Category: Accident

You’ve been in an accident, and you’re looking for a reputable body shop. You want to understand the repair process before you take your car in for a damage estimate. Here’s a step-by-step guide that follows. It will help you know what to expect with car accident repairs.

 

Consider Safety First

Whenever you’re involved in an accident, the first thing you want to do, particularly if you have no injuries, is to move away from the accident scene and contact the police. In most states, you’re required to contact them even for a minor accident or a more serious collision.

If a police officer responds to the accident, there will be an accident report. You may need to get his report to your insurance company. When a police officer cannot be on the scene, make sure you get to the nearest police station and file a report.

 

Documentation is Crucial

One of the most important things to do is document everything and that includes taking pictures. You should also note:

• Any other vehicles involved in the accident
• The road conditions at the time of the accident
• The lighting on the road
• Any injuries that have occurred
• Other driver involvement
• to exchange your insurance information

 

Admitting Fault

You don’t want to admit you are at fault in an accident. If you are to blame for the accident, be truthful, but only offer facts with no opinion. It’s the insurance company’s duty to figure out who was at fault.

 

Medical Assistance

With no medical issues or injuries in an accident, seeking medical help may not be necessary. Right after an accident, certain injuries are hard to detect, but if there are detectable injuries, immediate medical care should follow. Though you may feel fine, you want to take precautionary measures and make an appointment to see a health care professional.

 

Insurance Company Contact

Contacting your insurance company at the scene of an accident is important. You’ll want to start your claim and also find out what the next steps are. Your insurance company should keep you apprised of what is happening with your claim.

 

Auto Body Repair Shop

Most insurance companies will probably give you a listing of preferred auto body shops in your area, but you don’t have to go by their suggestions. If the search goes well for you, you’re probably thinking, I need to find an auto body shop near me, as I don’t want to go miles out of my way. Plus, you’ll want to choose a shop that you feel comfortable working with.

Make sure your auto body shop offers the following services before you choose a shop:

• Timely and free estimates
• Certified technicians
• Warranties (Lifetime limited) on repairs
• Complete quality control
• Follow precise steps in the repair process

 

Estimate

With an estimate, a good body shop will look at the overall damage to your vehicle and give you an initial quote. You should be able to get an idea of the level of damage and costs for repairs.

 

Insurance

The estimate the body shop gives you will go to your insurance company. You may have some communication with your provider, but mostly, your involvement should be minimal. The body shop you choose should arrange all repair work for your vehicle from the estimate to the last bill.

 

Vehicle Drop-off

Once you receive an allowed estimate, you can bring your car/truck in for repairs.

 

Dismantling

Body shop technicians will take your vehicle apart and create an outline of repairs.

 

Parts

Once there’s an outline of repairs, replacement parts are ordered. Top-of-the-line parts at the best prices will be coordinated with the insurance company.

 

Repairs

Repairs will be made both structurally and mechanically.

 

Painting

A vehicle returns to its factory finish with a new coat of paint.

 

Reassembly

Once all the perspective pieces are painted, the vehicle is ready for assembling.

 

Detail the Vehicle

With this step, vacuuming, cleaning, and adding final touches are completed.

 

Inspection and Delivery

Your body shop’s quality assurance section does a vehicle inspection and determines that your vehicle is ready for pickup.

 

Insurance Claims and Coverage Tips

You want to know what your insurance carrier covers and how the claims process works. With policies being different, there are factors you should know about.

Find out whether you are in a Fault vs. No-Fault State. All states follow one of these systems. With a Fault State, you can seek reimbursement from any driver at fault in the accident through your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance. Thirty-eight (38) states that including Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont follow this system.

If you’re in a No-Fault state, compensation is only through your insurance carrier. It doesn’t matter who was at fault in the accident. There are 12 states that are no-fault and they include Massachusetts and New York. Each state observes its own variation of rules with No-Fault issues.

