine fire
  • The vehicle is stolen and the car thief sets it on fire
  • A housing structure that was on fire causes damages to nearby parked cars or those in the garage

What About Supplemental Fire Insurance?

Some examples of what supplemental insurance covers include:

  • A rental car that is getting repaired or replaced
  • Possessions in the vehicle that were damaged by the fire
  • Additional expenses, like lost workdays during repairs

The Car Engine Fire Resulted in Total Loss—Now What?

If your car is suddenly engulfed in an engine fire, it often results in a total loss, because the fire can spread rapidly and burn at exceedingly high temperatures. The damages sustained may be impossible to repair. In the event that the engine fire resulted in a total loss, your car insurance will pay the cash value of the vehicle (minus the deductible).

You will need to file a claim in order to get the cash value for the ruined vehicle. The process is simple, but there are some things you need to be aware of before you pick up the phone. First, your claim may be investigated as fraudulent. Don’t worry. Because fire claims are a slightly rare occurrence, most insurance companies are hesitant to believe you immediately. However, if there has been no negligence on your part and no fraud, then the claim process will run smoothly afterward.

What About Repairable Damage?

If the insurance company’s adjuster deems your vehicle repairable and not totaled, you’re in luck! The insurance company will give you a payment to meet the cost of repairs after considering deductibles, and your car will be towed to a reputable auto body shop, like Elmer’s Auto Body, where it will be fixed.

Depending on the extent of the damages from the engine fire, the repairs could take a few days or a few weeks. Sometimes, the mechanic will have to order special OEM parts, and it may take a while for the shipment to arrive.

Bottom Line

Comprehensive car insurance and supplement fire insurance both cover engine fires. Be sure to check your policies to see what kind of fire claims are excluded, if any. Knowing you are protected from engine fire-related losses will give you some peace of mind since such events can be truly devastating.

Having the best auto body shop in your area by your side is also important. Elmer’s Auto Body has been in business for many years. We are highly experienced, highly certified, and 100% committed to offering the best repair services for motor vehicles. Whether you need simple maintenance or a large-scale repair, we got your back.

Get in touch with us today. Pick up the phone or fill out the contact form. A representative will get back to you soon.

The Difference Between Aluminum & Steel Auto Body Repair

Ever since automobiles were created, a wide range of body materials have been tried, tested, and favored by manufacturers and drivers alike. For many years, steel has been the material of choice for auto bodies, but now aluminum has taken the spotlight. Sustainable, lightweight, and durable, aluminum is giving steel some serious competition. The only place where aluminum may lose a little ground, however, is in the auto body repair shop.

You may wonder why aluminum and steel are treated so differently by your mechanic. They’re both metals, right? Turns out, the properties of these two common materials are different—which means those differences change the way your car is maintained and repaired, too.

Here’s what you need to know:

 

Differences Between Aluminum and Steel Repairs

Curious about the dissimilarities between steel and aluminum auto body repair? While both materials are considered metals, they are, in fact, more different than you’d expect.

 

Parts and Labor

The main difference between steel and aluminum is that steel is still easier to acquire. Aftermarket parts are still mostly available in steel. Meanwhile, aluminum replacements can be difficult to acquire. That is why most aluminum parts end up being OEM parts, while steel repairs are usually done with aftermarket items.

How does this affect labor? Aluminum vehicles require a whole other set of skills. Welding changes. Tools may need to be different, too. There are a few reasons for that that we’ll be explaining in the next sections.

 

Metal Memory

First, steel has something called “metal memory,” which is kind of like muscle memory but not. This means that, if steel gets dented, you can reshape it back into its original form, thereby reducing the overall cost of repair.

Due to its pliability and lack of metal memory, aluminum is harder to repair once its been dented, meaning you would most likely opt for full replacement instead of repairs. However, there are plenty of skilled technicians who can reshape aluminum parts by hand if need be. Many body shops are also adding aluminum dent pulling tools to their stations.

 

Aluminum and Steel Won’t Mix

Did you know that steel and aluminum don’t get along? Interestingly, aluminum can corrode steel and vice versa. Though contact corrosion is much more probable with plumbing, the chance of it happening in the automotive realm is there.

For instance, if a mechanic does not know not to use tools that recently touched steel on an aluminum vehicle, they could unknowingly compromise the integrity of your car.

That is why many auto body garages are separating aluminum cars from steel cars and even constructing specialized bays. Even dust from steel can accelerate the breakdown of aluminum.

