Tips and Advice

Body Shop in Bellingham, MA

After recovering from an accident, there are many important things to consider regarding how to handle getting your vehicle repaired.

Fix Your car with Marty's Auto Service Inc in Bellingham, MA

Caring For My Newly Restored Vehicle

Recommended care for the first 90 days after you receive your newly restored vehicle.

What to Know if You are in an Accident

According to the National Safety Council, one in every eight drivers will be involved in a motor vehicle accident this year. That may mean you! Are you prepared? Would you know what to do and what questions to ask?

Choosing an Auto Body Shop

You always have the right to select the collision repair center that will be repairing your vehicle. With today’s sophisticated vehicles, it is important to consider several factors when choosing a repair shop.

Learn more about these topics by reviewing the content below:

For the first 30 days after receiving your newly restored vehicle we recommend the following:

    •  Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a mild soap solution using a soft, clean cloth or sponge. Always use clean fresh water. Wash your vehicle in the shade
    •  Do not take the vehicle through a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could damage the new finish.
    •  Do not “dry wipe” your vehicle, as it can scratch the finish.
    •  If possible, do not drive on gravel roads. The finish is more vulnerable to chipping in the first 30 days.
    •  Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings and tree sap are acidic and will damage a freshly painted surface.
    •  Take care not to spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish.
    •  Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface.

The recommendations listed above are especially important within the first 30 days, but to ensure a long lasting superior finish, you should try to adhere to these steps whenever possible for the life of your vehicle.

During the first 90 days after receiving your newly restored vehicle you should not wax or polish the vehicle. Waxing or polishing your vehicle may prevent the finish from drying and hardening completely.

According to the National Safety Council, one in every eight drivers will be involved in a motor vehicle accident this year. That may mean you! Are you prepared? Would you know what to do and what questions to ask?

Be Prepared

Always keep your insurance company’s claim service card with your agent’s name and phone number, and your policy identification number in your glove box. Also store the name and number of a trusted towing and collision repair company in your vehicle.

Steps to Remember

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident you’ll want to do the following if possible:

    •  Stop your vehicle if it is clear, safe and legal.
    •  Move the vehicle out of the roadway, if it is clear, safe and legal. (In some states it is against the law to move the vehicle from the place where the accident occurred.)
    •  Turn off the ignitions of the cars involved.
    •  Make a first aid check of all persons involved in the accident.
    •  Call the police and, if necessary, emergency medical services.
    •  Mark the scene of the accident with flares or reflector triangles.
    •  Make notes describing the accident, the vehicles involved, their approximate speeds, the setting, the weather, traffic signs and signals, and the road conditions.
    •  Take photographs if possible or draw a simple diagram of the roads and the accident.
    •  Make sure you get the name of the other driver and his or her address, work and home telephone numbers, license plate number and state, license number, insurance company name and policy number and the telephone number of his or her insurance agent.
    •  Do not discuss “fault” or make statements about the accident to anyone but the police.
    •  Don’t tell others involved in the accident how much liability insurance you carry.
    •  Gather the names of all persons in the motor vehicles and people who witnessed the accident.
    •  Notify your insurance company or agent. Do it as soon as possible even if you’re far from home and even if someone else caused the accident. Ask your agent how to proceed and what forms or documents will be needed to support your claim. Be familiar with your insurance company’s policy regarding pre-inspections.
    •  Get a copy of the police report of the accident from the local precinct.
    •  Whatever you send to the Insurance Company, make sure that you send it Certified/Return Receipt Requested. Make copies of everything for yourself. If the Insurance Company sends you forms to complete, do it in a timely manner.
    •  Don’t accept offers to settle for payment on the spot without thinking about it carefully. You may be held liable later for the same damages.
    •  Call a reputable towing and auto collision repair company.

You always have the right to select the collision repair center that will be repairing your vehicle. With today’s sophisticated vehicles, it is important to consider the following when choosing a repair shop:

    •  Shop should provide a written warranty and should not use “economy” parts
    •  Technicians should have “I-CAR” training certification
    •  Shop should have a paint spray booth and should use “weld-through” primer
    •  Shop should have MIG welders, a “dedicated bench” and a computerized measuring system

For more advice on dealing with an accident or collision repairs, give Marty’s Auto Service Inc. a call today!