The ice and snow that has hit our area recently probably is not good for you as a driver, but it has certainly brought a great deal of business to the local auto body repair shops. Mother Nature has been wreaking havoc on the roadways as the slippery conditions have caused an increased number of fender benders and other types of collisions.
Karen Amshay, a local resident, had this to say about her driving experience earlier this week: “When I pulled into a parking lot today I did go sideways, and it was in a 4-wheel drive. I have seen a couple cars slide sideways a little bit on the greasy roads.”
Robert Wilbur, a worker at a body shop just north of here in New York, expects the steady stream of vehicles needing collision repair for as long as this type of weather keeps up. Tow trucks roll in with cars in various conditions. Some even come in to the auto body repair shops that simply cannot be repaired because it would cost the car owner more to repair the vehicle than what it is actually worth.
Wilbur encourages drivers to perform some preventative maintenance on their vehicles during this season to help reduce the chance of accidents. Driving slower on these slippery roads is certainly one thing you can do, but replacing your tires if they are worn and replacing old windshield wipers will also help you on the slick roads.
What are you doing to stay safe on these treacherous roadways? Have you been in a fender bender or something more serious in the last couple weeks with all of this snow? Or have you been extremely cautious in your driving routines?
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Accidents happen, particularly during the winter months when we’re all visiting friends and relatives, driving in unfamiliar territory with folks who are also distracted, lost, and sometimes even inebriated from a little too much holiday cheer. It’s easy to pull out of an unfamiliar driveway and hit a mailbox you would swear wasn’t there when you pulled in, or get rear-ended by the guy behind you who has a map unfolded on the dashboard as he tries to find his way to his in-law’s. If you run into an accident this holiday season in the Reading, Allentown or Lehigh Valley, PA area, you know we’re the ones to come to.
If you’re on the other side of the continent, though, here are some of our best tips for finding an auto body shop that can help you without ruining your holidays with poor work and shoddy service.
- Mileage Equals Quality. An auto body shop won’t stay in business long if it provides lousy work. Find out how long the auto body shop has been in business before you hand over the keys to your ride. At Vinart Collision Center, we’ve been in business for over fifteen years, and you know we’d never have hit that number if we didn’t provide great service and quality work. Check the shop’s website or ask them outright how long they’ve been in business.
- Variety of Services. Even a regular mechanic can bang out a dent passably, but most good body shops know how to do everything from fix that minor dent to completely restoring your car to getting a fantastic paint job on it once it’s done. If they only provide a few services, chances are they don’t understand how some body work can affect the rest of the car – and that means you’re likely to encounter other problems.
- Mechanical Services. While some really quality body shops don’t do mechanical work at all, they will know a good mechanic that they work with regularly. Others – like us – have a full mechanical staff in-house. If the body shop you’re looking at shrugs their shoulders when you ask how the mechanics have been affected by the damage and says that’s not really their domain, look elsewhere. A good body shop should know that it’s not just how it looks, it’s how it runs too, and they’ll be able to provide the services to get both of those things taken care of.
- Evidence. Look around the body shop you’re considering and get an eyeful of how their staff works. If you see a lot of careless-looking banging, lack of consideration for the car, or anything else that makes you think they’re not treating the cars with care, don’t stick around to be proven wrong. Their customers entrust them with those cars, and if they don’t care enough to make sure their work is precise and the car doesn’t get damaged in some other way through their work, then the end result is not going to be satisfactory.
Of course, if the damage is minor, we’d much sooner see you back at our auto body shop, where you’re always in good hands. When the holidays are over, come let us check out that dent from the mailbox. We’ll have you looking like new in no time.
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Hitting a deer on the freeway is a traumatic and expensive experience. Not only could the act of missing it cause you to get into an accident, but hitting the deer means a trip to the auto body repair shop to get your car back to its original shape. Unfortunately, it is something that can not always be avoided.
This is the busiest season for finding deer trying to cross the freeways. One of the main reasons for that is due to the deer hunters. “The more hunters that we have out in the woods, the more pressure that will be put on the deer to move,” said Bill Meshell, an auto body shop owner. “And the more they move, the more we’ll see them on the roads.”
These collisions, however, can provide a great deal of everyday work for auto repair shops. Depending on the speed you were going and how you hit the deer, you could pay anywhere from $1,200 to $5,000 or more.
Avoiding a collision with a deer is a waste of time, but there are a couple things to look for so you can be more cautious. For instance, if you see one deer, there are likely several more around. Also, early morning and late night times are when deer are on the move so be extra careful when driving during these hours. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid a deer collision this season!
