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.

Beautify Your Car

A car could be a priceless possession for many and any kind of dent or damage to the auto body can take away its overall look. If you have neglected your vehicle care or have been recently involved in an accident, your car needs attention and you may have to get the auto body repaired through auto reconditioning specialists.

A lot of breakthroughs have been happening in the auto body collision repair field, one of the most popular being paintless dent repair. This quick technique involves removing all the minor dents without having to repaint the damaged portion. This is widely used to repair minor body creases, hail damage, minor bumper indentations and door dings. However, if there is paint damage on the vehicle, then this technique may not be suitable.

Today you can quickly have your car repaired of its dents, broken glass, peeled off paint or any other damage caused due to collision. It is important to find a collision repair facility with well qualified and trained technicians who can repair your vehicle and restore it to its original shape and make it looking new.

There may be times when you may not know what to do when repairs are required for your vehicle as a result of which the auto body repair may get neglected and even put off for a long time resulting in more damages leading to more expenses out of your pocket.

Making Your Car New Again

No one ever plans on getting into a car accident. It just happens. Afterwards, getting the vehicle repaired is priority. For those who live in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, finding a reliable, affordable and trustworthy auto repair shop is the best plan of action. There are a few places that can accommodate the repairs, and a Gabriel Sports Car auto body shop can get the vehicle back on the road quickly and affordably. These are some of the services they offer.

Frame

One of the worst problems a vehicle can have after the accident is a bent frame. Many believe that a car is never the same after the frame is bent. With new technology, however, a Gabriel Sports Car collision repair shop can make it feel like new. Choose a business that uses an efficient pulling system that can handle pulling from 360 degrees and multiple directions all at once. This will help the vehicle look like it used to, before the wreck. It will also improve its drivability and make it safer.

Cosmetic Damage

Bumps and fender benders can make it embarrassing to drive around Hampton Roads. It may not make it impossible to drive the vehicle, but most people would prefer not to do that. Paintless fixes are an option for auto repair in New York. When a new paint job in unavoidable, the consumer should choose a body shop that has state-of-the-art painting facilities and can handle more than one job at a time. This prevents customers from going several days without their vehicles while they are waiting for the paint booth to be available for their vehicle’s needs. A skilled professional in the painting booth can make a vehicle look like new.

Mechanical Problems

Sometimes auto accidents involve more than external damage. Radiators are crushed, exhaust systems are bent and wheels are demolished upon force of impact. Alignment and transmission work are also frequent necessities to have fixed after a car accident. Hoses, brakes and light lenses may also need to be replaced. It is important to have a reliable and experienced professional to fix mechanical problems. It is also more convenient for the customer to have the vehicle completely fixed on both the outside and under the hood, rather than having to go to one place for external collision repair, then a mechanic to make the vehicle run properly.

The More You Know!

The fifth thing you want to keep in mind is something that not everyone thinks of in the heat of the moment. Even though you probably have a lot on your mind at the moment, make sure that the auto body shop is giving you a contract before they begin work. This contract should include the repairs they intend to do to your vehicle and the price for everything. This is to protect both you and the shop. You certainly would not want to come back in a few days with a bill that's hundreds of dollars more then you authorized.

The sixth thing that you should do, before paying for completed work, is to inspect your vehicle. Make sure that the work you are being billed for was actually done and done right. If there are flaws that need fixed, do not shy away from saying something about it. There is never a reason to pay for a poor job. The seventh thing to keep in mind is that you must keep all records of your accident. Keep receipts for the auto body repairs that were done to your car. This will help you later down the road when you want to sell your car.

When you follow these simple steps and keep them in mind before heading to the auto body repair shop you will be in good shape. You will know what to expect, you will know your rights, and most importantly, you will not be ripped off.

Getting Your Quotes

Body damage to a car is never a pretty sight. Luckily, today it's much easier to get them fixed without much of a hassle. Some of the best ways to get good quotes for repairing body damage to a car are:

Asking friends for references: Your friends can prove to be the best source of information for finding out the best places for fixing car body damage. They would have either dealt with it themselves or would know someone who has. And if they already know a local body shop that does it, then it will make your job even easier.

