Category: Collision Repair

When you have suffered a vehicle accident, you are likely to be stressed already. And so, if you then get the news that your car has been totaled, it is likely to make things even worse. While this isn’t true for everyone, many people develop attachments to their particular vehicle. This is especially true for the mechanically inclined, as they may have spent many hours working on said vehicle. Either way, you don’t always have to get rid of a cherished vehicle once it has been totaled.

 

What Does It Mean When A Car Is “Totaled?”

Most people seem to think that a “totaled” car is one that can not be used or repaired. People often use this phrase when a car is deemed to be damaged beyond repair. However, when we’re talking about legal terms, it isn’t necessarily that simple. When your insurance company is deciding which repairs to cover and which repairs they won’t cover, your emotional attachment to the car won’t be a factor.

Instead, insurance companies make these decisions based on a simple equation. They take the estimated market value of the vehicle and compare it to the estimated cost of repairs. If the cost of the repairs is higher than the cost of replacing the car, the car is deemed to be totaled. It isn’t that the vehicle cannot be fixed: It’s just that the repairs have been deemed to be more trouble than the vehicle is worth. The bad news is that an insurance company will not pay to repair such a car. The good news is that you can still try to repair the vehicle yourself.

 

How Much Damage Does It Take?

Every state has a particular threshold for this sort of thing. For instance, in Texas, your car is legally considered to be “totaled” if the repairs equal or exceed 100% of the vehicle’s value. In most states, however, the threshold is more like 70-80%.

So, let’s consider a vehicle that is deemed to be worth $5,000. Let’s say you live in a state with a 75% threshold. If your vehicle is damaged, and the repairs are estimated to be $3,750 or more, your car would be totaled. However, let’s say you have a car that is only worth $2,000. In that case, it would only take $1,500 worth of damage to total the car. Some states, like New Jersey, use a “total loss formula” to calculate the matter on an individual basis.

 

Will My Insurance Pay For A Totaled Car?

You might be thinking that you have to junk your car before your insurance company will pay. However, this is not the case. Rather than covering the costs of a new car, they will simply pay you the value of the vehicle, minus whatever the vehicle would be expected to bring at a scrapyard. They will also deduct any money that you might happen to owe them for deductibles, etc. So yes, they will pay you for a “totaled” car, but don’t expect to get a whole lot.

 

Can You Drive A Totaled Car?

If your car has been designated as “totaled,” it probably isn’t in any condition to be driven. However, even if the car can still be driven, you cannot legally do so. First of all, you can’t get insurance and tags on a totaled vehicle, so that’s one big problem. Not only that, but it would also be highly unsafe to drive a vehicle in such poor condition. It could easily pose a hazard to you and to other drivers.

However, you can potentially drive the car again once repairs have been made. Whether you do them yourself or hire someone to do the repairs, you will be able to drive the vehicle when the repairs are complete. When you get insurance and registration for your repaired vehicle, there will certainly be an inspection involved at some point. You should definitely be honest with your insurance company and tell them that they are dealing with a refurbished vehicle. Chances are, they will be able to tell anyway.

 

Is It Worth Selling A Totaled Vehicle?

You might be thinking that you can sell your totaled vehicle after repairs have been made. If you are mechanically inclined enough to fix its problems, this might seem like a good way to make a quick buck. However, it’s not a good idea. When a car is totaled, there will be a record of that status. Even after it has been repaired, it will never have the same value because it is technically considered to be a salvaged vehicle. Thus, even if you do find a buyer, you probably won’t get enough money to make the whole thing worthwhile. When a car is labeled as a “salvage,” it loses about 20-40% of its value.

 

Conclusion

Although some people might consider it to be unwise, you may have good reason to keep your totaled vehicle. Maybe the car has sentimental value or maybe you just want a weekend project. No matter what your purpose might be, you might very well need some help in getting that vehicle back on the road. If so, you might be asking: “Where can I find the best auto body shop near me?” The answer to that question is Elmer’s Auto Body, and we can be reached at (856) 218-0202.

Unfortunately, accidents can happen. Even the safest drivers can experience a minor fender bender. However, accidents do not have to occur on the road. A runaway shopping cart or a slight bump in your garage can be responsible for bumper damage. While you may think it is only a tiny issue, minor bumper damage must be inspected and repaired. Repairing these problem areas might not be a big priority on your list, but there are plenty of reasons to fix any scratches and dents as soon as possible.

 

What Is Minor Bumper Damage?

When you look at your vehicle’s bumper, you might notice a few cracks, scratches, or dents. Those types of issues are considered minor damage. Most minor damage may look like a cosmetic issue, but underlying problems could be lurking beneath the surface. You should never ignore this type of damage. You need to get it fixed to avoid other issues. Here are a few reasons why you need to repair minor bumper damage.