 

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

If you carry collision coverage on your vehicle, it will pay for repairs to your vehicle when it incurs damage from a collision with another vehicle or object, like a fence. Collision coverage also includes damage from potholes, accidents with other vehicles, and accidents that involve objects, such as trees or fences.2. With comprehensive coverage, any damage to your vehicle caused by theft, vandalism, or hail that is not related to collision is covered. It will cover any damage that includes falling objects, animals, fire, and natural disasters.3. When you are leasing or financing a vehicle, both collision and comprehensive insurance coverage are usually required. These two coverages will not pay for damage to another person’s vehicle or any medical issues of your own or for anyone else. You will need liability insurance to pay for any damage to another driver’s property or medically related injuries when you’re at fault in an accident.

 

Replacement Parts

Your insurance policy determines whether you can use aftermarket parts or OEM parts for vehicle repair. With aftermarket parts being made by various manufacturers, they aren’t the preferred option. If you are leasing a vehicle, you want a policy that includes OEM parts.

 

Added Repairs

When an auto body company finds additional damage to your vehicle, it requires them to get in touch with your insurance company for approval to make additional repairs.

 

Repair FAQs

Q: Will I need an appointment for an estimate?

A: Most of the time, you won’t need an appointment, but that will depend on the auto body repair shop and its hours of operation.

Q: Will I need more than one estimate?

A: Getting more than one estimate will depend on your insurance company. When you find a repair shop you want to use, but your insurance company is asking for more than one estimate, the repair shop should contact your insurance company to arrange for the repairs.

Q: What happens when repair costs go beyond the worth of my vehicle?

A: When any repairs total more than the cash value of your vehicle, your insurer will decide whether to pay the repair bill or pay you the value (what you originally paid for the vehicle minus depreciation) of your vehicle. Most standard automobile policies won’t pay for repairs to a vehicle that’s totaled.

Q: What if it was my fault for the damage to my vehicle?

A: When you are at fault in an accident, and you live in a fault state, your insurance carrier pays for damage to the other driver’s vehicle, plus any medical bills or pain, suffering, and wages lost from a job.

When you live in a no-fault state, the other person involved in the accident will submit a claim to their insurance company. Your insurer will be contacted for reimbursement. You will probably see an increase in your premiums at the time of policy renewal.

Q: What if there is a disagreement between the car repair shop and the insurance company concerning repair costs?

A: The possibility is there of rejection of a body shop’s estimate by your insurance company or that the auto body shop rejects an insurance company’s estimate. When this happens, the auto body repair shop should coordinate a solution with the insurance company.

Q: What should I do about not having a car while mine is being repaired?

A: The auto body shop should be able to arrange for a rental vehicle while you are waiting for repairs. Check your insurance policy for details. A rental vehicle is not always covered. When coverage is available, limits will apply to the length of rental time and the cost per day.

Q: My car was under a lease contract, and I was in an accident. What will happen?

A: When a vehicle is not your property, the repair process is under stricter guidelines. Only new OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) replacement parts can be used. If a vehicle is determined to be a total loss by the insurance company, the vehicle will be paid for with a check to the leasing company for the value of the vehicle.

You may have further questions concerning the complete repair process. Should that be the case, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. We can answer your questions and make quick and expert repairs to your vehicle as well.

Rear-end collisions happen a lot. In fact, the US roadways see about 1.7 million rear-end collisions every year. Though most rear-end collisions are minor fender benders, these collisions can be greatly severe. However, you can’t always see the extent of a rear-end collision after it happens. Sometimes, even the smallest tap or ding on the fender can cause a ripple of hidden damages that put your safety at risk.

 

And no, we’re not exaggerating. Millions of vehicles are on the road daily, and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. You’re going to want any damages repaired by a skilled auto technician so that rear-end collision damage doesn’t adversely affect you.

 

What Causes Rear-end Collisions?

The National Transportation Safety Board reported that 87% of rear-end collisions are caused by distracted drivers. When a driver doesn’t notice that a vehicle has stopped in front of them, they don’t have enough time to stop before the collision happens. Depending on the speed they were going, the impact could be catastrophic.

 

Rear-end collisions also occur from different factors, such as:

• Reckless driving
• Heavy traffic
• Speeding
• Mechanical problems
• Driver fatigue and highway hypnosis
• Intoxicated driving

 

The majority of rear-end collisions are straight on, but there are instances where vehicles are hit at an angle. The direction and speed at which your car is hit will influence how badly both vehicles are damaged.

