The Sooner Geek

Auto Body Repairs

2011-05-30T21:48:31Z

The repair process on vehicles is something that can be overwhelming for someone to understand. Hopefully I can clear up a few questions with this post. Keeping with the theme of the previous few posts, let’s discuss the repair process for hail and storm damage.

Hail damage is usually repaired in one of two ways. The first, and preferred way, is through paintless dent repair (PDR). Through this process, PDR technicians will remove your lamps, drop down the headliner, and use other methods to gain access to the underside of exterior panels. They will then use special tools to then massage the underside of the panel to remove the dents. If your vehicle can be repaired through this process, you want it repaired this way. Just make sure you are choosing a reputable shop that provides some type of guarantee and will be around after the storms. Most body shops in Oklahoma will partner with PDR contractors, if the shop is trustworthy, usually the PDR techs are as well, and you have a location to back to if you notice some missed dents or any other issues.

The other process is through conventional body work. This is the same process that collision damage and other major damage is repaired. It involves metal work, installing new panels, reapplying corrosion protection, prepping the vehicle for paint, and then repainting the vehicle. Since this process involves working the metal and replacing or altering the factory finish, you want to make sure that the repair facility is reputable, guarantees their work (for life!), and doesn’t make you uncomfortable. Ask people you trust for recommendations if you’ve never had to go through the process yourself.

Once the repairs are done you should be given a final copy of the estimate or invoice showing all the repairs done to your vehicle. If the repair facility guarantees their work, get a written copy of that guarantee. Get a final copy of your insurance companies estimate so you can compare the repair facilities and your insurance company’s to make sure that all the work that was paid for was completed. Before signing anything indicating you are picking up your vehicle or that you’ve reviewed your vehicle, actually look at it. It’s very important that you do a walk-around with the shop representative to make sure there are no issues outstanding before leaving the shop. Most insurance companies will pay for everything over your deductible, so you will owe your deductible to the shop. If you received a two-party check for the repairs, be sure and bring that with you when picking up the car. If you were paid direct for the damages originally inspected, you owe that plus your deductible to the shop.

Like always, contact your adjuster, insurance company, or the Department of Insurance with any issues regarding the claim. If you have insurance questions or would like to see this type of post again, let me know. I’m currently going this route because of the type of storms we have here, and the questions I run into during my job as an adjuster.

If you are interested in seeing if you can save money or are looking to change insurance companies for any reason, comment or send me an email and I can get you a referrer link to get a quote online with GEICO!

After the Storm, The Claim

2011-05-30T22:26:34Z

My last post gave some general pointers regarding before, during, and after a hail storm. In this post I will discuss the general claim process. Obviously, every company has their unique process, but many follow a general process during catastrophe claims.

Most companies will want driveable vehicles taken to a central location where they have adjusters handling vehicles all day. This can be a claim center, body shop, or other location. While this may seem inconvenient, it’s most likely the quickest way to get your vehicle inspected. It allows mobile adjusters to focus on the more severe, non-driveable vehicle claims.

The insurance estimate may not match an estimate from a repair facility. There are many causes for this, including parts price differences, labor differences, difference in estimating systems, and many more. Shops can write possible damage (hidden), but most insurance adjusters can only write what they see, and any additional damage will need to be handled through a supplement, where the adjuster will reinspect your vehicle once the repairs have started and can authorize additional work if needed.

You do still have the option of taking your vehicle to a repair facility and have it inspected by your insurance company there. If you do choose this option, make sure the repair facility you choose can start on your vehicle immediately after the insurance company has inspected it. If you have some type of rental coverage, it will likely only cover the rental for reasonable downtime. This is the reasonable time for the shop to repair, and can allow for parts delays, but any delays on the part of the shop or you may not be covered.

Also keep in mind that most policies in Oklahoma allow insurers to use alternative parts in their repairs. This can include aftermarket (non-OEM) parts, recycled, and OEM parts from suppliers other than dealers’ parts departments. This is a cost saving measure as an effort to keep premiums as low as possible. We all like saving money don’t we? Insurance companies do want to use quality parts and most will allow supplements of different parts if the part comes in with any issues and cannot be replaced with a quality part by the same or different supplier.

If you do have any questions or are not clear about the process or estimate in any way, be sure to contact your adjuster, insurance company representative, or even the Department of Insurance.

If you have insurance questions or would like to see this type of post again, let me know. I’m currently going this route because of the type of storms we have here, and the questions I run into during my job as an adjuster.

It’s Storm Season (little late…)

2011-05-30T00:48:09Z

This is the season of storms in Oklahoma and many other states. We are currently recovering from several massive storms in the last week, and there are likely more to follow. The average hail storm only lasts six minutes, but causes millions of dollars in damages. It can damage your home, business, and your vehicle.

