When you buy a classic car, you will almost certainly need to have some kind of auto body work done to restore the car to its former glory. Although it can be very satisfying to restore a classic car yourself, it can be hard work, and you may not be able to get the same quality as a professional repair.

Many rare or classic cars appreciate in value depending on the condition or what has been done to the vehicle. Any alterations or repairs can affect a classic car’s value, so it’s best to leave the auto body repair to the professionals to protect your investment.

Classic Car Value

According to the Historic Automobile Group Index (HAGI), the value of classic cars jumped 39% in 2013 and has outperformed other collectibles such as gold, art, wine, coins and stamps over the last 10 years.
The founder of HAGI, Dietrich Hatlapa said, “Classic cars have been a very good performer in terms of value appreciation, and the financial crisis helped classic cars and collectible markets.”

David Gooding, president and founder of auction house Gooding & Co., has sold thousands of classic cars over the years. Gooding said that classic cars are becoming more valuable and coveted by collectors from all over the world. “People are realizing [classic cars] are exciting to collect. You can drive them and take them around the world. A car can be a passport to adventure,” he said.

Classic Car Auto Body

Auto body work for your classic car can turn your automobile into a beautiful piece of art–or it can make it look like a polished piece of junk. Besides risking the investment value, a DIY classic car repair might initially seem simple to do, but you may find out that it is very time consuming and really not worth your time as you get into the project. If you’ve never worked on a classic car before, there may be a learning curve or you may run into unexpected hiccups while doing the repair. A car restoration that takes an auto body shop three hours to do might take you 15 hours, especially if it is the first time working on your classic car.

Choosing an auto body shop to do your classic car restoration might also be a daunting task. Carwise.com is an auto body repair shop review website that helps make selecting a reputable auto body shop easier. You can find an auto body shop near you, read actual customer reviews, as well as track the progress of your classic car’s repair.

Sources

Yahoo Finance

Historic Auto Group

Timing your car purchase could possibly save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. TrueCar has analyzed car prices over several years to reveal the day of the week, month, and time of the month to buy a car—including timing for specific car types.

The data comes from monthly industry sales data between the years 2009 and 2014. A Sunday at the beginning of August seems to be the sweet spot overall. If you’re in the market for a certain type of car, however, check the graphic for other recommendations.

Original Source: http://lifehacker.com/this-infographic-reveals-the-best-times-to-buy-a-new-ca-1616915330

According to the 2012 Annual Collision Summary for Washington state, there were 99,560 car accidents across the state of Washington with a car accident occurring every five minutes.

It is difficult enough dealing with the stress of a car accident, contacting your insurance company and worrying about getting around without your vehicle. Before you settle for just any auto body shop in Seattle, do yourself a favor and do a bit of research before taking your vehicle in for repair. With so many options, you’ll want to find a reliable shop that can guarantee quality results.

Here are some tips for finding a good auto body shop your area:

Social Media. Nowadays, reputable auto body shops have a Facebook page for their business where they can post updates, photos, and connect with their customers. You can learn a lot from what’s on their Facebook page, which will help you get a better feel about who they are and what their auto body shop is all about.

Read Ratings and Reviews. Learn more about an auto body shop and their work by visiting a review website like Carwise.com. Unlike some review sites, Carwise reviews are reliable and guaranteed authentic from real customers. The reviews are submitted responses to customer surveys provided by the auto body shops, made available to actual customers who have had their vehicles repaired at these facilities.

Find an Auto Body Shop with a Warranty. Most shops in Seattle offer a written warranty for their work. Ask to see the shop’s warranty to see what’s covered on the body work, parts, or paint and address any concerns that you may have.

When you do find an auto body shop in Seattle, be sure to also read our “Top 10 Questions to Ask an Auto Repair Shop” for more tips to ensure you’ll get your car to its pre-accident condition.

Recommended Carwise Auto Body Shops in Seattle and Surrounding Areas:

• Seattle

• Bellevue

• Oak Harbor

• Lynnwood

• Tacoma

• Spokane

• Olympia

After being involved in a car accident, one of the first things you’ll think about is getting your car repaired as quickly as possible. But taking your car to the first auto body shop you find would be a hasty decision. In order to find a reliable and reputable auto body shop, take time to do your research and ask questions so that you’ll receive high quality auto body repair work for your vehicle.

Here are some questions and things to consider before allowing an auto body repair shop to repair your vehicle

Learn more about the auto body repair shop. 

