Nobody wants to meet with an accident, particularly if you’re behind the wheel. Car crashes can be quite traumatising. However, if you are faced with the unfortunate encounter of an accident, you should know how to deal with it without panicking. Sometimes, collisions cause a few dents or scratches, but there are times when damage is so extensive that it may burn a hole in your pocket.

While an insurance company may rescue you financially, you may have to turn to a collision repair shop for help. A collision repair shop has expert technicians who use special tools and equipment to repair body parts and refurbish interiors, exteriors and spoilt metal frames of vehicles. They help to restore your vehicle to its original form. Hence, seeking help from the right collision repair shop is crucial and to help you do this, here is a list of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a collision repair shop.

1. #1 Myth. Seeking help from the wrong people. When you are involved in an accident, you’re sometimes approached or advised by individuals who don't necessarily have your best interest at heart. Please do your share of research before allowing your repairs to be carried out by a tow truck company or as advised by your insurance company, or dealership. Just because someone says “our shop will take care of you” doesn't mean they actually will. Before you sign anything or commit to a dealer or insurance related shop, check out the shop first. Sometimes these referrals are excellent, and the shop can provide you with exactly what you need. Sometimes these references are based on discounts, commissions, and methods of repairs that may devalue your vehicle.
2. #2 Myth. Paying a claim yourself. Should I use my insurance, or pay for the claim myself? There is a lot of confusion on how insurance works. The first thing to know about your insurance premium status is that everything is statistical. Insurance companies base your cost of automotive insurance on historical data of individuals just like you and the likelihood of a claim occurrence. This is important to know because your rates are measured on this data. The insurance industry will raise your rates because of the frequency of claims, not the value of the claim. Here's an example: If you haven’t made an automotive claim in more than five years and the cost of damage is $5000, your rate will not go up to $5000 for the following year. You are still considered a good driver to have only made one claim within a five year period. In most cases, your rates may be unaffected.
3. #3 Myth. Preferring alternative parts over original parts. If you are concerned about the value of your vehicle, try to use as many original parts on a collision repair as you can. If the insurance company is paying the claim, and they only allow aftermarket or other alternative parts based on your policy, you may want to talk to the repair shop to find out the difference in cost. Individual plans allow for only original parts. This is a good question to ask when purchasing your policy. Also, if you are talking to a repair shop rep and they say they are using new parts, ask them to be more specific. Aftermarket is new, but not original.

For the best auto collision repair and automotive refinishing service in Calgary, reach out to the experts at Kirkuk Auto Complete Service.

To rule out the common mistakes stated above, reach out to the auto body repair and collision repair experts at Kirkuk Auto Complete Service. Our staff is highly trained on all methods of repairs that best suit you and your vehicle’s needs. Transparency before and after repairs is how we work so you are fully aware of all options. With over fifty-five years of experience, we’ve built a long standing reputation in the community and auto repair industry that has merited us many accolades with various dealerships and insurance companies. If you have any questions about how we can help you, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us.