Auto Repair Shops

Okay, so the above two things are things to watch out for if you haven't picked an auto collision repair shop. What, you say your vehicle is already at a repair shop that the insurance company referred you to? Don't panic, here are some things that you can do that will help you keep the shop honest:

1. Ask the shop manager to provide you with a copy of all the invoices for parts they had to purchase to fix your car, and then compare the parts list with the cost listed on the insurance company estimate.

2. Ask the shop for a written repair guarantee.

3. Ask the shop if they are a direct repair facility for more than one insurance company (just asking this will make them think twice about cutting a corner at your expense). If they are, ask them for the list.

4. Bluntly ask if they have used new Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts (OEM), used OEM parts, or aftermarket parts.

5. Ask the shop to explain "betterment" to you, just because you are curious. This is just to show them that you are reading up on the repair process.

Bumper Repair

You can say you have had a bad day if you get rear ended, in a car accident, or if you accidentally run or bump into something. However the day you take it to get repaired could be an even worse day. Most times people are discouraged by taking their vehicle to be repaired not only due to the high costs involved, but the fact that they may be out of a vehicle for days or weeks. Finding an honest mechanic can be a challenge as well.

Things to consider: Every 17 seconds a reported rear end collision occurs, and every 8.5 seconds an unreported rear end collision occurs. The most frequent accident on the road is the rear end collision, at almost 29.7%, and 75% of these accidents occur at less than 10 mph. Something else to consider is that 36% of all minor auto body damage is to the front or rear bumper.

More than a third!

One in three people with auto body damage have plastic bumper damage.

So if you unfortunately find yourself in a situation where your bumper needs repair know that you are not alone.

There are some practical solutions for you so, read on about what can be done.

Some mechanics or auto body shops will tell you that your bumper will need to be completely replaced. Well that will involve an average of two days to repair depending on how busy the shop is at that time. Also it will cost you at a minimum 500 dollars and up from there. This is an option for you, however it is not the only or most cost effective option you have.

The fact is that bumpers have changed as does everything else in time. They used to be made of sheet metal, now the metal bumper is covered by a plastic fascia in hopes that minor abrasions might pop out more easily. However the plastic can bend, break or rip.

What to Know Before You Go to an Auto Body Shop!

When it comes to visiting a mechanic for repairs or service on your vehicle, it is very important that you are educated before taking it in. There are just too many companies and mechanics out there that are more than willing to take advantage of someone that does not know what to expect and what their rights are regarding service and repairs to their vehicle. It is important to make sure that you are at least somewhat knowledgeable about your vehicle and what should be expected from an auto body repair shop before you go in. By being an educated customer, you will have a much smaller chance of being ripped off.

The first thing you will want to do is to make sure that you are taking the time to fully research the auto body shop before taking your car there. This is the only way to make sure that you are going to get your monies worth. There is nothing worse than paying full price for a job that was done half right. Secondly, you need to make sure that you are getting a few free quotes before scheduling your vehicle to be repaired. This is important, as not all companies will charge the same. Make sure that you are getting the deal that you deserve.

The third thing that you will want to keep in mind is that you should always plan to be without a vehicle for longer then they say. Even if they claim it will only be a day that they will need your car, delays happen, even to the most experienced auto body shop. Plan ahead to make sure that you are going to have the transportation you need in order to get around. The forth thing that you will need to consider is how you are going to pay for all of the repairs and for a rental car, if you so happen to need one. Check your car insurance policy to see what all is covered before you start making your appointments.

Get REAL Estimates for Auto Body Repair

If you car has recently been involved in a minor or major accident and needs auto body repair you will need to find a great auto body shop. Finding that auto body shop that will meet your expectations will require some effort on your part. If you vehicle does need repair, one of the biggest concerns car owners face is how much money will be coming out of their wallet. So, what you need to be doing is not only checking on the qualifications of the shop but also checking their prices by getting quotes to repair what you want and need repaired.

Getting auto body quotes can be challenging and time consuming. You will find yourself repeating your vehicles problems and the concerns you have about your vehicle. You may even want to do some additional enhancements to really get your vehicle to shine. It is important that you first make a list of what you think you need done or problem areas on your vehicle and also write down the additional things you are thinking of investing in. That way you will not leave anything out and you will get a more accurate quote. You may also get a notepad and write down information from each shop that you speak to, if they do not print the information for you. That way you will not forget which shop you already spoke to and what each shop has to offer and their prices.

One way that you can get quotes is by calling auto body shops in your area. This can help you to get around a bout idea of how much your repairs will cost. You can also speak to them about additional services they offer. It would be great if you could get all the work you want done in one place.