Social Distancing Tips After Getting into an Auto Accident In Gloucester County

Social Distancing Tips After Getting into an Auto Accident In Gloucester County

Since restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are easing, many more people are starting to hit the road. However, with all those vehicles, it does increase your chance of having an accident. In any case, you need to be extra vigilant on the road, or you could end up in a car accident. COVID-19 is still a concern for many drivers. From exchanging information to getting your car repaired, here are a few ways to stay socially distanced after an accident in Gloucester County.

 

Before You Leave the House

There are a few things that you can do before you hit the road. Whether it is the summer or winter, you need to make sure your vehicle is in working order. Your tires should be properly inflated with good tread. Along with that, always make sure to have a full tank of gas.

 

Keep Those Safe Distance Priorities

After an accident, you need to collect information and abide by several steps when dealing with a motor vehicle accident. You never want to leave the accident scene until the police resolve the situation. If anyone was injured, make sure to call 911. Pull your vehicle off to the side and turn on your hazard lights. You don’t want to cause another accident on the road.

Typically, you want to collect any accident-related information from the driver. This information should include their name, driver’s license number, phone number, and license plate number. Since COVID-19 is a concern, you could always use a mask when interacting with the other person. You should also maintain a six-foot distance between you and the other driver.

If you are concerned with the hand-to-hand exchange of information, you can verbally exchange numbers with witnesses, involved parties, and the other driver. Make sure to send a text to verify the number. In addition to that, you can send a photo of your information and their required information.

After an accident, it is vital to get all of this information. You might have to get closer to the other driver in some cases, especially if the driver doesn’t have the technology to send the information to you. If you are concerned about the transmission of germs, you can take some precautions. Once you receive the information from the other driver, rub your hands with sanitizer to remove any germs.

If you don’t want to leave the vehicle, you can always wait for the law enforcement officer to come to the scene. The officer will obtain all the information that you need to file an insurance claim for your car.

 

Document the Scene

There are a few things that you can do that don’t require any interactions with others. When you are out of the car, make sure to document the accident scene. You can take your mobile phone and snap a few photos of the vehicle’s damage. The road conditions should be documented, and you need to make detailed notes with pertinent information about the accident.

 

Don’t Put Off Medical Attention

Unfortunately, many people have avoided seeking medical help during the pandemic. If you have been injured in an accident, you need to seek help. Even if the injuries do not require emergency treatment, you always want to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Many medical clinics have COVID-19 procedures in place that will protect you, other patients, and their staff. It is entirely safe to visit the doctor’s office to get checked out after an accident. In some cases, you may be able to schedule a telemedicine appointment or video call to avoid an in-person visit.

You never want to delay in seeking any type of medical attention. If you plan to file a claim, you need to contact your doctor right after the accident. Your injuries need to be documented. Along with that, your medical providers can determine the right course of treatment for your injuries. In some instances, if you don’t seek help, the insurance company can argue that your injuries were not serious or related to the accident. As a result, you might not be able to seek compensation for these medical bills.

 

Contact Your Insurance Provider

After you have obtained the other driver’s information and visited the doctor, you can contact your insurance provider. Many of the most popular companies have tools where you can submit information on an app. If not, you may be able to send all the information digitally to your insurance agent. You don’t want to overwhelm them with unnecessary information, but you need to stick to the facts. All these steps can help you to avoid in-person contact with your insurance company.

 

Get a Repair Quote

If your vehicle needs repair, you should ask your auto body shop if they will accept digital photos of the damage. Some shops can give you an estimate based on clear images. However, until you get your car into the shop, you will not know the full extent of the damage.

 

Prepare for Delays

From insurance claims to ordering parts, COVID-19 has caused delays in many different industries. You should prepare yourself for these delays. If you take your claim to court, the legal system is still catching up from the closed courthouses dating back to last year. Even non-emergency procedures are taking longer than usual. You might have to wait to get checked out by your doctor, especially if you don’t need immediate medical assistance.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies are taking advantage of these delays and pressuring the claimants into early settlements at lower costs. If you are experiencing issues like this, it may be time to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

 

Let Elmer’s Auto Body Help You

If you want to find an auto body shop that practices safe health procedures for its clients, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. We are keeping our waiting rooms clean and offering no-contract services. Your health and safety are our primary concerns. Want to find an auto body shop near me in Gloucester County? Call our office at (856) 218-0202 to set up a consultation.

