Have you ever wondered why your insurance company has a pre-arranged body shop for vehicle repairs? It’s because it’s in their best interest to have a place to send your damaged car to, because they can control the auto-body repair costs. If your insurance company owns the auto-body repair shop, they can dictate how much it costs, what parts they will pay for, and the quality of workmanship. They also don’t need a second opinion if they own the body shop, or employ the owner!

One way that they commonly cut their costs is by using after -market parts, not new automotive parts. They can also offer you a “fast buy-out” and a quick pay off, for a lower accident settlement. This is all to benefit the insurance company. They may not allow you to get the best quality repair parts that you deserve, choosing used or refurbished replacements.

In the state of Georgia, insurance carriers cannot dictate where you take your car to be repaired. No one knows this better than former insurance adjuster and owner of Auto Innovations, Inc. Collision and Repair Center, Shelly Jackson. She knows all the insurance “tricks of the trade”. Shelly knows how to assess a vehicle after a collision- the right way. By doing a thorough inspection of the vehicle, not just guessing, all damages can be better accessed. This means that the vehicle may need to be partially dismantled to see all the damages. A typical on-site auto inspection can’t do that.

If you choose to take an instant cash settlement for the car accident, you could be losing money for the real repair costs! Bring it to Auto Innovations, Inc. in Cobb County, Georgia for a second opinion. Auto Innovations, Inc. is more concerned with the quality of parts and the auto-body repair work for the customer’s satisfaction.

If you have a dent on your car, have fender or bumper damage, need a new auto paint job, or have a car accident and need major body repair for your vehicle, come to Auto Innovations, Inc. in Marietta, Georgia for a great experience in auto-body car repair!

Spray painting a car is one of those ideas that seems good, until you actually put it into practice. A proper automotive paint job takes more than just aiming a can at the metal and holding down on the spray button until it’s empty. An entire process of preparation and technique is required if you want to ensure an even and durable finish. It’s better to use quality products intended for automobiles from the get-go.

There are many reasons spray painting a car is a bad idea. Here are the top four.

1) It Will Take You Forever. Professional paint guns that use compressed air to paint an automobile are specially built to provide a continuous flow of product, which is precisely metered. Spray cans shoot paint at a rate that’s based on their ultra-cheap nozzles, which are not guaranteed to flow at the same speed or provide the same spray pattern. As a result, the amount of spray paint that lands on any given spot on your automobile is going to be completely random — which means you’ll have to spend a significant amount of time wet-sanding, re-spraying and wet-sanding again if you hope to achieve any kind of decent finish.

2) The Colors Won’t Match. The color in a can of spray paint is not guaranteed to match the one on the shelf beside it, even if the color on the cap is the same. That is because quality control for spray paint colors works on a per-batch basis, and you have no way of knowing if the cans at the store came from the same batch until you start to spray. You’ll face a splotchy finish that will present an uneven color depending on which panel you’re looking at.

3) The Cans Will Clog, Then Clog Again. Spray painting a car was never in the design spec for the cans of paint you’ll pick up at a retail store. They were meant for shorter or smaller jobs, which means that their nozzles simply can’t handle blasting out paint continuously until the can is empty. As soon as you hold down on a spray paint can for more than 15 seconds or so, the nozzle will start to clog. This leads to a dripping mess, not just on the ground or on your pants, but also on the car itself. Globs of paint can also detach themselves from the nozzle, and splatter against the panel they’re pointed at.

4) The Paint Job Won’t Last Long. Spray paint was never meant to take the kind of abuse thrown at a car. The heat of the engine operating can result in paint flaking off the hood, rocks and debris kicked up by other vehicles can chip paint on the front of the car; and constant exposure to snow and rain will make your spray paint job fade much more quickly than automotive paint.

Even if you spray a clear coat over your work, spray painting a car merely prolongs the inevitable: the need to actually have a professional paint job done at some point in the future. Do your car paint research to get the most out of your body shop visit, then bite the bullet and give your car a coat of paint that will last.

Get a free estimate on a new paint job for your car, here: Estimate

Waxing your car is a great way to protect the paint from being damaged by weather conditions, small rocks and road grime while bringing out the natural shine. There are just as many opinions about how and when you should wax your car as there are automotive enthusiasts, but here are five car waxing tips and tricks that hold true no matter where you live or what you drive.

1. Preparation Is Key: Before you even think about putting wax to paint, you’ll have to make sure your car is as clean as possible. Dust and grime can scour your finish during application.

Once everything’s clean, you’ll also need to dry the car thoroughly. You don’t want any water leaking down and mixing with the wax.

