Year: 2021

Common Types of Auto Body Damage And How We Repair Them

No matter how safely you drive, you cannot avoid collisions or prevent damage to your vehicle. Even when your car is parked, someone could open their door into it and cause a ding to your fender. A driver might not pay attention to the road and hit your bumper. It isn’t even other drivers that can cause damage. Stones thrown from the roadway by a passing vehicle or hail can also cause issues. Luckily, auto body damage can be repaired. In some cases, with the latest technology, these repairs may only take minutes. Here are some causes of damage to your car and what can be done to fix these common body damage issues.

Weather Damage

Your car’s exterior is vulnerable to the outdoor elements throughout the year. Paint can become faded in the summer. During the winter, road salt is known to corrode your exterior paint, and those frequent temperature changes can cause a crack in the windshield. For those spring storms, hail and heavy winds might leave your car with chipped paint and extensive dents. If you want to avoid these damaging elements, you should try to park undercover to protect your vehicle.

However, even if you keep your car in a garage or carport, chances are the vehicle spends a little time exposed to the elements. You may have to park in an open parking lot when you are at work. While you are in the grocery store, your car is sitting in the hot sun or winter cold. Weather can damage your vehicle’s finish, and that minor damage can lead to rust spots on your car. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we can sand and repaint any damaged areas to return your vehicle to its original beauty. If your car has developed rust, we may be able to cut out the affected area and replace the metal for a beautifully restored appearance.

Lack of Maintenance

Lack of maintenance might be a secondary source of auto body damage, but it is important to your vehicle. When you own a car, you need to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle. Regular maintenance can often feel like a burden, but it is crucial to protect your vehicle. You need to check your brakes, steering systems, and other components. If you fail to perform maintenance, you might end up in an accident. Keeping your vehicle in poor condition can cause damage to your car and pose a threat to you, your passengers, and others on the road. You want to make sure to service your vehicle at least twice a year.

Major Collisions

Any accident can cause severe damage to your car, especially major collisions. These accidents can break windshields, destroy body panels, and damage steering systems. If your car is damaged in an accident, you will want to have your vehicle towed to a professional auto body shop.

Minor Fender Benders

After a car accident, the damage is often visible on the vehicle. However, those minor fender benders cause many problems that might not be visible to the naked eye. Those small bumps can damage your steering, frame, engine, windshield, and other hidden parts. Like any accident, you want your car inspected before hitting the road.

Miscellaneous Factors

However, there are times when a random accident can cause damage to your car. These unexpected situations can come from a runaway baseball, a pothole, or a faulty car component. You can take some steps to avoid these common issues, but some things might be out of your control. No matter what happens to your car, you need to take steps to prevent any more damage to your vehicle.

Now that you know about the common causes of damage to your car, you can find ways to repair them. With a professional auto body shop, your vehicle will be fixed with the latest technology as they get it back to its original condition.

Scratches In The Paint

Despite your diligence, there will be scratches in the paint of your car. It could be as simple as a shopping cart that rolls into the side of your car or a key ring striking the door as you unlock it. You could even scratch the car while loading items into the backseat or trunk. A professional auto body repair shop can easily buff out a small scratch. However, those large scratches need filler and paint to seal the surface’s large depression. With the help of a professional, the paint can be electronically matched to the surface of your vehicle. In turn, you will never know that the car suffered from scratched paint, and you will be left with a seamless finish.

Body Dents

Almost anything moving can dent your vehicle. A rock from the car’s tire in front of you, a child’s bicycle handle when they ride too close, or a dropped object you are trying to load could lead to dents. These dents can range from massive craters to tiny bumps. After assessing the dent, the technician can use conventional repair methods or paintless dent removal tools. If the paint is still intact, we can use paintless dent repair to fix the damage. Paintless dent removal does not disturb the current coat of paint.

On the other hand, conventional methods require the paint to be redone or touched up. There are three different techniques to remove a dent. They often include a dolly and hammer, stud welder, or dent puller. These methods use tools that push, hammer or pull the dent so that the panel can be smoothed back into its original shape.

