Las Vegas Auto Body Repair Blog

When your body shop is finished repairing your vehicle, you should always inspect the work to make sure it was done properly. Never be in a rush to pick up your vehicle; take the time and make sure it’s ready. Far too many repair shops are in such a hurry to move the repair process along that they will accidently try to deliver a vehicle before it is ready, or sometimes it was just not done properly. Here are some tips to help you inspect your repaired vehicle.

First off, inspect the repair bill. This document should list all structural repairs made, frame & alignment spec sheets, and parts used in the repair process. The bill should itemize the type of parts used such as; used, aftermarket, rebuilt, or factory. Most body shops include a warranty, so ask what that warranty specifically covers. The bill should also have the incoming mileage and should be checked against the current mileage to verify that no joyriding was done.

Now it’s time to physically inspect the vehicle. Pay close attention to the affected areas and panels. Make sure the doors, hood, and truck open and close smoothly. Also check the size of the gaps of the panels compared to the opposite side as to how they fit against the body.

Make sure the painted panels match perfectly with the body. Check for dust and imperfections using the interior lighting of the shop. You can do this by inspecting the paint at an angle. The paint should be smooth and perfect. Then pull the vehicle into the sun and check the color match against the rest of the existing body panels. There should be no difference in the coloring. As a non-expert, you shouldn’t be able to see any difference or the job was probably done wrong.

At this time you should check for overspray-or paint on areas that shouldn’t be painted. Check the windows, body side moldings, rims, chromed panels, or anything else that should not have been painted. If the paint job was done properly, these items would have been masked or removed before painting.

Next, check all electrical items. Make sure that the headlights, taillights, side markers, turn signals, and other electrical components that are in the affected areas are working. Sometimes as items are removed and replaced in the repair process, wiring can be disconnected or severed. If it worked before you brought it in then you want to make sure it’s fixed there, especially if a panel has to be removed. Also check the radio, as sometimes the battery has to be removed during certain procedures, and you may need a security code to get it working again. Try and spot any electrical hassles before leaving the body shop.

On the drive home, be sure to be observant for any unusual sounds or handling issues. If it doesn’t feel and handle the same way it did before the accident then you may have a problem.

If you find a problem after you’ve taken it home, be sure to get it back to the shop immediately. The longer you wait the less likely that shop will take your concern seriously. If you should feel that your repair shop is not addressing your concerns appropriately, you should contact the insurance company-who is paying that shop for the work. If that doesn’t resolve your concerns you can always contact Consumer Affairs or the Better Business Bureau.

At Collision Authority, we frequently inspect the work of other shops on behalf of customers, and sometime fix mistakes made by those shops. If we find something that needs repairing, we may be able to simply bill the insurance company and they recoup their money from the original shop. Our only concern is that your repairs were done safely and properly.

If you have concerns regarding the workmanship on your vehicle, you could bring your vehicle to Collision Authority for a full inspection just by contacting any one of our convenient locations throughout the valley. Click Here to Contact Us. These inspections are done by appointment only and usually by the General Manager, so please call and make the arrangements first.

For Immediate Release                                                                

Contact:        Bob McCleary

                        702-450-4822

                        11-18-08

Recycled Rides Program Proves to be a Great Success

Collision Authority and Family Promise combine efforts to donate vehicle to

a family in need.

Las Vegas, November 18, 2008 — with the help of Family Promise, Collision Authority, a member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), delivered a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country to the Stacy Peters family in a ceremony at the NACE Convention in Las Vegas on November 7th. The project was part of a nationwide vehicle donation program called Recycled Rides, a community awareness project whereby members of NABC repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in need. As part of this program, simultaneous vehicle donations took place throughout the country.

“We are exceptionally pleased with the results of the project,” states Michael Spears. “The vehicle was well received and all of our staff worked hard to make the donation a reality. The Stacy Peters’ family was extremely grateful and we wish them a great holiday season. Hopefully, having this vehicle will brighten their lives and make it easier for them to accomplish the daily tasks most of us take for granted.

“I want to thank our staff and our vendors for all their help in making this project a success.   I’d also like to thank AAA Insurance who donated the vehicle.  This would not have happened without the combined efforts of all of these people.”      

“We appreciate all those who attended the event, at which we presented the vehicle—decorated with a huge green bow—to the Peters’ family. We look forward to participating again next year and we invite other auto body repair facilities in our community to join us so our industry can serve even more local families next year.”

“The event was a great success,” says Shaun Egan of Family Promise. “We’re proud to be a part of Recycled Rides. The family is just thrilled to have reliable transportation. Collision Authority did a great job getting the vehicle ready.”

Collision Authority is a chain of auto body shops with 3 locations serving the Las Vegas area since 1991.  They have repaired more than 75,000 vehicles in southern Nevada.  The main corporate office is located at 6280 W Badura Ave, Las Vegas, NV  89119.  For more information call Bob McCleary at 702-450-4822.    