Finally, do not wash or wax it in direct sunlight, as the heat can cure the wax into your paint before it’s ready to be removed.

2. Choose Your Products Wisely: Before you select the wax you’re going to use, you’ll have to decide how you’re going to apply it. If you’re unsure, stick with hand application; this method requires either terry cloth detailing towels or special wax application pads.

3. Carnauba or Polymer? It’s normal to feel overwhelmed the first time you wander down the wax aisle and discover the variety of options and brands available. In general, automotive waxes can be broken down into two different categories: carnauba and polymer.

Carnauba-based products contain a natural, tree-derived wax that offers a deep, wet-look shine, but they are somewhat harder to work with as carnauba is fairly stiff. Polymer waxes, also known as sealants, use polymer compounds and acrylic resins to bond to you car’s paint and provide a layer of protection and shine that’s not quite as deep, but that is much easier to use. Polymer lasts a lot longer before requiring a re-application: usually 6 months versus 60 days for carnauba. You’ll also find waxes that combine carnauba and polymers, giving you a third option to consider.

4. Wax on, Wax off: Applying wax is actually quite simple. If you’re working by hand, squirt, dab or spread a small amount of wax directly on your terry cloth or pad and then work it into the paint using steady pressure in a circular motion. Working in small sections at a time, keep at it until the wax has absorbed into the paint. Make sure not to get any on black trim or plastic. Use a clean terry cloth to remove any excess wax once it has dried.

5. Buff It up: Once the wax is removed, it’s time to buff your car to make sure the wax that has bonded with the paint really shines. Using a clean terry cloth, wipe the paint gently in a circular motion until you start to get the deep reflective look you are going for. You can buff your car after every wash — as long as it’s clean and dry — to help keep it looking its best between waxings.

For more great car questions and answers, read here: faq

Are you worried about taking your vehicle somewhere else to be fixed, other than the “insurance company body shop”? There is no need to worry! In the state of Georgia, you have a right to take your car to ANY body shop that you want! Your auto insurance carrier cannot force you to go to their shop. The owner of Auto Innovations knows this is true, because she was an insurance adjuster!

There are several reasons why insurance adjusters want you to take your car to the insurance company’s pre-arranged auto body shop:

1. They can save money on after-market parts, over using new ones in the car repair
2. They can offer you a “fast buy-out”, and a quick pay off for a lower overall accident settlement
3. They want to control the repairs- and the costs- for their insurance company!

Let’s face it: Getting auto-body repair from an insurance-owned shop or a pre-approved body shop is probably not going to compare to a privately owned body shop with a NAPA guarantee!

The best advice we can give you is to get a second opinion (or a second estimate) on your auto-body repair work, instead of settling on the insurance company’s sole opinion.

If you have a dent on your car, have fender or bumper damage, need a new paint job, or have a car accident and need major auto-body repair, come to Auto Innovations in Marietta, Georgia for a great experience in car repair!

I recently spoke to a customer who brought in their vehicle to the shop. They told me that their insurance company scares people into thinking that their auto repair work won’t be guaranteed, that it won’t be up to “their standards”, and that it will take longer to repair. The client was worried about bringing it to us at first because she felt bullied by her insurance company. The insurance company told her that her car would not be fully taken care of if she went elsewhere. But the choice is really yours: You can also choose which body shop to take your car to after a car accident!

No Worries Here: We are a NAPA Approved Auto-Body Shop

When you bring your car in to us, it will get the best diagnosis, the best auto-body repair work, and the best mechanical repairs right her in our shop. We don’t use after-market parts or skimp on repairs. We fight for the customer and their vehicle.

We Offer the Voice of Experience with Insurance

The owner of Auto Innovations & Collision was a former insurance adjuster! When it comes to knowing how to get your vehicle repairs done right and get them covered by your insurance company, you can count on us to to a thorough and complete job.

Call us anytime between 8am-6pm, or use our after hours drop-off if your car needs to be towed or left overnight. Call 770- 499-6011 for more information.

We liked an article we recently found on Edmunds.com with some great points for body shop consumers. We have summarized it in some areas, and expanded in others.

Here are some great points to help you learn why it pays to know what you’re looking at when you choose a shop to start your repairs.

Know That Body Shops Run the Quality Gamut

How true is it that when we shop for groceries, the various stores “run the gamut” of quality? We all know that some store brands aren’t as good as the name brands. That is just common knowledge.