Reading an online review about an auto body repair shop can be a useful resource. You can get a sense of the quality of the auto body repair shop based on customer feedback, ratings and reviews. You might want to ask the following questions after reading an online review:

1. How often will I receive text or email updates about my car’s repair status?
2. Can I view repair updates online?
3. Can I arrange for a loaner or rental car online or through an affiliated rental car service

What kind of warranty comes with their auto body repair work?

If they offer a warranty, ask how long it lasts and what it will cover.

Does the auto body repair shop have rental cars on their lot or do they provide loaner vehicles?

Being without a car is an inconvenience, so you’ll need to make sure that you have a rental, loaner or courtesy car while yours is in the shop. Some auto body repair shops have a car rental facility located in or near their shop. Other auto body repair shops may offer loaner or courtesy cars that can be used while they are repairing your car.If there is a pre-rental agreement, review it carefully – read the fine print. Take photos of the car before it leaves the shop & when you return it (honest shops will not object to this; it’s common practice in the age of Smartphones). Take note of the mileage as well.

How long will the auto body repair take?

This is the #1 question asked of all auto body shops. There is no hard and fast answer since each case is subjective. There are many factors related that can affect the length of repair time, including the extent of damage to your car, how busy the auto body repair shop is at that particular time, or even holidays during which the shop may be closed.  A 2017 Industry Trend Data report published by CCC Information Services Inc. showed that the average length of customer loaner or rental car usage – the measuring stick used to determine length of repair time – has grown from 9.26 to 9.85 days.Additional factors may include the level of the repair technicians’ certifications and training, the quality of the shop’s parts procurement process and the channels through which parts are acquired (does the shop deal with parts suppliers and manufacturers or with auto junkyards?) and/or the equipment with which the shop is outfitted. Is their equipment state-of-the-art or antiquated? Are work areas clean and efficient? What, if any, repairs are outsourced? All of this can shorten – or lengthen – the time of your car repair.

Is your car covered while it is in the shop?

Ask the auto body repair shop if they carry fire and theft insurance. You want to be sure that you’ll be covered just in case your car is damaged, destroyed, stolen or burglarized while it is in the auto body repair shop. It is also not advisable to stop paying auto insurance premiums on your car while it is being repaired. Most states require auto insurance and will penalize you for a lapse of even one day. Also if the mechanic needs to drive the car for testing purposes, he/she could be penalized if pulled over. By allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse, you will likely spend more on penalties than save on premiums — even if the repair time is lengthy.

Will the paint match the rest of my car?

In most cases, cars have a paint code on a plate located either in a door jamb, under the hood, or in the trunk. This paint code will give the exact color of the manufacturer’s paint. Make sure the auto body repair shop will be using the same exact color of paint and not a similar color. For further reading, check this blog post: How Much Does a Car Paint Job Cost?

How soon can you wash your car after an auto body repair?

An auto body repair shop usually returns your car back to you clean. They may have already washed it or waited for the paint to dry so that you can drive your car immediately after the repair. Still, it is important to know whether it is it safe to take your car to a car wash that uses friction brushing or a touch-free car wash with acid presoaks and super concentrated car wash soap soon after a fresh paint job.

What is friction brushing?

Friction brushing usually employs a combination of high pressure blasters with foam and/or cloth brushes. Brush-equipped washes generally perform better and move faster, as brushes clean in hard-to-reach places. Additionally advances in soft-touch systems increase the quality of the wash while reducing the possibility of damage to the finish. Consult with your auto body repair technician on the best option in your car’s case.

What is a touch-free wash?

Touchless washes employ a combination of chemicals, presoaks, detergents, high water pressure and modern systems even include laser-guided contour sensors. The advantage of a touch-free wash is that nothing touches the vehicle for the duration of the wash, which is typically longer than a friction wash. One possible disadvantage is, because a touch-free wash is so reliant upon chemicals, certain mix ratios can cause stains on the paint. Consult with your auto body repair technician on the best option in your car’s case.

Does the auto body repair shop have any certifications?

Certifications, such as I-CAR and ASE, are a good sign of a reputable auto body repair shop. A certification usually means that the auto body repair shop has the skills and knowledge required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs.

Will the auto body repair shop put everything in writing?

When bringing your car into an auto body repair shop, ask if you can receive a written estimate. You should also ask for an itemized bill after all work is completed. If the written estimate doesn’t match the itemized bill, don’t be afraid to ask about any discrepancies.

