Category: Collision Repair

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.

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.

Why Elmer’s Auto Body Only Uses OEM Parts

In the past, getting a car repaired for cheap was as easy as taking it down the road to a third-party mechanic. Those mechanics did not have to worry about computerized systems in your vehicle or ADAS or OEM. But such times have come and gone. Presently, automakers are pumping out advanced technologies that can help you drive better than ever before. But that means the cost of repairing cars is more complicated than before. If you do not supply your vehicle with the right parts, it could severely damage its performance. That’s why you should only go to an auto body shop that uses OEM parts.

What is OEM?

Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, describes vehicle parts designed by the original manufacturer that is used for collision repairs and other services. OEM is not an entirely new concept, but they are becoming more and more essential as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) evolve. Since OEM parts are designed specifically for a certain make, they are of better quality than one-size-fits-all aftermarket parts.

OEM parts also guarantee quality. The manufacturers of OEM parts certify auto body shops and require them to follow stringent procedures to maintain that qualification. If you are looking for the best items to repair your vehicle, look at OEM parts.

What About Aftermarket Parts?

The alternative to OEM is aftermarket parts. Many repair shops will use aftermarket or salvage parts because the insurance company asks them to. Some aftermarket parts are considered modifications, but most of the time, “aftermarket” is just a fancy way to say “used.” The main reason auto body shops will give you aftermarket parts instead of new ones is to reduce the cost. As you may imagine, this could cause problems. Aftermarket parts may not be compatible, and that can mess with the ADAS. That is why OEM parts should be your first choice.

Advantages of OEM Parts

Purchasing OEM parts for your vehicle’s repairs come with a couple of benefits. The first is knowing that the auto body shop has been certified to provide such parts. This means that the technicians have spent plenty of hours earning those credentials. Once the auto body shop has the certification, they are backed by the manufacturer to provide superior quality service. Because of this, the manufacturer works closely with the mechanics, so any questions or concerns are dealt with quickly.

OEM parts also guarantee compatibility with the vehicle and upstanding quality. That is because OEM parts are designed by the very people who made your car to begin with; every piece of equipment is identical to the original factory parts. Most OEM parts have a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, so if the product arrives with defects or damages, the manufacturer will replace it.

If OEM Parts Are So Good, Why Are They So Expensive?

Even with the latest and greatest technology available, returning your car to pre-accident condition requires manpower. You need a trained technician who knows what they’re doing; how to diagnose problems, devise a plan, and execute those plans successfully are all important steps. The cost of installing OEM parts is increased because those technicians need tools and equipment for every single manufacturer they are certified in.

That means a full-service auto body shop like Elmer’s Auto Body invests thousands into their equipment to ensure you are getting the best service available. Of course, that is reflected in the cost of OEM parts and installation. Plus, ADAS sensors have to be re-calibrated, and the process is arduous. Never get your OEM installed by a third-party. This will void the warranty and put you at risk of unhanded practices.

Choose Elmer’s Auto Body For OEM Repairs

The best body shops are going to use OEM parts and have OEM certifications to back that up. Since the cost of obtaining OEM certifications is so high for the collision repair shop, you know that the quality of repairs and service you receive is going to be a cut above average. OEM certifications come with a lot of responsibility, too. Such auto body shops are committing themselves to regulations and supervision. Therefore, you should choose an auto body shop that shows such commitment, such as Elmer’s Auto Body.

We only use OEM parts for auto repair and never take any shortcuts. Every car receives the same uncompromising level of attention. That is why we have a community of happy customers who keep coming back. Fill out the contact form or give us a call to see what we can do for you.

What Are Your Legal Rights For Collision Repair in New Jersey?

Most vehicle owners do not know their rights. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we believe that such knowledge is power, and we want New Jersey drivers to know that they could be entitled to financial compensation for collision repair. These days, with New Jersey having some of the highest rates for auto insurance and vehicle prices, getting those costs covered is a tremendous blessing.

