Category: Collision Repair

You saw it on the news or in a consumer-related report that a recall was in the works or you may know a friend or relative who received a recall notice for one of their vehicles. Besides recalls for cars, trucks, SUV’s and other vehicle related items, there are recalls for things like baby carriers, food products, toys and hundreds of other products that affect consumers worldwide.

 

Recall Awareness

Most anyone is pretty much aware of all the recalls that occur on a fairly regular basis. Usually the focus is on consumables, but vehicles are as much of a concern, especially when newer ones seem to experience ongoing problems. Maybe you’re wondering just what happens with vehicle recalls. If you have, here is a rundown on how vehicle recalls came about and how they work.

 

Vehicle Recall History

In the initial stages, recalls were associated with safety issues. In 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act established standards concerning vehicle safety. Vehicle related recalls quickly became an ongoing occurrence. Within a few years, the auto industry issued recalls for millions of vehicles. Fifty-plus years later, recalls continue to soar into the billions.

Today, issuing of recalls is usually through the automaker or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Vehicle  manufacturers are the ones issuing recalls, but  the NHTSA will intervene. Issuing recalls by car manufacturers is the preferred action as it allows them to resolve any vehicle recall related problems in a more immediate and direct fashion. If an auto manufacturer and the NHTSA aren’t able to come to terms on a recall, court decisions will determine any outcomes. The recall process can also come through individuals who work on vehicles or own their own that display noticeable defects. Consumers can contact the NHTSA themselves and report their concerns directly to the agency.

What is a Vehicle Recall

A recall means that a federal safety violation or a major defect was found with a vehicle that could cause a critical safety situation, faulty equipment operation or a related problem. It could be anything from a stuck gas pedal to an easily triggered airbag. Anything that causes a major dysfunction and safety concern with a vehicle could be a reason for a recall. Whatever the issue, any recall effort requires thorough investigation, testing and collection of data to determine whether a true problem exists.

 

Notification of a Recall

Should your vehicle be a part of a recall, the notification process will come as a letter through your vehicle’s manufacturer. It will arrive within a 60-day period from the filing of the recall with the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA). The letter will provide the following information:

• Description of the defect
• Risks, warnings and problems if the defect is not unresolved
• Manufacturer’s plan to fix the defect
• Time frame for the repair of the defect
• Guidelines to follow that assure the repair process
• Other followup instructions

If you fail to receive the letter, you can still go through the repair process. To determine eligibility, search the recall database listed on the NHTSA internet site. Regularly check the site for updates on vehicle recalls to determine whether yours is on the list. Check this listing at least once during a 6-month’s period.

 

Your Options with a Recall Notification

If you receive a recall notification for your vehicle, your options include:

• Repairing of issue through a dealership that represents the car manufacturer
• Replacing the vehicle with a comparable model
• Refunding of the vehicle’s price minus any depreciation

Repairing a recall issue will be the least costly and most appropriate for the situation. They will only use the other two options should the problem go beyond the repairable stage.

 

Payment Process

If your vehicle is on a recall list, they will repair any recall related defects or damages free; however, any recall work will go through an authorized automobile dealer for the manufacturer. To avoid problems, make sure you bring your recall notification letter to the dealership. If charges happen, speak with the dealership’s management, verify your letter and provide other pertinent information. Should problems continue, contact the manufacturer through the number provided in the recall notification letter. If that action fails, call or write the NHTSA directly and report your issue to them. They should be able to resolve any problems and provide you with detailed information regarding car recalls.

If you are unsure whether your vehicle is on a recall list and want to know more about the general process, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you with the information you need concerning how vehicle recalls work.

There are many reasons why your car may incur collision damage, from an auto accident to a tree limb that blows down in a storm. The type of damage makes a difference in how repairs are performed. Understanding the different types of collision damage can help you understand what repairs may be necessary.

 

Weather Damage

There is the potential for weather damage in all four seasons of the year. During the summer when the sun is at its strongest, your car can sustain damage to the paint due to fading and wearing. In addition, tires can become dry and cracked when the weather is overly hot. During the winter, salt applied to roads to avoid ice can lead to erosion in your vehicle while the fluctuating temperatures that can occur in some areas could lead to cracked windshields. In all seasons, there is a risk of high winds that can cause limbs to fall or hail that can lead to dents.