In some cases, the panels have deep dents that are irreparable and need to be replaced. If the dent is significant, we will drill a hole near the dent, insert a special tool, and pull it from the surface. We also use body filler to smooth the surface and paint the area.

Suspension Damage

During the winter, those unnoticeable potholes can do a lot of damage to your car’s suspension. If the damage is quite severe, then the ball joint or shock absorber may need to be removed and replaced. However, in some less severe cases, the wheels might need to be realigned.

Cracked Windshields

Windshields are extremely important. They provide a clear view of the road as you travel in your car. When damage happens to a windshield, it can incur a small chip or break the glass. In those severe cases, the entire windshield will need to be taken out of the weld and replaced with new components. Any small cracks or chips can be easily fixed. Many of the issues just need a resin injection to prevent spread across the windshield and restore its strength.

Bumper Damage

Rear-ended accidents are a common occurrence for many vehicles. You could be stopped in heavy traffic and get bumped by a distracted driver. In some cases, you need to have your bumper replaced, especially for those components that are damaged beyond repair. However, some damage can be reversed. A cracked bumper will need body filler to smooth out any damage. After that, the new paint must be applied to reseal and protect your vehicle.

Collision Damage

After a collision, minor damage can be repaired quickly using similar body repair processes. However, a severe accident can cause extensive damage to the car’s frame. In those cases, your vehicle might be too damaged to drive. A bent frame may indicate that the vehicle was in a severe accident. With today’s technology, we can use computer-aided equipment to pull the frame back into position. In turn, you can hit the road without any worries for your car.

Find The Right Auto Body Shop For Your Vehicle

After encountering any type of damage to your vehicle, you need to find the right professional auto body shop. There are a few simple steps to ensure that you find the best shop to complete your repairs. You should always do some research before selecting an auto body shop. These professionals can be vetted by reading reviews, checking certifications, and asking your family and friends. You will find a shop that provides top-notch service and backs up their work.

It is also important to ask questions. You want to make sure that your professional auto body shop has the experience to complete your required work. When these questions are answered, you can have some peace of mind that your car is left in reliable hands. Finally, any reputable shop will provide a free estimate for your repairs.

Find The Best Auto Body Shop Near Me

After you have received a few quotes, you can find the right shop that has the combination of reliability, fair pricing, and experience. At the end of the day, you will find that Elmer’s Auto Body will meet all those requirements.

If your vehicle has suffered damage, contact Elmer’s Auto Body by calling (856) 218-0202. Our technicians will work to get your car back on the road as quickly as possible.

Does The Color Of Your Car Affect Your Insurance Rate?

Many car owners believe that specific colors have an impact on insurance costs. In fact, some insurance companies state that potential customers often ask if red cars have higher insurance rates than other vehicles. In a study conducted by Insure.com, about 46 percent of those surveyed believe that insurance companies charge higher rates for red cars because they are pulled over more often by police. According to the National Motorist Association, white cars are pulled over more often than red vehicles. However, many drivers still believe this myth. The color of your vehicle has no bearing on car insurance rates, and it will not increase your risk of getting a ticket.

Undoing the Myth

Auto insurance will protect your car in the case of damage or injury. It can cover you from financial loss if your vehicle is stolen. The amount of coverage you will need always depends on your residing state and personal circumstances. When it is time to get a quote for your vehicle, the insurance company will factor in some details about your car. For example, some insurance companies will offer discounts for vehicles that are less than three years old. However, many people wonder about the color of their vehicles and insurance rates. Despite this car color myth, many people continue to believe that their car color will factor into policy rates. Here are a few things that you should take into consideration for your insurance rates.

Does Car Color Affect Insurance Rates?

Many variables go into calculating an auto insurance premium, but the color of your car is not one of them. However, certain situations, such as supply and demand for a specific color, can increase the vehicle’s cost. In turn, you may see an increase in its premiums. According to insurance experts, insurers never ask about the color of the car when a customer requests a quote. The car’s color is not even a question on a car insurance application. Insurance for a red car is no more expensive than a black, green, or white car. In fact, the insurance company has no idea what color vehicle you have purchased. Although your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is provided to the insurance company, the VIN does not reveal the car’s color. The VIN includes information on when and where a vehicle was built, the level of trim, and some warranty information, but it does not include the color of the car.