1. Consider the below excerpt from the “Auto Body Repair Consumer’s Bill of Rights,” which was passed into law in California in 2009:

A CONSUMER IS ENTITLED TO:

• AN ITEMIZED WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR AUTO BODY REPAIRS AND, UPON COMPLETION OF REPAIRS, A DETAILED INVOICE. THE ESTIMATE AND THE INVOICE MUST INCLUDE AN ITEMIZED LIST OF PARTS AND LABOR ALONG WITH THE TOTAL PRICE FOR THE WORK PERFORMED. THE ESTIMATE AND INVOICE MUST ALSO IDENTIFY ALL PARTS AS NEW, USED, AFTERMARKET, RECONDITIONED, OR REBUILT.
• BE INFORMED ABOUT COVERAGE FOR TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES.
• BE INFORMED ABOUT THE EXTENT OF COVERAGE, IF ANY, FOR A REPLACEMENT RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE A DAMAGED VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
• BE INFORMED OF WHERE TO REPORT SUSPECTED FRAUD OR OTHER COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT AUTO BODY REPAIRS.
• SEEK AND OBTAIN AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR ESTIMATE DIRECTLY FROM A REGISTERED AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR OF A DAMAGED VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN PURSUING AN INSURANCE CLAIM FOR REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE.
  For further reading, check out this blog post: Top 10 Ways Auto Body Shops Can Ensure a Positive Customer Experience

What is the payment policy?

Most reputable auto body repair shops post their policies and payment methods where customers can easily see them. The payment policies may include labor rates, materials, warranty information, guarantees, and acceptable forms of payment. If you don’t see payment policy information, ask before the shop begins any auto body repair work on your vehicle.

For further reading, check out this blog post: Top Consumer Facts & Tips About Repair

Paintless Dent Repair or Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) is a technique used by auto body shops that removes dents and dings, leaving the original paint in place.

To ensure that your car dent is repaired properly, you should leave it to the professionals. With Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), auto body shops can remove many types of dent damage including hail or door dings.

Paintless Dent Repair is a process of accessing the back side of the damaged panel and then massaging and shrinking the dent with unique and specialized rods that have different configurations. PDR is faster than conventional repairs and does not use traditional auto body methods like sanding, body fillers in order to maintain your car’s original finish.

What Can Paintless Dent Repair Fix?

Paintless dent repair can work well in the following situations:

• From small to large dents

• On newer cars, typically with model years of 1990 or later

• When cracked or broken paint is not present

• When the dent isn’t close to a panel ‘s edge

• When the panel has not had previous auto body repair

PDR is so effective for hail damage that insurance companies will setup temporary facilities to rapidly assess and repair damage.

Advantages of Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless Dent Repair advantages include:

• No repainting or body filler needed

• Does not cost as much as a traditional body repair

• Can be quickly fixed in most cases

• No possibility of paint overspray on other parts of the vehicle

• No risk of incorrect color matching

• Vehicle retains original paint

A vehicle with original paint retains a higher value than a car that has been repainted. No matter where the damage is located, it is always best to keep the original paint on a vehicle for as long as possible.

Where can I find an auto body repair shop that does Paintless Dent Repair?

If you want to ensure that you have a flawless Paintless Dent Repair, find a good auto body shop to get your car back to pre-damaged condition. A quick search on Carwise.com will help you find the right shop.

Sources:

MSN Autos

Carwise™ knows a thing or two about what to look for in a good auto body repair shop. The Carwise network comprised of 17,000 auto body repair shops nationwide. The recommendations on Carwise.com are from real customers who brought their cars to these auto body repair facilities. Whether you are new in your area or you are just looking for an auto body repair shop after an accident, the experts at Carwise.com can help you find a good auto body repair shop near you. Some tips to consider:

Be prepared

Look for an auto body repair shop before you need one. The best decisions are made when you are not rushed.

Ask around

Most likely you know family, friends or co-workers who have been involved in some kind of fender bender. Ask them which auto body repair shops they liked and why.

Check out a shop’s reputation

Look up and compare the auto body repair shop facilities that others have told you about on Carwise.com to see their customer ratings and reviews.

Look for technical certifications

Certifications are a good sign of a reputable auto body repair shop. A certification shows that the auto body repair shop has the appropriate expertise, knowledge and skills required to safely complete and perform quality repairs. Get a written estimate. A good auto body repair shop will give you a written estimate. The written estimate should tell you what needs to be repaired, required parts, and the estimated labor charges.

Professional and courteous staff

A good auto body repair shop will have helpful staff that should be willing to answer your questions thoroughly.

After you find a good auto body repair shop, Carwise.com can help you track your car’s repair status if the shop you select is within the Carwise network. The ability to track your car’s repair status, get frequent auto body repair status updates, and see photos of your repair in progress via the website or the Carwise mobile app are just some of the benefits you can receive from Carwise.