 

Hidden Damages From Being Rear-Ended

There’s one thing about read-end collision damage that you should always look out for after it happens: hidden issues. Always suspect that there is an issue you don’t know about yet. Rear-end collision damage is difficult to spot when you don’t know what to look for, and it might even appear that your vehicle is fine, minus a scratch or some missing paint.

 

Chances are that there’s an issue that will spring up later on. For example, your bumper might look fine, but there could be a crack that affects the shock absorption of a future incident. Don’t let your safety be at risk; get your vehicle inspected for rear-end collision damage.

 

With that in mind, let’s discuss some of the common things to look out for following a rear-end collision:

 

Alignment Issues From Rear-End Collision Damage

An issue that shows up again and again with rear-end collisions is with alignment. You might notice that your vehicle begins to pull one way or the other while you drive. Other indicators of alignment issues include:

• Noisy steering
• Vibrations throughout the vehicle
• Crooked steering wheel
• Uneven and rapid tire wear
• Squealing tires

 

It doesn’t take much. Even a slight misalignment can put undue stress on essential pieces of the vehicle, like the tires, suspension, and brakes. You don’t want these parts to wear out quickly, because they’re both expensive and required for safety. If you’ve been in a rear-end collision recently, keep an eye out for these things.

 

Engine Damages

Engines have always been more delicate than they appear, but modern engines are even more complex. While you might assume the damage from a rear-end collision is isolated to the tail-end of your vehicle, that’s not always the case. Don’t be surprised if the check engine light switches on after you’ve been hit on the rear.

 

Rear-ended impacts can also affect the drivetrain. The force of an impact can move through the exhaust system, pushing it forward and into the catalytic converter, muffler, exhaust manifold, and even the engine mounts.

 

Bring your vehicle to a certified collision repair shop as soon as you can. You don’t want engine and transmission problems getting worse.

 

Rear-End Collision Trunk Damage

While trunk damage isn’t going to affect the driving of your vehicle, you shouldn’t overlook it. Trunk issues may cause safety hazards, and any problems could reduce the value of the vehicle dramatically.

 

The trunk should open and close easily and securely lock. What you don’t want is the trunk lock to be damaged. This could cause the trunk to pop open, blocking your rear-view mirror and startling anyone behind you. That could cause another rear-end accident. So while leaving any trunk damage unfixed might seem okay, you should get the problem repaired.

 

Suspension Problems

You need suspension for control and stability on the road. Suspension is designed to keep the fricative forces between the road and the tires balanced, so you can better handle the vehicle in all kinds of conditions.

 

When you experience a rear-end collision, frame damage could affect the suspension. Poor alignment will stress the suspension components; you might notice that the shocks and struts are wearing out much faster than usual.

 

You’ll notice that the suspension has been affected because of a rough, bouncy ride. It might even feel like you’re no longer in control of your vehicle. Left in this state, your car will become a safety hazard to not only you but everyone else on the road.

 

Electrical Problems From Rear-End Collisions

Cars today cannot function with technology. There are sensors and wires that can be loosened easily during a rear-end collision. Have a technician examine the electrical components in your car, especially if someone tells you that your taillights and brake lights are working properly.

 

Get Your Car Checked Out After a Rear-End Collision

When you have been involved in a rear-end collision, there’s going to be a lot on your mind. But one thing you need to prioritize is looking out for damages. Don’t take a chance and jeopardize your vehicle or your safety. Bring your car to a dependable auto body repair shop like Elmer’s Auto Body.

Our technicians will inspect your vehicle from the inside out to make sure that all issues are dealt with quickly. We’ll get you back on the road again soon. Call to schedule an appointment today or to chat with our friendly team.

Auto body repair shops are everywhere, and most of them look the same on the outside. But when you start comparing one body shop to the next, you might find that some of them are certified while others aren’t. What makes auto body repair certified? And does it even matter if you take your car to a certified body shop?