The price of a car can change based on several elements, but the most important factor is supply and demand. When you are looking for car insurance, your particular vehicle’s market demand can play a significant role. The car’s color popularity can determine how expensive it will be to insure the vehicle and whether it is a target for car thieves.

The Insurance Myth of the Car Color

While car color does not increase your insurance cost, some cars are more expensive than others to insure. These factors can include the car’s age, make, and model. When it comes to this myth of car color, those popular colors can raise your policy rates. For example, many people believe red cars are more expensive to insure than neutral car colors. In most cases, this is not correct. If a neutral color car, like silver, is in high demand, you may see a higher insurance rate.

Tickets and the Insurance Company

When an insurer looks at your driving record to determine your rates, they want to know whether you are a high-risk driver. Just one speeding ticket can raise your rates as much as 15 percent. Two tickets can raise your rates by as much as 40 percent. That means tickets do have an impact on rates, but only for the driver who got the ticket. Claims are a bigger factor to insurance companies as they cost the company money. Cars with higher frequencies of claims or higher payouts than other vehicles will be rated higher. In those cases, higher rates are paid no matter your car’s color. In other words, if you are buying a Corvette, your rate will be the same no matter if the car is red or black.

When Color Does Matter?

If you have a custom paint job on your car, your insurance rates may be higher as it would be considered an additional part or equipment. However, the rate would only be slightly higher than a vehicle with a regular paint job. The color of your car may have an impact on other factors. In 2012, CCC Information Services reported that car thieves prefer green, gold, black, or white cars. Silver is the most commonly stolen car color. For those who think that red cars are popular with auto theft, these cars do not even make the list.

Custom Paint Jobs and Insurance Rates

While your car’s color does not affect your insurance rates, some modifications can cause your policy to be more expensive. If you modify the paint or get a custom paint job on your car, you might want to include your custom paint job in your insurance coverage. When it comes to car insurance, your insurance company will consider your vehicle to be in the same condition as you bought in its original form. If you want a customized paint job added to your car and need it to be covered in case of damage, you should notify your insurer.

Many insurance companies will have special coverage for those aftermarket modifications. These upgrades can fall under the “custom parts and equipment coverage” categories. If your car is damaged in an accident, your insurance will cover the repair and replacement of those customizations. Your policy will ensure your custom paint job and other custom parts, such as lights, wheels, and sound systems, are covered by insurance.

How Are Car Insurance Rates Calculated?

Although car color does not affect car insurance price, many other factors can increase the policy rates. When you are insuring your car, the insurance companies will ask for a lot of information about your vehicle. In many cases, the insurance company will never ask about the car’s color. Car insurance premiums are calculated based on other information about you and your vehicle. Your insurer uses this information to estimate how likely you will get in an accident and file an insurance claim. These factors include:

The amount of coverage
Your driving record
Credit score
Driving habits (such as your yearly mileage)
Your age
Your residing state
Your deductible amounts
Make and model of your car

You will also want to select the right insurance coverage. There are several insurance coverage policies for your vehicle. You might want to include the following policies for your car:

Bodily injury liability covers your medical bills if you have injured someone in an accident.
Property damage liability covers the cost of property damage you have caused in an accident.
Personal injury protection covers medical expenses for you or your passengers after an accident.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist covers the costs if you are in an accident caused by a driver with little or no car insurance.
Comprehensive insurance policy covers damage to your car that happens when you are not driving.
Collision insurance covers damage to your car after a car accident, no matter who was at fault.

With more coverage for your vehicle, you can expect to pay some premium rates. However, it will be protected from any potential threats from other drivers or accidental damage.

Factors Do Affect Your Insurance Rate

In conclusion, car color does not affect your auto insurance rates, but many factors can raise your policy premiums. Your age, years of driving experience, gender, driving record, make and model of the vehicle and vehicle options are all more important than the color. These variables can increase or decrease the rates of your auto insurance.