 

Responsiveness to Heat

Welding is often a necessary step in auto body repairs and replacement. Steel was traditionally worked with welding, but now aluminum calls for mechanics to change things up a bit. Steel takes longer to heat than aluminum, so those who aren’t used to working with aluminum may end up overheating the metal and damaging it. Because of this risk, many vehicles comprised of aluminum are repaired using alternative methods. For example, there are now specialized rivets and adhesives that combine aluminum joints together.

 

Costs of Repair

You may have seen our other article about the costs of repairing aluminum cars compared to steel. If you haven’t, here is what you need to know:

You personally do not have to worry about paying more for car repairs. As long as you have car insurance with a reasonable deductible, the price is always going to be the same, no matter what. Moreover, the cost of aluminum repairs will not affect your insurance premium.

Secondly, aluminum body vehicles do not cost more to service, since the parts are designed to be installed quickly and easily. Though aluminum may still be rare, that rarity does not affect labor. Just make sure you have chosen an auto body shop with technicians who are well versed in both steel and aluminum repairs.

 

Is the Future Made of Aluminum?

Sure, aluminum may require a little more expertise and additional tools of the trade, but it is quickly becoming a popular opponent to steel. The main differences between aluminum and steel is that aluminum is more lightweight and parts are designed for efficiency, whereas steel is heavier and may take longer to repair due to the density of the metal.

Whether you have a steel or aluminum vehicle, don’t wait another day to get the body repaired! The longer you wait, the worse the damage could be. We’re here to help, so submit your request by filling out the contact form. A member of our professional team will be in touch.

Your Car Could Have Hidden Safety Issues After Collision

Did you know that there are over 2 million rear-end collisions every single year in the United States? Car accidents happen a lot, and you can never be 100 percent prepared for them. No one wants to be caught up in a motor vehicle collision, either; and you may be too shaken to really take in the full impact even a minor bump could have on your vehicle.

Even if the damage does not look too serious, you could be riding around with hidden safety issues after a collision. Instead of risking another unfortunate accident on the road, it is important to determine if your vehicle has been appropriately repaired and whether you should have your car inspected by a professional auto body repair shop.

Here is everything you need to know about hidden safety hazards in your vehicle:

 

Why Cars May Have Hidden Damages Even After Repair

Technology has improved a lot of things and has made driving a car safer than ever—but it also complicates matters. Modern vehicles now have something called the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). In the past, the only thing that had a sensor was the airbags. Now, automobiles are fitted with lane drift alerts, blind spot cameras, back up monitors, and more.

While the essential pieces of a vehicle have an assigned dashboard light that tells you when something is wrong, the ADAS does not.

Most drivers don’t even know that the ADAS exists. On top of that, there are few auto body shops that automatically check for malfunctions within the ADAS. If your car has yet to be scanned for ADAS problems after an accident, those issues are going to be ignored until something happens.

But it’s just not the ADAS, either. Many auto body repair shops continue to use methods that were ideal in the 1960s or 70s. Yet, even though cars haven’t changed that much, they have evolved, and the same methods for repair no longer catch all the issues that could be going on, invisible to the naked or inexperienced eye. Some may even overlook the whole computer system in a car because they don’t understand it.

In some cases, it is merely pressure from an insurance company keeping auto body technicians from being able to locate hidden damages. Insurance companies want to reduce the time of repair to the bare minimum. The repair shop often complies with the demand—but at the cost of getting the time they need to sniff out any unseen damages.

 

Hidden Damages Caused by Rear-End Car Collisions

Cosmetic damage is easy to spot and may even be disregarded if it is not too terrible. But even a fender bender or rear-end collision can cause a web of other damages beneath the surface, including:

 

Electrical Damage

Even a slight bump can loosen connections to brake lights, starters, and the battery. A loose wire in the engine could end up stranding you in the middle of nowhere if not caught in time; disconnected brake lights make you a hazard.

 

Transmission Damage

Similar to above, if you get into a collision, it could affect the machinery. Both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) have components of the transmission system set near the rear. If you are in a fender bender, those components could be damaged or transmission fluid may start learning.

 

Car Frame Damage

Did you know that bumpers are not really designed to protect anything? They are meant to crumple and disperse momentum from an oncoming vehicle. But that doesn’t mean that a little fender bender won’t cause damage. There are plenty of sensors and other pieces that could be affected by a collision and cause problems down the line, like onboard warning systems not operating.

 

Alignment Damage

Has your car recently sustained front-end damage? You may find that the vehicle begins pulling to one side of the road or the steering wheel shimmies and shakes while you drive. This means wheel alignment could be off. Get it checked before other sections wear abnormally.