 

Certification has always been important, and as auto technology continues to advance, knowing about those credentials will help you choose the best body shop in your area.

 

The Meaning of Certified

When you look into what makes auto body repair certified, the answer is simple. A certified collision repair shop has technicians who were certified by automotive manufacturers to perform certain repairs. An auto body shop with trained and certified technicians is going to be the right choice when you need repairs done to your vehicle. Certifications show that the body shop prioritizes quality instead of speed when it comes to repairs.

 

Additionally, “certified” shows that the shops will have invested in procuring the proper tools from manufacturers to make the required repairs. This comes at an expense to the auto body shop, but it proves to you that they are reputable.

 

Why Auto Body Repair Certification Matters

But why does any of this matter? Certification proves that an auto body shop has higher quality training and equipment, so they can make higher quality repairs. Car repair is not as straightforward as it was in the past. Technicians now have to focus on the technology within the vehicle, not just the machinery. Since technology and auto body parts function simultaneously and are dependent on one another, technicians need to follow set specifications from the manufacturer in order to do the repairs correctly and maintain the warranty (if there is one) on the vehicle.

 

When auto body repair is certified, it’s also good for the value of your vehicle, because the body shop will use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Although OEM parts are slightly more costly than aftermarket parts, they are designed to fit perfectly in your vehicle’s make and model. Plus, you get a warranty should something happen to those replacement parts.

 

Manufacturer Certifications All Differ

At Elmer’s Auto Body, you will notice that we have a number of industry-leading certifications, including I-CAR Gold-Glass, ProFirst, and Assured Performance Certified Care Center. We are also certified by manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Hyundai to repair their vehicles. All brands have different standards, meaning that each certification has a unique set of requisites.

 

Some brands even add extra steps for their collision repair certified facilities. For example, GM stipulates that certified auto body repair shops scan the vehicles before and after the repairs. GM also has technicians perform repairs that they were specifically trained and certified to do.

 

Many manufacturers conduct audits on their certified collision repair centers to make sure that the facilities are maintained and that rules are being followed. This ensures that the technicians are worthy of the certification—and that every repair is done correctly.

 

So when you see that an auto body repair shop is certified, you know they have undergone training, use OEM parts, and follow strict rules in order to keep their status.

 

What Are The Best Auto Body Repair Certifications?

Aside from having certifications from manufacturers that prove an auto body shop has the correct equipment for repairs, they should also have additional credentials. An example of this would be the I-CAR Gold Class certification. The highest honor from I-CAR is Gold Class, which means that the auto body repair shop utilizes state-of-the-art technologies and employs only the most professional and trained staff.

 

To visit an I-CAR Gold Class auto body shop is to have an outstanding experience. They will also have employees who specialize in specific areas, such as painting, dent repair, framework, and more. Keeping that I-CAR certification is also an ongoing process. There are several programs that are offered for employees to take annually, such as Hands-On Skills Development, Vehicle, and Technology Specific Training, and Welding Training and Certification.

 

An auto body repair shop certified with I-CAR is going to be superior to one that isn’t. Look for I-CAR Gold Class facilities whenever you need repairs.

 

Looking For Certified Auto Body Repair?

So what makes auto body repair certified? The training and the equipment that goes into getting the certification. Auto body shops regularly send their employees to training and will purchase specialized equipment to provide better service to customers like you. That’s why you should choose collision repair shops like Elmer’s Auto Body, which has 8 certifications and is a certified collision repair facility for several manufacturers.

 

Contact our team today to learn about our high-quality services or schedule your appointment.

When you have experienced an accident, you want things to return to normal as quickly as possible. This includes the exterior of your car. Ideally, you want your car to look exactly as it did before the damages from the crash, whether because of the trade-in value or sentimentality. A major portion of the repairs is going to belong to paint repairs.

 

Post-accident repair requires the technician to match the color of your vehicle and repaint the damaged portions without needing to repaint everything. In other words, the colors must be matched perfectly, or you’ll be driving away with a patchwork car. While this might not bother some people, others are going to want nothing less than seamless repair. For that, auto body shops use a machine called a spectrophotometer to get the perfect color match.