The National Auto Body Council is a not-for-profit organization committed to the goal of improving the image of all dedicated professionals in the collision repair industry. NABC headquarters is located at 9404 Ashking Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. For more information on the Recycled Rides program, call (804) 427-6982 or visit www.autobodycouncil.org

information on the Recycled Rides program, call (804) 427-6982 or visit www.autobodycouncil.org

The following is a list of all donations:

• Collision Authority “misc parts, materials, & actual repairs”

• AAA Insurance “the van itself”

• All Foreign & American Auto Parts “front inner structure parts”

• Century Towing “tow to the shop from the salvage yard’

• Charleston Auto Parts – CARQUEST “New brake pads, alternator, misc Mechanical parts”

• Farmers Insurance‐ Dave Corbett “sixth month insurance policy”

• Hub Cab Annie “new wheel covers”

• Ian’s Auto Upholstery – “Interior repair”

• Integrity Chrysler “new dashboard”

• Interstate Battery “new battery”

• Keystone Automotive “hood and fenders, & misc body parts”

• Las Vegas Tire & Wheel “complete new set of tires”

• 1‐800‐Radiator “new radiator, a/c condenser & cooling fan assy”

Collision Authority – Spring Valley employees who donated their labor:

• Jeff Vanwilgen – “Body & frame work”

• Joe Nevarez – “Body & frame work”

• Chris Ferreira – “Mechanical work’

• Mike Stockton, Jered “Bear” Kohlbatz, Joe Stratton, & Juan Hernandez –“All Paintwork”

Collision Authority understands that an accident can be a very confusing and shocking experience. Here is our best advice on what to do in the event of an auto accident in the Las Vegas area or anywhere else in the country.

1. STOP! Don’t make any sudden moves. Take a few brief moments and regain your composure. Don’t panic, the accident is over.

2. Inventory yourself, your passengers and any pedestrians who may have been involved in the accident. Get a quick assessment of any injuries and take basic first aid steps if needed.

3. Get everyone involved in safety. If possible, move the vehicles off the road to prevent any further hazards and turn off the ignitions to prevent fire. Appoint someone to alert oncoming traffic that an accident has occurred.

4. GET HELP! Call 911 if necessary; emergency response units must be notified of any injuries.

5. Limit any discussion of the accident. Don’t discuss fault until law enforcement has had an opportunity to review the facts. If the accident has occurred on private property and didn’t involve any injuries, you should exchange insurance and contact information with the other parties.

6. The information that should be exchanged with the other parties are: drivers names, addresses, phone numbers, identification numbers, vehicles, license plates, insurance companies, policy numbers, witnesses and their contact information.

7. If you need a tow truck, call Century Towing at 360-2383.

8. Have the vehicle towed to:

•Las Vegas Strip Area/Central

Collision Authority-Falconi’s Location
5935 S Polaris Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89118
702-597-0652

•Southwest Area

Collision Authority-Spring Valley Location
6280 W Badura Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89118
702-877-7000

•Henderson/Southeast Area

Collision Authority-Green Valley Location
700 N. Gibson Rd
Henderson, NV 89015
702-450-4822

We work with all insurance companies

Our shops will be your direct link with your insurance company. We will call them and help make all the arrangements. Need more information? Check out our Website: www.CollisionAuthority.com

Chances are, if you took your damaged vehicle to 3 different body shops for estimates, you would get 3 different estimates. This can be very confusing for consumers. Hopefully, this article can help explain why estimates may vary.

Before we get any further into our subject, let’s first consider what an estimate is. An estimate should be a “blueprint” for repair; so it should be very specific to the repairs that will be done to the vehicle. The estimator should only assess the damage seen and never assume that there will be hidden damage. The estimate should always be written and preferably with the aid of a computerized program to assist the estimator’s accuracy. The more accurate and complete the estimate, the better. If someone has done a poor job estimating, it may appear cheaper, but it won’t be. You want to make sure nothing has been left out.

One of the first things that can create differences in estimates, besides accuracy, is the shop’s own procedures and habits. For instance, a shop may require its employees to remove all moldings, mirrors, and door handles prior to painting a vehicle. This is the professional way to do so, but not all shops work that way. Many shops simply mask off the affected areas. The problem with masking is that it creates seams or lines from which the paint can erode, and eventually cause the paint to peal. One of the most common signs of this can be seen on door handles. So the shops procedures and policies can affect the estimate.

All shops have different internal beliefs when it comes to using aftermarket, used, or factory body parts. This will change the estimate dramatically depending on which they prefer to use. The estimate should clearly state which one will be used and the customer should have a say in what parts go on their vehicle.

The insurance company paying for the repairs may also affect the estimate. Many insurance companies require their customers to use aftermarket parts or pay any difference incurred. If you are the claimant, or the person who was not at fault, you should be given the choice.

In today’s competitive market, most body shops labor rates are about the same, usually not varying more than a couple of dollars either way. Most of them also use the same software and flat-rate manuals to decide their fees, so theoretically estimates using the same parts and procedure should produce similar estimates. As you compare, make sure to ask the estimator to explain in detail how they came up with their estimate. This explanation should match the estimate. In the end, be sure to select a shop you feel has written the most accurate and complete estimate. At Collision Authority you will find that we offer consistent service at all of our locations. You can contact us by our website http://www.collisionauthority.com

Some owners are very picky when it comes to putting used or aftermarket body parts on their vehicles. Often, we at Collision Authority are asked by our customers if they have to use these parts. The answer can vary depending on the situation.