Call local auto body shops: Before you take your vehicle to any local body shop, getting quotes from several other body shops should be your primary step. Getting a quote beforehand will keep you from paying more than necessary for repairs. Also, make sure that you make a detailed list of the problems that your car faces because that will help the auto mechanic to find the problem quicker and rectify it accordingly. Don't forget to include the vehicle make, engine size and model year of your car at the top of the symptom list.

Moreover, you can also provide a detailed list of your car's symptoms online and get a quote, thus saving you a lot of your precious time at the local body shop. Since you already have the information about the cost of repairs from such workshop, any fraud or excessive charges can be avoided from unscrupulous body shop owners.

Get multiple quotes: Get multiple auto repair quotes from several body shops. Ask friends and neighbors if they are aware of some reliable body shop dealers who will do a great job. Since quotes will differ from one shop to another, it is always feasible to look around for better deals. It's your car and naturally you will want the best for your vehicle.

Where to Start After an Accident!

Accidents can happen fast and you'd never know what hit you. I am referring to what literally hit you. It will leave your head with a lot of questions, whether you need a full dent repair or just a quick repair for a minor scratch in the paint. It all boils down to one question, though - "Where do I start?"

The place to start is at the most reliable auto body repair shop near you. Auto body shops or collision repair shops are words almost synonymous to automobile damages, because it's the first place you go to after wrecking or damaging your automobile in an accident. However, auto body shops are more than this. Aside from fixing dents and scratches, there are other services that they can do. One such repair shop is Gabriel Sports Car!

Is Expensive Auto Repair Really Worth It?

But could a customer perceive the difference between a $2000 and $1000 bumper job? No chance. If I could quantify the difference, it might be (an undetectable) 5%.

I'm not advocating that you choose the lowest bid every time (there are some bad shops out there), but as a former shop owner, I can tell you with confidence that it's seldom worthwhile to choose the highest bid.

You're going to want to choose the most affordable bid from a shop with a good reputation.

Here's how to find that "just right" auto body shop:

1. Get at least 4 bids.
2. Toss the high bid.
3. Do some research on the remaining 3 bids.
4. Check online reviews: Google, Yahoo, Yelp, etc.
5. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
6. Inspect the shop...is it clean and orderly?
7. What about the customer service? Do they answer the phone? Are they polite? Do they answer your questions? Does the manager/estimator create a good, knowledgeable impression?
8. Do they guarantee their work? You will want at least a 3 year guarantee from defects like peeling and discoloration.
9. Usually, the shop will have completed cars waiting for pick up. Inspect the work. Would you pay for that work?

After you've done your investigating, circle the auto body shops you felt comfortable with trusting your car. Trust your gut instinct! Then choose the one with the lowest bid. You'll get a repair that you will be very happy with yet spend hundreds if not thousands less.

Auto Body Shops Offer More Than Just Repair

Do you know everything that an auto body shop can do for your car? Most people think of these establishments after an automobile accident, when damage to the car needs to be repaired, but there are many more services that they offer.

Painting cars is one of the most common tasks an auto body shop will undertake. While vehicles that have been in accidents usually need to be painted, the service center will also paint vehicles for other reasons. Sometimes the vehicle's owner is looking for a new color, and other times they are looking to customize the car with stripes, flames, or other decorations. Computerized paint mixing systems allow repair centers to carefully match a customer's desired color, allowing the company to do small touch ups that perfectly match the vehicle's existing paint.

Most companies have detailing services as well, which help restore a car's finish and brighten up its look, both inside and out. If you are getting ready to sell your vehicle, consider having it detailed. This will help it to truly shine as people come to look at it.

Dent repair is another task that these repair centers will handle. Small dings and dents greatly diminish the look of an otherwise nice vehicle. Most centers can quickly and easily mend these without the need to paint, restoring the vehicle to its like-new look. Similarly, repairing small paint scratches also falls in the list of tasks performed by a repair center.

World Class Auto Body Repair Shops

1) Notice the appearance of the auto center-the outer appearance of the auto body shop can tell you a lot about their business. Is it clean and well-lit? Does the equipment look modern? You can tell you will get the best repairs with the most up-to-date equipment.

2) If possible take a tour-If they will let you, walk around the body shop and talk to the staff members. You can ask them about their experience, how many years they have been working in this field, and you can get a feel from the mechanics if they seem competent and knowledgeable about repairs.