 

Hidden Damage

As previously mentioned, minor bumper damage can hide more significant issues, such as alignment problems, a cracked frame, or other serious damage. In many cases, the driver might only know there is a problem if they have their car inspected by a reputable repair shop.

 

Drivability Issues

While small dents and bumps can look unsightly, they can also affect how the vehicle drives on the road. For example, a tiny dent can even impact how your headlights shine on the street, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions. Many modern vehicles also have complex safety sensors and advanced driver assistance systems. Damage to the bumper can affect how these systems recognize hazards or other cars on the road.

 

Corrosion and Rust

Minor scratches and dents can lead to corrosion and rust if you do not address them quickly. You might not think about it, but these problems can lead to long-term damage. Along with that, it can decrease the resale value of the vehicle. Once you allow rust and corrosion to settle in, those problems will spread and affect the vehicle’s frame, compromising the structural integrity.

 

Impact Absorption

Your bumper is there to protect you from any impact. Modern vehicles have a two-part design. The bumper absorber is located between the metal exterior and the bumper cover. It works to absorb and redirect force from the engine compartment, side panels, and trunk area. The bumper bar is another part of the vehicle’s safety system. It is made of metal and provides additional strength to the bumper region. All of these parts can be damaged by a minor fender bender.

Once compromised, you have limited safety features protecting you from another crash. Bumpers are designed to absorb those minor impacts and bumps to protect the rest of the vehicle. A crack or dent on the bumper will decrease the component’s ability to absorb shock, allowing the impact force to direct to other parts of the vehicle. If you are involved in another accident, your vehicle might experience more extensive damage. Plus, a cracked or dented bumper could mask some serious problems, like damage to the transmission or frame.

Devalues the Vehicle

While a minor ding might seem like a small problem, it can actually affect your resale value. Minor bumper damage might not affect the vehicle’s driving experience, but car buyers want to avoid buying a vehicle with damage to this area. If you trade the car to a dealership, you will often receive a less-than-expected price for the vehicle.

 

Insurance Claims

While minor bumper damage might not seem like a big deal, it could affect how your insurance company pays for future repairs. If you have bumper damage and don’t get it fixed, any other claims could be denied, especially if they find out that the bumper could have prevented additional damage. Sometimes, an insurance company could say that the damaged bumper led to “unnecessary repairs.” When the insurance company denies your claims, it will mean that you will have to pay out of pocket for any additional repairs.

 

Get Your Vehicle Inspected and Repaired

If you have a minor fender bender and see minimal damage to the surface, you might feel a bit of relief. However, any dents and dings are often responsible for internal damage that is not visible without a full inspection. You will want to schedule an appointment with a reliable auto body shop. Many people think that if the car can be driven, there are no issues with the vehicle. That is never the case. It is important to get the vehicle inspected and repaired. Finding a trusted auto body shop can help remove some of the hassles of the repair process.

 

Reach Out To Elmer’s Auto Body

When you notice any damage to your bumper, you need to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we will do everything to get your vehicle back on the road. Our technicians have the skills and knowledge to repair those minor damages to your car. We will get your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition, making repairs according to the manufacturer’s specifications and using OEM parts. When you schedule an inspection or repair, your vehicle is in the capable hands of our technicians. Our team will be happy to get your car, truck, or SUV back on the road. Schedule an appointment by calling (856) 218-0202.

For those who are not overly familiar with automobiles and their various parts, the term “OEM” might be a little bit confusing. People often throw this term around without explaining its meaning, especially on repair invoices and estimates. And so, in order to alleviate that confusion, let’s go ahead and tell you everything you need to know about OEM parts.

 

What Does “OEM” Mean?

This is an acronym that stands for “Original Engine Manufacturing.” This basically just means that they are “original” parts. When you go with an OEM part, you know that it has been built for your vehicle by the same company that built your vehicle. In some cases, the making of OEM parts may be outsourced, but those parts have to meet the same standards as those produced by the auto manufacturer.

This label is mainly put upon auto parts to distinguish them from aftermarket parts, which are not going to be identical to the vehicle’s original parts. Unless you are using aftermarket parts for a specific reason, it is always recommended that you stick with the original parts.

 

Why People Choose OEM Parts

OEM parts are favored because they offer the best possible reliability factor. Any machine will function better when it has the correct parts and when everything stays in accordance with the original design. This doesn’t just apply to vehicles, but it is particularly important with regard to vehicles. If you are like most people, you trust your life to a vehicle every day, and so you need a very high degree of reliability.

Yes, you can often save money by going with cheap aftermarket parts. However, think about all of the ways in which that could impact your car’s performance and safety. For instance, let’s say you replace your rear quarter panels and/or your rear bumper with the cheapest thing you can find on the internet. These parts will likely be made from substandard materials and with shoddy workmanship. As such, they will not give you the same degree of protection in the event of an accident.

