3 Surprising Facts About Automotive Collisions
Posted on: 9 March 2022
If you're lucky, you won't need to deal with collision repair too often. Unfortunately, being lucky enough to avoid frequent accidents also means that you may not have much experience dealing with the collision repair process. The steps necessary to go from an automotive wreck back to a functional car might seem daunting at first, but there's no need to be intimidated.
Keep reading to learn three potentially surprising facts that will help you get your car repaired quickly, efficiently, and safely.
1. Your Insurance Company is Your First Point of Contact
Are you ready to pick up the phone and start calling collision shops? You might be disappointed to find that many suggest talking to your insurance company first. If your insurance company or the other driver's insurance will pay for repairs, they will usually be your first point of contact. You'll want to discuss options with them and receive an insurance estimate before deciding on a body shop.
While you can still choose the collision repair shop you want to use, the insurance company will typically work with that shop to negotiate prices. This approach streamlines the process since initial estimates rarely hold, and shops often find more damage as they conduct repairs. Your insurance company will work with the shop's technicians to ensure you get a complete repair.
2. Damage is Rarely Skin Deep
The design of modern vehicles means that even relatively minor damage can impact the car's overall structure. Most of the body panels on contemporary unibody cars and SUVs have a role in the vehicle's structural integrity. While it might seem like your car only has a few minor dents, the damage under the surface might be more significant.
As a result, you shouldn't ignore any accident damage unless you're sure that it's not severe. Minor scratches might not be a big deal, but it's also worthwhile to have an expert evaluate the damage on body panels, bumpers, or functional and mechanical components. You might discover that seemingly cosmetic damage is more severe than you think.
3. Accident Damage Can Make Your Car Unsafe
Damage from an accident can do more than reduce your resale value and leave your car looking worse for wear. Frame damage can impact how your vehicle drives, leading to unpredictable and even dangerous behavior on the road. Misalignments can also wear out tires, shocks, and steering components more rapidly, leading to more potentially hazardous issues.
Structural damage can even reduce your car's ability to withstand future accidents, putting you or other occupants at risk. While you might want to save your insurance money instead of repairing your vehicle, it's often a much safer idea to use that money to get your car back into pristine condition.
To learn more, contact a company like Exoticar Paintworks Inc.
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