Category: Collision Repair

One of the questions that many auto body repair shops in South Jersey receive these days is why the cost of accident repair is so expensive. Many customers get sticker shock, especially if they have never had to get extensive repairs on their vehicle done before. There are several reasons why auto body repair comes with an eye-popping price tag, like technology. Throughout the years, vehicles have become more difficult to repair because they have more pieces.

Collision repair is a multi-step process that includes some of the following things as steps:

• Removing the trim
• Stripping
• Sanding
• Priming the auto body
• Paint – multiple coats
• Wet sanding
• Finishing clear coat

As you can see, a lot goes into collision and auto body repair, and that does not even consider the structural or mechanical work that needs to be completed. It is never just an easy fix.

Here are some other reasons why getting your car repaired after an accident can be costly:

More Electrical Components

Sensors, cameras, and other tiny electrical components can be found throughout the whole body of modern cars. While a sensor might not cost much, in the event of a collision, multiple sensors will need to be replaced, and that can hike up the bill. Other more mundane electronics like headlights can be expensive. Some LED daytime running headlights or xenon lights can cost thousands!

If your vehicle is a luxury or sports model or even something exotic, you will have to pay even more, because the bodies are complex and unique to the manufacturer’s design.

Another feature that has significantly impacted the cost of accident repair is the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Even more basic models are being fixed with an ADAS system to help drivers with parking assist, lane departure warnings, auto braking technology, and collision warnings. These systems are extensive, so in the aftermath of an accident, it takes a lot of time to replace or repair and re-calibrate the whole thing.

Body-on-Frame vs. Unibody

What seems like ages ago is when automobiles were built using body-on-frame construction. This means that the outer body of the corner was placed over a strong, sturdy frame. Anything else was purely cosmetic. Some trucks and SUVs continue to use body-on-frame construction, but most modern vehicles use something called unibody construction.

In other words, the vehicle’s body is not separate from the frame. The whole body has important structural elements. For example, even the windshield has been crafted to prove strength and structure. The downside is that many unibody vehicles receive what looks to be superficial damage but is, in reality, much more extensive and expensive to repair.

Many manufacturers also have a recommended method of dealing with cars that depends on the make, model, and even the month the vehicle was produced. This means that the mechanics have to receive specific training and use specialized tools and materials, like foams, sealants, and waxes, to maintain quality.

Safety Parts

Thanks to advancements in technology, cars are safer and faster than ever. The security is heightened in part of components that are called “sacrificial.” Think about the last time you got a fender bender or saw one happen. Even if the collision was minor, the bumper probably looked terrible.

It is part of the safety system, but it can also lead to bumper replacement, which can cost a lot of money, depending on the damages. However, if an airbag deploys, that is even more expensive. So, some items are meant to neutralize damage by crumpling more easily. Either way costs you (or your insurance company) money, though.

The Cost of the Auto Body Shop

Lastly, it is not just the job itself but some factors revolving around the service itself. Auto body repair shops are going to charge you more because they need to spend more for the supplies, the paint, and the electronic components now than they did in the past. The cost of vehicle paint alone is exorbitant.

The auto body shop also deals with fees for waste disposal, pollution, and needs to adhere to environmental regulations. Most mechanics also have to use certified materials from manufacturers. Every little thing has a cost that is factored into the overall price of collision repair.

Looking for Collision Repair Services?

If you have been wondering why the cost of auto body repair seems to be getting more and more expensive, your eyes are not fooling you. Unlike older automobiles, the cars, trucks, and SUVs of today are safer, more energy-efficient, lighter, and more elegant than ever before. In turn, they are more difficult to service and repair after an accident.

After a collision, such a financial burden may seem extreme, but you can find excellent mechanics with more affordable estimates near you with a little research. Why not get in touch with us? Fill out the contact form and someone will reach out. We can help you get your vehicle back to normal in no time.

After having an accident and looking at what has happened to your vehicle, “how long will I need a rental car during repairs?” is probably the last question to cross your mind. However, it’s not one you should ignore, because you may have less time than you would originally assume. Over the years, auto body shops and insurance companies have tracked various instances to see how long repairs take, what the average costs are, and how long the length of rental (LOR) should be for customers.

Luckily, the usual length of rental has increased. Now, the average time span is just shy of 2 weeks. You may wonder, “Why would I need a rental car for so long?”

The answer is that modern technology has made repairs and re-calibration a little more difficult than it used to be, so insurance companies have had to adjust the LOR. This is good news for you, in most cases.

That brings us to the next question: “How long will I need a rental car while mine is being repaired?” Keep reading to find out.