A Beginner’s Guide to Auto Repair “Shop Talk”

A Beginner’s Guide to Auto Repair “Shop Talk”

When your car is having a problem, the way you discuss the problem can pave the way to a better auto body shop experience. It’s kind of like talking with a doctor. The more terminology you know and understand, the more quickly a solution can be found. Otherwise, it is going to seem like whatever the auto body technician is saying is a foreign language. So, we’re going to help you decode some of the common auto repair shop jargon that you might hear. We’re also going to discuss some ways you can describe the issues you’re having so the mechanic can pinpoint the issue much more quickly.

 

The Terms Mechanics Say

There are a number of terms that accurately describe what is happening with a vehicle. Unfortunately, unless you love cars or are mechanically inclined yourself, you might not know the terms an educated mechanic would know. That’s usually fine, but understanding what the following terms mean will help you out during your next body shop visit:

  • Engine Knock: Ever hear a pinging or ticking noise coming from the engine? That’s called engine knock, and it means that there is air and leftover fuel getting trapped in the combustion chamber whenever the spark plug fires. If you are hearing engine knock, you need to take your vehicle to the auto body shop as soon as you can.
  • Fast Idle: This refers to the faster, higher-revving of a vehicle. Though this generally happens during the first thing in the morning or after a car has been sitting for a long period, the fast idle should decrease as the vehicle warms up.
  • Fuel Injection: Not only the name of a service, fuel injectors are what replaced carburetors in modern vehicles. These instruments are designed to mix fuel more efficiently into the manifold of the engine. Sometimes, your fuel injectors need to be cleaned.
  • Hesitation: You might notice how your vehicle struggles to respond or loses power during acceleration, a condition mechanics call “hesitation.” When a vehicle hesitates, it often means that there is an issue with the fuel injection system.
  • Non-Aspirated (N/A): In the automotive world, N/A doesn’t mean “not available.” Instead, it means that you have a non-aspirated engine or one that is neither supercharged or turbo.
  • Play: Describes the amount of tension (or lack thereof) in the steering wheel you feel before the vehicle begins to turn. Too much play reduces responsiveness. Play is mentioned when discussing things like steering, suspension, and when components start getting worn.
  • Pull: When you start to brake or even while driving on a straight road, your car might start to drift in one direction. This is called pulling and happens when your vehicle is in need of an alignment.
  • Torque Steer: Many cars today are made with front-wheel drive (FWD). A torque steer is what happens when you begin to accelerate and the steering wheel rotates in one direction. If you accelerate too quickly with FWD, you could lose control if the torque steering is too strong.

 

Body Shop Talk

When you are in the auto repair shop, reviewing the estimate on collision repair, or you are talking to the insurance company about an accident, you might come across some common body shop parts or terms:

  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): When you receive OEM parts, it means you are getting parts made by the original manufacturer of your vehicle. For example, if your Ford needs a new bumper or grill, the OEM parts would come directly from Ford or authorized dealers rather than another brand.
  • Aftermarket Parts: These are not the same as OEM parts. Aftermarket parts are sold from other companies that are not the original manufacturer. Most aftermarket parts are designed to meet the same standards of quality as OEM. That said, some non-approved aftermarket parts could jeopardize the factory warranty on your vehicle. If you are unsure, speak to the insurance company or body shop for more information.
  • Beltline: The beltline is also called the “waistline.” The beltline is used to describe the top of the car from the bottom and is visually seen as the line right where the window frames meet the metal/paint.
  • Betterment: Insurance companies more commonly use this term to describe the situation in which new car parts improve the overall condition of the vehicle. In some instances, the insurance company might ask you to pay for a portion of the costs because the value of your vehicle has increased.

 

Precise Statements for Faster Solutions

When you are describing symptoms that your car is experiencing, it is best to be as descriptive as possible, even when you don’t know the technical terms for things. You can utilize some of the terms we have discussed to make issues all the more clear. Here are some examples:

  • When I drive over a bump, I hear rattling under the front passenger side of the vehicle.
  • When I apply the brakes, there is a grinding sound and the car pulls to the left.
  • The vehicle sometimes stalls while at traffic lights. When I restart the engine, I smell gasoline and see black smoke.
  • When I drive uphill, the vehicle hesitates and slows down.

 

Find a Collision Repair Shop That Speaks Your Language

Whenever you take your car to the body shop for maintenance or repairs, you are going to hear some confusing terms. Hopefully, with this list of words in mind, you’ll be more prepared and confident about discussing the issues. You should also seek out an auto body repair shop near you that speaks your language. Elmer’s Auto Body is one of the best in the region. We are transparent and honest, and we’ll always describe the problems and solutions so you know exactly what we’re going to do. Give us a call or send us an email today to schedule your next visit.