In the end, you are always taking a gamble when you buy an auto part. No matter how hard they might try, auto part manufacturers cannot prevent the occasional defect from happening. However, using an OEM part will do a lot to minimize that risk. When you go with one of these, your chances of getting a bad part are pretty low.

 

Do Most Repair Shops Use OEM Parts?

The answer to this question is not a simple one. If you go to a dealership for repairs, they will unquestionably use OEM parts for any repairs they do. However, smaller repair shops are more likely to use secondhand parts from dubious sources, which are probably not going to meet OEM specs. This brings us to an important point: OEM parts are not always necessarily good. They wear out just like any other kind of auto part, so make sure you find out whether or not your repair shop uses new OEM parts. Unfortunately, there are all too many shops that do not.

 

A Word About CAPA Certification

When you are going with an original part, the OEM standard is what you want. However, if you are using an aftermarket part, there is a different standard. You should always look for aftermarket parts that have been certified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

CAPA subjects aftermarket parts to a variety of rigorous tests in order to verify that they are equal to the standards of the original part. In some cases, aftermarket parts actually turn out to be better in terms of overall quality. Either way, an aftermarket part that hasn’t been verified by this organization should not be trusted.

 

A Word About Returns

Another little benefit to the use of OEM parts is the fact that they will probably be easier to return. If you should need to return an OEM part (either because it’s defective, the wrong part, etc.), you already know that there will be no problem. Any manufacturer that is OEM certified will be required to guarantee their work. And so, as long as you have a receipt, you should have no issues.

On the other hand, you never really know how the return process is going to go with an aftermarket manufacturer. They may not take returns at all, or they may only take them under certain conditions. Others may delay the process as long as possible. For these reasons, doing a return-and-refund deal on an aftermarket part can be difficult or even impossible.

 

Conclusion

OEM parts are the normal standard for several reasons, and it mostly comes down to the crucial issue of trust. You can trust that these parts have been made to the correct specifications and that they have been tested for quality. You can also trust that the manufacturer is properly qualified to make parts for your vehicle, and you can have a higher degree of confidence in their willingness to take returns. With a non-OEM part, you can’t guarantee any of those things. And so, if you now find yourself asking: “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?”, all you have to do is call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

In case you are not aware, your vehicle’s quarter panels can be found between your back tires and your trunk. Because they are located directly at the rear corners of your vehicle, they are fairly likely to take an impact. When a collision occurs, rear quarter panels are among the most common components to be damaged. Replacing these panels can sometimes be expensive, but it’s important to avoid used quarter panels. There are several reasons why we advise against the use of used quarter panels in collision repair.

 

Safety Is The Main Reason

As we said, your rear quarter panels are more likely to take damage in the event of a collision. As such, they represent an important part of your vehicle’s defenses. If one of these parts should fail under stress during a collision, there will be a greater likelihood of injury or death to anyone inside.

When you get a used quarter panel, it is very difficult to ascertain just how much damage it has sustained over its lifetime. Things like rust and stress cracking are not always obvious at first glance. Both rust and small stress-induced fractures can be hidden underneath the vehicle’s finish, making it very difficult to gauge the overall condition of the part. In many cases, parts like this have been sitting around in a junkyard for years. It simply wouldn’t be wise to trust your safety or that of your passengers to a suspect part.

 

Proper Repair Procedures Are Also Important

In the vast majority of cases, rear quarter panels have to be welded in place. This is done by drilling a hole and filling it with a “plug weld.” In order to avoid voiding your warranty or causing problems with your insurance coverage, that hole must be sized to a specific standard. In most cases, it’s 8mm or 10mm but the exact size varies according to the model of your vehicle.

In order to remove such a plug weld, you are going to have to use a drill to bore out and remove the weld material. By the time you are done, the hole will probably be a lot larger than 8-10mm, which means you are outside the OEM guidelines. Thus, it is virtually impossible to install a used quarter panel without going outside the official repair guidelines, which can cause many issues with the warranty and with your insurance company.

 

Welding Can Weaken A Quarter Panel

As we said, the process of installing a quarter panel usually involves welding. If your panel is made out of hardened steel (which many of them are), the intense heat generated by the welding process can become a problem. When steel is heated to a particular temperature, it can become harder. This may seem like a good thing, but hard doesn’t always mean strong. Materials that are extremely hard (like glass, for instance) are actually easier to shatter. The best steels work by using a mixture of hard and soft metals.