 

Trunk Damage

Water seepage, sticking trunk, or even a truck that pops open while driving all usually stem from unchecked damages. Obviously, none of these are going to be considered safe, especially since a loose trunk can distract you or block your vision.

 

Diagnostic Coding

Remember that ADAS system mentioned earlier? Well, this where it comes into play. There are over 100 sensors onboard a modern motor vehicle. Any little impact could damage a large percentage of them. That is why you need to visit an auto body shop with specialized equipment to check and recalibrate any system.

 

How to Deal With Hidden Damages

The only way to deal with hidden safety issues in a car that has suffered from a collision is to take it to a trustworthy body shop for repairs. Without specialized tools of the trade, you will not be able to figure out where the problems are located. A professional technician will be experienced and tend to the issue.

Tired of auto body shops that rush to finish the work and don’t even do a good job? Elmer’s Auto Body is different. We believe in taking the time to locate any issues that could impact you down the line. We’re here for you, so why not fill out the contact form and tell us how we can help?

What Does A Body Shop Mean When They Say There’s Additional Damage?

Throughout the years, automobiles have become more and more complex. Newer models no longer have mere machine parts but also computerized sensors and ADAS technology. Since the complexities of a motor vehicle cannot be seen from the outside, this makes finding and dealing with damage that much more difficult and time-consuming. Because of this, the average cost of auto body repairs continues to increase annually.

When you bring your vehicle to the mechanic for collision repairs, you probably think that initial estimate is going to remain about the same. Then, you receive a call or a message from the auto body shop saying that they have located additional damages and need to change the estimate.

What does that mean? Did they lie to you in the beginning? Should you trust the claim?

Turns out, additional damage is a legitimate reason for the final cost of the repairs to be higher than originally thought. We’re going to explain why.

 

What Additional Damage Entails

When you visit the auto body shop after the collision for repairs, the technician will look at what the insurance estimate is, how much is going to be covered, and they begin their own examination. The reason an estimate is called an estimate is because it never considers the total cost. In fact, it is just a guess up to the moment the technician can survey all the damage—inside and out.

The appraisal from the insurance company is not as thorough as the mechanic’s, and so they can generally find more than what is seen from the outside.

Think of the examination done by the auto body technician as an x-ray done in the doctor’s office. The doctor might be able to tell you have a broken bone at a glance, but they can’t see the extent of the damage without getting under the skin, right?

As soon as the mechanic locates the break, so to speak, they then know exactly what needs to be done, and that is when you receive news of additional damages that also need to be repaired. The whole plan may be modified, and the cost of repairs could increase.

 

Insurance Estimate Changes

Depending on the severity of the damages, both the insurance company and the auto body technician know that the original estimate is not going to stand. Still, the mechanic will take apart your vehicle then notify you and your insurance carrier to discuss the cost. An appraiser may look at your vehicle-if they haven’t already-to confirm the body shop’s estimate.

Depending on your deductible, you should consider getting a few estimates on the cost of repairs. If your deductible stays the same no matter what, then don’t focus on the cheapest estimate, since that is often a sign the mechanic is going to cut corners.

Also, expect OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, parts to be a part of the discussion. If the auto body shop is concerned with quality, they will oftentimes seek to procure OEM parts for the repairs. However, this could slow things down, and you may end up being without your car for a longer length of time.

 

Additional Steps and Repairs

Certain sections of your vehicle tend to get damaged and require more extensive repairs than other parts. These include front and rear suspension systems, rear body, floor, and electrical components.

These specific areas require calibrations, weld tests, and generally more hours of labor to ensure they are up to spec. If these parts are damaged, you can assume that parts and labor are going to cost more than the original estimate.

 

Do I Have to Use the Body Shop Recommended by the Insurer?

Car insurance carriers tend to have a lot of influence on auto body shops. They may recommend mechanics to do work on your vehicle. Usually, these preferred shops work more quickly than independent auto body shops because they do not need to request authorization to repair any additional damages they find. The insurance company will also monitor progress, so there are fewer delays.

That said, you do not have to use those preferred body shops. You are free to choose the mechanic that is going to provide quality repairs and replacements to get your vehicle back on the road. Be sure to choose a trustworthy auto body shop that discusses your options and is transparent about all additional damages and costs.

 

Do What’s Best for Your Car

When the auto body technician calls you, saying that they uncovered additional damages to your vehicle that need to be repaired, you can trust that it is not a scam. Most cars, trucks, and SUVs these days are as complex as computers, if not more. This means that not all the damage from an accident is going to be visible. Although a pricier bill at the end of the repairs may come as a surprise, know in the end that your car is going to be safer for having those damages taken care of.

