Involved In An Accident? 4 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Auto Body Repair
No one asks to be involved in an accident, but it is an unfortunate thing that happens to be the best of people at some point in their lives. After all, there are millions of people driving on the road every single day, and the majority of them are distracted by one thing or another, making a crash here or there inevitable. Some accidents are minor, while others are more severe. Even if your accident was minor, your car could have suffered some serious damage and need auto body repair. Here are four tips to ensure your auto body damage is fixed properly:
Tip #1: Know That You Have Say-So in Who Fixes Your Car.
Many insurance companies will try to push you around and say that your car has to go to so-and-so shop because it is on their list of recommended shops. While it is true that there is a list of insurance-recommended repair shops, and the majority of them are reputable and perform quality work, there are some on that list that does cheap work and you would not want your vehicle within a mile of. So, prior to taking your vehicle to a shop, do your homework online and scour review sites to make sure that they haven't left anyone in a bad situation.
Tip #2: Try to Stick to OEM Parts.
When your vehicle is being fixed up, the best thing for it is used or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. Some body shops will use OEM parts, while others will opt for aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are not as high-quality and will bring down your car's value. So, make sure to ask upfront what type of parts that the body shop uses.
Tip #3: Inspect the Paint.
You've probably seen vehicles on the road before that have a door or a fender that doesn't match the rest of the vehicle in terms of paint color. It isn't easy to match paint, but someone who knows what they're doing can do it. So, when you go to the shop to pick your car up, examine your vehicle carefully. You can ask what's been replaced even. Then, step back from your vehicle about 10-15 feet and see if you can notice a difference in the color. If there is a noticeable difference, then you may need to request additional work.
Tip #4: Make Sure the Warning Lights Are Off.
After you've been involved in a crash, your dashboard is likely lit up with all sorts of warning lights, from the airbag light to the check engine light. After you pick up your vehicle from the shop, these lights should all be off. If not, then it could indicate that there is a problem somewhere inside the vehicle, such as an electrical problem or with the onboard computer.