The same is true when it comes to your body shop. In the article, a gentleman named Neal who is a shop owner says: “I don’t care what state you live in, for every 10 body shops, three of them are unethical and five of them do mediocre work at best.” We agree. It benefits the customer to build a relationship with the manager and/or owner of the shop. Knowing who you are doing business with is essential to getting repairs done correctly and at the right price. Some “chain” shops will do the bare minimum to keep the customers thinking they are getting a great deal, all while doing sub-par work and cutting lots of corners to save a buck. Beware of fantastically low initial estimates- hang on, we will get to that in just a second.

Pay attention to other people’s experience with the shop you are considering. Read reviews, ask around, and form a good picture of the history behind the shop. Are they backed by a warranty? If so, is that warranty nationwide or just to that particular shop? Are they trusted by the BBB? What happens if you are not 100% satisfied with the outcome of the repairs? What is your expectation of how the repairs should be done?
Understand Your Estimate

Sometimes, when you get a repair estimate at a couple of different places, the estimates are just polar opposites. Scary thought. In theory, the estimates should resemble one another in price-at least remotely. The explanation of some of this is best said from this article: “Our three experts remind us that collision-repair facilities and insurance companies use one of three systems for estimating repair jobs to arrive at standardized, impartial quotes. Theoretically, this means three different shops will present similar estimates. But insurance companies will sometimes present their policyholders with a low quote that bears no relationship to the product of these estimating systems, Brian says. And if the consumer decides he can live with minor body damage and elects to pocket the check rather than pay to have the damage repaired, the carrier has quickly cleared another claim.”

Part of the paradigm here, is something so simple that people forget very easily: parts are expensive these days! With all of the new and budding technology in metals, computer systems, and designs to vehicles, the prices have skyrocketed. It simply isn’t as cheap to fix what seems to be a “tiny bump” anymore.

Our very own expert and owner of Auto Innovations, Shelly Jackson, expands on this area: “One thing that I find most people don’t realize, is how many parts are designed to be “one time use” items. For instance, bumper covers (the part of the bumper that you see) are most of the time held on by clips, and those clips are designed to be put in place one time only. In other words, once you have an impact or remove them, they aren’t designed to go back on, and if we were to put them back on it would cause problems in the long run. After all, no one wants a bumper to sag or fall off a few months after a repair! These “one time use” parts can add up on the estimate, and be confusing to understand when you see them listed. Some shops will reuse the items; or will leave them off the initial estimate all together just to reduce the sticker shock, and get a customer in the door. All that just to add them later on for an additional cost- but, we will get to that in a minute.

In understanding an estimate, you want to realize that the insurance company is going to give the lowest estimate they possibly can in order to minimize their spending. They get paid your premiums, and believe us, they want to keep them. Know that when you get an estimate from a reputable body shop, they will attempt to be as comprehensive as possible on the front end. Being as thorough as possible up front can eliminate delays in repairs and many headaches later in the process.

Want to know more about the actual line by line of the estimate? Here are these tips from the article that we will explain:

Get an Estimate Breakdown

Make sure you understand the “line by line” from the shops you get estimates from. Some shops that are going to attempt a “bait and switch” to get you in the door will have a very simple estimate with only the largest parts listed to keep the costs low. Beware of these estimates. They may look simple and to the point to a customer, but may leave out important pieces that are necessary to complete the job. At this point one of two things will happen: 1. they will add them in later at the additional cost, or 2. they are going to attempt to cut corners, and for that, the customer looses both value in the repair and the car overall.

It is good to know that there will be what we know as “supplements” on the repairs. This is where we get into a repair, and find an unexpected broken part, or we learn that the original quoted price of a part has changed. In these cases, typically, the supplement is submitted to the insurance company and the customer may never even know it happens. If you are paying for the repairs yourself, the repair shop should always call to inform you before proceeding, and be able to provide you with verification of the change.

Turn Down the “Save the Deductible” Come-on

YIKES! We are always scared of this statement. Our owner, Shelly, was on the insurance side of the equation for over 7 years. She has learned the law on this particular subject and says that it is very dangerous territory.

Firstly, it IS ILLEGAL for anyone to “save the deductible” by over billing the insurance company for labor that they didn’t do at all, or for parts they never replaced. Here is what the article says: “The shop is basically offering to scam the insurance company for the consumer by not collecting the deductible payment. But Andy says that what such a shop is really intending to do is to either not perform necessary work, or overcharge for something to compensate for the waived deductible. “Collision repair shops are businesses, and like any business, can’t afford to not charge for work that is being performed,” Andy tells us. “If a shop says they can waive the deductible…that is something for consumers to be cautious of.”