Choose an auto body repair shop that you can trust. We have a full team of technicians who will do what is right by you and your vehicle. If you need repairs or have questions about the services we provide, get in touch with us! Simply fill out the contact form.

How To Get Your Insurance To Fix Your Windshield

Even if you don’t get into an accident, there are plenty of dangers on and off the road to your vehicle’s windshield. And once your windshield is cracked or shattered, there is little you can do with your car until the damages have been repaired. Unfortunately, repairing or replacing a windshield can be too expensive for many drivers.

So, you might wonder whether car insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing the windshield.

The answer is: It depends—on the damages and what type of car insurance you have. If you have the correct insurance, then you might be in luck. But there are still a number of factors to consider before filing a claim.

To help you succeed in getting the damages corrected, here is everything you need to know on how to get your insurance to fix your windshield.

 

Which Insurance Covers Glass Damage?

Having the right type of auto insurance is the first major step in getting any crack or chip repaired or a shattered windshield replaced. Regular car insurance covers liabilities, so you need something else.

That’s where comprehensive car insurance is useful. A comprehensive policy is going to cover all the bases that your liability and collision insurance do not, such as theft, vandalism, animal damage, weather damage, and falling-object damages.

Comprehensive coverage usually includes glass damage. In order for any windshield or window issues to be repaired or replaced, however, you will need comprehensive insurance before any incident occurs. If you try to purchase a comprehensive policy after your windshield is damaged, it won’t be covered.

 

Receiving Full Glass Coverage

An optional addition to comprehensive coverage exists that is called “full glass coverage” or “zero dollar glass deductible.” This add-on will void the deductible whenever you submit a glass-related claim.

Full glass coverage is not available in every state, so be sure to check your insurance policy and contact the carrier if you have any questions.

 

Impact on Deductibles and Premiums

Before you begin the process to submit a repair claim, you must do the following:

Compare the cost of the overall repair or replacement to the amount of your insurance deductible.

If you have a deductible that is higher than the overall cost of the windshield repair or replacement, then you shouldn’t file a claim.

Premiums are another matter. Any damage to the windshield that results from anything other than a collision will not increase your insurance rate—usually. Check your insurance policy to make sure.

Keep in mind that, if you file a claim when the cost is only a small amount higher than the deductible, it could negatively impact your claim record. For example, if your deductible is $200, and the cost of repair is $240, and the insurance company gives you $30, you’re not really saving anything. Further, a compilation of small claims could increase perceived risk, leading to a premium hike when you renew.

The DMV has more information about submitting insurance claims and some useful tips to ensure you receive your new windshield.

 

Repair or Replace – That is the Question

There are two avenues for damaged windshield glass: replacing the entire section or repairing the individual cracks and chips.

  • Repairs: these should only take around 30 minutes to complete. It is best for smaller cracks and chips in the windshield that are not located directly in the driver’s line of view.
  • Replacement: this will cost far more than repairs and are usually the result of extensive, irreparable damages to the vehicle.

 

Will I Get an OEM Windshield?

In the event you need to receive a full windshield replacement, you will receive a brand new pane of glass. That said, whether you receive an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) windshield depends largely on what your insurance policy states.

Most insurance carriers will cover aftermarket parts. Cheaper than OEM, aftermarket parts are ways for insurance companies to cut the cost for themselves and for those they insure. If OEM parts were used all the time, your premiums would be sky high.

But, if you absolutely want an OEM windshield, there are two things you can do to get your insurer to cover some of the cost:

  • Offer to Pay the Difference: You can request that your insurer orders an OEM windshield instead of aftermarket if you offer to pay the difference between what the insurer is covering and the price of the new windshield. (That difference won’t be cheap either!)
  • Get a Rider in Advance: This must be done far in advance. When you are setting up your comprehensive policy, you can request a rider to get OEM parts. When you have a rider set-up already, the insurance company won’t question giving you OEM parts. Not all insurance carriers have this option.

If you must have OEM parts, the best way to secure them is to review your policy and discuss your options with your insurance company.

 

Get Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced Today!

Getting insurance to cover your windshield repair or replacement is all about knowing your policy and filing a claim quickly. The sooner you file for work to be done on the windshield, the better. There is more than one reason for this. Even tiny chips and cracks can spread rapidly across the windshield.

Do you have chips and cracks that you’re worried about? If they are small, you don’t need to get insurance to cover it. Most cracks can be repaired within minutes, and even if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, it won’t cost much.

The best way to get insurance to cover your windshield, however, is to have comprehensive car insurance-not just property damage and personal liability coverage.

