Five Things to Know About Collision Repair

No one plans on getting in an accident, and in the immediate aftermath, determining your next move can be both stressful and confusing. Here are the top 5 things you should keep in mind after a wreck, and as you look to getting your vehicle back on the road.

Don’t Skip the Inspection

Some damage is obvious, other damage less so. If you get out of a wreck with little more than a minor ding (or if you have trouble spotting any damage at all), it’s still worth it to get your car inspected by a professional. The smallest impact can affect the whole vehicle, and left unfixed, could lead to more costly problems down the line, never mind a vehicle that’s not as safe on the road.

You Choose Who Repairs Your Car

Your insurance company may well direct you on where to take your vehicle for repairs based on preexisting relationships they have with auto body shops around town. Where you end up going, however, is entirely your decision.

We recommend choosing a shop that works directly with your insurance rather than leaving that to you. At Hammer’s Autoworks, we know the questions they’ll ask, the sort of photos they’ll need, and have helped facilitate many claims to cover needed repairs for customers.

Depending on the auto body shop your insurance company recommends, you may be advised that the work will not be covered under warranty. However, insurance companies are not the issuers of warranties—that lies with your collision repair shop. So be sure to ask about what warranties are offered when you’re getting your estimate.

Original Factory Condition

The right technicians paired with the right technology can restore your vehicle to original factory condition following a collision. This helps preserve both the vehicle’s safety and its resell value once you’re ready to trade it in for a new ride.

Aftermarket vs. OEM

One of the things you’ll learn about Hammer’s Autoworks is that we are an OEM certified auto body shop. That means we work with original manufacturer parts when we rebuild your vehicle following an accident. Parts that were made by your vehicle’s manufacturer specifically for your vehicle. Aftermarket parts, aside from potentially being imprecise, could come from anywhere and have an unknown history to match. OEM parts are also crash-tested, unlike their aftermarket counterparts.

Totaled

When the cost of repair exceeds the vehicle’s value, it’s considered totaled. This is easier to determine in older vehicles, as the value of your vehicle will depreciate with age. On newer models, though, the insurance company may be reluctant to consider a vehicle totaled. Your auto body shop will work with your insurance company to determine the best path forward.

We know you don’t want to need us, but Hammer’s Autoworks is here to help you navigate the aftermath to get you and your vehicle back on the road.