There’s a lot more to the collision damage assessment and repair process than most vehicle owners realize. Since most vehicle owners never think twice about auto body repairs until after a collision occurs, there are a few misconceptions about how the restoration process is handled.

To help you get a better idea of what to expect when you bring your vehicle in, the pros at Minnetonka Collision share a few auto body repair facts you should know.

Collision Damage Can Be Deeper Than You Realize

When your vehicle is involved in a collision, the damage you can see afterward doesn’t always tell the whole story. Rather, the forceful impact of a collision can cause deeper forms of damage, including:

● Bending or breaking the frame

● Damaging the drivetrain

● Wiring and electrical damage

● Suspension damage

● Transmission damage

Given the potential problems that a collision can cause, you should take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for an inspection if it’s ever involved in an accident. Of course, you’re not required to have the damage repaired, but at the very least, you should make sure there aren’t any deeper issues resulting from the collision.

Body Filler Isn’t Always Necessary

For a long time, body filler was a necessary component in dent fixes because auto body repair shops didn’t yet have the ability to gently reshape and remold metal paneling. Today, body repairs are quite a bit different.

Advancements in technology have brought about a dent fix technique called paintless dent repair, or PDR. This technique uses specialized tools and lighting to gently coax dents out of body paneling without the need for touch-up paint or filler.

Labeling a Vehicle “Totaled” Depends on More Than Damage Alone

When an auto insurer deems a vehicle “totaled,” they’re not just referring to the severity of the damage.

Rather, insurance companies consider several factors to determine whether a vehicle is a total loss, including:

● Cost of replacement parts

● Cost of labor to perform the necessary repairs

● Salvage value

If the vehicle’s salvage value plus the cost of repairs equals more than the cash value of the vehicle, the insurer will consider it totaled.

You Can Choose the Auto Body Repair Shop You Like Best

If your insurance company will be footing the bill for your collision repairs, they might suggest that you take your vehicle to their preferred auto body repair shop.

And while you can certainly choose to follow their recommendation, you don’t have to.

When you start looking for a reputable repair shop, it’s best to get estimates from several shops. Compare pricing, skill level, customer reviews, and any other factors you think are important and make your decision from there.

Ultimately, you get to select the auto body repair shop you feel most comfortable with. It’s your vehicle after all.

Schedule Auto Body Repairs at Minnetonka Collision

If your vehicle was recently involved in an accident and you’re shopping around for estimates, come visit our team at Minnetonka Collision. We’re an insurance-preferred, high-end, highly advanced collision repair shop and can help you handle your insurance claim from start to finish.

To get started, call our Plymouth, MN office today at 763-230-7805 or schedule a free estimate today.