Have questions about getting your windshield repaired or replaced? Send them our way by filling out the contact form! We’re here to help.

Does Car Insurance Cover Theft?

Most people expect their car to be waiting for them when they return to the parking lot after working or shopping. Unfortunately, there may come a time when, after a long day or early in the morning, you head out to where your vehicle should be only to find it missing. Frantically, you search the street. You think to yourself that maybe you’ve forgotten where the car’s parked. But then, reality sets in—your car has been stolen.

It’s a situation no one wants to be in.

After initial questions have been answered, like whether your car was towed, you will have to call the police to have a police report filed. From there, you may wonder if car insurance covers motor vehicle theft.

The answer is yes, and it’s probably the best news you will receive all day in this scenario.

 

What Type Of Insurance Covers Car Theft?

There are a few components to car insurance. Depending on your coverage, you may have several kinds of auto insurance and varying layers of coverage.

The different insurance types are:

  • Liability coverage: Protects other drivers from injury and property damage caused by you
  • Personal injury coverage: Assists with payments when you or passengers in your vehicle are hurt in an accident
  • Collision coverage: Covers damages to your car as the result of an accident
  • Comprehensive coverage: Otherwise known as comp insurance, this coverage protects your vehicle from “Acts of God,” which includes natural disasters, vandalism, and even theft—with some conditions

In other words, unless you have comprehensive coverage, which is usually purchased as a supplement to collision coverage, you will not be protected from damages that happen to your car while you’re not operating it. But if you do have comp insurance, a percentage of expenses will be covered in the event a tree collapses on your car, or it is stolen or broken into, and so on.

However, there is one exception to this. If you have leased a vehicle or have it on loan and it gets stolen, comprehensive coverage cannot help you. Instead, you should consider “gap insurance.”

Usually, your insurer will pay you the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle. Gap insurance, though, means that the payout is the difference between what is still owed on the vehicle and the ACV. This can help if you owe money on the vehicle or if it has depreciated in value. All insurance carriers have limits on the “gap,” but the coverage itself is relatively affordable.

 

How Much Money Will I Receive?

As mentioned earlier, comprehensive insurance will cover the actual cash value of the vehicle. If your policy covers car rental reimbursement, then you may have the expenses of renting a car covered while the claim is processing.

The ACV is the value given by the adjuster. They will consider things like the vehicle’s make, model, Blue Book value, and accident history to figure out the total amount. Core fixtures in the car will count towards the overall ACV. For example, the tires, seats, and installed GPS system will add value.

However, any accessory items, such as an attached GPS or a plugged in MP3 player are not covered by your comprehensive insurance.
I left my car keys in the ignition when the car was stolen. Does insurance cover that?

We all make mistakes from time to time. Leaving your keys in the car and coming back to an empty parking spot is one of them. Despite what others may have told you, the insurance company will not penalize you for such a mistake or consider the action negligent enough to dismiss your claim. You’re still covered.

 

Is The Theft Of Personal Items In The Car Covered By Insurance?

Car insurance does not cover the theft of items that were in your car, even if someone just broke into it. That doesn’t mean you can’t get something back for your items. You may be able to file a claim of any personal items that were stolen alongside your car by contacting your homeowners or renters insurance carrier.

It may come as a surprise, but renters and home insurance covers belongings in your car, too. It’s not bound solely to your home or apartment.

 

What Is The Entire Claim Process For A Stolen Car?

The stolen vehicle claim process can be exasperating—but don’t get discouraged. You will have to discuss the circumstances with an insurance adjuster. Be sure to have the police report and other information, such as the date and time of the theft, on hand while answering questions. The adjuster has to make sure that your claim is not fraudulent before the claim can proceed.

Keep in mind that, if your car is stolen, you are making a total loss claim. You will come to an agreement between you and the insurance company, as well as any lender who made a vehicle loan. If your vehicle is recovered later on, the insurance company will probably have ownership.

If you decide to wait to see if your car is found, then you should also know that comprehensive car insurance also covers any damages to the vehicle that the thief inflicted. You may need to pay a deductible, though.
Have Damages From a Break-In or Car Theft?

Does car insurance cover car theft? Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage or gap insurance. It should give you a little peace of mind to know that you can receive payment for a stolen vehicle and be able to rent a substitute until your car is found. In the event you have damages upon recovery, look for an auto body shop with expertise in both exterior and interior repairs.

Whether you need auto body work done to your vehicle or have questions about services, we are here to help. Send us a message by filling out the contact form, and our friendly team will get back to you.