No one ever wakes up and says, “I'd sure like to have an accident today.” Aside from the danger factor, being involved in an accident is a real nuisance. From unexpected expenses to lengthy car repairs, there are a lot of stressful things that can happen in the aftermath.
If you were involved in an accident, you can rest a little easy, as there are several things you can do to save money and time.
CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY PROMPTLY
It's important to understand that an accident is an accident, as there is no rule of measure. Particularly when it's a minor collision, some people make the mistake of waiting to contact their insurance company. However, this error can be costly.
Typically, insurance companies have specific guidelines for making claims, including how soon after the accident the claim must be submitted, such as 30 days. If you fall outside of this window, the insurance company could deny your request.
If you were at fault for the accident, this would mean you would have to cover the cost of all repairs on your own. The timeframe guidelines vary between companies and specific insurance policies, so do your research.
DON'T PROCRASTINATE ON REPAIRS
A time- and cost-increasing mistake many people make is waiting around to make repairs. If your vehicle is visibly damaged or a technician assessed your car and made repair recommendations, don't just put this off. Auto body damage is progressive. Take a dent, for example.
When a dent penetrates the protective coat over a vehicle, bare metal parts will be exposed. As the bare metal is exposed to the humidity in the air, road salt, and other elements, this will cause rust to form, and the rust will then easily spread.
The result is costlier and more time-consuming repairs. Take the appropriate steps to have your vehicle repaired promptly to prevent further damage
CONSIDER PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR
Over the years, there have been advancements in the auto repair industry that can help customers like yourself get back on the road faster. One of these improvements is paintless dent repair.
Paintless repair is different from traditional repair in that it does not require that the damaged part be disassembled, sanded, filled, and repainted, which are tedious and time-consuming processes. With this method, the technician uses a specialized tool that gently moves the dented metal back into its proper form to complete the repair.
If the dent in your vehicle has not damaged the paint, paintless dent repair is an option you may be able to consider. A technician can tell you if this is a solution for you.
RELY ON A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP
The saying that you get what you pay for is very true. If you search for an auto body repair with cost as the only factor, there is no guarantee that you will also get the level of quality you need.
When quality is absent, it's likely that the repair will not be performed correctly, and the result is more money spent on additional repairs and more time waiting for those repairs to be performed.
A reputable repair shop is one that offers warranties on their work and parts, has professional certifications, and offers fair and upfront pricing. At Olson's Auto Body, we take pride in providing our customers with
stellar service
from each of our trained team members, and we proudly stand behind our work.
Although the accident might have been out of your control, how swiftly and stress-free you're able to move through the repair process has a lot to do with you. Make sure you're taking the appropriate steps.
