A lot of people get confused as to whether they should repair or replace a damaged car after a collision. Well, it depends on the severity of the damage and the cost involved. If the damage isn’t that severe and the repair cost is less than the value of the car, then you should probably consider repairing it with an auto body repair shop like Collision 1.
Here are three reasons why it’s a good idea to repair your car after a collision.
1. Saves Money
As we’ve already mentioned above, repairing a car is a better idea than replacing it because it costs less. An auto body repair usually costs around $50 to $1,500 or even more, depending on the severity of the damage. Compare that to buying a new car which costs around $15,000.
While it does cost money to get a car collision repair service, you can actually achieve savings in the long run. Most companies offering auto body collision repair also provide warranties so if something bad happens with your car shortly after it was repaired, you can return it to the repair shop without paying anything.
Here at Collision 1, we offer a lifetime warranty at all six of our auto body collision repair shop locations. Our warranty covers your vehicle’s finish against fading, chalking, and peeling. So if you’re not happy with our work, you can get it fixed.
2. Allows a Repair Company to Check for Further Damage
If you have your bumper damaged in a car collision, taking it to an auto body shop can let you know if there’s any hidden damage once a repair technician takes a look at it. Hidden underneath the bumper is a foam-like material that can be pushed in when your car gets into a collision. This kind of problem could remain undetected if no one checked your bumper for repair.
Auto body shops have the essential tools and equipment needed to fix any car issue. As such, even if you know how to fix a car, it’s still ideal to bring your vehicle to the best auto repair company in the Seattle Puget Sound area and beyond. With more than 30 years providing A+ rated auto body collision repairs, you can rest assured that your car will be fixed properly. At Collision 1 we truly stand behind our tag line, “Auto Body Like It Never Happened“.
If you live somewhere in Seattle’s King County, Pierce, Snohomish, or Lewis counties in Washington, the best auto shop near you is Collision 1. Collision 1 has been in the business for more than 30 years, bringing only quality auto repair work to satisfy our valued customers. With the latest technology, we can repair your car safely.
3. Increases the Value of Your Car
Another good thing about repairing your car is to increase its value. The condition of your car serves a significant role in how much cash you can get for it. If you plan to sell or trade it in anytime soon, you’ll want to get the highest value possible.
The best way to increase the value of your car is to restore its paint. If it’s so faded that you have already forgotten what it used to look like, try looking inside the door frame. That area rarely gets exposed to the sun and harsh chemicals, so it will be near to the original color of the car.
Collision 1 shops are associated with BASF, one of the premier providers of auto body paints in the automotive industry. BASF allows Collision 1 repair technicians to perform expert color matching on almost any car while offering a lifetime paint warranty.
So, Who’s Going to Pay for the Repair?
Negligence is always the basis for liability in car collisions unless you reside in a no-fault state. Washington is a fault state which means that the person that caused the collision is liable for that damage. Of course, you need to provide proof that the other party was negligent in order to claim any form of damages.
Keep in mind that the responsible insurance company will only reimburse up to its policy limits. For example, if the damages of your car cost $15,000 but the negligent person only has $10,000 of property damage coverage, his insurer will only reimburse $10,000.
If the repair costs surpass your car’s value, the insurer will declare your vehicle a total loss, recompense you its fair market value, and seize it. To avoid this situation, use your own policy’s collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. These types of cover ensure that you’ll be paid for your vehicle damage if the negligent party has insufficient insurance.
What Are the Common Accident Scenarios?
If you want to get a rough idea on car repair estimates and what form of auto insurance coverage you need to cover the repair cost, here are the most common accident situations.
-
Dented Bumper
The cost of repairing a dented bumper may depend on the severity of the damage and the car type you’re using. Bumpers nowadays have a lot of sensors that help avoid the collision and they can increase the cost of the repair significantly. Pricing can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
This repair cost problem will be properly solved if you include collision coverage in your car insurance. Collision covers both the accidents with other vehicles and objects, like a fence or anything that your car hit.
-
Heavy Paint Scratches
Like most other car repairs, the cost to repair deep paint damage may depend on the severity of the damage. A single-stage enamel paint may cost from $300 to $1,000, depending on the car. For deep paint scratches, the cost may go up to $3,500 or even $7,000.
This won’t be a problem if you have comprehensive coverage. You can file for damage due to vandalism.
-
Suspension Damage
The cost of fixing pothole damage may vary depending on the seriousness of the damage. The replacement of a full suspension system may cost up to $5,000.
Your collision policy would cover this form of damage. However, if it only causes damage to your tire, then you need to pay it out of your own pocket. Therefore, you probably shouldn’t make a claim if the damage isn’t that significant.
The Auto Body Repair Process at Collision 1
If you don’t have any idea about what’s going on during the auto body repair process, then here’s a general overview.
-
Secure a Claim Number for Insurance
If you would like your insurer to pay for your car repair, the first thing you need to do is to ask for approval from your insurance company. You can call them yourself or you can ask us to assist you in securing your claim number. You don’t have to contact your insurer, however. You can self-pay and fund the repairs yourself.
-
Getting the Car to the Shop
Now, it’s time to get your car to one of the Collision 1 shops near you. A tow truck will be provided if your car isn’t safe to drive. We provide a shuttle service to reach one of our shops.
-
Disassembling and Appraising the Damage
To get the approval from your insurance company, we’ll submit our estimate of the repairs. We’ll include digital photos to offer a clear picture of your car’s condition. Your car is pre-washed, checked in, and hauled into the shop to start the repair process.
-
Starting the Restoration Process
We’ll check all the damaged parts that need replacing and order the parts. You’ll be updated with the anticipated delivery date and time.
-
Painting Your Car
Before entering the painting booth, your car will be pressure washed, cleaned, prepped, primed, sanded, and sealed. The areas that need to be painted will be taped and masked to protect the other parts of the vehicle. All dust particles will be taken off to make the paint look smooth. Once everything is done, it will be time to refinish the car with the latest paint system technology.
-
Applying the Finishing Touches
Once the painting is done, all parts that were removed will be put back into the car. The car will be realigned and the climate control will be checked for proper functioning. All necessary details will be taken care of at this point.
The car is then checked and taken for a test drive. You’ll get a notification as soon as it checks out and a time will be set to pick up your restored vehicle.
Get Your Car Repaired!
If your car has sustained damage after an accident, our team is here to help. Take your car to a Collision 1 shop near you and we’ll have you back on the road as soon as possible.