Average Duration of Car Repairs

In the auto body repair business, we call the time it takes to repair your vehicle the “cycle time.” In most cases, the average cycle time for repairs is as follows:

• Bumper Repair or Replacement: 1 day
• Windshield Replacement: 1 day
• Paint Repair: 1-2 days
• Minor Body Work: 1-2 days
• Internal Parts Replacement: 1-2 weeks
• Extensive Damage Repairs: At least a month (30 days)

While these are estimations, this is the time frame you can anticipate when getting collision repairs done on your vehicle.

Getting a Rental From The Insurance Company

After your car has sustained damages from an accident and was not deemed totaled by the insurance company, it is time to get it into the body shop. While it is probably a relief to have your car in the shop for repairs and replacements, it also means you have to worry about finding another mode of transportation. Your insurance policy or the responsible party’s insurance may offer you a rental vehicle.

As mentioned earlier, most policies will provide a rental car for up to 12 days.

This is not based on cycle time. Rather, the length of rental includes the “claim frequency,” or the period of time it takes for adjusters to see the damages and provide you with an estimation of what will be covered.

 

Factors That Influence the Length of Rental

Does that mean you will have a rental vehicle for 12 days? No. That is not guaranteed. You see, there are a couple of things to consider. First is the pressure on the auto body repair shops from the insurance company. In the spirit of saving time, some mechanics will perform a rush job to appease the insurer, who is urging them to return your vehicle as soon as possible, to save you from inconvenience.

Of course, the insurance company is also spending money on that rental car you are driving around. Since they want to save money, getting you your vehicle back sooner than later is best for everyone involved—except the mechanic.

Although not every auto body shop is going to cut corners, this need for quick work sometimes forces mechanics to use less-than-ideal options for replacing parts. Sometimes, they cannot get Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and must use generic options. Or, they make mistakes.

The second factor in the length of rental equation is whether the mechanic follows OEM guidelines or not. Every manufacturer has OEM parts for your specific make, model, and year. Further, most modern cars, SUVs, and trucks have something called ADAS, such as blind-spot protection, collision warnings, and lane departure warnings. ADAS can be challenging to repair and install, and that increases the length of repair time.

Next is that “claim frequency” we’d mentioned earlier. Insurance adjusters may have to return to the repair shop several times to adjust the amount the insurer will cover. Sometimes, there is resistance from the insurance company about what they will pay for, and that can lengthen the overall time of repairs—as well as the LOR.

If you need extensive repairs and OEM parts, you may have that rental car for longer than 12 days.

Looking For Someone To Repair Your Car?

It is frustrating to be without your vehicle after an accident. Even if you are given a rental, you don’t know how long insurance will cover the cost of it. The good news is that you usually have 12 days in the beginning, but that length of rental may increase depending on what repairs are needed.

Working with professionals is one way to get your car back sooner—and you will never have to worry about cut corners. Elmer’s Auto Body has a team committed to working with you and the insurer to make sure you get top-quality repairs and replacements for your vehicle. You will be back on the road, in your own car, in no time.

Tell us what you need by filling out the contact form below or give us a call! We look forward to hearing from you.

Getting into an accident and following through with insurance claims and other responsibilities can seem overwhelming. You just want things to return to normal, but now you have to wait for your vehicle to be repaired. You may find yourself wondering how long it will take or how long you will have to use a rental. The good news is that, most of the time, car repairs take less than a week to finish. There are some occasions, though, where auto body repair may take several months.

Here is everything you need to know to answer the question “How long will it take to repair my car in Southern New Jersey?”

 

Estimating How Long Repairs Will Take

There are a couple of ways to determine how long it will take for your car to be repaired. If you submitted your insurance claim already, then you need to wait a couple of days for a decision to be reached. Depending on your policy, you may already be assured coverage for damages.

If you know what repairs have to be made on your car, then you can begin estimating the duration of the repairs. Remember that estimates are just estimates. Sometimes, the auto body repair shop will have fewer clients ahead of you. Sometimes, they will have all the parts already in stock. This can accelerate things.

Here are some estimated times for car repairs:

• Minor auto body work – 1-2 days
• Paint touch-up – 1-2 days
• Windshield replacement – Less than 24 hours
• Bumper repairs or replacement – 1 day
• Internal elements – 1-2 weeks
• Extensive damage to internal and external components (if not deemed “totaled”) – Over a month

 

Factors That Delay Car Repair

There are some occasions where you return to the auto repair shop the next day only to find that there has been a delay, forcing you to wait longer. Although this is frustrating, there are a couple of reasons why this could happen:

• The mechanics are already swamped with work; someone may have called out sick or with an emergency, reducing the labor force
• Your repair may take longer based on what has to be repaired or additional damages have been discovered that also need repairs
• The insurance provider was unable to pay for the repairs on time, so your car is being kept as collateral until the payment arrives
• The parts needed to be ordered directly from the manufacturer
• OEM parts required are expensive and not completely covered by the insurance provider, so you may have to pay
• You own a foreign or exotic model

 

If you find that the delay period is unreasonable or doesn’t seem justifiable, don’t worry. Get in contact with the auto body shop to learn why and also discuss what is happening with your insurance provider. A solution will be found.