 

Failure to Maintain Your Car

If you don’t maintain your car, failing mechanical systems could lead to collision damage. Tires that have too little tread can blow out or your steering and brakes could fail, leading to an accident. Not only does neglecting the maintenance on your car lead to accidents, it can actually cause engine, exterior and interior damage. You should never ignore warning lights and have your car serviced at least once each year.

 

Car Accidents

Of course, the most common reason for collisions is car accidents. You could have a major accident that leads to shattered windshields, engine damage or destruction of several areas of the exterior of the car. Even minor fender benders can lead to damage that is more significant than it appears. Sometimes, minor collisions can cause damage to areas of the car that cannot be seen except by a trained professional.

 

Common Types of Damage

There are some types of damage that are more common than others. Dents can be tiny impressions to large craters in your car. Small scratches may be buffed out but if the scratches are significant, digging deep below the surface of the paint, they may require more extensive repair. Damage to the suspension is also a common type of collision damage along with a cracked windshield. Bumper damage is also common.

 

Collision Repairs

If the panel has a deep dent, it will need to be replaced as it more than likely cannot be repaired. Dents may be repaired using a hammer and dolly method, a stud welder or a dent puller. There is also paintless dent repair that uses new technology that does not require sanding, filler or painting. Deep scratches may require filler, sanding and painting to cover them properly. If suspension damage is significant, the auto shop may also need to remove and replace the shock absorber or ball joint. A small crack or chip in the windshield can be filled with resin to prevent it from spreading but if the crack is through both panes of glass or more than one inch long, the entire windshield needs to be replaced. If the bumper of your vehicle is damaged, it is possible it can be repaired easily, similar to other dents. However, if the damage to your bumper is significant, you may have hidden damage inside the vehicle that cannot be seen.

 

Choosing a Repair Shop

When your vehicle needs repair after a collision, be sure to ask about experience, payment policies, warranties and certifications. That way you know that your vehicle is being repaired by a qualified repair shop. If you will be filing an insurance claim, your insurance company will require you to get more than one estimate for repairs. Most require at least three, but you are free to get as many as you choose. The insurance company cannot require you to go to a specific shop and you can work with them if you suspect the amount they have offered for the repair is too low.

If your car has been involved in a collision, contact Elmer’s Auto Body. With more than 70 years’ experience, you know you are getting high quality service and that the car you drive away in is safe for your family. We repair your car as if it were owned by our own family because that is how we think of our customers. You can schedule an appointment by calling today or fill out the easy online form.

When you are involved in an accident, your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect your vehicle. Your car may be towed to an autobody shop for repair estimates to determine whether it is worth fixing. In some cases, insurance companies determine that cars are total losses. If you are attached to your vehicle or will be unable to replace it with the money that you will receive, you might wonder whether you can keep it after it has been declared a total loss. While you can keep your vehicle instead of giving it up to the insurance company, there are several things that the professionals at Elmer’s Auto Body believe that you should know before you make your decision.

 

How insurance companies determine that cars are totaled

In most cases, an insurance company will determine that a car is totaled when the costs to repair the damage will be more than 65% to 70% of the vehicle’s fair market value. This standard varies from company to company. You can talk to your insurance agent to learn the threshold percentage for your insurance company.

The insurance company will start by calculating the actual cash vehicle of your car, which is the amount that your car is worth after depreciation. Cars depreciate an average of 20% during the first year and 10% during each additional year during the first five years.

If your vehicle is more than five years old, the company bases its estimate on your vehicle’s make, mileage, model, year, and condition. The area demand for your vehicle will also be factored in along with the resale value of your car’s metal and parts. If the cost to repair your vehicle added to its scrap value is equal to or greater than its actual cash value, your vehicle will be totaled.

 

Insurance companies and older cars

In many cases, auto insurance companies determine that older cars are not worth fixing.
The Insurance Information Institute reports that the average claim for collision coverage was $3,574 in 2018. If you believe that your car’s repairs are justified by its value, you can appeal your insurance company’s determination that it is a total loss. However, you will need to have evidence to present. Your vehicle’s age, mileage, and maintenance records will be important factors to the success of an appeal.

 

Can you keep your vehicle after it has been declared a total loss?

