Cheap Auto Body Repair – When you have an accident, one of the first steps you take to make it look like it never happened is to get a repair estimate. The truth is, this process can seem scary and most people do not know what to expect. We are sure you imagine the worst, high dollar amounts and long waiting times, but this does not have to be the case. We leave some light on the estimates, so that if you are ever in an accident, not every part of returning to normal is a hassle. It should also be said that an estimate is not always necessary in some specific circumstances.
It’s tempting to turn to Google to help ease your fears before your actual appointment with the appraiser. While there are many online car repair estimate tools available, proceed with caution. Although some of these might be able to give you a rough estimate of what you can expect, (and we really mean a rough estimate) you shouldn’t hang your hat on the costs quoted to you through one of these tools. Only a professional appraiser will be able to give you an estimate that accurately reflects the best way to repair your vehicle.
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When you step back to look at your car, you might think to yourself, “It doesn’t look that bad.” An accident does not have to be particularly serious to require a hefty repair estimate. Now, this does not necessarily mean that the opposite is true. Just because the damage to your vehicle may seem very extensive, you may end up surprised to find that your estimate is not as much as you feared.
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Once you have determined which auto body shop you want to get an estimate from, you will need to contact them to set up a time to bring your car in to prepare your estimate. This step in the process comes at no cost to you. It should only take about 30 minutes for the estimator to properly inspect your car’s damage.
Many auto body repair shops have a comfortable waiting area available while you wait, and some even allow you to drop off your car so you can get on with your busy day. They will take their time, carefully looking at your vehicle to assess how extensive the damage is, making sure that every need is accounted for. After they are finished, you should be presented with your estimated articles.
The overall cost of your estimate varies greatly depending on the extent of the damage to your vehicle. There is no perfect formula you can follow to predict how much your repairs will cost. Just like the cars themselves, there are many complex parts that come together to make your car repair possible. Your estimate should include time for labor, both repair and painting, as well as materials and parts.
Common areas for repair after an accident include the front bumper, side panels, hood or rear bumper. As a general rule, you can expect auto body work in particular areas to fall within the following ranges:
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While looking at those amounts may have given you a case of sticker shock, they accurately reflect the skill, labor and materials required to make your car look like new.
When you need an auto body repair estimate for your vehicle, look for a St. Louis auto body repair shop that will help you through the process and provide only the best customer service. Remember, the service you receive during the estimate process is a good indication of the level of service you will continue to receive from the body shop you choose. Auto body repair in the Seattle, Auburn, Bonney Lake and Centralia, Washington area. it can be confusing if you are not familiar with collision repairs. You probably envision a team of talented technicians, dressed in overalls, working hard to restore your car or other type of vehicle to its former glory. And, if so, it would not be far. But there’s a lot more to the auto body repair process than that, we’ve raised the bar for quality collision and auto body repair at all 4 (four) 1 Puget Collision Locations Sound, including our Seattle collision repair center.
If you are involved in a car accident, it can pay to learn about the body repair process. Not only will this knowledge allow you to control the potential costs and time of the collision repair process, but it will also help you set realistic expectations for auto body repair.
Thousands of collision accidents happen in Seattle every year. I hope you are never involved in one. But if you are, here’s what to expect.
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Immediately after the accident has occurred, it is important that you assess the damage to your car. Take photos of the actual scene for documentation and case filing if you plan to do so. If you are seriously injured, first call an ambulance and the police for assistance. You should contact the respective local authority if the accident occurred outside of the Seattle city limits. For a collision that occurred anywhere in Washington, you can also use the “Online Motor Vehicle Collision Report” page provided by the Washington State Patrol.
Give an unbiased statement of the accident to your insurance company and the police. Take note that both Seattle and other areas of Puget Sound have distracted driving laws in place. You should be honest and state if you were on the phone while driving. This will prevent further complications with the authorities.
Don’t forget to exchange contact information with the other driver involved in the accident. Ask about their insurance policy and how you can get it repaired. This part is crucial when it comes to covering the cost of collision repair. If the other driver claims that he does not have an insurance policy, you should ask for help from the proper legal authority, since Washington requires that all drivers have auto insurance.
You will need to take your car to a reliable auto body repair shop in Seattle or one that is closer to you to receive an accurate repair quote. Note: When searching, you may be better off searching for an “auto body shop” rather than “a body shop near me”. While you can easily send any Collision 1 body photo or have a phone consultation, taking the car into the shop will result in a more precise and accurate quote.
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Our Seattle collision repair center, for example, will have one or more collision repair technicians and auto body technicians conduct a visual inspection of your vehicle to assess the level of damage, including inside, and evaluate which part needs to be replaced. Keep in mind that the first estimate will usually only include visible damage. When the technicians start getting under the exterior of your car, they will likely find even more damage that can result in additional repair costs.
Most auto body service centers in the Seattle area, including Collision 1, use computer software to create estimates and forward these to your insurance company. You will also be provided with a copy of the repair estimate so that you can compare it with quotes from other repair centers.
A quick word when it comes to choosing which quote to proceed with. The cheapest option is rarely the best option. Always choose the company that provides the most comprehensive quote and that you feel most comfortable trusting.
Also, a word about repairing vs. writing your vehicle. When it comes to insurance claims, remember that the depreciated value of your vehicle will be taken into account. The older you are, the smaller the payment will be. Your insurance company assumes that old age exposes some parts of your car to wear and tear. This means that it is almost always better to repair your vehicle instead of scrapping it.
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Finally, if it is another driver, liability will be determined by fault, as mandated by the laws of the state of Washington. Washington is a purely comparative negligence state where fault is responsible for damages.
To give collision repair and auto body technicians a clear picture of the condition of your car, they will come up with a plan. This will be their map towards repairing your vehicle in a systematic process. The pieces will be taken down for further examination. This is where more damage can surface that the car body service center has missed in its visual inspection. A trusted body repair shop will immediately contact you and your insurance company to adjust the estimate if necessary. Don’t worry, this happens regularly and is part of the way the industry works.
Some insurance companies require disassembly first before responding to your insurance claim. In this way, all damages are documented and there is no need for adjustments in the future. It’s also your insurer’s way of making sure you’re not scamming the claim.
Take note that you have the final say on when the vehicle repair should begin. If your vehicle is