Shop Talk
Welcome to the Gold Coast Auto Body “Answer Blog,” where we periodically post news updates, technical articles, and other items of interest to our customers and friends in the luxury car community.
Category: Repairs
Hail Damage? Do NOT Do It Yourself!
Chicago. It’s our home. And there’s nowhere like it.
But for auto owners, Chicago living comes with its own unique challenges – one of those being Chicago weather. Of specific concern right now is the prospect of hail damage.
Certain parts of the world are more prone to hailstorms than others, and Chicago is definitely one of them. So it only makes sense to maintain a relationship with a quality autobody repair shop like Gold Coast Auto Body that can handle any damage in the most cost-effective and reliable way possible.
Of course, there are always those adventurous types who want to take the “do-it-yourself” route. And if you scan the Internet, you’ll find no shortage of DIY repair techniques. But do they work? Let’s take a look.
One popular DIY approach to hail damage repair is through the use of heat and cold. It’s a little more technical than applying ice and heat pads to a sprained ankle, but the principles are the same. Basically, the theory is that applying the right amount of heat will cause metal to expand. This will, in turn, theoretically cause small dents to “pop out.”
Dry ice is another method that is rumored to work to a certain degree. The story is that the extreme change in temperature from applying dry ice can sometimes result in dented metal popping back into something approaching original condition – with emphasis on the word “sometimes.”
Even if these methods work, keep in mind that the work will almost always require an expert touch-up by a body shop professional. It’s equally likely you’ll make the damage even worse and wind up with a lot bigger repair bill.
If you’re like most GCAB customers, you want your vehicle returned to showroom condition and that will involve bringing it in for expert repair.
The hood, roof, and trunk are the most likely places to absorb damage from a hailstorm. In most cases the preferred remedy is paintless dent repair, which we’ve covered extensively in an earlier Shop Talk post.
Of course, there’s also the reality that the hail damage to your car may be so severe that it will require repainting. In some extreme cases, entire panels may have to be removed and replaced. Obviously, that’s no job for a do-it-yourselfer.
According to this article in Auto Trends magazine, the average cost of repair for a passenger vehicle damaged in a hailstorm is $2,500. The article also reiterates the fact that Midwestern states are most prone to hail damage.
You may also want to reference this video from Excel Dent Removal in Blaine, Minnesota. It does an excellent job of showing how an experienced, professional shop like GCAB will repair hail damage the right way.
What to do in the event of an accident
Getting into an accident is an unnerving experience. Accidents are never planned or expected, but the best way to handle such an event is to be mentally prepared and know the proper steps to take.
Be prepared!
First of all, you need to ensure that your vehicle is emergency-ready by having flares or emergency signage handy. You should also make sure that you have a pad of paper and pen conveniently on board for documenting the other vehicle’s license plate and insurance information.
Another important thing is to make sure you have the proper amount of auto coverage with your insurance carrier. Aside from physical injuries, few things sting more after an accident than to discover repairs will be coming out of your own pocket.
Also, make sure you have your registration and proof of insurance in a place where you can easily access them. Today most states, including Illinois, allow the use of digital insurance cards – check with your carrier to see if they have an app for this purpose. You should also have important medical information on hand about you and other potential passengers – allergies, primary care physician contact info, and so on.
At the scene
Now, let’s talk about the accident itself. The first thing you’ll want to do is pull your vehicle to the side of the road, if possible. Turn off the engine and turn on your hazard lights or use road flairs to ensure you are visible to other vehicles.
You don’t want a fender bender to ever be the source of physical danger. If you suspect that the accident was caused by another driver experiencing road rage, or that you’re being set up for a carjacking, make sure to take extra precautions when engaging the other driver. If necessary, call 911 and wait in your vehicle until the police arrive.
The next step you will want to take is triage – that is, assessing possible injuries. If there are serious injuries, call 911. You can never be too safe when it comes to your health. In the event of serious injury, try not to move the injured party. Let the first responders be the ones to determine if those injured can be moved.
Even if there are no serious injuries due to an accident, you’ll still want to contact the police. They will fill out an accident report and document the scene. If the police are not able to come to the scene of the accident, you can go to the nearest police station and file the report yourself. Chances are you’ll need a copy of the police report when you file a claim with your insurance company.