3) Look for special awards-While you are on your tour, try to notice any special awards or plaques on the walls or in offices. This is a good sign that they are well qualified and have undergone the necessary training to properly maintain your vehicle. The awards show that they really do know what they are doing.

4) Find out their policy-ask them what their policy is in case you don't like their work. Ask them how long the repairs will take, if they will fix it at no charge or will there be additional fees? What is the warranty and how long is it good for?

5) Inspect the vehicle after its been repaired-once your vehicle has been repaired, notice if anything doesn't look right and notify the auto body shop. Even if you don't notice anything until you are home, notify the shop as soon as possible.

How to Deal With an Auto Body Shop

It happens to all of us at one point in time. We get into an automobile collision. Hopefully, it is not too bad and we are not seriously injured. But usually the car does not fare as well and comes away with significant damage.

What is the next step? Likely, after informing the insurance company you take your vehicle to one of their "approved" vendors.

Here is what happens next. You tell the insurance company what company you choose. By this time they have already taken phones of the car and know how extensive the damage is. They have a computer system that gives them a printed estimate stating what the replacement parts and labor will be based upon a set hourly rate.

This statement is given to the auto body shop. It comes with a break down of what the labor and parts "should" be and the company has to usually be able to totally fix the car for that price. Keep in mind that what is printed out represents the best case scenario and doesn't allow for items on the car that was missed or problems that come up.

Now here are some things to watch out for. Local body shops are operating under very, very thin margins and the incentive to "cut corners" is huge. Getting an extra $300 off a job can really add up over the course of the month when you are talking about doing at least 3-5 vehicles every week.

Replacement Parts

Make sure the parts being used on your car are OEM parts. These are replacement auto body parts are sent directly from the car manufacturers and are designed with the same specs as the vehicle came with. Aftermarket parts can be significantly cheaper yet are not the same quality and make not hold up the same in the event of another accident.

Need a Paint Job?

New York auto repair shops can do amazing things to fix up your vehicles. New York auto repair technicians are trained to do a lot of different services. One such service is touching up the paint of your automobile.

If you notice your car needing a paint job, your local New York auto repair technician can be the job done. There are different ways that the technician can touch up the paint of your car. Here are a few different ways that New York auto repair technicians can perform auto paint touch ups. If your car only has minor damage or chipping, it can be touched up easily. Technicians can repair small paint chips on your car with touch-up paint or a very small paint brush. You can usually buy paint spray in smaller quantities at most New York auto repair body supply shops.


Larger paint jobs usually are repaired by spray guns. They can also be used by spraying paint through an airbrush. Technicians make sure to match the existing original paint color of your car. They are able to match the exact color since most car paint have a specific pain code with it. This code is imprinted on a tag on your vehicle, or a decal somewhere that won't be seen from the outside of your car. This helps the auto body supply shop to get the exact color match.

Quality Auto Glass Repair Right Here!

If you are in need of high quality auto glass repair for broken windshields in New York, after that you can definitely find the complete range of very affordable wind shield repair services, done with a smile. New York has a number of different auto glass stores that will happily fix your damaged, chipped or shattered wind shields and several other auto glass. Whether you have a simple chip, ding, crack, or hole in your windshield, there are plenty of auto glass repair facilities contending for your business who can give you a competitive price and accurate estimation for insurance claims.

New York is like any place in the country--or world, for that matter--in that we are not safe from damaged auto glass. The chief culprit in damaged or cracked windshields is other vehicles on the roadway--namely, big rigs that either trail or kick up rocks. This does not have to be a stressful experience for you, however. Numerous auto glass repair businesses will probably provide you a regular estimation--whether you are completely insured or not. The average auto glass claim is around $100-$200, but of course they can be less and more. Its essential to make a claim in as timely a manner as possible for a number of reasons, not just financial.

Auto Repair Shops Focus on Women

Courtesy of Daniel Dullum:

"More and more, auto repair garages are seeing the advantages of marketing to the female consumer.

Cruise the Internet, and a site for a garage like Auto Repair & Fuel Systems in West Fargo, N.D., will pop up, exclaiming, "Women love our professional service!"