 

Types of Repair Parts

As mentioned above, there are some instances where special parts needed to be acquired from the vehicle manufacturer prior to repairs. It may take a while for the mechanic to receive the items. This generally depends on the model year of your car. Some parts, called Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, or OEM parts, are the best quality for your vehicle and will restore your car to its fresh-from-the-factory condition.

Any reputable auto body shop is going to want to use OEM, because generic parts could cause damage in the future. Unfortunately, because insurance companies want you to receive your repaired vehicle as soon as possible, there is often pressure on the mechanics to rush. Some body shops are forced to use salvaged pieces or aftermarket items for a quick turnaround, but that can cause ADAS features for functioning optimally.

In short, if you do not wait for the auto body shop to receive the ordered OEM parts, you are setting yourself up for another accident.

But that brings us to a second point: Insurance companies may hesitate to cover the cost of more expensive equipment. At the end of the day, what parts are used and where you go for those repairs is up to you, but that could cause further delay. If the cost goes over the amount allocated by your policy, you will have to cover the rest of the bill.

Elmer’s Auto Body promises to deliver the best repairs using only the highest quality parts.

 

Need Car Repair in South Jersey?

How long does it take to have a car repaired in Southern New Jersey? It depends on a couple of things, such as what needs to be repaired and how fast your insurer moves. Simple repairs may take a few days, while extensive collision repair could take a few months. If you want the best repairs, you may have to put out a little extra, but it will be worth it later on!

Looking for a customer-focused auto body repair shop in South Jersey? Get in touch with us to learn more about what we can do for you by filling out the contact form.

If you’ve never gone through a vehicle collision estimate, you’ve probably wondered how much time an estimate takes. Any collision estimate will take as much time as the damage done to your vehicle warrants. So, it will depend on just how severe or minor the damage is and what systems in a vehicle may require repair. Before you rush to the closest repair shop for an estimate, there are a few preliminary steps to follow.

 

Talk with your Insurance Carrier First

You want to talk with your vehicle insurance carrier before you get any estimates. Make sure you understand your carrier’s requirements with estimates. They will provide you with approved repair shops and will also specify their instructions to any of those approved collision or body shops.

You don’t necessarily have to use your insurance company’s recommendations, but your carrier will inform you of their requirements in the repair process. Once an accident has occurred, your insurance company will send out a claims adjuster who will estimate the damage and will provide an estimate for overall damages. An estimate through your insurance carrier could take from two to five days, which could create setbacks with repairs. You may want to move on with an estimate through a collision shop when time is of the essence.

 

Average Time for Collision Estimate

When you’re unable to repair any damage on your own and are also unable to get a timely estimate through your insurance company, you’ll need to find a reputable collision/body shop through your own online research and recommendations from others. Just remember that when you do go to various body shops for estimates, you’ll want to ask lots of questions before you commit to and sign off on any estimates you are given.

If your vehicle has incurred significant mechanical and exterior damage, an estimate could be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, or longer. When the damage is minimal and mechanical issues don’t exist, an estimate usually takes 15-20 minutes. Less involved damage usually means dents, scratches, scuffs, scrapes and dings that don’t hinder a vehicle’s performance. If the damage is severe, and a vehicle isn’t drivable, a tow truck will be brought in and the vehicle taken to a repair facility. An estimate in that kind of situation will likely take longer, which could mean an hour to a couple of days.

 

What an Estimate Entails

An estimate will first entail a detailed inspection. A skilled professional will perform the inspection and provide an estimate. They will go over every inch of a vehicle and document all the areas, seen or unseen, that show damage. From there, every detail noted will be passed on to the vehicle owner. An inspector will even go to the extent of removing side panels and going over other crucial spots on a vehicle to determine if any underlying damage exists on the frame or other areas beneath the surface. Any excessive damage will take longer to assess. Every repair that needs to be made to a severely damaged vehicle from the repairs and parts and on to the paint and finish work will be explained, written out and recorded on an inspection and estimation form.

 

Cost Calculations

Once the inspection phase is complete and all the details of damage are noted, the repair costs will be calculated. An estimator will figure the number of hours of labor that will go into the repair process. Any needed parts will be included, as will the entire cost of repairs. They will provide you with an official estimate. If you choose the shop that did the inspection, you can give them the go-ahead to order any parts and they will assign a mechanic/technician to work on your vehicle. The body shop will let you know the arrival date of your parts and will find the best time to start your repair work and approximately how long it will take to finish the repairs.