What about insurance?
Speaking of insurance companies, exchanging information with the other driver is one of the most important things to do when you have an accident. Make sure you get their full name, phone number, and address; insurance company and policy number; driver’s license and plate information; make, model, and color of the other vehicle; and location of the accident.
You will also want contact information on all passengers involved in the crash. If there are any witnesses to the crash, make sure to get their contact information too.
Be sure to take pictures of the accident scene, including damage to all vehicles involved. This will help the insurance adjusters in determining fault.
Do not discuss fault when going over the facts of the accident with the other driver. Fault will be determined by the insurance adjusters based upon the damage, any pictures of the scene, and information gathered on all parties involved.
Finally, you’ll want to notify your insurance company and start the claims process. You should contact your rep while you are still at the scene of the accident, so they can help walk you through what they will need in order to process your claim. Again, if your carrier offers a smartphone app, this is the time to use it.
Unless your safety is at risk, do not leave the scene of an accident until all of these steps are taken. In the event that your accident was with an unattended vehicle and you can’t locate the owner, leave a note with your name, address, and phone number and record the details of the accident for filing a police report and a claim with your insurance carrier.
Body repair and other considerations
If there is physical damage to your vehicle, you are obviously going to want to schedule repairs with a quality body shop like Gold Coast Auto Body. In fact, you may want to keep our contact info in your phone (312.787.0333), just in case. If your car isn’t drivable, it’s a better idea to have it towed directly to us rather than an impound lot or a shop you’re unfamiliar with. You may also want to take photos of your car at the scene to provide a visual record of the damage.
For more information on the steps to take when you are involved in an accident, read this article from the Insurance Information Institute.
If there are serious injuries to you or your passengers, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney. For information on when it is recommended that you secure the services of an attorney, see this Legal Zoom article.
Knowing the proper steps to take in the event of an accident can save lives, reduce injuries, and expedite the insurance claim process.
Preparing Your Vehicle for a Summer Road Trip
Summer is almost here. That usually means a little freedom from the office. Dare we even say: vacation?
When you have a high-end car or SUV, it’s not uncommon to eschew plane travel and hit the open road for your vacation. With that in mind, we’d like to offer you a few tips about prepping your vehicle for a summer road trip.
Let’s start with the obvious. Before you take any long road trip, you’re going to want to make sure your car is in good working order. You don’t want any unforeseen surprises when you’re on the road – miles away from the mechanics you trust.
Here’s what to check: battery, brakes, fluids, wipers and tires (check pressure and measure tread – make sure you have a working spare tire too.) Depending on your knowledge base, you might be able to check these criticals yourself. A better idea: take it to your mechanic to guarantee road worthiness.
Next up you’re going to want to check your navigation tools. In today’s day and age, most of us rely pretty heavily on GPS, whether on your phone or in the dash. However, technology doesn’t always work, especially in rural areas that you might travel through or to for your vacation. It’s advisable to have an old standby map with you for peace of mind and safety’s sake.
As much as you prepare your vehicle for a smooth summer ride off into the sunset, breakdowns and accidents are always possible. To this end, you’re going to want an emergency kit in your car. Kits are available pre-made or you can assemble one on your own. If you choose the latter, your kit should contain: blanket, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, motor oil, coolant, jumper cables, tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife, tire pressure gauge), Fix-a-Flat (or comparable tire inflator), spare key, phone charger, and car jack.
Your car isn’t the only thing that may need attention in the case of a breakdown or accident. You’re going to want to have a stash of nonperishable healthy snacks (such as granola bars) and bottled water.
The last thing you’ll want to make sure you have is roadside assistance service. Chances are it’s included with your insurance policy. If not, look into AAA coverage.
Finally, the most important thing to remember about a summer road trip is that it’s meant to be fun. Set yourself up for fun by making sure your car or truck is not going to be the source of any stress. Make sure it’s in good working order and that you have all the supplies needed for emergency situations.
For further assistance with your summer road trip plans, this article on DoItYourself.com offers details on advisable preparations you should take.
For information on how to put together a quality Emergency Kit, read this article from Edmunds.com.
Once you have all that prep done, it’s time to enjoy the open road. We’ll see you when you get back!
Our Customers Weigh In
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