They're not alone in that marketing approach. In Wilmington, Del., Christian Porter fixed his friends' cars as a hobby while he worked full time at MBNA as a project manager in the technology department. While working on the cars of his friends and acquaintances, women confided that they were uncomfortable going to "professional" garages.

"You hear this enough, and you recognize an opportunity," Porter told the The News Journal of Wilmington and New Castle.


When MBNA announced volunteer severance packages to trim its staff, Porter took the buyout, seized the opportunity and opened his own garage that would cater to women – Everest AutoWorks & Auto Spa – in July 2009. While Porter doesn't turn away male customers, he estimates that 80 percent of his business comes from women.

Douglas Lee, an official with AAA Mid-Atlantic, said Porter's strategy is smart because "despite the stereotypes, it's women who most often decide where a car gets serviced."

Porter's plans included car repair workshops for women, something already being done at shops like Ponder's Auto Repair in Johnson City, Tenn., where owner Brian Ponder presents his "Women on Wheels Seminar," and at Accurate Auto in Hillsboro, Ore.


Rick Kersey, owner of Accurate Auto, explained to the Hillsboro Argus newspaper that he wanted to "empower" female drivers, especially for encountering roadside emergencies, when finding a reputable mechanic can be a challenge.

"Our main goal is to help educate women in the local community about repairs on their cars and get them more prepared for that unexpected breakdown or emergency," said Kersey, who began his Women's Car Care Clinics in April 2010.

Aluminum or Steel Rims?

Now, if you're choosing between aluminum wheels or steel rims but can't tell the difference, then what you need to know is this-most steel wheels take full wheel covers or hubcaps. Aluminum wheels take a smaller center cap cover and are either a machined finish or painted finish with a hard clear coating. However, if you're interested in chrome wheels, then you should know that chrome can either be steel or aluminum. Your auto shop should help you tell which is which. Most auto repair shops sell new and used wheels so if you're on a tight budget, you still have this option.

Gabriel Sports Car has all types and size of custom, new, and used wheels. Choose from different designs of custom and factory original 20" wheels, 17" wheels, 22" rims, and 20" rims. They carry all original brands of hubcaps and wheels such as American Racing, BBS, Eagle, Boss, Enkei, Asanti, Centerline, TSW, Panther, and Beyern. Gabriel Sports Car also provides wheel repair services and car accessory installations.

Frame Damage

When I was just out of college, I rumaged through the local paper for an affordable passenger car that would take me accross cuntry to New York. I happened upon a model that was labeled as salvage. Not knowing anything, and not getting help from my Grandma who was the only person around at the moment - I thought "Why not"? Well, after 2 terrible years with that car, I have learned why not.

After getting into another accident with it and finding that they would not repair it because of the previous damage,I defintely learned my lesson. It turns out the the frame of the car is the most important safety feature it has. In an auto collision, your frame is what ultimatey protects you during a crash.

In modern cars and other vehicles, the frame is a highly engineered crash-absorption component that can help to protect you and your family in a car collision New York by dispersing impact forces more predictably. Every year, hundreds of thousands of used vehicles with hidden frame damage to that very component are bought and sold, usually for one of two reasons:

1. Typical visual frame inspection procedures for new or pre owned vehicles used by even the most reputable car dealers can actually fail to detect hidden auto frame damage from a car collision.


2. Unscrupulous individuals are "passing off" a salvaged car that has been totalled and refurbished, but not repaired correctly or to vehicle safety specifications.


When I learned these things, I sold my little sports car or a song - and felt good about it.

National Two-Second Turn-off Day

National Two-Second Turn-off Day is sponsored by AAA, Seventeen magazine and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Almost nine out of 10 teens admit to driving distracted and almost as many admit they know it is dangerous, according to an AAA survey.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens and 36 percent of teen drivers admit they have almost been in an car collision due to cell phone use while driving.

“Taking your eyes off of the road for two seconds doubles your risk of a crash or near-crash and National Two-Second Turnoff Day is an opportunity for young drivers nationwide to take control of their own safety behind the wheel by making the wise and responsible decision not to drive while distracted," said Kathleen Marvaso, AAA vice president of public affairs. "National Two-Second Turnoff Day is a reminder to drivers of all ages that they should keep their eyes and attention on the road while driving at all times."