I work in auto insurance, so that is where I’ll focus this blog post. Hail can damage glass, trim, body panels, and if severe cause water damage if glass is damaged and not covered. There are some things you can do prior to the storm to help protect your vehicle, which is likely your second most valuable investment.

Pay attention to local weather forecasts from the National Weather Service and learn to recognize when a storm is headed your way.
If possible, move your vehicles into a covered area such as a garage, parking garage, carport, or nearby car wash.
If you absolutely have to leave your car outside covered parking, consider covering the major upward facing panels and glass with thick blankets.

If the hail has already started to fall and you haven’t taken precautions, DO NOT go outside to attempt to protect your car or other possessions, they are just that, possessions. Some other things to consider are:

If you are driving your vehicle and are near a covered area, consider taking cover there, but stay in your vehicle and cover your head and face to protect from glass breakage.
If local officials are warning of tornadoes in the area, DO NOT take cover beneath overpasses or other weak structures; winds are concentrated and debris flying through the area could cause greater harm.
If there is no shelter available, pull off the road and do not leave your vehicle until you are sure the hail has stopped.

After the storm has passed, inspect your vehicle and other possessions for damage. If there is glass breakage, leaks or other issues that could cause further damage if not addressed, cover them to mitigate damages. In many cases, this is required by your insurance policy. If you do find damage, report it to your insurance company as soon as reasonable.

Remember, it’s likely that there are others in your area with more damage than you have and that the insurance company is possibly inundated with claims. Most companies will do their due diligence and work through them as quickly as possible.

My next post will focus on the general claim process.

Which Direction To Take

2011-04-03T22:06:46Z

I’ve been neglecting my blog. I do like writing, but I’m wanting to focus this blog more on a specific subject or related subjects. I’ve thought about auto insurance and claims, but have some reservations. I see things ever day that are common in claims, but some people will never know about before they actually need the information. Good idea, bad, okay? Suggestions from the peanut gallery?

Memorial Day & Veterans Day

2011-05-30T21:09:56Z

I planned on writing this quite some time ago, but with the new job and some other things going on I’ve been super busy.

The idea for this post came from seeing a status update on Facebook about someone I know being upset about people thanking him for his service on Memorial Day and never wanted to hear “happy” in the same sentence with the holiday. I knew the difference in the holidays, but didn’t realize that how I observe the holiday could offend some veterans or men/woman currently in the armed forces. I asked some of the people I know that served or are serving for their opinion.

I received a mix of responses on both side of the fence. Many said I could quote them, but after I thought about it I chose not to, except for the last. I’d rather not get some names out there and people fighting, I doubt it would happen, but I’ve seen lesser issues cause it.

“Happy Memorial Day doesn’t offend me…we should be happy that our country is worth fighting for AND great heroes before us have stood up and answered the call.” This is what I always thought of Memorial day, yes, it is to honor those who have fallen in service, but if we just see this as a solemn holiday do we realize that our country is worth it? “I understand most people, even if they understand the meaning of Memorial Day, just don’t have the words, don’t know what to say. “Contemplative Memorial Day” sounds weird. Where I have a problem with it is when people forget. Then I hear “Happy Government mandated day off of work.”

Similar to the last response, this one is something I see as more of an issue rather than to thank or not, “I believe when they attached the 3 day weekend Memorial Day the holiday lost significance. It became a weekend to start the summer and head out to the lake. The spirit of the holiday was intended to be a day of mourning those lost in WWI.” I think this is a real problem with the holiday, it’s seen more as a day of partying at the lake, getting drunk, and kicking off summer, even if it is with family. “I really don’t think that the vast majority of the American people understand the true significance of either day.”

From the responses I received, it seemed there was more of an issue of how the two days are observed rather than how or why people thank servicemen and women. This issue has definitely made me think a bit differently of both days and how I will observe them, one response I received had a suggestion on how to observe memorial day or at least one thing to do, “I think it is important to take our children to the cemetery to decorate the graves of those who died in battle on Memorial Day. It helps bring home the impact of what is necessary in order to protect and defend our Constitution and Country.” While I always seen this done for family, doing it for any fallen soldier really does make you realize how many have fallen to protect this country. However one veteran I know said this, “While I have always appreciated veteran’s day, I always felt supremely awkward about accepting thanks for doing my job. We don’t have accountant days, lawyer days, etc.” I know some veterans are hesitant to accept thanks because they’ve seen their friends die in service, they’ve been by their side, but the truth is, while they have those horrible memories, we appreciate their sacrifice more than they’ll ever know, I only hope that the veterans I know realize this.

“America cannot afford to forget the price of freedom and to honor those who have provided that gift to us.” – David Bounds