3 Things To Know About Collision Repairs at Auto Body Shops
A driver’s worst nightmare is suffering a collision on the road. The aftermath of an accident can leave people with a plethora of uncertainties over things such as insurance deductibles and repairs. Following an accident, it is important to remember all the options you have to reduce headaches down the line, so here are three things to know if you ever have to google “auto body shop near me.”
Repair Estimates Often Depend on the Skill of the Appraiser
An appraiser who knows what they are doing and has a good eye will be able to examine the damage done to your vehicle and give an estimate close to the final repair cost. This way, you reduce the chances of being surprised by the final repair price, which will likely be covered under your insurance. Even if there are damages the appraiser initially missed, he or she can inform the insurance company of why final costs were higher than the original estimates and why the added costs were needed to make the vehicle safe for the road.
Totaling a Car Is Not Just About Damage
A car is considered “totaled” by an insurance company when the cost of repairing it exceeds its resale value. A newer car would have a higher threshold for collision repairs given its higher resale value as opposed to an old car, which would have a lower resale value.
Metal Does Not Have Memory
When metal parts are bent on a car, they cannot be ‘popped’ back in place. Technicians need to use tools to carefully reshape the bent panel to its original form, which takes time and money.
When the worst does happen, the best thing you can do is to know what to do and learn how to indemnify yourself against life’s unforeseen hazards.