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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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September | October 2004
Volume 78 Issue 5
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AutoTalk
October is AAA Car Care Month
Protect your automotive investment and your personal safety — get a maintenance and safety inspection during AAA Car Care Month.
During October, many AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities will be offering free or discounted inspections to members and the motoring public. Stop by and let AAA check your tires, fluid levels, windshield wipers, batteries, brakes, lights, belts and hoses.
For information about AAA Car Care Month click here for all participating Approved Auto Repair facilities.
10 things you should
know about auto body repairs
Even if you and your passengers are fortunate to escape injury, an automobile accident is still a very upsetting experience. Besides the emotional stress, there is also the inconvenience of having to get your vehicle repaired.
Normally, this involves at least one body shop and one insurance company, although you may end up dealing with several of each before the matter is finally resolved.
When arranging for vehicle repairs, accident sufferers often find that they are presented with many conflicting opinions regarding what is needed to fix the car and what it will ultimately cost. It can be hard to discern who is giving the best advice. Many times an accident victim will simply follow the path of least resistance — which may be to his or her detriment.
Listed below are 10 things you should know about auto body repairs. You might want to tear it out and tuck it away for future reference should you be involved in an accident and need the straight story.
1. If you are like most people, your car is the second largest investment you will make, after your home. Always preserve your vehicle's value, and your safety, by insisting upon professional, high-quality body repairs.
2. Never drive a vehicle that could be unsafe to you or others as a result of accident damages.
3. Your insurance company may ask you to take your damaged car to their drive-in claims center before you have it repaired. You may do this if you wish, but you can also take the car to a body shop of your choice and ask that the insurance company inspect it there.
4. There is no law that requires you to get more than one estimate or appraisal.
5. You have the right to use the body shop of your choice. Your insurance company may offer suggestions, but it cannot require that you go to a particular shop.
6. Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all of the necessary parts or labor operations. If you are unsure why one estimate is higher or lower than another, ask the body shop that gave you the estimate to explain the charges.
7. Choose a body shop that has up-to-date equipment and I-CAR and/or ASE-certified technicians.
8. Ask if the body shop will be using genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts, or after-market
parts that may be of
lesser quality.
9. Ask the body shop about its warranty coverage on repairs made.
10. Ask the body shop personnel if they are willing to help negotiate your
claim with the insurance company.
Tips to make a
smart used car purchase
If you're in the market to buy a car, there's a good chance you'll end up behind the wheel of a used vehicle. During the past three years, used cars have outsold new models by a ratio of almost 3-to-1.
Plus, today's pre-owned vehicles are more reliable than ever, and they don't depreciate nearly as quickly as a new set of wheels.
Still, driving a smart deal on a used car purchase requires careful preparation. These tips from automotive and finance experts can help keep you on track.
Check Out the Vehicle's History. Be sure to ask plenty of questions about the vehicle's track record. Who owned it? Where was it driven? Has it been in an accident? What's the repair history? If any of these questions go unanswered, move on to the next vehicle; there are plenty available to choose from. CARFAX vehicle history reports (available in the automotive section of www.aaa.com) can be a valuable resource.
Consider a Certification Program. Many manufacturers now offer "certified vehicle programs," in which selected cars go through a rigorous inspection and fix-up and are then backed by extended warranties. Dealers pay to participate in a manufacturer's certification program, and some of the costs may be passed to the consumer. For the buyer, the added peace of mind can be worth the expense (about $1,000 extra for non-luxury vehicles, according to a recent report). If a dealer claims a car is "certified," be sure to find out who certified the vehicle and the standards applied to certify it. Remember, dealers can certify only their own manufacturers' cars.
Hire a Mechanic to Inspect It. Find an objective mechanic to examine the vehicle, even if it's advertised as "certified." The $50-$100 you're likely to spend will improve your personal comfort zone and it may help avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Review the Contract Closely. Don't put pen to paper until you know the following: your interest rate, monthly payment, amount you are financing, the length of your loan, and your trade-in value. Never sign anything until you're ready to buy; don't sign a contract with blank spaces in it; and don't rely on oral promises.
AAA Connection
AAA Colorado AutoSource is an auto buying service that locates new or pre-owned vehicles for AAA members. AutoSource can also handle trade-ins, financing and extended warranties. See page 13 for ad, call 877-244-9790 or click on "Car Sales/Leasing" in the automotive
section of www.aaa.com.
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