 

Common Challenges in Auto Paint Matching

When a damaged vehicle arrives at the auto body repair shop, one of the first things the technician does is look at the paint. Cars usually have base colors that are listed on the spec sheet, and you can often find the color code somewhere within the vehicle, like on the inside of the driver side door. However, the paint is going to fade a little, based on aging and the environment.

 

This means that relying on the base color might not yield a perfect color match. When that happens, the auto body repair shop has to do one of the following:

 

• Deal with the mismatched color. If the paint is going to be somewhere that is unnoticeable, the client might be willing to accept the slight mismatch. This is the least desirable option, however, because it makes the repairs obvious.
• Create a custom color. While challenging, this is an aesthetically pleasing option. It’s also time-consuming, moderately expensive, and may require trial and error before the color is correct. This is made more difficult when performed with a visual color matching assessment.
• Repaint the entire vehicle. If the mismatch is going to be very noticeable, the body shop might decide to repaint the whole vehicle. However, this is problematic. The customer or—more likely—the insurance company is not going to want to pay the cost.

 

You may have already guessed that only one of these three options is truly acceptable—the custom color. Now, while it’s the best alternative, it also introduces a high risk of error. Even a small variation in the new paint will be noticeable and, worse, unsatisfactory. Auto body repair shops are committed to delivering the best experience, so rather than guessing what goes into a customized color, they use a modern spectrophotometer to color match correctly.

 

What is a Spectrophotometer?

A spectrophotometer is a device that was created to measure electromagnetic energy at a specific wavelength of light. The device then uses that energy and light to determine the colors present.

 

In other words, a spectrophotometer measures how much a substance or color reflects or absorbs light. While people might think of car paint as either blue or white or glossy or matte, the spectrophotometer breaks down those characteristics even further.

 

How Do Spectrophotometers Work?

The basic function of a spectrophotometer is to quantify the absorption of photons. The more photons present, the more intense the light. There are two parts of the spectrophotometer—the spectrometer and the photometer—that perform individual tasks:

 

• Spectrometer: Uses a lens to split a prism into individual wavelengths. A typical spectrophotometer can measure 31 wavelengths within a 300nm-wide range. More expensive versions can read over 150 bands of light within an 800nm-wide range.
• Photometer: A device that counts the number of photons absorbed before sending the calculation to a digital display. The intensity of each group is measured on a scale of 0-100.

 

Combined, the spectrophotometer generates data about the colors and wavelengths involved. You can then take that data and determine which color of paint was used on a vehicle.

 

How Spectrophotometers Help With Auto Paint Color Matching

Now that you know about how spectrophotometers work, you can see how these devices can assist with limiting the trial and error with color matching. Auto repair shops have portable spectrophotometers that work much more quickly and accurately than visual color matching. Even if the car has customized or vintage paint, the spectrophotometric color measurement works quickly and efficiently.

 

The process for using a spectrophotometer involves:

 

• Cleaning the panel that needs to be color-matched. Dust and dirt have to be removed completely. Otherwise, it will throw off the spectrophotometric color measurement.
• Taking several readings with the spectrophotometer. The technician will take multiple readings to get a precise result on the auto paint color.
• Testing sample colors based on the results. After finding the exact shade of the paint, the technician will mix up a few samples of paint and test that color against the vehicle to ensure the correct match.

 

As you can see, a portable spectrophotometer streamlines the color matching process while increasing accuracy. This is a useful tool, and if you need your vehicle repainted, ask the auto body shop if they have one of these devices on hand.

 

Wrapping Up

Spectrophotometers are an innovative way to mix auto paint colors even when that color is no longer commercially available. This means that even antique motor vehicles can be repaired without having a damaged exterior. Essentially, a spectrophotometer allows an auto body repair shop to return a vehicle to as close to its pre-accident condition as possible.

 

When you’re involved in an accident, one of the first things you want to do is get an estimate for repairs or any other damage to your vehicle. With my way of thinking about getting an estimate, I want to find an auto body shop near me that provides a fair and reputable quote.