In most cases, a quarter panel can withstand the heat generated by a welding job without damaging the steel. However, when such a part has been welded multiple times, that’s when you start running into trouble. Each welding job will weaken the steel to some degree. Worse, this kind of weakening will not necessarily be detected upon inspection. This is yet another good reason to avoid the use of used quarter panels. You can end up with a weakened part that won’t hold up in the event of a collision.

 

What About Non-Steel Quarter Panels?

Some quarter panels are made of fiberglass, plastic, or carbon fiber. Rather than being welded in place, these are usually attached with screws and a strong adhesive. Of course, this is a special adhesive that is meant to bond the material to the surrounding metal parts. Obviously, you don’t have any heat-weakening issues here. In fact, you don’t have any of the metallurgical issues that might arise with steel.

However, there is a different problem here. The adhesives that are used to affix these panels in place are extremely strong. They are meant to produce a permanent bond, and that makes it very hard to remove such a panel. In most cases, it is not possible to remove one of these panels without some degree of damage. Even if you can remove that part without breaking it, any bending or twisting of the panel will weaken the material and reduce its ability to protect you.

 

A Word About Flanges

A lot of quarter panels have bottom surfaces called flanges that wrap underneath the car to some extent. These areas are reinforced and stress-hardened so that they become the strongest parts of the panel. This is done in order to protect the area of the panel that is closest to the ground. However, they will tend to weaken over time as a result of stress and rusting, so this is another good reason why you shouldn’t trust a used quarter panel.

 

Conclusion

If you happen to find yourself in need of a quarter panel replacement, you have probably been wondering: Where can I find the best auto body shop near me? There is no need to worry because we have an answer for you. You can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202 and see why we have been South Jersey’s leading auto body shop for so many years.

When your vehicle has been involved in a collision, you will likely need the services of a good body shop. However, it is not possible for these shops to give a simple list of prices for their services. No two collisions are exactly alike in terms of damage, so every case requires an evaluation and an estimate. This isn’t always necessary for minor auto repairs, but it’s always necessary for body repairs.

 

Start By Talking To Your Insurance Company

If your vehicle has been in a collision, your insurance company will need to be notified. Even minor collisions should be reported unless there is absolutely no damage. Any collision that is bad enough to require repairs will be serious enough to warrant informing your insurance company. When you call them to make this report, talk to them about getting a repair estimate.

Insurance companies will generally have good working relationships with certain auto body shops because they have to work with these companies anyway. Thus, it makes sense to cultivate good communication with shops that have proven to be trustworthy. The insurance company will be able to set you up with a shop where you can take your car for an estimate. If the vehicle is immobile, they may send someone out to your home for an on-site assessment. Either way, dealing with your insurance company is the first step.

 

Choose A Shop

Even if your insurance company recommends a particular shop, the choice of where to send your vehicle is ultimately yours. If you have a particular mechanic that you really like and trust, you can choose to take it there. In other cases, your insurance company may give you a list of approved shops in your area from which to choose. Either way, you will have to make a decision as to where you want to take your vehicle for repairs. You should also be aware that all body shops will charge a fee for an estimate, as it requires time and effort to do a thorough evaluation.

 

Get The Estimate And Report Back

When you take your vehicle to the shop you have chosen, they will examine the damage and give you an estimate. This process might be very quick, or it might take several days. Your wait time will mostly depend on how busy the shop happens to be. Once you have that estimate, you need to report that information back to your insurance company. They will want to do a review of the information that has been provided and verify that they are willing to cover the repairs. This entire process can take several days, so be prepared for a little bit of waiting.

 

The Totaling Option

If the damage is judged to be beyond repair, or if the estimate is exceptionally high, you might be better off scrapping the car and receiving a payment from your insurance company. If your insurance company is willing to cover the cost of a new vehicle, that option should at least be considered. You should be aware that your deductible will apply to any payment that you are given. You should also be aware that this kind of situation can become complicated if your vehicle isn’t fully paid off.

 

How Much Of The Damage Will I Have To Pay?

To answer that question, you need to look at the deductible on your insurance policy. This is the amount that you will have to pay, and anything beyond that will be covered by your insurance company. Make sure that you remember this number when evaluating a repair estimate.

 

What Does An Estimate Include

Most estimates will consist of labor costs and the cost of any required parts. To be more specific, it will include whatever is necessary to return your car to its pre-collision state. This means replacing any damaged parts with new parts of comparable quality. Most insurance companies will guarantee their estimates to a certain extent. This means that if the job is not done correctly and fully, they will pay to repair anything that was missed.

 

Conclusion

You should also understand that there are two kinds of estimates. A preliminary estimate just involves a quick visual inspection, and those tend to be free. On the other hand, a full and complete inspection usually takes a bit longer, and it probably won’t be free. If you are looking for auto body shops in South Jersey to help you with your collision repair estimate, we just happen to be the best NJ body shop around. To find out more, you can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.