Certified Collision Center

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, the first step to getting your car repaired is finding an auto body repair shop. Unfortunately, there are many myths floating around out there about auto body shops and auto body repairs. This may make you have many questions when it comes time to pick a shop. Here are three common myths about auto body repair shops and the truths surrounding these myths. 

The Insurance Company Controls Where You Can Get Auto Body Repairs Made

One of the most common myths out there related to auto body repairs and shops is that the insurance company has full control over where you can get auto body repairs made. This is not true at all. Many insurance companies will recommend auto body repair shops to you, but you do not have to use them. You are allowed to select any licensed company to make the repairs to your vehicle that you want. 

An Insurance Company Will Cover All Damages to Your Vehicle

Another common myth related to auto body repairs is that an insurance company will cover any and all damages to your vehicle. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you were at-fault for the accident and you only had minimum insurance coverage, your insurance will not cover the repairs. Also, insurance companies will only cover repairs up to Blue Book value of your car. If your car sustained damages in an accident, and these damages exceed the value of your car, your car may be totaled, rather than repaired. Finally, many insurance companies have betterment clauses in their coverage. For example, if a tire was damaged in the accident, the insurance company may be able to use a tire that is about the same age and wear as your current tires are. If you want a new tire, they are bettering your car, and you may have to pay the value differences between the older tire and the newer tire. 

Only a Dealership Can Properly Repair Your Car After an Accident

The finally myth that is commonly repeated is that only a dealership can properly repair your car after an accident. This is not the case at all. Many auto repair shops have the same level of experience as dealerships, and many auto repair shops offer OEM, or factory parts. These are the same parts the dealership uses to repair your vehicle as well. Ask an auto repair shop if they use OEM or aftermarket parts to ensure the work is as good as the dealership would provide. 

When you need auto body repair in the Greater Northern California area or Central Valley area, Certified Collision Center Auto Body is here for you. If you have any questions about the repair process or what makes us a great place to bring your automobile, call us and feel free to ask your questions. We are more than happy to answer the questions you may have and guide you through the process of auto body repairs. 

When you are involved in an automobile accident, most people think that you only sustain damages to the body of your automobile. However, there are parts in your car that can be damaged as well. If someone sideswipes you and hits your around the tire area of your automobile, the tire rod may be bent or broken in the accident. Here are a few of the most common signs that your tire rod was indeed damaged in an automobile accident. 

Your Alignment Is Off

One of the most common signs that your tire rod was damaged in a car accident is having alignment that is off. If you are not sure if your alignment is off, take your hands off the steering wheel while you are driving on a straight path. If the car pulls to the left or right, your alignment is off. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why your alignment may be off, so this alone is not a solid indicator of tire rod damage. However, if your alignment is off after an accident, you should have it checked out to find out why, as it may be the tire rod or other part. 

Your Steering Wheel Shakes When You Drive It

Another sign that your tire rod was damaged in a car accident is that your steering wheel shakes, wiggles, or even feels loose when you drive it. These signs are all common with suspension issues and tire rod damage, which may be big problems following a car accident. If you are driving down the road and it feels like your steering wheel is shaking, and the motion only seems to get stronger the fast you drive, you need to have your car inspected for tire rod or other suspension-related issues. 

You Hear Abnormal Sounds

The final sign that may be present if there was tire rod damage is abnormal sounds. If your tire rod was damaged in a car accident, you may hear a number of different sounds, depending on where the damage is and what type of damage was sustained. If your tire rod is cracked or broken, you may hear the sound of metal grinding together as the cracks or break rub against each other. If the tire rod is bent, you may hear squealing or squeaking, especially as you turn your car. Some people may also hear grinding, if the tire rod is pushed to one side and rubbing against something it should not. If you hear any abnormal noises that sound like they are coming from under your car or the wheel well area, you should get your car inspected. 

If you suspect your tire rod was damaged in a car accident, an auto body repair shop can help to fix that damage, as well as any auto body damage that you sustained. When you need auto body repair in the greater Northern California or Central Valley area, call Certified Collision Center Auto Body to get started on your repairs today. 

Did you know rain, snow, hail and even salt from the road can compromise your vehicle’s body including its underbody? There is a common misconception that a collision is the sole cause of such damage. However, the little-known truth is inclement weather has the potential to damage your vehicle’s body in several different ways. Our autobody repair shop is here to repair your vehicle’s body, returning it to its usual form for optimal aesthetic beauty, protection and functionality.