How To Minimize Vehicle Depreciation After An Accident

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Everyone knows a car will depreciate over time and with accident involvement, the vehicle depreciates just as quickly. How can you minimize vehicle depreciation after an accident? Here are some guidelines that will help you understand what happens with vehicle depreciation.

 

Vehicle Repairs

When you make repairs to a vehicle and there are no signs of damage and once the repair process is over, your vehicle won’t appreciate in value. In fact, its value in retail terms won’t be what it was previously. If you think about hiding any repairs, you’re out of luck there as well as any accidents with your vehicle will show up in a CARFAX report which anyone can access. The average figure for depreciation differs with every vehicle, but after an accident, the depreciation rate is approximately 30%. You say, Wow, but when you drive a car away from a car lot, the vehicle depreciates by double digits (11 percent). So, how do you make up for the loss?

 

Fix your Vehicle

The first thing you want to do is repair your vehicle soon after an accident. You’ll probably contemplate, I want to find an auto body shop near me where the work can be accurately and professionally done. Even minor work will increase a vehicle’s resale value, so you want to find the best body repair shop to take care of those small damaged areas. When you have the damage repaired, the resale value of your vehicle will increase. In all your vehicle depreciates after an accident.

Vehicle Repair

Use Original Manufactured Parts

When you search for a body shop that will do the work on your car, you’ll want to find one that uses OEM or original manufactured equipment to repair your vehicle. Using parts that are considered aftermarket will lessen the value of your vehicle. Keeping your car as original as possible is important if you want to get the most for its value. Whoever you choose to do the work, be sure and ask them whether they use OEM or aftermarket parts and how the value of your vehicle will be affected.

 

Diminished Value Insurance Claim

One thing you’ll want to do is file a claim with your insurance company that covers diminished value. If your car has been in an accident, it will lose more of its value. Also, if you did not cause the accident and you’re carrying full coverage, your insurance carrier should compensate you for the diminished value of the vehicle. Contact your insurance company to find out whether you are eligible to file for a diminished value insurance claim.

 

Diminished Value Types

Diminished value exists because of the results of an accident. If you put your vehicle up for sale after an accident, a diminished value is part of the deal. Even though the car goes through the repair process and is in good condition, it still faces a diminished value or depreciation.

There are different types of diminished value that include:

  • Immediate diminished value This means the difference between your car’s resale value before any accident involvement to after the accident when any repairs are made.
  • Inherent diminished value Once repairs are made after an accident, and the body shop restores the vehicle to pristine condition, you still need to consider that the vehicle was involved in an accident and its value is diminished. When it comes time to sell it or trade it in, the vehicle’s value decreases compared to before the accident.
  • Repair-related diminished value You’re talking about the value lost in a vehicle that is based solely on the quality of the repairs made to it. Say the color of your car is not just the right match or after-market or generic parts were used to repair it. The car will suffer depreciation because of any repairs or equipment used that were less than the highest standard. Your vehicle has a good chance of a certain loss in its value from the repairs made to it.

If you intend to claim diminished value through your insurance company, you’ll want to determine what kind of monetary loss you would deal with because of an accident. When you have an older vehicle that has lost its value, making a claim would probably not be sensible, particularly if a court case and legal fees are in the mix.

Determining Diminished Value

Determining Diminished Value

In order to determine diminished value, you can find what the Blue Book value would be normally before an accident. From there, you can deal with a car dealership and ask them for a trade-in value on your vehicle. This figure would give you an idea of its diminished value. It may not be the best offer, but it gives you an understanding of your vehicle’s worth.

You can also verify your vehicle’s worth by evaluating it through a company that deals in diminished value insurance assessments. This option would be the most accurate for a more solid figure of your car’s worth. Just make sure that whoever evaluates your car is a qualified expert and is accepted by your insurance company.

When you have an accident and need repair work done, you’ll want to get the best return on any losses, and Elmer’s Auto Body can help you pave the way through to a more acceptable return. Their auto body technicians provide services that return your vehicle to its original looks while minimizing its depreciation. Call Elmer’s and book an appointment for repairs at (856) 218-0202.

Elmer's Auto Body Washington Township

Protecting Your Car’s New Paint After Collision Repairs

After a visit to the collision shop, your vehicle will come home with a newly painted surface. A skilled auto body mechanic uses a meticulous process to match the fresh paint with your existing color. This process involves applying several layers of primer, paint, and clear coat. Once that is completed, the finish is buffed for a glossy appearance.

