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You get an initial insurance estimate for your car’s damage and breathe a sigh of relief – it seems straightforward. But then your body shop contacts you saying they found more damage and need to file a supplement  with the insurance. What gives? It turns out, it’s incredibly common for the initial insurance estimate to miss important repairs or damage . Don’t panic: this isn’t necessarily foul play, but rather a result of how the estimating process works. Let’s explore why t

After an accident, dealing with repairs is stressful enough – but what do you do for transportation in the meantime? Rental cars often come into play when your vehicle is in the shop or totaled. It’s important to know what you’re entitled to in terms of a rental car after an accident , so you’re not left stranded or paying more than you should. Here are key tips and rights regarding rental cars in common accident scenarios, whether you were at fault or not. If You Were NOT At

One of the more upsetting outcomes after a car accident is being told your vehicle is “totaled.” This means the insurance company has decided not to repair your car but to declare it a total loss  and pay you for its value instead. How do they make that decision? The process can seem mysterious and, at times, frustrating. In this article, we’ll give a full explanation of how insurance totals a vehicle , what the criteria are (especially in Ohio), and what it means for you as

After an accident, you file a claim and your insurance company suggests you take your car to XYZ Auto Body  – one of their “recommended” shops. You might wonder: Do I have to use that shop?   The answer, in Ohio and in all states, is NO  – the choice of repair facility is yours . This is a right many consumers aren’t fully aware of. Let’s break down what these insurance-recommended programs are, and why you are free to choose your own collision repair shop. Understanding Pref

One of the biggest sources of contention in auto repairs is the use of aftermarket parts versus OEM parts . After an accident, you might assume the damaged parts on your vehicle will be replaced with identical new ones from the manufacturer. What many insurance companies don’t openly tell you is that they often specify cheaper “aftermarket” parts in repair estimates to save money . This can have implications for your car’s performance, safety, and value. Let’s uncover the tru

After an accident, even if your car is expertly repaired, it may lose market value  due to its history. This loss in value is known as “diminished value” (DV) . In Ohio, diminished value is a real concern for vehicle owners, and it’s something you might be entitled to claim under certain conditions. Let’s explore what diminished value means in Ohio and how you can protect your vehicle’s worth  after a collision. What Is Diminished Value? Diminished value  represents the diffe

When you file an auto insurance claim for collision damage, one of the first hurdles is getting the repair estimate approved . Typically, work cannot begin on your vehicle until the insurer gives the green light on the estimate. So how long does this approval take?  The answer varies, but understanding the process and factors involved can help set your expectations. The Claims and Approval Process After you report the accident to your insurance company, an adjuster  evaluates

If you’re searching online for “collision repair near me” in Solon, Twinsburg, or Aurora, OH , you’ll find plenty of body shops. But not...

Finding a body shop you can trust isn’t always easy. Many drivers worry about poor-quality repairs, hidden costs, or insurance companies...

When you’re searching for a body shop after an accident, it’s easy to assume that any collision center can repair your car correctly. But...

Plug welds were once the go-to solution for attaching replacement panels. But with today’s materials and crash standards, OEMs often...

Whenever welding or cutting is performed, the metal around the weld becomes a heat-affected zone (HAZ) . In modern vehicles, this can be...

High-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) are found throughout modern vehicles. These advanced materials allow...

Aluminum has become a major material in today’s vehicle manufacturing. Automakers like Ford, GM, and many luxury brands are using...

When most people think of collision repair, they picture welding torches, sparks flying, and metal being fused back together. But did you...

When it comes to collision repair, following OEM-approved procedures is critical for safety and quality. One specialized process gaining...

When most people think of auto body repair, they picture metal, welds, and paint. But today’s vehicles are engineered with much more than...

When your vehicle is involved in an accident, the damage isn’t always visible to the eye. Modern vehicles are built with advanced unibody...

When a vehicle is in an accident, repairs often require more than just panel replacement or paintwork—structural integrity must be...

Fiberglass is a strong, lightweight material commonly found in modern vehicles, especially on bumpers, hoods, and panels. While it’s...