However, car color can indirectly affect those auto premiums, but the insurance company does not factor it. If the color changes the car’s value, you may see a rise in your rates. Those custom paint jobs and equipment will increase your premiums. The market value and likelihood of incidents also determine your insurance cost. The bottom line is, if you want that shiny convertible or sports car, your insurance company really doesn’t care if it is red, black, or green. Does car color affect insurance rates? The answer is always a definitive no. You can choose the right color that matches your personal style without worrying about an increase in your insurance rates.

Find a Professional Auto Body Shop Near Me

Whether you have a black, green, white, or red car, we can help you bring your vehicle back to its original condition after an accident. Our team uses the latest technology to make your vehicle look as good as new. You will never know that it was involved in an accident. If your beautiful car has been damaged, contact Elmer’s Auto Body today for a no-obligation estimate for repairs. You can schedule an appointment by calling the office at (856) 218-0202.

Is My Car Safe To Drive After An Accident?

If your car has suffered damage in an accident, you may be concerned about its safety. External damage is often apparent, but you may not be able to see all the damage caused by the collision. These tips can help you determine if your car is safe to drive on the road. If your vehicle is damaged, you need to schedule an inspection at a professional body shop.

Law Enforcement Can Determine Road-Worthiness

If you are involved in a collision, local law enforcement often responds to the call. For those insurance claims, you need to contact the police to obtain an accident report. The officer is also trained to assess a vehicle’s damage and can determine if it meets the legal standards to drive on the roadways.

A law enforcement officer can tell if your headlights, turn signals, and brake lights are operational. If the tires or turning mechanisms are damaged, you cannot control the car. Police can even determine if minor problems will prevent your vehicle’s safe operation on the road. In most cases, if all safety mechanisms and mechanical features of the car are operating, the vehicle will be determined safe to drive.

Look Out for These Danger Signs

If there is smoke coming from your vehicle, it may not be the result of a fire. Smoke is often caused by fluids hitting those hot areas of the engine. At this point, you want to check for any fluids leaking from the car. If fluids are dripping, this is a major safety issue. You might have antifreeze or coolant leaking, and that can cause your engine to overheat. After an accident, oil can also leak out from your car’s engine. When that happens, you are risking the chance of major engine failure or a fire. Finally, brake fluid is an essential part of your safety system. A brake oil leak runs the risk of a catastrophic brake failure on your car. If smoke or steam is coming from your engine, it is unsafe to drive as it could obstruct your view.

All of these leaks could be potentially harmful to yourself and others on the road. If you notice leaking fluid from your vehicle, make sure to contact a tow truck. You can have your car towed to an experienced body shop or repair center. These professionals will inspect your vehicle to determine if it is safe to drive. You don’t want to take any risks when you get behind the wheel.

Although it may seem like common sense, you should never drive on a flat tire. You can quickly lose control of the vehicle and crash. Proper wheel alignment is important after a collision. If your wheels are aligned, then your car is drivable. However, if your wheels are misaligned, you will notice that your vehicle pulls to one side. When that happens, the car can swerve into traffic and cause an accident. If the engine is making strange noises or pulls sharply to one side when driving, it is not safe on the roads and should be parked until you can bring it into a repair shop.

You should never drive a vehicle without tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, or headlights. Before you hit the road with your damaged car, you want to take a look at your lighting systems. Broken lights may also indicate other issues that you cannot see. For example, a hidden electric component short could lead to a fire. Driving with a broken headlamp, lens, or tail light is dangerous. It is also illegal in almost all states. If you are heading down the road with broken safety equipment, you will likely be pulled over and ticketed. In any case, you never want to drive your car until you can get those broken or missing light fixtures fixed.

Your side mirrors are essential safety features, and you want to make sure they are intact. If the driver side mirror is in place, but your passenger-side mirror is missing, then you will still be able to drive the car. You will have to use the rearview mirror to compensate for that lost mirror. However, with two mirrors missing, you might be pulled over by law enforcement for operating a vehicle without the proper safety equipment. Along with that, it is hazardous to drive without these mirrors. You will increase your chance of causing another accident if you cannot see the traffic around your vehicle.