If you agree that the insurance company’s decision to total your vehicle is correct, you can still keep it. In that case, your insurance company will pay the cash value of your car to you after subtracting your deductible and the salvage value. You will then be responsible for arranging for the repairs on your own. Your primary concern when you decide to keep a totaled vehicle is safety.

If the damage is primarily cosmetic, you might be able to get it back on the road for an affordable cost. However, if you will need to spend a lot of money repairing it, it might be better to let it go. Remember, however, that some damage is not visible. In many cases, more damage will be found once the vehicle is dismantled for repairs.

 

Getting car insurance for a vehicle that has been totaled

If you keep your car after it has been totaled, you may have trouble finding insurance for it. Most insurance companies generally will not underwrite collision and comprehensive policies for vehicles with salvage titles. You should talk to your insurance company to find out if you will be able to get insurance for your vehicle if you decide to keep it. You can look up vehicles to see if they have been salvaged by searching on the National Motor Vehicles Title Information System. This means that if you later decide to sell your vehicle, prospective buyers will be able to see that it was previously totaled and might be wary about purchasing your car.
Is it worth it to repair a totaled car?

You are the only person who can decide whether it is worth it to repair a totaled car. Before you decide to keep your vehicle, you should conduct research and speak to your mechanic. You will want to make sure that you know what might be involved. If you do decide to keep your vehicle, Elmer’s Auto Body can help with any auto body repairs that you might need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form.

After an automobile accident, an insurance adjuster will review the damage to your car and make a determination what they will pay to have it repaired. If the cost of repairs will be more than the value of the car, the insurance company will “total” your car. This means that the adjuster has determined the car to be a total loss and they will offer you what they determine is the value of the car rather than pay to have it fixed. But what happens when you believe the car can be repaired? It may be possible to have the vehicle repaired but there are steps you need to take for that to happen.

 

Know the Value of Your Car

It may help if you can learn the value of your car before the insurance company makes its determination. You can usually find an estimated value for your car online through Kelley Blue Book or other sites that valuate cars. Knowing what your car might be worth before the insurance company determines whether it can be repaired may be helpful. Most insurance companies us a 60 percent repair to value ratio. In other words, if they determine your car is worth $2,000 and the repairs will be more than $1,200, they will total your vehicle. If you can prove that your car is actually worth $4,000, that means the repairs can be as much as $2,400 before the car will be totaled.

 

What Happens After Your Car is Totaled?

Once the insurance company determines that your car is a total loss, they normally send a check for the value of the car to you and the car heads to the junkyard. One thing to remember is that refuting a totaled claim is possible. It is your responsibility to prove that the vehicle is worth more than the insurance company’s value which means it could be repaired. If you have records showing extras like air conditioning, leather seats, performance packages or vehicle enhancements you added to the car that were not the factory standard, you may boost the value of the vehicle. You can also reach out to body shops and ask them to take a look at the vehicle for written estimates on what it would actually cost to repair the vehicle rather than the estimate created by the insurance company.

 

Can You Keep Your Vehicle Even if it is Totaled?

If you cannot negotiate with your insurance company and they insist on totaling your car, you still may have options. In many states, you can tell the insurance company you want to keep the car rather than have it sent to a junkyard as long as you own your car outright and do not have a lien on your title. If you do this, the insurance company pays the actual cash value of the car minus the deductible and any payment they would have received from the junkyard. You are free to use that money to repair your car on your own. If the damage is simply cosmetic and you can drive it, this may be the best option. If you can make the repairs yourself, you can do so, or you can take it to a trusted auto body shop.

 

Keep Hidden Damage in Mind

One thing to keep in mind when a car is totaled is that there may be hidden damage that you cannot see. This may include a cracked or broken frame which could make your vehicle unsafe to drive. There may also be damage to engine parts that could be expensive to replace. Insurance companies rarely declare a car totaled without valid reasons, but if you are experienced in car repairs or have a trusted mechanic who can confirm there are no hidden damages, keeping your car may be a better option for you. You also must keep in mind that there will be a notation on the title that it has a prior condition, such as salvage or reconstructed. This could impact your insurance rates and resale value in the future.