We understand if you are worried about repair shops raking you over the coals during such a distressing time. The truth is that, if you are seeking collision repair, you are protected by laws. If you are not aware of your rights, then auto body shops and insurance companies might try to pull a fast one on you.

Here is everything you need to know about your legal rights for New Jersey collision repair:

The Right To Choosing Who Repairs Your Vehicle

When your vehicle has been badly damaged in an accident, the insurance company will step in once the claim has been filed. During this time, the insurance company may try to push you towards their recommended auto body shop, also known as Direct Repair Facilities (DRP). There are agreements between preferred collision repair shops and insurance providers to save money, but this does not always work out in your favor. As a result of these partnerships, many consumers receive lower-quality repairs.

What you need to know is that the recommendations are only that—recommendations. You do not have to use your insurance provider’s auto body shop. Only trust qualified auto body shops with experienced technicians to do the job right.

The Right To Choose Your Repair Parts

If insurance companies could wish OEM parts out of existence, they would. Fortunately, you have the option to choose between aftermarket, salvaged, and OEM parts for your vehicle repairs—depending on the terms in your insurance policy. Yet, any respectable body shop is going to tell you this: aftermarket parts are cheaper, but they are not always better. Some are ill-fitting and not of the same quality as Original Equipment Manufacturer parts.

Every policy is different, so you will need to check. If it does not state anything against using OEM, you can ask for them. You may need to pay the difference of the cost, but at least you have peace of mind knowing that you are receiving high-quality items designed specifically for your vehicle’s make and model.

The Right To Coverage For All Related Expenses

No matter what happened in the accident, you are entitled to three things: the return of your vehicle to pre-accident condition, payment of any medical bills, and coverage for any further expenses as a result of the collision. In other words, insurance should pay for any dent repair, repainting, glass replacement and repair, and so on. If you were not at-fault in the accident, then you also getting the following expenses covered:

Reimbursement of a rental car
Reimbursement for personal property damage, such as your electronic devices or a child’s car seat
Out of pocket expenses
Diminished value
Loss of income or wages
Pain and suffering

The Right To Guaranteed Quality

Insurance companies may try to persuade you into using a DRP by saying work done at your chosen automotive repair shop is “not guaranteed.” However, any honest and trustworthy repair shop is going to provide you warranties for replacements and repairs anyway.

Prohibitions Under NJ Law

Aside from the above-stated rights, you are protected by the and from any of the following actions:

Oral and/or written statements made by the auto repair dealer that purposely mislead the consumer.
False promises that influence or persuade the consumer to authorize services or maintenance of their motor vehicle.
Work that was done without authorization from the vehicle owner that is not clearly stated and is done outside of working hours.
Work that is started prior to giving the consumer a written estimate.
Failure to provide a consumer with documentation and receipts pertaining to any services rendered. These must be provided at the time of signing.
Failure to return parts that were requested.
Failure to record all repair work done by the automotive repair dealer for the customer. The invoice should clearly itemize every single service rendered, as well as the amount of labor and whether the parts supplied were new, used, or rebuilt.
Failure to provide the customer with a contract that outlines all terms and conditions.
Failure to post signage that informs the consumer that the auto body shop must give them a written estimate, copies of documentation and receipts, invoices, guarantees, and the right to return any replaced vehicle part.

Elmer’s Auto Body—Your Ally In Collision Repair

You deserve to know your rights. You also deserve the best collision repair available. Knowing what you can and cannot do, as well as what should be covered by insurance, is one step back towards normal. Along the way, make sure you choose to work with an honest and transparent auto body shop.

At Elmer’s Auto Body, every technician has certifications for OEM. You can trust us to restore your vehicle back to excellent condition. We do what is best for you and your vehicle instead of listening to the insurance companies. If you would like more information or want to schedule an appointment, pick up the phone, or fill out the contact form.