Finally, make sure to check out your hood. If the hood can be locked and closed, you are safe to hit the road. After an accident, the locking mechanism can become damaged, and your hood will not stay shut on the car. A damaged hood can cause air pressure to build up from the engine, and the hood can pop open as you drive down the road. As you can imagine, the hood will completely block your vision. In this nightmare scenario, you are a danger to yourself and other drivers on the road. You never want to risk the chance of an accident. If your hood or other components are broken, make sure to take your car to a reliable auto body shop.

Driving After an Accident Checklist

In short, here is a review of the parts and components you need to inspect before hitting the road. This checklist will ensure that your vehicle is ready to drive. If any parts are broken or failing, you need to tow your car to a repair shop before driving.

Make sure your lamps are functioning.
Check to ensure your mirrors are intact.
Make sure there is no leaking fluid.
Ensure your wheels are in proper alignment.
Make sure your hood is not broken.

Repair Your Car

After an accident, there is going to be damage to the vehicle. In some cases, the damages are minor. You might even consider hitting the road without the proper inspection. However, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration.

Depending on the severity of the accident, you might be able to drive the car without any issues. If there is significant damage to your vehicle, and you drive it without an inspection, you could face some severe consequences. In some cases, the damage is not visible to the driver. When you drive the car, it could be causing more damage to essential components. In turn, your insurance company might deny your claim since you never had an initial inspection of the vehicle. After driving a car in an accident, you can cause more vehicle problems. In some cases, the car might be damaged beyond repair.

Without a proper inspection, your car is an unsafe vehicle. Your brake fluids might be leaking, or the wheels are misaligned. When you take your vehicle on the road, you run the risk of another accident. If you cause an accident with your damaged vehicle, you can get into serious legal trouble. Anyone injured in this accident can sue you for damages, and your insurance company might deny your claims. You don’t want to take the risk and cause injuries to other drivers and passengers because you neglected to have your car inspected.

Looking for an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

If your car has been in a collision, contact Elmer’s Auto Body to set up an appointment. We can get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. You can schedule an inspection by calling (856) 218-0202.

Will My Car Be Worth Less After an Accident?

After an accident, you may be worried about your vehicle’s value. Those minor accidents can require bodywork and other repairs. When you bring your car in for a repair, it does not mean your vehicle’s value will drop. There are many factors to take into consideration regarding car value. Here are a few things you should know about repair work and car values.

Damage Can Lower Value

Most experts will tell you that a car with damage is worth less than the same vehicle without any damage. Some claim that the car loses as much as 33 percent of its value if it has required repair work after an accident. However, this figure does not take into consideration the mileage of the car, options installed in the vehicle, or other factors that can affect a vehicle’s value.

After an accident, your vehicle has experienced economic loss known as diminished value. If your car is damaged in an accident and gets repaired, it will have a damage history. In most cases, this history can lower your vehicle’s resale value. For many cars, the vehicle’s diminished value is due to aftermarket parts. However, even those cars repaired at a dealership will see some diminished value when they are fixed.

There are several ways that your car can sustain diminished value after a car accident. Immediate diminished value is the difference between your vehicle’s trade-in value before the accident and the resale value after the completed repairs. Inherent diminished value assumes that your car has been repaired to the original condition. However, this value takes into account that your vehicle has been in an accident. Inherent diminished value reduces the car’s worth when you try to resell it. Lastly, repair-related diminished value is the lost value that results from the quality of repairs. For example, if you used aftermarket parts or the paint color does not match, then the quality of the repair can cause a loss in the vehicle’s value.

Should I Worry About My Car’s Diminished Value?

After an accident, your vehicle will see a decrease in its value. When you list your car for sale after an accident, it will not have the same value as a brand new vehicle. Even when you repair your vehicle, you might not recover its full value. Any type of accident will lower the resale value when compared to those cars that were never involved in an accident. When your insurance pays to have the damage fixed, the accident will become part of the vehicle’s history report. Services like Carfax can access those reports, and that can lead to a lowering of your car’s value. These values will come into play when you are ready to trade-in or resell your vehicle. In some cases, an accident can knock off thousands of dollars from your original car value.