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A major component of an auto body shop’s jobs is to fix dents, dings and chips that can ruin a car’s pain job and even lead to rust and corrosion. We know you take rate pride in the way you car looks so we would like to offer these tips to help you maintain your vehicle’s paint job and keep it looking its best.
Waxing
Nobody likes to wax their car. It is a tedious chore that most car owners simply neglect. But if you want to protect your car’s paint job, putting a coat of wax on it at least once a month will do wonders. It will also give your paint job a sparkle that most cars around you do not have.
Cover Your Car
A great way to protect your car’s paint job is to keep it covered when you are not driving it. A garage is the best way to keep it covered, but you can also use a car cover to protect the paint from the elements like direct sunlight, hail and ice.
Apply a Paint Sealant
Paint sealants will add many years to the life of your car’s paint job. However, this is a job for professionals. Your local auto body shop can do this for you to ensure it is done correctly.
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A great deal of business for auto body repair shops comes from drivers who are careless in the winter driving conditions. While many times it is impossible to stop an auto accident from happening when ice and snow are on the ground, there are some things you can do to minimize the damages and hopefully prevent injuries in the process. Here are some winter driving tips to help you stay save this season.
Scrape, Scrape, Scrape!
Never try to drive your vehicle anywhere without scraping the ice off all the windows so you can see clearly. Too often, drivers simply clear off a spot on the windshield and think it is fine to go along their way. This is dangerous, irresponsible and even disrespectful to other drivers.
Brake Slowly
Stopping quickly on the snow and ice is a recipe for losing control of your vehicle. You could slide into trees, curbs, other cars or even people. Learn how to brake slowly in various situations so you do not panic when gradual stopping is needed.
Be Aware
Knowing what is around your vehicle is an ideal way to preventing accidents. If you constantly know your surroundings, you can make split second decisions that will either help prevent accidents or minimize the effects of a collision.
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Have you ever thought about pursuing a career as an auto body repair technician? If so, congratulations! Auto body repair is a flourishing career with many opportunities for experienced professionals. Here are some things you should know about the profession and how to get in it.
• As of a few years ago, there are about 220,000 auto body repair positions in the country. About ten percent of those positions focus on repairing and installing automotive glass. Another ten percent of those workers are generally self-employed with their own auto body repair practices.
• New auto body technicians usually receive on-the-job training from employers, but they must also have some form of training beforehand.
• Computer skills are needed to get a job in auto body repair. You should also have skills in math and reading in order to understand directions, calculations and more.
• The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifies auto body repairers. Twice each year, the ASE offers four tests for collision repair professionals. To get certified, you must have two years of work experience and pass at least one of the four ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinish Exams.
Now that you know a little more about the process of becoming an auto body repair technician, start studying for those exams and make your dream come true!
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Auto accidents are one of the main reasons for someone needing an auto body repair shop. However, collisions are not the only reason. Following are some other common reasons for needing an auto body repair shop.
• Rust – Rust can be one of the most detrimental things that can happen to your vehicle. It spreads like wildfire and it often starts on the inside where you cannot even see it until it has taken over a large part of your car. By choosing the proper auto body repair shop, however, you can get rid of the rust that has accumulated before it spreads any further.
• Scratches and chips – Have you ever had a rock chip the paint on your vehicle? Has someone every keyed your car or scratched it accidentally? If so, a good auto body repair shop can fix those problems and make your paint job look like new again.
• Dents – Few things can make your car look messed up than small dents. Get your auto body repair shop to repair these to avoid further damage or rust from forming.
You may think you can do some of these small auto body repairs yourself, but why take the chance? Instead, get it done right by taking it to your auto body repair shop. You’ll be glad you did!
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After a collision, you can be overwhelmed with things that need to be done. Choosing a shop to do your auto body work is one of those decisions that either you can make or your insurance company can make. Here are some things you should know about working with your insurance claims adjuster when it comes to getting body work done on your wrecked vehicle.
• You can choose the auto body shop, but your insurance company often has deals with the ones they recommend. This usually means that they do quality work for a good price. In turn, this helps to keep your premiums lower.
• If your body shop does not accept the amount your adjuster offers, speak with your adjuster again. Your body shop may have found damage that your adjuster missed or there may have been a simple mistake. Communication is key when it comes to dealing with your insurance company and your body shop.
• Your body shop may not release the car to you due to unpaid charges. If this happens, it may be as simple as a phone call to your adjuster. There is a chance that the adjuster approved payment for additional damages and simply forgot to send the payment. If the delay is the fault of your insurer, many times you can rent a car with your credit card and get reimbursed from your insurance company.