Why Toyota Cares So Much About the Quality of Your Auto Body Repair, And So Should You

Do you have a favorite automobile maker? Ford, Chevrolet, Subaru, and others all have their followers who have been loyal for many years. One manufacturer, though, has been committed to quality repairs for a long while: Toyota. From a statistical point of view, ownership of Toyota vehicles is longer than average. The reason? Quality auto body repair. Both Toyota and Subaru have launched campaigns that focus on superior collision repair and maintenance that appeals to both new owners and loyal customers.

How did Toyota do it? They have something called a “collision repair warranty.” Today, we’re going to talk about why Toyota cares about the quality of your auto repairs and why you should as well.

Why Quality Auto Repair Matters

Everyone loves saving money. There is no denying that. Still, you should also be driving the best version of your vehicle. It is essential that you have the correct parts in your car. Otherwise, you will find yourself visiting the auto body shop more frequently.

Here are some reasons why you should care about the quality of auto body repair:

Optimal Performance

You might think that getting salvaged parts from the junkyard is a cost-effective option. It can be, but is it truly worth the risk? Cheap parts are not going to support the optimal performance of your vehicle. Some systems will even be compromised by cheaper parts and will malfunction faster. If you opt to save money and ignore the quality, it means that the higher quality parts will be working harder to compensate—and they will fail sooner. In the end, you end up getting burned for trying to save money and may even have to pay a higher price for repairs in the end.

Durability & Longevity

As you can imagine, cheaper items are not synonymous with a longer lifespan. In other words, cheap items are nowhere as near equatable to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) quality. Budget replacement parts will break faster, and you will have to pay for repairs more often than you would when paying for quality. Investing in higher quality repairs and parts is an investment in the reliability and durability of your vehicle.

Look Out For Collision Repair Warranties

Imagine this scenario: You just get your car back from the auto body; everything is fresh, looking as good as new. But within a few days, you start to notice that there is rattling, misalignment and that the paint color is off a few shades. There is something wrong, even if you cannot put your finger on it. In the worst-case scenario, these issues will go from noticeable to progressively worse, until you can no longer ignore it.

That is when you find out that your vehicle was a victim of “cutting corners.”

Collisions are the absolute worst. Not only are you put into a life-or-death situation, but then you have to go through the arduous process of insurance claims and repairs. Even if you walked away from the accident unscathed, you were probably shaken. Getting back on the road will not feel the same for a while, and having a car that feels unsafe even after repairs is upsetting.

The expectation is that collision repair shops are going to provide quality service and workmanship. Besides, if you are bringing your vehicle to a maker’s dealership, you believe that the repairs are going to be held to the same quality as the new vehicles on the lot.

That is why Toyota decided to do something different. They didn’t want customers thinking that the car they purchased from a Toyota dealership was a lemon or “nothing but problems” from the start. Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler all did research and found that providing quality repairs builds brand loyalty; so Toyota began offering collision repair warranties.

What does that mean?

A collision repair warranty is a guarantee that, when dealing with a collision incident, the body shop does not cut corners. Instead, they focus on providing a full service that satisfies the customer—not the insurance company. Toyota even stated that they “no longer chase satisfaction scores.” Instead, they are focusing on the customer experience. Plus, they expanded their relationships with OEM certified shops to help those businesses provide better service.

Toyota’s Changes Affect You Too

Even if you are not the owner of a Toyota, you should know that Toyota’s decision may end up affecting you in the future as more parts manufacturers start moving in the same direction. OEM certification programs, discussions to reduce the cost of replacement parts, and so on will affect the cost and quality of repairs.

On the other hand, if you ignore a manufacturer’s call to increase quality and go to a body shop that does not care about that, non-approved or cheap aftermarket parts may void the vehicle’s warranty. Your personal safety could be affected, and the resale value of your vehicle will also suffer.

Get Repairs Done Right

Accidents happen, and when they do, you want proper repairs. That is why having a quality team, one that is trained in OEM and conscious about the customer experience is essential. You want an auto body shop that is going to get it right the first time. Do not pay for reduced cost and guessing games.

Elmer’s Auto Body is committed to high-quality repairs done by experienced and certified technicians. We prioritize quality every step of the way, and we never leave you wondering if the end result is good enough. Give us a call or fill out the contact form to learn more about our services.