 

Finding a Body Shop

In most cases, a good collision shop will repair a car that the insurance company has totaled. The key is to find a shop that will offer detailed estimates after a thorough review of the vehicle. You want a shop that will review hidden areas of the car and look at all locations where damage exists to give you an accurate price on repairing the car. Once they have provided you with an estimate, you want to ask if they are using original equipment from the manufacturer (OEM), aftermarket or used parts on the vehicle. Often, after market parts may be of the same quality as OEM parts and insurance companies often prefer them to OEM parts. However, if you prefer OEM parts, you can request that the shop use those other than aftermarket parts when possible. If your car is an older model, it may be difficult to find OEM or aftermarket parts which means the shop may have to install used parts. Because the insurance company will not be paying for the repair when your vehicle is totaled, you can request the type of part you want but understand the age of your car may determine the type of part that will be used.

If your insurance company has determined your car is a total loss after an accident, contact Elmer’s Auto Body. We can provide you with a detailed estimate after a thorough review of your car to determine if it may be beneficial for you to keep your car and repair it rather than send it to a junkyard. With over 70 years of collision repair experience, you can trust Elmer’s Auto Body to make your repairs and send you out in a vehicle that is safe for you and your family. You can set up a no obligation appointment by calling 856-218-0202 in Washington Township, 856-456-7018 in W. Collingswood Heights or 609-714-4050 in Medford Township. You can also visit our website at www.elmersautobody.com and fill out the easy online form to schedule your appointment.

A bumper is more than just something that makes your vehicle look good, it’s a vital component for driver and passenger safety. If your bumper is damaged, you should consider having it repaired or replaced before something more serious happens. The good news, not all bumpers need to be replaced because many of them are repairable. Bumpers can become damaged in a number of ways, whether it’s a traffic accident, being rear-ended in a parking lot or you accidentally drive into an object yourself.

When it comes to filing an insurance claim for minor bumper repairs, depending on the extent of the damage, it isn’t always feasible and your rates can also be increased as a result. Therefore, it’s important to know when it makes more sense to repair a bumper or whether you should just replace it.

Below are three examples that explain when bumpers can be repaired and when they should be replaced.

 

Bumper Hooks are Broken or Damaged

If the bumper hooks are broken or damaged on your vehicle, you will need to replace your bumper. Bumpers are designed with hooks that adhere to the splash guard, grill, and valance panel. If your bumper hooks are broken or damaged, the integrity of your bumper will be compromised and could fall off without warning.

Simply repairing or replacing the broken or damaged hooks will not work because once hooks break, there’s no way to attach them. You will need a new bumper with the hooks already attached to ensure that your bumper stays on your vehicle.

 

Minor Paint Damage

Depending on the extent of the damage to the paint job, there are some options available for repair. If your bumper is full of deep scratches or is missing large sections of paint, you may want to consider replacing your bumper. Bodywork and repainting your bumper back to its factory condition can cost almost as much as a new bumper; therefore, it’s more feasible to buy a new one.

On the other hand, if your bumper has minor paint damage, you can easily have it repaired for a few hundred bucks by a professional auto body repair specialist. The best way to know which option is the best is to get an estimate for the damages.

 

Cracked Bumpers

Cracked bumpers are in the same category as paint damage. Depending on the size of the crack and length can determine whether or not you should repair or replace it. Since cracks in bumpers need to be filled with a body filler, sanded, primed, and painted, the size of the crack does matter.

Small cracks can generally be repaired without too many issues; however, large cracks can cause your bumper to lose its structural integrity and should be replaced as opposed to being repaired. For maximum vehicle and passenger safety, bumpers with large cracks should be replaced.

 

Finding a Trustworthy Auto Body Shop

Depending on where you live, there are several options for finding a trustworthy and professional body shop. Performing an online search with the key phrase “auto body shops near me” will result in the top auto body specialists in your immediate area being displayed on your web browser. You can also ask your friends and relatives if they know of one. Additionally, you may even know where some are located, simply stop in and have them access the damage to your bumper.

 

Getting a Professional Opinion

Taking your vehicle to a professional auto body and collision repair shop can help you to determine whether you need a new bumper or not. Most auto body repair shops are experienced with handling insurance claims, and they can get your vehicle back on the road in the fastest time, saving you both time and money. For more information about bumper repair or replacement, please fill out the contact form.