Safe Collision Repairs

Minor Impacts to Toyota Prius Cause Expensive Repair Bills

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:14:32 PST

A recent series of low-speed crash tests were performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on twenty small cars. The tests shockingly revealed that it cost almost as much to repair a Toyota Prius as it does to repair a luxury car after a minor bump. IIHS senior vice president, Joe Nolen condemned carmaker's efforts to merge repairability with stylish designs by saying, "bumpers on most cars aren't worthy of the term...Small cars are supposed to be economical, but there's nothing economical about three or four thousand dollars in repairs after a low-speed collision." IIHS believes impacts such as these, which are typical of minor parking lot bumps, should not cause damage to cars. IIHS then worked with Tech-Cor, the research arm for Allstate Insurance to prove costs could be reduced without sacrificing style and minimal effort from auto manufacturers.

Experian Uncovers Branded Titles Being Laundered

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:11:28 PST

In the first half of 2008 alone, there were nearly 1.3 million cars and trucks totaled as a result of accidents and weather related catastrophes. While these vehicles received branded titles to reflect their totaled status, Experian Automotive recently found that the brand has since been dropped on more than 15 percent or about 185,000 vehicle tiles it has tracked...The problem for consumers is that title-washed cars are often among the most shoddily and carelessly repaired. Often, unsuspecting consumers think they are getting a great deal on a used car or truck, only to find sometime later they have purchased a vehicle that isn't safe to be on the road. Learn more about title laundering (also known as title washing) in this article.

Increased Roof Strength Aids SUV Occupants During Rollovers

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:03:49 PST

Every passenger vehicle meets federal requirements for roof strength, measured in a test, and some manufacturers see to it that cars and trucks in their product lines exceed the requirements by substantial amounts. The question has been whether stronger roofs actually reduce injury risk in real-world rollover crashes. Some studies have concluded that the strength of a vehicle's roof has little or no effect on the likelihood of injury, but a new Institute study indicates that roof strength definitely influences injury risk. Learn more about roof strength in rollover crashes in this article.

Sacrificing Vehicle Safety to Gain Fuel Economy Not Good

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:47:41 PST

Great strides have been made with regard to keeping vehicle occupants safe in accidents. This past year nearly every vehicle tested by NHTSA earned a top rating for frontal crashworthiness, and automakers are seeing tremendous gains in their quest for high ratings for side impact protection as well. As Congress looks to toughen federal fuel economy standards. it would be wise to first consider their effect on vehicle crashworthiness so we don't lose the benefits of safer vehicles newer technologies have allowed us to enjoy.

Repair Quality Below Average in Progressive Concierge Shops

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:53:36 PST

63 percent of Concierge customers blame their substandard repair directly on Progressive, the insurance company that took their money in exchange for the right to stand in their place in dealings with the body shop. As far as consumers are concerned, the hand-off approach makes the insurer solely responsible for the outcome of the repair, whether good or bad.According to J.D. Power and Associates, 48 percent of a customer’s overall impression of his/her insurer is driven by their claims experience. The worst part for Progressive is that we know from historical data that customers who are to some degree dissatisfied are more apt to shop for coverage among other insurance companies, and are less likely to renew policies with the same insurer. Can Progressive turn customer opinion of Concierge around?

Auto Safety Expert Byron Bloch Discusses Aftermarket Parts and CAPA

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:06:10 PST

Auto safety expert, Byron Bloch, has issues with the fact that aftermarket sheetmetal parts, including CAPA Certified parts, are not crash tested. Additionally, Bloch states that because the parts are often made of metals with dissimilar properties and characteristics than original OEM parts, their use may prevent a car from folding predictably in a crash. Both text and audio versions of this article are provided so consumers will understand the importance of choosing OEM replacement sheetmetal parts after a crash so a vehicle can remain in full compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

How Airbags Went From Controversial to Commonplace

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:24:52 PST

During the 1970-80s, automakers resisted airbags. By the late 1990s frontal airbags were standard in new cars in the US market, and automakers quickly began offering optional side airbags. Now head-protecting side airbags are in nearly 70 percent of new cars, and some manufacturers offer knee airbags. In this article you will step back in time to see a history of how airbags came to be used in American cars.

WreckCheck Inspectors Welcome Use of Document Defining Levels of Auto Repair Quality

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:23:59 PST

On October 17, 2001, Network Information Communications, Inc. announced the release of its Seven Levels of Repair and Diminished Value (SLR). While the document never really gained steam as a universal measurement of auto repair quality, it has, nonetheless, survived with the help of some visionaries as a tool capable of putting insurers, shops and consumers on the same page when discussing auto body repairs and expectations of quality at claimtime.

Self-Driving Cars

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:24:18 PST

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense that�s responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military. Their latest project is to encourage the development of vehicles that will drive themselves, autonomously.

New Technology Helps Drivers Stay in Their Lane and Avoid Lane-Change Collisions

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:47:08 PST

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 200,000 car crashes a year happen due to automobiles leaving their lanes. Now, two new safety technologies could serve as an extra set of "eyes" for drivers and help them avoid a collision caused by an inadvertent lane change or by colliding with a vehicle in the side blind spot while changing lanes.