These are just a couple issues you may find yourself dealing with when you get into a vehicle collision. The important thing is to keep calm and make careful and informed decisions in this type of situation.
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When you’ve just been in a car collision, you’re probably not thinking very clearly. It’s a scary thing to be in a car accident and your mind will be racing a mile a minute. Here’s a few good things to remember in case of collision; if you write this list down and put it in your glove box, you’ll be able to stay on top of the most important things to do without having to rack your brain for them.
1. If you are injured, don’t move. This is fairly basic, so hopefully you won’t need your list to remember it – because even reaching for the glove box can cause you more injury if something has happened to your back or you’ve broken bones. Stay put and wait for an ambulance.
2. If you aren’t injured, get out of the car away from traffic. If you’ve already pulled over to the shoulder and have plenty of room, carefully get out the driver’s side. If you don’t have room to exit without risking traffic, climb out the passenger side instead. Move away from the vehicle; cars often see a vehicle on the shoulder and think it’s a lane, so staying next to it can be dangerous.
3. If you need help, medical or otherwise, call the police. The police can help if you’ve been in a hit-and-run, if you, the driver, or any passengers are injured, or if you’re having trouble settling insurance with the other driver. If the other driver does not have insurance, call the police. You’ll want a police report for your insurance to use.
4. If you and the other driver are fine, exchange insurance information. If their insurance information is up-to-date, write down everything on the card word for word and call your insurance company before you let them go. You’ll want your insurance company to check the information. Suggest the other driver do so as well; this makes it feel more like a standard procedure and less like you’re suspicious they’re possibly not on the level.
5. If something doesn’t feel right for any reason, call the police. If the other driver is making you feel unsafe, stay in your car with the doors locked and call the police. Wait for them to arrive. If the other driver demands to know what’s going on (after all, they may just want your insurance info so they can leave) crack the window and explain you’re waiting for the police and so should they. Write down their license plate number while you’re waiting.
6. Call your insurance and collision repair shop. Some insurance companies want you to use their collision repair shop, especially if you’re dealing with the other driver’s insurance. You do not have to use their shop! Use the collision repair service you trust and feel most comfortable with. It is not your job to make things cheaper or easier for the other insurance company. Your collision repair service may also be able to get you towed to the shop more quickly than your insurance can.
We hope you avoid collisions throughout your driving lifetime, but if you do need a quality repair shop for whatever reason, contact Vinart Body Shop for the best repairs and service in Lehigh Valley, PA.
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If you’ve just been in a collision, your first impulse is probably to get your car fixed. Hold on for just a second, though – is it really worth the cost of repairs? Ask yourself these questions to figure out whether a repair job is a smart move, or whether you should simply invest the money in a new car.
How new is your car?
If you have a car you’re still paying off that’s fairly new, a repair job is probably a good idea. The price of the repair will be only a fraction of the actual worth of the car, and it will keep you from paying off a vehicle you can no longer use.
If your car is a lemon, however, go look up the blue book value for a car of your make, model, and repair needs. Then go talk to a qualified collision repair shop and get the worst-case scenario cost for repairs (get the low-end cost too, just so you have an idea of the range). Compare the two. If the cost of repairs is more than the cost of the car itself, you’re probably better off scrapping that car and getting a new one.
How badly do you need your car?
In some cases, the repairs may be worthwhile simply because of the time factor. If the repair guy can have you up and running in a few days and you badly need your car to get around, that may be worth the investment. Though it’s true you’d probably be better off in the long haul getting a new car, that hardly matter when you can’t afford a new car and you can afford the repairs on this one – especially if time is a factor. If there’s not a new car in sight and you need a car to get to your job, do the repairs. There’s no arguing with necessity.
Has your car needed recent repairs?
If your car has been giving you trouble lately, has an engine knock, slips gears, or has a slight delay when you accelerate, you’re probably heading for a major repair. If you’ve needed other repairs in the past, consider how much money you’ve been sinking into this car and whether a repair job is worth the excess.
If there haven’t been any problems in the past or foreseeable future, go ahead and get the repairs, but ask the collision shop if they can check for any problems with the car’s structure that may have been caused by the crash. For example, your suspension may now be out of alignment. Fix it now and you’ll save yourself a lot of car trouble in the future – and a good collision shop should be able to save you that repair.
For a great collision shop that also gives in-house repairs like that one, check out Vinart Body Shop in West Chester, PA
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