Sources:

I-CAR

When taking your car to an auto body repair shop for the first time, you should know a few things before arranging to have any work performed. You should also know what to look for after getting your car back from the auto body repair shop.

Selecting a good auto body repair shop:

• You can read online ratings and reviews on Carwise.com to get a sense of the quality of the auto body repair shop based on real customer feedback.

• When doing preliminary research on an auto body repair shop on a review website, pay close attention to the reviews that are well-written and more through. Even the best companies receive one-liner bad reviews from time to time.

• According to a Harvard study, 16% of Yelp restaurant reviews are fake. The auto body repair shop reviews on Carwise.com are 100% real customer reviews from real people who have had their vehicles repaired at these auto body repair facilities.

What to know before having your car repaired by an auto body repair shop:

• You should never drive a damaged car, because it might not be safe.

• Your vehicle is one of your biggest investments. To find a good auto body repair shop, you should go to a review website like Carwise.com so that you can protect your investment by getting it repaired properly.

• A signed copy of the written estimate should describe the condition, what needs to be repaired, the affected parts and the estimated labor charges.

• The estimate should also state that the auto body repair shop will contact you for approval before they perform any work that might exceed the time or cost on the written estimate.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your auto body repair. A professional auto body repair shop will take the time to explain the entire process.

• If you bring your car to an auto body repair shop within the Carwise network, you can view your car’s detailed repair status updates via the Carwise website or mobile app. Many of the Carwise network shops also can send you frequent repair status updates via text messages or email, eliminating the hassle of calling to get updates.

What you should know after getting your car back from the auto body repair:

• The auto body repair bill should describe the all the work that was done. It should list every repair, which parts were used, labor charges, and the odometer reading of the car before bringing it in.

• If there is a discrepancy between the itemized bill and the written estimate, don’t hesitate to ask the auto body repair shop about the differences.

• In some cases, you might not notice any problems until a few months later. For example, you may notice uneven tire wear on your car. This might be a result of the front suspension not being aligned and repaired properly. A good auto body repair shop will stand by their work and fix the problem under the warranty.

• Remember to always keep your paperwork and receipt so that if you discover issues later, you can bring it back to the auto body repair shop to assess what is causing the problem.

Sources:

Harvard University

FTC.gov

Getting into a car accident and then being surprised by a high estimate for the auto body repair costs makes a bad situation even worse. Considering how expensive auto body repairs can be, it is very important to know how to handle a car accident before and after it happens – especially if the cause of the accident was your fault.

Helpful Auto Body Repair Tips

When taking your car to an auto body repair shop for the first time, you should know a few things before arranging to have any work performed. You should also know what to look for after getting your car back from the auto body repair shop.

SELECTING A GOOD AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP:

• You can read online ratings and reviews on Carwise.com to get a sense of the quality of the auto body repair shop based on real customer feedback.

• When doing preliminary research on an auto body repair shop on a review website, pay close attention to the reviews that are well-written and more through. Even the best companies receive one-liner bad reviews from time to time.
• According to a Harvard study, 16% of Yelp restaurant reviews are fake. The auto body repair shop reviews on Carwise.com are 100% real customer reviews from real people who have had their vehicles repaired at these auto body repair facilities.

Anticipate auto body repair costs

Knowing that an auto body repair can be quite expensive. Before filing the claim check to see how much your current collision deductible is on your auto insurance policy. Most deductibles can range from $250 – $1,000, if you chose to file a claim, know that you will be paying the full deductible amount. . Keep in mind that if you do file a claim your insurance premium will most likely increase at your next renewal. Therefore you may want to get an estimate from a qualified auto body shop before filing the claim.

Read auto body repair shop review and recommendations

There are several review sites on the web, but few specialize in auto body repair. Using Carwise.com you cannot only find an auto body repair shop near you but also read ratings and reviews from actual customers that had their cars repaired at those facilities. With this research available, you can use your best judgment when selecting a shop to repair your vehicle.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE HAVING YOUR CAR REPAIRED BY AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP:

• You should never drive a damaged car because it might not be safe.

• Your vehicle is one of your biggest investments. To find a good auto body repair shop, you should go to a review website like Carwise.com so that you can protect your investment by getting it repaired properly.

• A signed copy of the written estimate should describe the condition, what needs to be repaired, the affected parts and the estimated labor charges.

• The estimate should also state that the auto body repair shop will contact you for approval before they perform any work that might exceed the time or cost on the written estimate.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your auto body repair. A professional auto body repair shop will take the time to explain the entire process.