After all that work, you need to protect the new paint for the first 30 to 90 days. During that time, the paint needs to cure and harden. If you don’t protect the paint, it can lead to noticeable imperfections on the surface. Those blemishes are not covered by the auto body shop’s warranty. In other words, you need to protect the finish of your vehicle after any collision repair. Here are a few tips for maintaining the beauty of your fresh paint job.

 

Avoid Car Washes

After you have been driving your vehicle, you might notice that the surface is dirty. Many drivers want to take their car to the nearest commercial car wash. However, you need to think again. Most commercial car washes use stiff sponges and brushes that will scratch the paint, especially if you just applied new paint to your vehicle.

While you shouldn’t drive your vehicle through the local car wash, you still need to rinse away the dirt. Regular washing is good for your car. However, it needs to be washed by hand. You want to use a very mild car wash solution and cool water. It is not good to use dish soap on the vehicle since it can leave a film. Apply the solution with a foam sponge and only work in straight lines. Circular motions can actually damage the paint.

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Even direct sunlight can ruin the paint. For that reason, you want to wash your car in the shade. Once you are done with the washing process, use clean water to rinse off the soap.

After that, you should use the proper drying methods. If you allow the car to air dry, it can leave behind minerals on the surface. Those water minerals can harm the paint. You want to take a microfiber towel and softly wipe the surface. It is important to use a microfiber instead of a rag or paper towel. Those drying fabrics can leave scratches on your fresh paint.

Along with these washing and drying methods, you should avoid polishing or waxing your vehicle for 90 days after a new paint job. Wax can damage the surface of your car and cause discoloration in the paint.

 

Don’t Scrape the Surface

If you live in an area that experiences snow and ice, you need to be careful with your vehicle. You might want to scrape the ice and snow off the windows and body surface. However, never take a hard tool to a newly painted surface. You are guaranteed to end up with new scratches on the paint. If you need to remove ice and snow, try a soft brush or use your hand. A little warm water on the painted surface can help to melt away the ice.

Stay Out of the Sun

Those ultraviolet rays from the sun can harm your skin and the paint job on your vehicle. Sunlight is known to fade a vehicle’s paint. In turn, your vehicle will look dull and dingy. If it is possible, park your car in the shade. No matter if your paint is new or old, this advice can help preserve the appearance of your vehicle.

 

Watch Out for Chemicals

If your vehicle needs work after a new paint job, you will want to make sure to keep away any automotive chemicals or solutions from the surface. Gasoline, oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid can all damage your paint. Windshield washer fluid is even known to harm your new paint job.

When you bring your vehicle to a shop for routine work, you should take some time to point out the newly painted areas to the technicians. You even want to be cautious when filling up the gas tank. If it gets on the vehicle’s surface, take a soft wet cloth to wipe off any gasoline. Leaving any of these chemicals on your painted surface will cause damage to your new paint job.

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Avoid Any Gravel Roads

When you have a freshly painted vehicle, you will want to avoid any loose gravel roads. This is good advice for any car. However, gravel roads can be unavoidable, especially if you need to drive through a construction zone. Your paint’s finish is vulnerable to flying rocks. In turn, you could notice chips on the surface, especially if the paint doesn’t have time to harden. A deep chip to the surface of the paint can expose the vehicle’s metal frame. As a result, the metal is exposed to water and can begin to develop rust.

 

Take Care of Your New Painted Surface

When you bring your vehicle to a shop for repairs, they will use the latest techniques to properly match your existing painted surfaces. After you take your car home, you want to protect all that hard work. It is important to follow the auto body shop’s advice so that you can enjoy your vehicle for many years to come.

For the first few months, you will have to do a little work to protect the surface of the vehicle. In some cases, you might have to change your routine to prevent damage to the new paint. All these tips are good advice that can preserve the appearance of any car or truck. You don’t need a new paint job to protect the surface of your vehicle.

 

Find an Auto Body Shop Near Me

If you need a professional paint job for your vehicle, make sure to take it to an experienced auto body shop. Elmer’s Auto Body uses all the latest techniques to restore the finish of your car. You will be delighted with our work. If you want to schedule a consultation, please call the shop at (856) 218-0202.

Elmer's Auto Body Washington Township

Can an Accident Void My Vehicle’s Warranty?

When you have a new car, a warranty can give you some peace of mind. If there is a problem, many mechanical issues are covered by these warranties. However, if your car is involved in an accident, you might wonder if any repair work will void that vital warranty. When you need to fix your vehicle, here are a few things to know about voiding the vehicle’s warranty.