Ask About the Parts

Parts aren’t always just parts. There are options. Aftermarket, recycled/used, new. Some insurance companies attempt to “require” the use of ‘aftermarket’ parts (parts that are essentially generic parts not made by the vehicle manufacturer) before they will dole out the cash for the dealer original parts, aka ‘OEM’ parts. It is important to know that the use of the aftermarket parts isn’t always a bad thing- especially if you are repairing an older vehicle and plan to pay out of pocket. However, a glaring majority of the time, they won’t fit properly, or not at all- and that makes a difference in the quality of the repair and resale value. In the event that the insurance company has this “requirement”, if the aftermarket parts do not fit, they will move on to new parts from the dealer. The body shop needs to document thoroughly what parts did not work and why, and the difference is then cleared by the insurance. The article says: “The aftermarket industry says its products are built to industry standards and are as good as those produced by the OEMs. Your decision on which to use likely depends on the age of your car, the size of your wallet and the terms of your insurance policy. In any case, make sure you get your body shop to define its terms. Will it use OEM parts? Aftermarket? New? Used? Will it repair and reuse a part from your car?”

Being informed about the parts used in your repair is essential in keeping the bottom line low, and the quality of the repair high.

Beware of Shops in Cahoots With Adjusters

Some shops attempt to get increased insurance business by “schmoozing” the adjusters. This relationship can cause the customer to get the raw end of the deal in the repairs they receive. If a shop is spending money and time to impress an insurance company, that is time they are NOT being the advocate for their customer. Shops know that the insurance company is attempting to keep every penny possible from being spent on repairs, and if the shop cuts corners to meet that low ball estimate, the customer ultimately suffers.

Bottom line: make sure you are being advocated for, the insurance company has PLENTY of advocates.

Don’t Get Pushed to “Preferred” Auto Body Shops

Here we are again with advocacy for YOU, the customer.

Let us first begin with a law. It is completely illegal for an insurance company to “steer” a customer to an insurance shop. The term steering simply means they are directing you to their shop, and a lot of the time, they do it by bullying. This is wrong. Insurance companies control these collision repair facilities by promising them steady work in exchange for corner-cutting, according to the insiders we interviewed. This control may encourage some body shops to “back charge,” or build in extra costs to cover areas not covered by the insurance company.

We have even heard directly from customers that insurance companies tell them that they will refuse to pay for things “if you don’t use one of our shops”. This practice is illegal. The things they like to say they won’t cover are things like: rental car, certain types of parts, and warranty on the repairs. When you are being bullied like this is when it pays to know your policy. For example, if it is written in the policy that you have, and pay for, rental coverage, they will cover it at the shop YOU choose. Sometimes with warranties on work, the insurance company won’t cover the repairs if you don’t use their “authorized” shop. This is NOT a reason to panic and use their shop. Any reputable shop will cover their product with a good warranty. For instance, we offer a lifetime nationwide warranty on all of our collision and finish work, and manufacturer warranty time on parts.

Be Your Own Advocate
In this area, we think the article says it right:

“Sad to say, the body shop experts we spoke with say that the consumer can’t rely completely on body shops or insurance companies to watch out for their interests. You have to act as your own advocate, choose the best shop and remain alert to overcharging and misrepresentation.”Most body shop owners are very concerned about getting good feedback and building a list of customers who’ll come back next time work is needed,” Andy says. “Find those shops, work with them, and nine times out of 10, things will go smoothly.”

Article by KBB.com-http://www.kbb.com/car-advice/articles/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-car-insurance/

Your Inside Track to Hidden Car Insurance Facts

Understanding the basics of car insurance can be difficult enough, let alone understanding the lesser-known intricacies involved with the guidelines, policies and procedures of today’s insurance providers. Below, we’ve outlined some important, yet oftentimes obscure, insurance facts, so you’re “in-the-know” when you’re on-the-go.

Fact #1: Your credit impacts your insurance rates

Believe it or not, your credit may impact your insurance rates. Insurance providers have found that certain credit characteristics for an individual are useful to predict of how likely it is that the individual will have an insurance claim. These characteristics are not the same ones that a bank uses to measure lending risk, but rather, insurers may use credit-based insurance scores in conjunction with other variables to assess the likelihood of claims submitted. These variables may include age, driving record, claims history, place of residence, the type of car and the average miles driven, among others. As a general best practice, do what you can to improve your credit, be sure to monitor your credit report on a regular basis, and contact the credit bureau to clear up any errors.

Fact #2: Brand loyalty can cost you

If your mindset about automobile insurance is “set it and forget it,” you might want to reconsider. Years ago, insurance companies evaluated a short list of factors when calculating your premiums. Today, that list has grown to a confusing labyrinth of criteria causing insurance rates to differ dramatically from provider to provider.

