5 Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop

With rocks, shopping carts and various other typical hazards, it’s not extremely uncommon to see a scratch in your car, either in the paint or the windshield. Left untreated, any scrape can cause significant issues, from rust and corrosion as a result of paint scratch exposing the metal to a small windshield scratch that spreads out until an entire windshield replacement is needed. To lessen this sort of damage, it is important that whenever your get a scratch to repair it immediately at a shop like Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO.

When you do get a paint scratch or windshield scratch in St. Charles, O'Fallon and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, the best thing to do in most cases is use a professional repair company.

To fix a deep paint scratch that goes all through the paint to the metal, a paint and body repair center such as Jungerman CARSTAR will do the best job in completely fixing the abrasion. To fix this type of scratch, the technician will need to strip the affected panel, prime it and paint it. Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO has the ability to correctly match the color of your vehicle. Depending on your insurance plan, you may get your glass scratch repaired without paying anything out of pocket. No matter if you get a paint scratch or a glass scratch, repair it without delay. The harm your vehicle could sustain from not having a scratch fixed can be both severe and expensive.

But how do you know what auto body shop to visit? It isn't unheard of for estimates from assorted body shops to vary significantly. One shop might give you an estimate for $500 while another wants $2,000 for the work. What's the difference? And when is it fine to choose the cheaper shop?

Here are some ideas from Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO for choosing the most appropriate shop in St. Charles, O'Fallon and Lake St. Louis, Missouri to work on your car — especially if you're the one paying the bills.

1) Pay Attention to Word-of-Mouth
Any business can advertise, but you will fare better with a shop that friends, family and acquaintances suggest. It's a business that has confirmed it can satisfy customers. And it might not be the largest or best-known shop in your community. In some instances, you may get a suggestion for a little shop where the owner works on the cars himself.

2) Consider the Operation's Location and Overhead
Labor hours is the deal-breaker for exactly how much a repair will set you back. Many shops charge $40 per hour for labor. But in ritzy parts of West Los Angeles, the per-hour labor charge is $60-$65. In wealthy Newport Beach, California, we have seen as much as $90-per-hour labor charges.

3) Get Several Estimates

Taking your car or truck to a few auto body shops in the St. Peters, MO area for repair quotes is the ideal way to avoid overcharges. And while you'll want to protect against being overcharged, you should never simply take the cheapest quote. You might get some kind of midnight guy who will say he can do it really cheap. Stay away from those guys, since there is something they're not doing. You may have major problems in the future.

4) Ask the Right Questions
When deciding on a body shop, don't go in with your wallet open. Ask some essential questions. Does the shop provide a written warranty? And if that's the case, for how long? Precisely what does the warranty cover?

Another key question is whether the shop carries fire and theft insurance. You need to be sure you're covered if your automobile is destroyed, stolen or burglarized. Remember to ask how long the shop has been doing business. Make sure it has a business license.

You will also want to know about the types of materials the shop wants to use. Are new, used or aftermarket body parts likely to be used? New parts are clearly the best and used parts are okay, though they won't offer the savings people imagine. Dependent on the damage to your car or truck, aftermarket parts can save a lot of money and can be every bit as good as the ones that come from the initial manufacturer. If paint work is involved, ask how many coats of paint and clear coat the shop intends to use.

5) Follow Your Intuition
Finally, it is important to trust your instinct about the shop you are considering. If a shop is not busy, maybe that's because customers in the St. Peters, MO area are keeping away from it as a result of shoddy repairs. If the place is really dirty, cluttered or disorganized, this may reflect the type of work you could expect the shop to do with your automobile. Is the shop owner or manager a grouch that seems to resent giving answers to your questions? You'll be happier with a shop where the owner communicates well and is straightforward with clients.

As you are out searching for an estimate, why not check in with Jungerman CARSTAR ? They would love to offer you a fair estimate backed by a lifetime warranty.

Auto Collision Tips

Keeping calm and on task after an auto collision can save lives and enable you to get back on the road fast

An auto collision is definitely an emotional and draining experience. Many motorists drive defensively, take driver education lessons and get ready for stressful driving situations, however vehicle collisions still take place in St. Peters, MO.

A motorist is responsible for knowing what to do when they are involved in a collision. Even the most prepared and competent motorists sometimes find themselves taking part in an accident. It does not matter who is guilty, the most important thing to do first is make sure everyone is OK, then seek medical and law enforcement help and know what to do to shield yourself from legal or financial difficulties later on.

The best defense to avoid any hassles after an accident is to be prepared. According to AAA, "Keeping a writing implement and paper, non-reusable camera or cell phone camera, and copy of your insurance card readily accessible all of the time will help keep you organized and reduce stress moments following a collision."

After stopping your automobile, Jungerman CARSTAR recommends all individuals involved in a car crash adhere to these steps:

1. Assist the Injured. Quickly talk to those involved in the wreck to figure out if there are any injuries. If medical help is necessary, call 9-1-1. If medical attention is not required, make sure you are not in imminent danger at the roadside.

2. Control the Scene. Before you take time to exchange information, get to a safe place.  If there aren't any injuries and the car is drivable, safely move to the right or left emergency lane.  Some state laws require drivable cars to be removed from the roadway to eliminate traffic congestion. Activate your hazard lights and set out warning flares or reflective triangles. Do not leave the scene of the collision, but find a safe place to remain until emergency services show up.

3. Notify the authorities and send a Report. The law demands you tell the authorities. Regardless of what either party alleges, call the cops and file a report. If law enforcement do not come to the scene to open an investigation, you can file a report by visiting a nearby police department or automobile insurance agency in the days after a collision. Having a written report on file might help later if a liability claim is submitted.

4. Document the Scene and Swap Information. It is important to share and gather information with all parties involved in the wreck, including witnesses. Having this on file will help complete any future paperwork or deal with potential problems. Jungerman CARSTAR suggests that you document:
•   Names
•   Addresses/email address
•   Vehicle Information including makes, models and years for all cars involved
•   Vehicle identification/license plate numbers
•   Driver’s license numbers
•   Insurance carriers and policy numbers
•   Take photographs of the situation, people involved and affected cars

5. Notify Your Insurance Company. Your insurance company will have to be notified after having a crash to start the proper claim filing. Many insurance companies have staff available all the time and can help immediately. Having proof of insurance in your car or truck is required by law and makes processing a claim easier if not at home.

6. Get Your Ride Fixed. You've got the right to get your vehicle fixed at the auto body shop of your own choosing. Consider taking it to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO, which also serves St. Charles, O'Fallon and Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

7. Unattended Vehicle or Property. If you are tangled up in a crash that involves an unattended motor vehicle or property, take action to tell the owner. If you're unable to locate the owner, attach a written notice of the crash to the automobile or property, being sure to incorporate your contact information and information mentioned above.

Drivers and owners of motor vehicles must certainly be able to assume legal and financial accountability if involved in a collision, do not let your emotions and feelings get in the way of determining who's guilty. Do not let yourself be pushed into admitting fault or giving an opinion regarding the cause of a crash. If you wish, you can consult with an attorney before providing a statement.

To get more great tips on proper auto body repair or what you should do if there is an accident, contact Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO today.