 

Warranty Limits

There are many ways to void the warranty of your vehicle. For the most part, a warranty does contain provisions for powertrain and bumper-to-bumper coverage. All these warranties are transferable and feature mileage or time limits.

The typical manufacturer powertrain warranty is valid for 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Some warranties have time limits, such as four to six years. However, many bumper-to-bumper plans will protect you up to 50,000 miles or five years. These warranties can help get your car back on the road. You might be concerned about scheduling repair work that could void those protections. When you are involved in a car accident, make sure to take a few steps to prevent a void warranty.

 

What Will Void a Warranty?

If you look at the fine print of your warranty, the manufacturer outlines several ways that can cause it to be invalid.

 

Title Salvage Distinction

When a vehicle is involved in a severe accident, your insurance company might give your car or truck a “salvage” title. With that title, the vehicle is a total loss, and any warranties are voided.

 

Abuse of Vehicle

Many warranties will have a clause defining “vehicle abuse.” What does that mean for you? If you use your vehicle for racing or subject it to excessive wear and tear, you could void your warranty. Any damage that is not considered “normal” by the manufacturer can be defined as abuse. In turn, your warranty will be canceled.

 

Odometer Tampering

Odometer tampering is known as “rolling back” your odometer. Some people roll back this component to make it appear that the vehicle has fewer miles. If you engage in this practice, you will have a voided warranty.

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Natural Disasters

An environmental disaster can happen in any region in the country. These disasters are also called “an act of God.” They include tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. No matter how your vehicle is damaged, it will null your warranty.

 

Improper Fluids

If you use the wrong fuel type or oil, those fluids can cause damage to your car. According to your manufacturer, they will not cover these damages to your vehicle. You always want to make sure you are using the proper fuels and fluids for your car.

These are a few ways that you can void your warranty without getting involved in an accident. Once you are in a vehicle accident, here are a couple of things that you will want to avoid.

 

Non-Certified Mechanics

Everyone wants to save a few dollars. You might know someone who can work on your car. However, any work by a non-certified mechanic will void your warranty. Many manufacturers require you to use a trained and certified mechanic, especially for any auto body repairs. Some of these non-certified mechanics can make errors that will affect the performance of your vehicle. You always want to find an authorized mechanic for your specific make and model of vehicle.

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Non-Approved Parts

A vehicle’s warranty can be voided when you don’t use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for the repair. The manufacturer approves these parts, and they will ensure that your car operates according to the automaker’s standards. If aftermarket parts are used for the repair, it may cause other components to wear down. For that reason, many manufacturers will void a warranty if you use unauthorized parts on the car.

However, the aftermarket is still a gray area for many people. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, a warranty cannot be denied unless the manufacturer can prove the aftermarket parts caused damage to a vehicle. If you want to avoid any hassles with your warranty, talk to the shop manager to get certified OEM or manufacturer-approved aftermarket parts.

 

Modifications

While your car is in the shop, you might want to add a few new features to your vehicle. Modifications can improve the look or boost the performance of your car, but they can also void your warranty. Some of these modifications include installing a custom bumper, changing the grill, or adding spoilers. However, those modifications can also cancel your vehicle’s warranty. If you want to change these features, make sure to read your warranty. Even a simple upgrade can null it.

 

After an Accident

For the most part, a repair to your vehicle will not affect the warranty. According to many experts, a salvage title is the only way a vehicle’s warranty is voided after an accident.

In most cases, when your vehicle is repairable, an accident has no bearing on the warranty. The insurance company will have to declare your vehicle a total loss if the collision repairs cost more than the assessed market value.

Many insurance companies will use the Kelly Blue Book to determine your vehicle’s value based on a few factors, such as:

  • Age
  • Condition
  • Make and model
  • Mileage
  • Non-standard and aftermarket features
  • Transmission type (manual vs. automatic)
  • Vehicle history, including past collision repairs and maintenance

 

Keep Your Vehicle Compliant After an Accident

When you are involved in an accident, it will not void the warranty. However, taking it to a non-certified shop or using unauthorized aftermarket parts will cause problems down the road. If you need repairs for your vehicle, make sure to find a certified auto body shop for your car or truck.

 

Trusted Auto Body Shop in New Jersey

Looking for an auto body shop near me? Reach out to the certified technicians at Elmer’s Auto Body. We have the experience to work on your vehicle. Our team will use the right parts to maintain the warranty for your ride. To schedule a consultation, please call (856) 218-0202.