An experienced estimator will be able to provide an accurate quote for you after they have assessed the total damage; however, there may be times when hidden damages don’t show up until after repair work has started. When that happens, a repair adjustment and supplement will be included in any final repair costs.

 

Follow the Procedures for Estimates

Any accident that involves major repairs or even minor repairs to a vehicle can be stressful but when you know the procedures involved in getting an estimate and the time that it takes, you don’t have to carry the worry, particularly when you find a collision shop that is reputable and provides you with a fair, concise and accurate estimate.

With the process in mind, you can assure yourself that your repairs will be done quickly, efficiently and to your specifications with no hidden surprises. If you haven’t found the answers given here in relation to estimates and the time involved, or have further concerns with getting an estimate, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you with the information you need concerning the estimate process.

It’s one of the oldest and most frustrating problems a car owner can face: A small dent or scratch requires you to get a whole new paint job. Paint jobs aren’t exactly cheap, and it feels silly to repaint the whole thing over one scratch. If you’ve thought this, you might be glad to know that your instincts were right. It is more than possible to repair a dent without damaging the paint. Not surprisingly, this process is referred to as “paintless dent repair,” or sometimes just “PDR.”

 

How Does PDR Work?

Paintless dent repair works by using movement and pressure to push the dent outward. If this is done carefully, and if the paint is not damaged in the collision itself, the dent can be neatly popped out. In many cases, you won’t even be able to tell that any damage was done.

There are a wide variety of special tools that PDR specialists use to effect these sorts of repairs. This is very much a specialized skill that requires training and experience, so you can’t expect the same level of quality from a DIY job. In most cases, PDR works by applying outward pressure.

There are two ways to apply this pressure and pop the dent away. As common sense might tell you, you can either push from the inside or pull from the outside. All methods of PDR fall into one of these two categories.
Pulling From The Outside

As an example of pull-method dent removal, a person might use a little bit of hot glue to affix a small handle-like tab to the area where the dent is located. Obviously, you have to be careful not to use an adhesive that will damage the paint, so hot glue is the most common choice.

An even better method is to use a powerful suction cup. There are numerous devices that use suction cups combined with plates and/or rods. Because they do not use any sort of adhesive, you don’t have to worry about scraping away any residue. That’s good because you can easily scratch your finish while scraping away the hot glue if you aren’t careful.

This method seems to be the best choice for DIY users. The pull method requires less skill and knowledge to do it right. You will have to buy some sort of pulling device, but these are usually pretty easy to use. Many of them resemble stapleguns or other hand-held tools, and there are many different varieties. Still, you should be fine as long as you follow the instructions.

 

Pushing From The Inside

This method seems to be the one preferred by professionals. You definitely need to have a little more expertise to do it this way, but it poses a lot less risk of collateral damage. This method usually involves the use of long probes that are inserted into small gaps in the vehicle body. By applying the right leverage in the right place, they pop the dent outward without ever touching the paint job.

For example, you might insert one of these dent-removal tools into the gap between the window and the door. You will have to roll down the window and gently peel back the rubber seal around the base of the window. You might also remove a tail-light so that you can insert the tool through the gap and gain access to the rear panel.

 

Is PDR Always Possible?

Obviously, there are times when this type of repair cannot be done. If the paint was damaged in the collision itself, PDR methods will not reverse that damage. Of course, such methods can still be helpful for removing the dents, but you will still need to repaint the vehicle.

Several factors will determine whether or not paintless dent repair is possible. These include:

• The flexibility of your vehicles’ paint
• The size and severity of the dent
• The angle and depth of the dent
• The thickness of the metal surface

Most automotive paint is flexible enough for PDR, but older vehicles with older paint jobs might have some issues. As for size and severity, PDR doesn’t work on massive dents. For the most part, its techniques are meant to deal with relatively small dents. Shallow dents are also better candidates for PDR, as there is less stretching and deformation of the metal involved. Finally, the thickness of the metal will make the dent easier (or more difficult) to “pop” back into place.

It should be noted that you can spot-paint a vehicle, doing just one spot. It often won’t come out perfect, but it can be very close if you choose the right paint and blend the edges well. Of course, that’s a separate topic, but it’s a good thing to know.

 

Conclusion

At Elmer’s auto body, we specialize in many different techniques. Luckily for you, paintless dent repair is one of them. While these methods are mainly suited for minor damage, you’d be surprised at what a professional can do with them. When it comes to paintless dent repair cost shouldn’t be an issue, as these jobs can normally be completed with minimal time, trouble, and expense. That’s the difference you get when you call the best.

With over 70 years of experience under our belt, you should expect nothing less than the best. If you have a dent that needs to be pulled, and you want it done in the most effective and efficient manner, fill out our easy online contact form or call one of our three convenient locations and ask us: Where can I get paintless dent repair near me?