• If you bring your car to an auto body repair shop within the Carwise network, you can view your car’s detailed repair status updates via the Carwise website or mobile app. Many of the Carwise network shops also can send you frequent repair status updates via text messages or email, eliminating the hassle of calling to get updates.

Visit an auto body repair shop

Call or visit auto body shops in your area. The best time to call or visit an auto repair shop is after the morning rush. Visiting an auto body repair shop when they are busy may not be the ideal time to get the full attention of the shop staff.

Get everything in writing

Most states require that auto body repair shops give you a written estimate. Make sure you have the opportunity to review the estimate before the shop begins your repair. When you pick up your car, make sure you compare the written estimate to the final bill to verify that everything matches. Don’t be afraid to ask the auto body shop about any discrepancies.

Verify your insurance coverage for a rental car

You’ll need to know what your insurance policy will cover when it comes to getting a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop. For example, if you need a bigger vehicle like an SUV or van to fit your lifestyle, you should be aware if your insurance only reimburses you for the rental of a compact car. By checking your policy in advance, you can reevaluate as needed to avoid future problems and fees.

Certifications are signs of a reputable auto body shop

When selecting a repair shop, look for certifications. A certification usually means that the auto body repair facility is committed to the continuous training of their staff on proper repair procedures. Certifications also show that the auto body repair shop has the information, knowledge, and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer. The most common certification programs are offered by I-CAR and ASE.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AFTER GETTING YOUR CAR BACK FROM THE AUTO BODY REPAIR:

• The auto body repair bill should describe all the work that was done. It should list every repair, which parts were used, labor charges, and the odometer reading of the car before bringing it in.

• If there is a discrepancy between the itemized bill and the written estimate, don’t hesitate to ask the auto body repair shop about the differences.

• In some cases, you might not notice any problems until a few months later. For example, you may notice uneven tire wear on your car. This might be a result of the front suspension not being aligned and repaired properly. A good auto body repair shop will stand by their work and fix the problem under the warranty.

• Remember to always keep your paperwork and receipt so that if you discover issues later, you can bring it back to the auto body repair shop to assess what is causing the problem.

Sources:
Today.com
AOL Autos
i-Car.com

Harvard University

FTC.gov

Getting into a car accident is the last thing anyone wants to think about, but most drivers are likely to be involved in a car accident at least once in their lives. You can try to be safe and cautious, but that doesn’t stop other careless drivers from running a red light or texting while driving.

Whether damage from a car accident is significant or just a scratch, it is important to find a recommended auto body shop that is trustworthy and dependable. Finding a good auto body shop that is reliable, efficient, and reputable will help you reduce the inconvenience and hassle of your unfortunate circumstance.

Choosing the right auto body shop

Choosing the right auto body shop to restore your vehicle back to its original condition can be a daunting task. Since it’s not uncommon for people get into car accidents, you can ask your friends, family, and colleagues if they have any recommendations. You can also do your research and due diligence by looking up auto body shops on Carwise.com, local advertisements, or conduct a search on the Internet.

Vetting your list of Auto Shops

After you have gathered a list of auto body shops, you can vet each shop online by visiting an auto body shop review website like Carwise.com to find ratings and reviews of recommended shops in your area. Carwise.com is a great place to find a list of hi-tech auto body shops that use state-of-the-art technology like CCC ONE® to write estimates or look up parts using built-in supplier connections. These auto body shops also have the ability to keep vehicle owners well informed during the car repair process through text and email, as well as the Carwise.com website and Carwise Smartphone App (for iOS and Android). Another advantage of using Carwise.com is that you can post a review for an auto body shop after the repairs are done to let others know about your experience.

You have chosen your Auto shop

When you have chosen the right auto body shop, they should not only be able to fix the visible damage to your car, but also inspect your car for necessary repairs that can’t easily be seen but affect the structural integrity, safety, and drive-ability of your vehicle.

The safety of you and your family is critical, so choosing a quality auto body shop to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition is essential. It’s not uncommon to receive multiple auto body shop estimates that have significant price differences. Although low prices from an auto body shop may be tempting, you should consider quality and safety first.

The right auto body shop will be reliable, have a good reputation, perform high quality work, show certificates, and have guarantees. When it comes to your family’s safety and economic well-being, what is the value of peace-of-mind of finding a good auto body shop near me? Most would agree… it’s priceless!

Recommended auto body shops in major cities

• Auto body shops near New York City
• Auto body shops near Chicago
• Auto body shops near Los Angeles
• Auto body shops near Houston
• Auto body shops near Atlanta
• Auto body shops near Seattle