• Stop your vehicle immediately. Write down the license plate number of the other vehicle.
  
• Show your driver’s license and registration to the other driver and to any police officer.
  
• If anyone is seriously injured, call an ambulance. You should see a doctor if you feel you were injured in any way.
  
• Report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible.
  
• Write a complete description of the accident as soon as possible. Doing this immediately will help keep the accident details fresh in your mind. Use the accident record to help you gather important information.
  
• Notify your insurance company, even if the claim appears small and there are no apparent injuries. Settling the claim yourself is dangerous. Follow all prescribed procedures when reporting an accident to your insurance company.
  
• Be aware of the “Appraisal Clause” in your insurance policy. If the insurance company and the body shop cannot agree on what the repairs should cost, this could provide a means for a fair settlement
  
• Have even minor damage repaired. Letting your car go un-repaired can cost you in the long run. Dents are rust spots deduct from the resale or trade-in value of your car. You will pay for it eventually, so drive a car that’s in first-class condition now.

DON'T

• Never discuss accident details or responsibility with anyone.
  
• Never discuss circumstances of the accident with anyone except the police and a representative of your insurance company.
  
• Never agree to a phone recording or give a signed statement to the claims adjuster representing the other driver’s insurance company. If you feel you’re being pressured, you may wish to consult an attorney.
  
• Never accept a check for the repair of your car until you’re sure it covers all necessary repairs. You are the person who is responsible for having your car repaired to your satisfaction. Choosing a quality repair shop is important and you should not be rushed into a decision.
  
• Please don’t be fooled by a lower estimate. There is a big difference in body shops,l anad a low bid could reflect an incomplete job. When some items are overlooked on a repair, the consequences to the driver can be serous. Exercise your right to determine which shop will repair your car. Make sure every detail has been attended to and repaired to your satisfaction before signing any insurance company release.
  
  Never allow your car to be towed to a repair shop you are not familiar with. Don’t authorize repairs by signing a towing release unless you have decided to have your car repaired by the shop your car is being towed to. Make sure you read and understand all papers before you sign them.

10 Things to Know Before Having Your Car Repaired

As our customer, we welcome you. You will receive the finest quality repairs available. These repairs are made possible only by our continued dedication to the collision industry.

We:

• work to keep our shop equipped with the technology needed to fix today’s complex vehicles
• keep our technicians up-to-date through ongoing training
• strive to meet standards of top quality paint and repair work
• dedicate ourselves to improving the collision repair industry

As a member of the business community, we adhere to a Code of Ethics, our pledge to you of honesty, integrity, safety, and craftsmanship.

You may have some questions concerning the estimating/repair process…this was designed with those questions in mind.

If you have any questions, please ask us. Our trained professionals are ready and willing to help you in any way they can.

For us, satisfying our customers is the most important goal we have.

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• Your car is the second largest investment you’re likely to make. Preserve its value and your safety by having it repaired professionally.

• Never drive a car that could be unsafe because of damages.

• Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claims center before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at our shop and ask that the insurance company inspect the car here.

• There is no law requiring you to obtain more than one estimate or appraisal.

• You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.

• Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you’re not sure why one estimate is different from another you’ve received, please ask us.

• Choose a shop that has uni-body repair equipment and certified technicians (I-CAR or ASE, for example).

• Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.

• Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty.

Collision Repair. Auto Body and Paint. Hassle-free insurance claims.

A few simple techniques used when washing your car can enhance the effort of detailing. Proper washing will keep contaminants off your paint finish and reduce dulling and deterioration of the paint finish.

Avoid washing your car in open sunlight, if at all possible. Also make sure the car is cool. Wash water and rinse water evaporate too quickly and tend to leave water spots which are salt and mineral deposits. Such deposits are capable of eating through wax and etching paint if left on the painted surface for any length of time. Use lukewarm or cool water. Water which is too hot or too cold can cause a shock to the paint and lead to microscopic fractures of the paint surface.

Never use household detergent, whether powdered or liquid. These soaps are formulated to scour metals, plastics and porcelains to remove grease and oil. The mere fact that soap is advertised as being gentle to your hands does not mean it is gentle to your paint/wax finish. Many of these soaps have high sodium or alkaline content and are too strong for automotive care. These soaps can accelerate paint oxidation by depleting the oils from the paint and also removing existing wax. Use a pH-balanced or neutral (pH7) soap on your car. Always check the label of the soap you are using for a listing of all the ingredients. You are better off using too little soap than too much. Too much soap will leave a residue if not rinsed off thoroughly.

Soaps add lubrication to the cleaning process going on between the sponge or mitt and the painted surface.

Wash the car from the top down. Some detailers use different sponges or mitts for the upper part of the car from the lower part of the car, since there are more dirt particles on the lower part of a vehicle closer to the road. Rinse the car often during the washing process. Use a large bucket like an old 5-gallon joint compound bucket or a plastic bucket.

Adding a teaspoon of vegetable oil to the bucket prior to adding water and soap will assist the soap in carrying away the dirt particles from the painted surface during the washing process.