Most insurance policies today have clauses in them that allow for the use of such parts as they may deem necessary. If you’ve signed the contact, then you have agreed to these terms. If you still have concerns at the time of repair (maybe regarding the warranty or resale value) you can petition your insurance company to use factory parts. Sometimes they will accommodate you but this may create a delay in the repair process while you wait for their upper management to respond. If you are the claimant, or the person not responsible for the accident, there is some controversy as to your right to choice. In these instances, you should make your preference known.

The customer always has the option of using original factory parts provided you pay the difference in cost compared to the aftermarket versions. For example, if a factory hood costs $450 and the aftermarket version is only $350, you would have to pay the $100 difference. There are times when the aftermarket version may not fit properly. When this happens, the insurance company will pay for factory part. The only problem with this situation is that it may cause repair delays, as the aftermarket part must be fitted first.

Now finally, let’s address the used parts issue. Some customers think that used body parts are inferior to new body parts. This is completely untrue. Since the part came off of the same type of vehicle, the fit and form are the same. The only times we see any problems with used body parts is if they come from the wrecking yard damaged. That can cause more delays in the process as that part will have to be repaired first. We also direct our remarks to body parts and not wearable items; body parts are durable while other parts from a used vehicle may not be suitable as replacement parts.

Feel free to contact us at Collision Authority for more information by clicking on this link for all your auto body repair needs in Las Vegas and the surrounding valley.

When shopping for a collision repair shop, be sure to look for a shop that takes pride in its appearance. They say don’t judge a book by its cover but a messy shop may be an indication of a lack of pride, and a lack of pride is likely to reflect in their workmanship. Most professional auto body shops will keep their office and shop clean and orderly. Carefully inspect the office first then ask to see the shop. Most shops will give you a tour if you request it but be cautious with ones that hide their shop behind policies. If the shop is messy and disorganized, you may want to keep shopping.

Be sure to look for their various licenses, permits, and certifications. All Nevada shops are required to have a state & local business license, a tax permit, an EPA certificate, and a hazardous materials permit. The better shops will be certified by I-CAR (the training standard of the industry) as a Gold Class shop. For even more professionalism, look to see if they are members of the Nevada Collision Industry Association (NCIA) or its national brother ASA, the Better Business Bureau, and the local chambers of commerce. Very shortly, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles will be establishing criteria for identifying the best shops as Class-A; this will be very helpful for the consumer and help to remove the guesswork out of selecting a shop.

When touring a shop, be sure to ask about their equipment. Do they have a frame rack with a computerized measuring system? A car accident can bend your frame, and a bent frame can be dangerous. Believe it or not, some body shops don’t have proper frame equipment; it not required by law. Also be sure that if they have a frame rack, that it has a computerized measuring system that can print you out a copy of the before and after results. Don’t take any chances.

Do they have a downdraft paint booth? All body shops are required by federal laws to paint in booths that filter the harmful vapors produced by paints. However, most body shops use an overhead draft system which forces the paint, as well as dust and contaminates from the floor, to vent over the vehicle. This creates unnecessary extra steps for cleaning and drastically takes away from the overall quality of the paint job. A downdraft spray booth pulls all the air from the top and forces it down to the floor, leaving your vehicle dust free afterwards.

Also, make sure that their paint booth has baking capacity. It literally takes weeks for new paint to fully cure, but to insure the quality of the paint, the outer shell should be a hard as possible before reintroducing into the shop. If not dust and contaminates will get stuck in the new paint. Most professional shops have paint booths with baking capacities and the best shops have smart baking cycle systems. Be sure to ask or contact us at http://www.collisionauthority.com for more information.

In the State of Nevada, you have the legal right to pick a body shop of your choice. According to Nevada Revised Statute 690B.016, you not only have the legal right to choose the shop that repairs your vehicle, but your insurance company is required by law to notify you of that right. Your insurance company cannot insist that you use a particular shop nor require you to get more than one estimate.

Insurance companies often make special agreements with particular body shops to refer work to them in exchange for certain concessions. It only makes sense that they would prefer if you used a shop of their choice; it saves them money. However, it is your vehicle that is being repaired and you have a right to take it to a shop you feel comfortable doing business with. The insurance company is still obligated to make you whole regardless of the shop you choose.

The average person gets into an auto accident about once every ten years, so it’s no wonder most people have no preference when it comes to body shops. If you trust your insurance company, then simply ask them for a suggestion. However it never hurts to do a little research first. Go online and check out their website. See if they’ve had any recent consumer complaints. Ask to tour their shop. An hour of your time may save you years of regret. There are just too many second-rate shops out there.

The decision as to where your vehicle will be repaired is completely yours. Ultimately choose a shop that you feel confident doing business with. It’s your vehicle, and it’s your choice. Contact a Pro at Collision Authority your Las Vegas Auto Body Repair Expert.

Welcome to Collision Authority and our new blog and news feature.  We will be adding articles of interest relating to the automotive repair industry here in Las Vegas, Henderson and the surrounding area.