Why You Should Use Your Local Sewell Collision Repair Shop Instead of a National Chain

2020 has been nothing but uncertainty. More and more people are being affected globally by the coronavirus. The best way to pull through these chaotic times is to rally the local community and support smaller businesses when you can. Together, we can get through the global pandemic and move forward to a better future. In order to do that, we need to ensure that local businesses continue to thrive.

But there is more to supporting your local Sewell collision repair shop over national chains than financial security. Auto body shops are considered essential businesses, but that does not mean they are not struggling during nationwide lockdowns and hindered commutes. Of course, even with life moving a little slower than usual, there are still cars on the road and accidents occurring.

Whether you want to support local businesses or you simply find yourself with a car in need of repairs, here are some reasons why you should use the local Sewell auto body shop instead of a national chain:

Choosing a Local Sewell Collision Repair Shop

When you are in need of car repair or maintenance, you probably go right to the phone or computer and choose the top result on Google. That top result is probably a national chain that pays millions on advertising. That does not guarantee an adequate service. Many of these national chains can promise quick, cheap repairs because they do not use the best quality parts.

Local collision repair shops, on the other hand, often go through painstaking training and adhere to specific guidelines to become I-CAR and OEM certified. This means they have extensive training and technicians with many years of experience to back up warranties on workmanship. Additionally, technicians at the local body shop will know about the latest safety technologies, also known as Advanced Driver Assistance Program (ADAS).

You won’t get the same level of care from most national chains. Other reasons to use local businesses include:

Better customer service and care. Local businesses will treat you like a neighbor because you are! You can expect more quality from a local collision repair shop than a national chain since smaller businesses are usually locally owned and family operated.
Support the local economy. Your local Sewell collision repair shop employs locals, like yourself.
Environmentally-friendly choice. Did you know that local businesses are better for the environment because they usually have safer, more eco-friendly practices? Go green. Go local.

Do Not Choose The Cheapest Estimate

You may be tempted to visit the national chain simply because their estimate is far cheaper than a smaller collision repair shop. That might sound like a blessing—until you look at the estimates and compare the steps involved. Fast and cheap usually equals less attention to detail and sloppily done repairs. Even though you get your car faster, with unresolved problems simply hidden beneath a shiny exterior, you are bound to wind up back at the auto body shop in no time.

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we have gotten tons of requests to repair errors made on cars that were supposed to be fixed. Sometimes, we even have to declare the vehicle totaled, even when a national chain said the vehicle was safe to drive.

In short, choose the auto body shop that is as concerned for your safety as you are. Choose a business that will not resort to “fast and cheap” but “quality and transparency.”

Ask The Right Questions

Worried about finding a quality collision repair shop that will work with you? Don’t. Finding a trustworthy auto body shop can be difficult if you are only looking at national chains or listening to the recommendations of your auto insurance provider. That said, there are plenty of places with high qualified technicians, renowned certifications, state-of-the-art facilities, and so on right in your community.

Knowing which questions to ask can help you sniff out the best local Sewell collision repair center for the job. Any decent shop will have a customer care representative who can answer all your questions. Give them a call and ask how long the body shop has been serving Sewell, what kind of services are provided, whether the technicians are certified, and if the work is guaranteed.

And remember: it is always best to receive multiple estimates rather than going right for the cheapest one.

Local Is Better

Simply put, going to a local auto body shop in New Jersey is much better than giving business to a national chain. A local business is going to care more about the quality of the repairs than a corporate chain. They may even be able to help you with insurance claims and other issues affecting your vehicle.

At Elmer’s Auto Body, you never have to question the quality of your repairs. We have been serving South Jersey for many years and have many satisfied customers. Every day, we strive to provide the local community with top-quality car repairs and services that you can feel good about. Every one of our technicians knows the latest about OEM and ADAS. You will only ever receive honesty and quality from us! If you need collision repair in Sewell or the surrounding areas, give us a call or fill out the contact form. We are happy to answer your questions or concerns.