The Problem of Moisture

A little bit of moisture now and then is not a big deal in the context of your automobile’s body. However, if your vehicle is exposed to excessive moisture, it has the potential to prove problematic. An abundance of moisture will eventually compromise your vehicle’s metal. Though few know it, moisture from rain, snow, sleet and hail has the potential to be trapped within the metal of a vehicle, creating rust that gradually eats away at the exterior of the body. The bottom line is rust will gradually form when moisture contacts bare metal. This is precisely why it is prudent to have even subtle paint flaws and scratches tended to by the professionals as soon as they appear. Be proactive with the protection and repair of your vehicle’s body and you will have done your part to prevent the creation of rust. However, if your vehicle is compromised by harsh weather, an accident or anything else, our autobody repair shop is here to repair the damage on your behalf.

Snow That Leads to Road Salt Use is Also a Problem

Drive around northern California, northern Arizona and other areas that receive snow and it is only a matter of time until your vehicle encounters road salt. Though salt is certainly important for boosting on-road traction, it is a threat to the integrity of your vehicle’s body. Salt sticks to the metal components of your vehicle. If salt is allowed to remain in place, it will cause the metal in your vehicle to corrode. In particular, the undercarriage and wheel wells are likely to corrode as a result of contact with road salt.

Beware of Powerful Storms

A violent storm that generates hail is a direct threat to your vehicle. If you are out and about, driving around town amidst a hailstorm as opposed to being nice and cozy at home with your car safely positioned in the garage, your vehicle’s body will be directly in the line of fire. Hail will dent your vehicle’s body, roof, trunk and hood. Our autobody repair shop is here to perform paintless dent removal to rectify the dents resulting from a hailstorm.

Why Rain is Harmful to Your Vehicle’s Body

When rain falls, it collects contaminants and pollutants from the surrounding air. Such rain has been dubbed “acid rain”. Acid rain will seep down into your vehicle’s paint, compromise the aesthetics and possibly even the exterior of your vehicle. The sole means of removing such etching is to buff and polish it with professional buffing pads and a specialized polisher. However, even a brief rainfall has the potential to leave pollutants on your car. Rain will gradually evaporate yet there will still be pollutants on the vehicle that sabotage its finish. The longer such contaminants and pollutants are allowed to remain on your vehicle’s body, the more damage will occur.

Certified Collision Center is at Your Service

If your vehicle has been compromised by the weather or a collision, we are at your service.  Furthermore, if you need glass repair, stereo/alarm installation or any other car-related service, our autobody repair shop is here to help. Reach out to us today to learn more about our collision center and schedule an appointment.

Following a minor fender bender, you may be hesitant to file an insurance claim and have the damage to your vehicle repaired. You may be worried about your insurance rate increasing or you may think that it is not necessary since the damage looks minor. While damage may look minor, it is always recommended that you bring your car to an auto body repair shop, even for minor fender benders. Here are a few of the reasons why. 

Damage Can Be More Extensive Than You Realize

One of the major reasons why you should take your car to an auto body shop following a major fender bender is because damage can be more extensive than your realize. Most vehicles have foam being your fender and your bumper. The foam is designed to take the brunt of the impact from the accident and minimize the impact that people in the car feel. While your car may have minor dings, dents or scratches, the foam behind the bumper or fender can be indented or damaged. If you are ever involved in an accident again and the foam is not replaced, the impact to the people in your car can be more severe without the full amount of foam needed to help soften the blow. 

Minor Damage Can Have Major Repair Costs

Another reason why you should bring your car to an auto body shop for what appears to be minor damage is because minor damage can have major repair costs. Depending on where the damage is, you may need a bumper replaced, as well as panels on either side of the panel. You may also need paint repairs. Small scratches and dings and dents are not always inexpensive to fix. You have insurance for a reason, so while you may be wary about filing a claim, it is better to have it done now than to find out down the road the full cost of having the damage repaired out of your own pocket. 

Minor Dings and Dents Can Affect the Resale Value of Your Automobile

The final reason why you should take your car to an auto body shop after a minor fender bender is because minor benders fenders can impact the resale value of your automobile in a major way. Both dealerships and private parties will pay less for a car with obvious auto body damage. Having the damage repaired helps you to maximize the amount of money you can get for your vehicle.