For more information, go to TeenDriving.AAA.com.

State Farm about texting while driving

New State Farm survey results show that teens do not believe texting and driving is as dangerous as drunken driving, despite academic research that shows it is.

The majority of teens, 55 percent, said drunken driving could be fatal, where as only 36 percent said texting and driving could be fatal, according to the State Farm survey. Of teens that do not text and drive, 73 percent believe that, if they did, they would get into an accident; however, of teens that admit to texting and driving, only 52 percent believe they could get into an accident.

The United Kingdom’s Transport Research Library (TRL) said, in a 2008 study, that reaction time of 17- to 24-year-old drivers was reduced by 35 percent when typing a text message, compared to 12 percent when driving after drinking to the legal limit.

"Some teens still think the consequences of reaching for a cell phone are less severe than reaching for a beer bottle," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources at State Farm. "We have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to helping teens understand that texting while driving can be every bit as dangerous as drinking while driving. It's an awareness gap that must be addressed."

Tips for Car Seat Safety

Sept. 20-24 is Child Passenger Safety Week (CPSW) sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

CPSW’s goal is to educate parents about proper car seat installation and use. On average four kids younger than age 14 die in car accidents every day and more than 500 are injured. The proper use of car seats and seat belts decreases that risk, according to NHTSA, but more than 75 percent of car seats are improperly installed.

Dorel Juvenile Group, one of the sponsors of CPSW gives the following suggestions for proper car seat use:

1. Face children to the rear;
2. Use car seats that fit the child’s weight and height;
3. Do not buy used or expired car seats;
4. Replace car seats that were involved in an accident;
5. Consult the experts, such as fire fighters or local police officers.

Additional car seat tips can be found at safety1st.com. For more information about CPSW, go to nhtsa.gov.

Fender Benders

Every time I'm in a Walmart parking lot I have several opportunities for a fender bender - or worse. There are so many people swerving wildly around the parking lot looking for who knows what and fewer people who are really doing thier best and most aware driving. It's situations like this that make me nervous that I might need to call my auto insurance company or visit a New York Collision repair shop rather than doing the fun things I had planned.

Fortunately, things usually go fine. However, there are many close calls and I think it's important to have a plan in mind in case a car collision really happens. So, what to do? Do you solve the problem with the other party without the police? Should you call the insurance? Will it rack up your premiums? Will the other driver change their story tomorrow?

If your local police force will handle this type of minor accident, then it's best to consultant the police. It's been my experience that police in more rural areas like the rural parts of Westchester County will handle the situation. However, I have lived in urban areas where the police are too busy to deal with fender benders - in this case, it's important to document the situation and exchange contact information. Write the driver's license down and license plate and have a disposable camera on hand to document the damage to both cars.

If you plan to involve your insurance company - you'll need to involve the police most likely.Insurance companies usually require that any and all accidents, regardless of their magnitude, have to be reported and this means that a police officer has to come to the scene of a reported accident and document his or her observations about the accident and the drivers. Even though an insurance company will eventually cover the repair costs and medical claims, sometimes there are other legal issues which could arise from a minor thing such as a fender bender and we'll talk about them later in the article.

If the damage is minimal to both cars and this is a no fault situation, it's probably best to leave the insurance company out of it. For one thing, the deductible might be too high to cover the collision damage. Or, you might increase your premiums. If this is the case, talk to the other driver and agree upon the total cost of damage and what the other person will pay, or if itis your fault, what you will pay.

If the other driver involved in the car collision is combatitive, you should definitely call the police because this person may change their mind later on and request further damage claims.

In any case, figure out how you're going to handle this type of situation if it arises and keep whatever you need on hand, such as a pencle, paper and camera, if you need it.

Paintless Dent Removal

Depending upon the degree of damage to your car, you may or may not be eligible for paintless dent removal for your Westchester County accident. The great thing about paintless dent removal is that it is fast, inexpensive and involves no major body work . It does not require painting (hence the title of this article) or drilling into your car's body. Instead, it uses suction devices to straighten out the dents. The best thing about paintless dent removal White Plains is that it saves you money because you don't end up having an entire panel of your car replaced.Since the auto repair technition works from the behind the car's panel, the damaged area is pushed forward into place to align with the surrounding areas.