Unfortunately, the diminished value can affect your resale value. If you are selling a brand new car after an accident, your insurance company will repair it to its original condition. When you sell your vehicle, the new buyer or dealership often checks out your car’s history. In turn, they might not be willing to pay your asking price for the vehicle. Many buyers will not even consider buying a vehicle that was involved in an accident.

With diminished value, your vehicle has not only incurred physical damage, but it has suffered from a loss in value. This diminished value can affect your car on several levels. Now that you know your vehicle will lose value, you can be compensated for the overall loss of value by filing a diminished value insurance claim. This claim can help you recover the difference in the car’s value before your vehicle was in an accident. Depending on the circumstances, you cannot always file these claims, but you might want to look into these options. You will need to get your car professionally appraised so that you can make a claim for its lost value.

Can I Prevent Vehicle Depreciation After an Accident?

Cars will always lose value, even those that are not involved in an accident. The only way you can prevent severe depreciation is to avoid any accidents. You need to keep your car in good working order, perform proper maintenance, and be vigilant behind the wheel. However, even with the safest drivers, there is a chance that your vehicle could be involved in an accident. In those cases, you cannot prevent the damage to your car, but you can take a few steps to minimize the loss that can occur from these collisions.

Choose a Good Repair Shop

A good repair shop may be able to discreetly fix the damage so that even an experienced appraiser will not notice issues with your car. There are also methods for repairing vehicles today, like paintless dent repair, that allow technicians to repair your vehicle with no need for body filler or painting. These techniques mean that the repair may be virtually undetectable when you trade it.

However, it is important to note that almost every car has a vehicle report that may show it was involved in an accident. If your dealer uses one of these reports, they will discover any repairs to your car.

Think About a Dealer Trade-In

If you are trading your vehicle at a dealership, there are a few things you need to know. Any undamaged car with less than 30,000 miles will receive the highest offer from a dealer, especially if it has a look that buyers want at the time. The dealer can detail the car and place it on their own lot. Undamaged vehicles with 30,000 to 65,000 miles will receive a higher offer than a car with the same mileage and accident damage. However, if the damage is virtually undetectable, your car might be able to command a higher resale price.

Dealers often put these cars on their used lots, but they usually auction or wholesale them. Damage in vehicles with more than 65,000 miles may not impact the dealer’s asking price since they are going straight to auction or wholesale. In these cases, the more mileage you have on an older vehicle, the less likely damage from an accident will significantly impact the dealer’s trade-in price.

Individual Sales

One way to avoid losing money due to damage is to sell the car by yourself. The person who purchases your vehicle may not mind that it is damaged. It is wise to inform the buyer of any car damage as vehicle reports are available online to anyone who wishes to purchase them. Any insurance claims or police reports will appear in the vehicle report. The report may even note any significant damage to the vehicle.

Insurance companies will use a precise formula to calculate your damaged car’s depreciated value. In most cases, the figure is usually the same for all insurance companies. However, if you are selling the vehicle, the depreciated value can become more subjective. The potential buyer might feel the car is worth more than its depreciated value. If they are looking for a specific vehicle, it may be worth more to them, even if it is damaged. On the other hand, they can use the damage history to negotiate your car’s price.

Need an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

While you cannot prevent a car’s value loss after an accident, there are a few things to do to help prevent a complete loss on your vehicle. Besides selling the car, you want to complete all the car’s necessary repairs. When your vehicle needs repairs after an accident, there is no need to worry. A good repair shop will do the work that can minimize the vehicle’s loss from an accident.

Elmer’s Auto Body can return your car to its original condition and get you back on the road. If the damage is relatively minor, we may be able to use paintless dent repair technology. Many of these repair techniques are virtually undetectable, and your vehicle will look good as new. Schedule an appointment today by calling the shop at (856) 218-0202.

What Does ADAS Calibration Mean On My Auto Body Repair Estimate?