Bumpers on Luxury Cars Aren't Luxurious: Worst is Infiniti G35

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:40:39 PST

Bumpers, even those on expensive cars, don't resist damage in low-speed impacts. The Infiniti G35, the worst performer, sustained almost $14,000 damage in a series of 4 tests conducted at 3 and 6 mph by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Saab 9-3 was the best, sustaining $5,243 damage. Only 3 cars sustained less than $6,000 damage, while 4 would cost more than $10,000 to fix. Bumpers, even those on expensive cars, don't resist damage in low-speed impacts. The Infiniti G35, the worst performer, sustained almost $14,000 damage in a series of 4 tests conducted at 3 and 6 mph by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Saab 9-3 was the best, sustaining $5,243 damage. Only 3 cars sustained less than $6,000 damage, while 4 would cost more than $10,000 to fix.

Diminished Value: Your Auto Insurance Company's Best Kept Secret

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:38:52 PST

Here in one concise package are the facts about diminished value claims. What is diminished value? Summed up neatly, diminished value is the term given to the loss in market value a vehicle suffers as a result of an accident and repair. It is a loss based on the beliefs of most people, that once goods become damaged, they are never as valuable as they would be had they never suffered injury. Simply put, diminished value is the best-kept secret that your auto insurance company hopes you never learn.

Diminished Value Claims Get Bum Rap in Media

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:31:51 PST

When consumers inquire about their right to file diminished value claims (DV) after their cars have been damaged and repaired, they often hear opinions that dishearten and discourage them. The opinions come from a wide variety of sources, but mostly from people they know and trust � coworkers, friends, relatives that have had car accidents, family mechanics and body technicians, even insurance agents and adjusters. Despite the fact that we want to believe these people know what they are talking about and have our best interest at heart, their opinions regarding diminished value often miss the mark. This flood of misinformation puts consumers seeking DV facts at a great disadvantage, making it unjustifiably hard for accident victims to finalize insurance claims and collect money they are due. In this article we�ll examine some of the mistruths about diminished value and provide some facts that consumers can share. [MORE]

A $54 Million Diminished Value Claim

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 21:47:10 PST

The New York Post has reported on a lawsuit filed by Las Vegas casino developer Steve Wynn, wherein Wynn seeks to collect from Lloyd�s of London the diminished value of his prized Picasso painting, �Le Reve.� The 75 year old painting for which Wynn paid $48.4 million was damaged when Wynn accidentally poked two 3-inch holes in the canvas as he showed it off to his guests on the evening of September 30, 2006... Will billionaire Wynn prevail? Or will insurers stonewall Wynn and attempt to reject his claims in the same manner they often snub and downplay diminished value claims made by insureds and claimants after auto accidents? Click here to visit the Safe Collision Repairs blog to read the full article, A $54 Million Diminished Value Claim, and post your comments.

Settling an Auto Insurance Claim in Ohio

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:47:00 PST

You've just been involved in a crash with your vehicle. Do you know what to do? Who should you notify? What should you expect from your insurance company? These are just a few of the questions motorists face once they've been involved in a crash. This information should assist and prepare you for certain expectations when submitting an automobile insurance claim. [MORE]

GM Fast Tracks New Accident Avoidance Technology

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:06:00 PST

General Motors Corporation (GM) has given the green light to German electronics manufacturer, Continental AG, for implementation of new technology to help drivers avoid accidents and injuries. Of particular significance is the fact that the deal took less than one year to complete, a feat that�s equivalent to a flash of lightning compared to the lengthy amount of time it took GM to make up its mind only a decade ago. If GM can continue adding innovations to its product line in the future with the same speed, it will enhance its position in the global market and make its products more desirable to a new breed of well-informed car shoppers ... [MORE]

More Autos Total as Repair Costs Increase

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:34:00 PST

According to a recently published report of industry trends by Mitchell International, the number of total loss auto claims continues to rise each year. Mitchell has counted frequency based on damaged reports processed in its system and determined that between 18 and 23%, or about one of every four or five cars estimated will cross the total threshold making them candidates to be junked. That number is expected by some sources to climb to 30% within two to three years. By reading this article you'll learn what's driving the increase in totals, and learn when it's in a consumer's interest to keep a car once it's reached the total loss threshold ... [MORE]

Auto Shops Rewarded for Failing to Keep Up With Times

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 15:19:00 PST

It has long been the complaint of high quality body shops and glass shops that insurers fail to recognize varying levels of equipment and competency between vendors in particular markets when writing claims checks. But Charles Cumpston, Editor of AGRR Magazine (Auto Glass Repair and Replacement) says, "...if consumers are to continue to get good, safe auto glass installations, then at some point the insurance companies are going to have to realize they have to pay for them." Click here to read more of Cumpston's comments in this informative article ...[MORE]

Car Manufacturers Biggie-Size Interiors to Accommodate Heftier Americans

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:13:00 PST

Carmakers are letting Americans weigh in on some important decisions these days because their opinion is important, and they want to continue to sell automobiles to them. Manufacturers want consumers to have good experiences in their brand, and part of that is making sure occupants are well-protected when they are involved in accidents. But auto manufacturers face a quandry. About one-third of Americans are obese increasing the odds they'll suffer injuries in an accident. To keep from offending those who are overweight, most car manufacturers are being slightly covert about changes they intend on making to protect them in accidents. Thousands of overweight and underweight Americans have had their say by being measured and weighed so mannequins and test dummies can more accurately reflect the true size and shape of occupants. Cars will eventually be reshaped ... [MORE]

Duped WV Consumers Receive State Farm's Settlement Offer and "Salvage" Branded Titles

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 21:58:00 PST

The nation's largest auto insurer, State Farm, is sending letters to about 32,000 registered owners of improperly titled vehicles suspected to remain in use. The insurer says it made "mistakes" disposing of salvage between June 1997 and 2002 allowing a small percentage of autos it acquired during ... [MORE]