When you need auto body repair throughout the Central Valley, Certified Collision Center Auto Body is here for you. We will carefully inspect your vehicle following both minor and major collisions, looking for all signs of damage and repairing said damage. This helps to ensure that your vehicle not only looks great and retains its value, but ensures that your vehicle is safe to operate as well. Call us now to book an appointment to bring your vehicle to us. 

No matter how skilled you are at driving and how careful you are, there is always the chance that you will find yourself involved in a car collision. In fact, all it takes is for a reckless driver to run into you. After a car accident, you will probably need to have your vehicle repaired at an auto body repair shop. However, choosing an auto body repair shop is not a decision that you should take lightly. Read this article to learn more about how to choose the right auto body repair shop.

1. Ask Questions About the Warranty

To make sure you choose the right auto body repair shop and get the best service for your money, it is important that you ask questions. There are some questions that you should always ask when considering an autobody repair shop. For example, does the shop offer their customers a warranty? Ask about what exactly the warranty covers and for how long. Many warranties at auto body repair shops refund the money for the cost of the repair if the customer is not satisfied. The minimum for a warranty is one year. However, there are some auto body repair shops that offer two-year or three-year warranties. You may also come across shops that offer lifetime warranties, but there is often a catch.

2. Consider Word-of-Mouth

Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways that you can choose the right body repair shop. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers about any auto repair shops that they would recommend. While advertising is intended to cast a product or service in the best light possible, you can expect to get information that is closer to the truth through word-of-mouth. Sometimes, through word-of-mouth, you will hear about an autobody repair shop that is smaller and not as well-known. Word-of-mouth is how you can learn about hidden gems.

Keep in mind that word-of-mouth can be positive or negative. Therefore, your friends, family, and coworkers may be able to tell you about auto repair shops that you should avoid. 

3. Get Multiple Quotes

If you want to get the best price for autobody repair, one of the best ways to do that is by getting multiple quotes. However, you shouldn’t just blindly take the lowest quote. If a quote is very low, chances are, the quality of the service won’t be very good. In fact, you may end up spending more money in the long-run by having to go in for more repairs.

Some auto body repairs will match estimates when possible. Therefore, you may be able to take advantage of the offer to match estimates to get the best service at a more affordable price.

Choosing the right auto body repair shop doesn’t have to be hard. However, for the sake of your wallet and your car, you should take your time and do a lot of research. For more information about how to choose the best auto body repair shop for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Certified Collision Center Auto Body.

An autobody repair can cost anywhere from $50 to $10,000. Of course, the cost of auto body repair depends on the extent of the damage incurred by your vehicle. Chances are, you’re hoping to do everything in your power to save money on autobody repair. Read this article to learn how you can save as much money as possible on auto body repair.

1. Don’t Wait

A common mistake that many people make is waiting to do minor auto body repairs. For example, you may have dents and scratches on your vehicle that need to be repaired. While these imperfections may seem small, they can become more severe over time if you fail to do the repairs in a timely manner. For example, the areas around the dents and scratches can accumulate rust, leading to the weakening of the metal. Once this has occurred, instead of simply paying for the repair of the dents and scratches, you may have to cover the cost of replacing the entire part.

2. Consider Paint-Less Repair

Another way that you can save money on auto body repair is by having a small repair done without the use of paint. In general, paint-less dent repair is cheaper than traditional auto repair. When it comes to paintless dent repair, the dents will be fixed without painting, body filler, or sanding. Not only will you save a significant amount of money, but you can also reasonably expect to receive discounts from your auto insurer.

3. Get Multiple Quotes

If you wanted to get the best price on a new laptop, chances are you would take the approach of going to different stores to look for the best price. This approach is also effective if you want to get the best price for an autobody repair. Take the time to get multiple quotes from different auto body repair shops. Even if you already have a body repair shop that you like to frequent, it may be a good idea to explore your options, so that you don’t spend more than necessary. However, you should keep in mind that the auto body repair shop with the lowest estimate is not always going to be the best choice. An estimate that is extremely low may be an indication of a shop that offers low-quality service. You are better off steering clear of such auto body repair shops.

4. Buy Used Auto Parts

Instead of buying new auto parts, you should consider purchasing used auto parts. You can save a significant amount of money while still getting quality by purchasing used auto parts. However, if you should keep in mind that if your vehicle is still under warranty, used auto parts may violate the warranty of your vehicle.

As long as you follow the tips discussed above, you should have no problem saving money on autobody repair at an autobody repair shop. For more information about how to save money on auto body repair, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Certified Collision Center Auto Body.