 

Elmer's Auto Body Washington Township

What To Do In Case Of A Deer-Related Collision

It’s no fun when you’re driving along during the early day or night, and suddenly a deer jumps out in front of your vehicle. You either have to avoid the run-in or plow right into the animal and experience the risks and damages that it does to possibly you, passengers, and your vehicle. What should you do in case you are involved in a deer-related collision?

 

Accident Avoidance

Whatever you do, don’t swerve when you encounter a deer. If you swerve, you’re at risk of causing an accident or hitting a light pole, ditch, or anything else in the way. Hitting a deer is not as bad as colliding with another car or other objects. Release the gas pedal, use the brake safely and stay on a straight pathway. A given is to wear a seatbelt at all times.

You also want to drive cautiously, particularly during the early morning and evening hours, and stay alert to your surroundings. Take notice of any deer crossing signs and limit your speed to what is posted and keep plenty of clearance between you and the next car. Maintain your vehicle as well. You want the tires, brakes, and lights in top working condition. Remember, if you’re in deer country, you want to be prepared for anything.

 

Park Your Vehicle

When a collision does occur with a deer, you’ll want to park your vehicle on the roadside and immediately engage your hazard lights. Get off the road or highway and stay out of the way of any traffic. Use your hazard lights or flares to alert other motorists. Since deer are out and about in the early morning and evening hours, other drivers do not see your vehicle, so it’s important to steer clear of the road.

 

Contact The Authorities

If you’re able, contact the police or any wildlife authorities. They’ll want to know if the deer is impeding traffic and creating a hazard to drivers in the area. If there are injuries or any kind of property damage, you’ll probably have to complete a report, which will be of help if you need to file a claim with your insurance company.

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Record The Events

With safety in mind, you can take pictures of the roadway where the collision occurred along with any surroundings and damage to your vehicle. You’ll also want to note injuries that may have happened with any passengers. If there are witnesses to the accident, record what they have seen and be sure and get their information for future contact.

 

Animal Safety

For your own safety and the safety of others, steer clear of the deer. A deer that has been hurt can still move its legs and hooves which can hurt you or someone else.

 

Insurance Coverage

Before you have a collision with a deer or any other mishap, you’ll want to check on the right insurance to carry. When you hit a deer, comprehensive insurance coverage is what you want as most automotive collision policies don’t cover an accident where it involves an animal. If you live in a region of the country where deer are prevalent, look into a comprehensive policy that definitely covers animal accidents. You usually have to pay a deductible with such a policy when you hit an animal.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance Agent Contact

You should report any damages or injuries and file a report with your insurance agent as soon as possible. Do make sure that your vehicle is operating properly after a collision with a deer. Watch for things like any leaks, broken lights, an unhinged hood, damaged tires, and any other hazards that would affect your vehicle’s safety. Contact a towing service if there are any doubts in your mind that your vehicle is not drivable or is unsafe.

 

Repairing Your Vehicle

When you experience a collision with a deer or other larger animal, the damage is usually considerable, and your vehicle may even be unrepairable. After consulting with your insurance company and assessing the damage, you can file a claim for repairs or replacement. Your car may have a broken bumper, smashed headlights, dents in the front end, a punctured radiator, and many other issues.

If the deer or other animal moves up onto the windshield area, there is the chance for bodily injury of you or any passengers along with extreme damage to your vehicle. There is even the possibility with that kind of encounter that the impact could force your car from the main road and hit another obstacle besides the deer. Whatever the case, you’re going to have to consider finding someone that can take on the repairs of your vehicle when damage occurs because of a collision with an animal.

You’ll want to contact your insurance company and start the claims process. With those details being negotiated, you can take the next steps to have any necessary repairs made to your vehicle. One thing you’ll think of doing almost right away is finding an auto body shop near me.

 

Deer Related Collision Frequency

In particular regions of the country, the frequency of deer and other larger animal-related accidents are many. When you know and understand how to respond to an encounter with a large animal on

the road, you can diminish any injuries and insurance bills. You also need to know your insurance comprehensive plan and any deductibles in that plan. Just be sure and speak with your insurance company and understand what your plan does and doesn’t cover.

If you want to know more about auto body work related to a collision with a deer or other animal, or you just have general questions or want to schedule an appointment for repair, contact Elmer’s Auto Body. Call them at (856) 218-0202. They’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you repair your vehicle after an unforeseen accident involving a deer or other animal.

Elmer's Auto Body Washington Township