Reading over your estimate from the auto body repair shop and wondering what in the world “ADAS calibration” means? You’re not the only one. ADAS calibration is not just some fancy lingo meant to increase the price of your repairs. Elmer’s Auto Body believes that, by demystifying repair procedures and steps, we can better serve our customers. That is why we are going to tell you everything you need to know about ADAS calibration, including what it means, why it is necessary, and what you can expect when it is done.

Let’s get started.

What is ADAS?

ADAS is short for “,” all of which are technologies incorporated into your vehicle that make it safer to drive. ADAS utilizes what is called a “human-machine interface” to improve your ability to react to whatever arises on the road, from dodging accidents to stopping on a dime. Most systems come standard in many modern-day vehicles, but there are aftermarket features that can be added to personalize your experience.

Some common ADAS technologies include:

Adaptive cruise control
Forward collision warnings
Anti-lock brakes
High beam safety system
Lane departure warnings
Traction control
Blindspot detection

How do ADAS work?

Most ADAS are controlled by a number of computer sensors placed throughout the vehicle. They also have multiple ways to receive data, including automotive imaging and LiDAR (light detection and ranging). This allows sensors to be able to survey a full 360-degree area, regardless of the weather conditions or visibility. Data can also be processed through things like vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X), WiFi, and other vehicles (V2V).

These systems are meant to decrease human error since the majority of road accidents are caused by the mistakes people make. ADAS improves driving ability overall, reduces the number of deaths, and improves awareness. However, like all technologies, ADAS can malfunction over time and need to be maintained and re-calibrated, especially after damages or accidents.

What is ADAS Calibration?

The states that ADAS calibration is “a process carried out to correctly align the cameras and sensors of a car so that its ADAS system can work as intended.” Such calibration can only be done using specialized tools that are wielded by trained technicians who have experience dealing with such systems. Every sensor has to be precisely positioned. Otherwise, the systems will fail.

ADAS calibration is not something you can easily neglect. Even if the position of the cameras and sensors are off by a hair, there is a significant influence on the effectiveness of the entire system. In other words, the sensors could end up focusing elsewhere, jeopardizing your safety—and the safety of every other person on the road.

Failing to re-calibrate your ADAS can cause other issues, including:

Steering wheel vibration
Harder steering
Steering wheel pull
Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the system computer

When Does ADAS Need to be Calibrated?

Calibration is needed whenever the sensors of a vehicle have been disrupted. Fender benders, collisions, airbag deployment, or even mistakes made during maintenance can upset an ADAS. Some ADAS sensors can be affected by things like wheel alignment, suspension repairs, tire size changes, car roof repair, and windshield replacement. Calibration must also be done whenever a sensor or the mounting bracket is repaired.

How is an ADAS Re-calibrated?

As mentioned earlier, when an ADAS is displaced or damaged in an accident, you will need to have it re-calibrated. Usually, this requires a trip to the dealership, since every manufacturer is going to have their own measures for ADAS calibration. Generally, sensors are aimed at targets while the technician works to scan the ADAS through your vehicle’s OBD port. The process is time-consuming, and if full attention is not given, the entirety of your car’s ADAS can be decreased.

Because many auto body shops cover a broad range of auto makes and models, it is best to let a specialized dealership or auto body shop do the ADAS calibration. The vehicle will be returned to the auto repair shop once the calibration is complete so any further work can be finished.

Therefore, if you receive an estimate that has “ADAS Calibration” written on it, it is most likely because the technician or mechanic is assuming that the sensors have been disrupted for some reason (or simply want to double-check for safety purposes).

Who in New Jersey Can Perform an ADAS Calibration?

Looking for an “auto body shop near me” in New Jersey with knowledge about ADAS and ADAS re-calibration? Elmer’s Auto Body has a long history in auto repairs, and we have seen ADAS technology evolve throughout the years. Furthermore, we know that ADAS calibration takes time, the proper equipment, and highly specialized knowledge to complete. Each of our technicians has been trained for OEM parts, and our shop has I-CAR certification. You can trust our mechanics to have the highest level of training and skill.

Learn more about our services by giving us a call. You can also fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation or to receive a quote. We are more than happy to answer whatever questions you have.