If you’re affected by an accident, it can be a frightening and trying experience, plus if you’re dealing with any kind of injury or injuries, you’re not initially worried about getting your car immediately fixed. You know the whole situation means getting involved with insurance companies and the hassle of it all, but you need to take care of your transportation. Go ahead, if possible, and take your car in for an estimate. Patiently wait for the estimate and schedule an appointment for repairs.

 

Worthwhile Estimate

When you’ve been involved in an accident, you’ll want to find several body shops in the area where you live. One thing is certain, make sure that any shop you choose is well-established, qualified, thorough, and also conscientious enough to pinpoint all the damage to your vehicle, plus give you a fair estimate. With an estimate, you want quality work, a good price, and the timing necessary to accommodate your situation.

In addition, you want to make sure before getting an estimate that you have done your research as far as the reputations of body shops in the area. You’ll also want to read any reviews from other car owners. Do make sure that you get a breakdown of every repair that they will make along with the costs for labor and any parts.

Be sure that the estimate they gave you is the right amount to repair your vehicle correctly. Do comparisons of any estimates you receive on a line-by-line basis. This will enable you to make the best and informed choice, though quality work is your primary goal. Search for shops that offer factory allowed repairs, particularly if the vehicle you are driving is used for business use. Also, remember that the lowest quote or easiest estimate is not always the best. Ensure yourself with the right estimate, one that entails all expenses and real workmanship.

 

Low Estimates

Be careful of insurance adjusters that are acting as a third-party representative. They’ll tell you there are other body shops that can repair your vehicle for a lot less than the other estimates you may have gotten. Some insurance companies will engage in special deals with repair shops that offer low-end work for them. The shops will get more referrals for their less than quality work. None of these cheaper perks offer any guarantees that your inspection is thorough, and the work is of quality.

You also want to get inspections from independent body shops. With independent body repair companies, you can make comparisons with insurance recommended shops. If the independent estimates are higher than the insurance company’s estimate, the insurance company estimate is probably a poor choice. You would prefer that repair work be done by a shop chosen by you. Estimates from independent body shops can help you negotiate your claim.

 

Insurance Company Delays

An insurance company’s estimates or inspections often help to delay repair work on your vehicle. When your vehicle cannot be inspected in a timely manner, at least within a week of the accident and time has already been set aside for an inspection, plus you have gotten written independent estimates, there are always going to be reasons for delays.

There is almost always going to be a passage of time with insurance companies, which can’t be helped. They are busy handling other cases, so you need to take that into consideration. Be aware of these delays, but remain in contact with your insurance company. Call them with questions in the process and ask them about delays. It’s a standard procedure that an insurance company will inspect your vehicle within a week following the accident. Get written estimates and do what you can to move the process along. Give any pertinent information and answer questions that are put to you by the insurance company.

Don’t enable an insurance company’s estimates or inspections to delay your repair work. When you have heard nothing and you have gotten several estimates you should probably have the repair work done and ask for reimbursement once the work is complete. Again, be conscious of higher estimates, as an insurance company will probably approve the lower estimates and will not settle quickly when the work is complete. Also, most of the time, an insurance company doesn’t have to pay for a rental car or other kinds of transportation.

Just remember that your goal is to receive reimbursement from the insurance company as soon as possible. You want the repair work done quickly so you can return to a normal life. So, it’s usually best to wait, if you can, for the reimbursement check before you have any work done on your vehicle. Ask if they will pay for alternative transportation, like a rental car, while they make your repairs.

 

It’s Not Always About The Cost

You don’t want to determine your decision purely on price. Estimates vary, but you can’t just assume that a body shop is charging you more than necessary. The same holds true for a low estimate, which could be a tipoff to be wary of. In the end, you get what you pay for along with dissatisfaction with the repair work. Remember the line-by-line comparison with any estimates. Quality should always be foremost in your mind, along with the shop’s reputation.

If you’re still not sure of the estimate process and what you have to go through, yet still want a quality shop to do the repair work, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. You’ll be happy you did, as Elmer’s is not only dependable, but they’ll work with your insurance company and do the work quickly, efficiently and return your vehicle in pristine condition.