What To Do If The Other Party’s Insurance Company Denies Your Claim

Most people would consider themselves extremely fortunate if they never have to make an auto insurance claim. Even though the process is usually cut and dry, there can be times when the process is frustrating. Not only do you have to deal with the stress of getting your vehicle appraised and repaired, but you could be working with someone else’s insurance company. Then, you get a notification that the other party’s insurance company has denied your claim. Now, things are worse than ever. What can you do when the other person’s insurance company has denied liability? Are there steps you can take to get your fair cut?

Keep reading to find out.

What is Subrogation and How Does it Affect Your Claim?

Subrogation is not a common word. When you are in a car accident, though, it suddenly becomes much more common. Subrogation will play a role in how much money you get and how the entire claim process plays out.

In other words, subrogation is a way to determine who is at fault in a car accident. If it seems that more than one driver is responsible for the collision, subrogation will assign a percentage of responsibility to every party involved. Then, it helps divide up the amount of money every person gets as a payout.

Usually, you will not be involved in the process, because the insurance companies will do it in the background. After an accident occurs, the provider of your auto insurance will do their part in paying for whatever repairs you need. Sometimes, your insurance company will also work with the other party’s insurance company to get you more money.

If the fault is shared, then your insurance company will, for example, say there is a 50/50 split between providers. For example, if you have damages of $3000, the insurance company will give you whatever amount is needed, minus your deductible. So, let’s say $2000. Then, a subrogation claim is sent to the other party’s insurance company, who will hopefully pay for 50% of that $3000. You then get half of your deductible back.

But things can get quickly complicated, especially when the other party’s insurance company denies your claim.

Reasons Why an Insurer Could Deny Your Claim

The main motivator behind an insurance company denying claims is money. After all, insurance companies are a business, and like all businesses, they care about profit. Auto insurance companies aim to reduce their payouts; if they can deny their own insured, they can certainly deny you if it means saving them any extra cost. However, there are more reasons than that to getting denied.

Here are some other factors:

Lapsed policies. This has nothing to do with you. It means that the other driver could have lapsed on their policy, leaving them uninsured at the time of their accident. This complicates matters, especially subrogation.
You didn’t report fast enough. Depending on your state, you will have 2-6 years to file a claim. For NJ residents, you only have 2 years. Afterwards, you will be unable to get money from the other party’s insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance provider as soon as you can after the accident to ensure the subrogation process can begin without any hindrances.
Pre-existing damages. If the insurance company has reason to believe that issues with the vehicle were present before the accident, they could deny the claim.

The other party was not at fault. In the event the police report does not detail who caused the collision, then it must be proven. If there is no evidence to say that the other party was partially or completely at fault, then their insurance company does not have to do anything for you.

Steps to Take After The Other Party’s Insurance Denies a Claim

So, you have a letter stating that your claim was denied. This isn’t over—especially if you are undoubtedly entitled to compensation. Be sure to employ an attorney for this. They will have the experience and knowledge to get you the money you deserve.

Write a Demand Letter

Your attorney will compose a demand letter that is akin to a formal claim that will detail everything that happened, the amount of damages to your vehicle and bodily injuries, and why the other driver is either partially or completely at fault. From there, the insurance company will respond with further reasons why you were denied. It may even offer some payment demanded but not all of it.

Proceed With a Formal Appeal

The other party’s insurance company should have a formal appeal process. In New Jersey, formal appeals are required in order to proceed lawfully.

You May Need a Lawsuit

Usually, the cost of a lawsuit will outweigh the cost of the damages, so you need to think about this carefully. If you suspect that the insurance company is committing an improper claims practice, it may be a good idea. However, you should discuss this with your attorney, as they will have a more educated opinion.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the reasons why the other party’s insurance company denied your claim, having legal representation and guidance is the first step. In the meantime, proceed as you would with your own insurance company and have your car repaired. As long as some part of life returns to normal, things will seem a lot less hectic.

Elmer’s Auto Body is happy to work with our customers and their insurance companies. We provide high-quality repairs and act as a one-stop-shop for all other vehicle services in South Jersey. If you need help with filing your auto insurance claim, our customer service team may be able to help. Give us a call or fill out the contact form for more information.