Instead of allowing your policy to automatically renew, comparison shop once a year to ensure you’re getting the best auto insurance rates. Some companies provide policies direct to consumers, while others sell policies through agents or brokers. An easy place to start is by getting auto insurance quotes online, which could save you money. If you’re worried that lower rates mean less coverage or poor service, don’t be. Today, there are plenty of insurance companies that offer affordable premiums, well-rounded coverage and excellent customer service. Our articles on Choosing the Right Car Insurance Company and How Much, and What Kind, of Car Insurance You Need can help you in researching what your options are.

Fact #3: Stopping payment? You’ll pay in the long run

If you think switching car insurance companies is as easy as stopping payment, think again. Sure, your policy will cancel, but your existing insurance company could report you to the credit bureaus for non-payment, damaging your credit score in the process. What’s more, your insurance history will reflect a cancellation which may cause a new provider to decline your application or charge you higher premiums in the future. Instead, be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your existing provider, such as a policy cancellation form, and time it right by starting your new policy on the date your old policy ends.

Fact #4: Your car insurance company can cancel or non-renew at any time

Your insurance company can cancel your policy at any time if you violate one or more of its guidelines during your policy period. Same goes for non-renewal. Things such as failing to pay your premium on time, losing your driver’s license due to suspension or revocation, submitting too many at-fault claims, or misrepresenting your driving history or past insurance claims could all be reasons for cancellation or non-renewal.

In either case, your carrier must notify you in writing within a timeframe legally required by your state. When it comes to cancellation, your insurance company is required by law to state the reason, not so with non-renewal. If you want a reason but aren’t provided with one, you must send your insurer a written request. If you believe you’ve been unfairly treated, you may have legal recourse through your state’s department of insurance.

And don’t forget about your “binding period,” the time when your insurance company is especially conscious of your risk level. The binding period usually occurs within 60 days following your auto insurance application. If your insurer finds a discrepancy on your application, on your driving record or with your credit, it can cancel your policy.

Fact #5: You could save money by paying your car insurance premium in full

You might be surprised to learn most car insurance companies charge an administrative fee to break up your premium payments into installments, such as paying every six months, every three months or every month. The more you divvy up your payments in installments, the more these “convenience fees” add up, and your once-cheap car insurance can now cost substantially more. There may also be charges for the method of installment payment you choose, such as automatic bill pay or pay-by-phone.

Be sure to ask your provider what its administrative fees are. If it makes financial sense and you can swing it, pay your premium up front and in full. Not only will you avoid the added expense, you won’t have to worry about missing a payment, or being late on payments, both of which could be grounds for cancellation. Other factors, such as the type of car you drive, can cost or save you money on car insurance as well. Our article on the most and least expensive cars to insure goes over this topic in greater depth.

For more information on how to get the cheapest insurance policy for your car, be sure to read 10 Ways to Save Money on Auto Insurance and learn about how safety features, driving habits and increasing your deductible all have an effect on the bottom line.

Article Via CBS Money Watch

After what seemed like an endless winter, you may be planning to hit the road for a spring or summer road trip. Just take this factoid as a warning: AAA roadside service estimates that it helps more than 9 million stranded motorists during a summer.

If, like most Americans, you’re not driving a fresh-from-the-showroom ride – the average age of passenger vehicles in the U.S. is just over 10 years old – it’s time to give your car a little springtime TLC.

“Drivers often overlook their cars when it is spring cleaning time,” says Shawn Hoelzer, master technician for CarMax, the largest U.S. chain of used car dealerships. “Following a few easy steps to spruce up your vehicle helps avoid costly repairs.”

So take your car to a dealership to get checked out – or, better yet, to an independent mechanic you trust. Use this spring maintenance checklist to make sure your car is reliable and running efficiently.

Check the battery: You can’t get where you are going if the car won’t start. “Winter is tough on all the starting components like the starter and alternator. The battery works harder and can get drained,” says Jimmie Swims. Signs of a weak battery: dimming headlights or interior lights; power windows that take longer than usual to go up and down.

Check the brakes: Winter conditions and salt on the roads can lead to corrosion of brake parts; Swims also points out that anti-lock braking systems get an especially hard workout in winter’s slick conditions. Nothing is more crucial to your safety than your brakes, so get them checked. Trouble signs: pulling to one side when you hit the brakes, squeaking or grinding noises and a brake pedal that feels too soft.

Inspect the tires: Worn-down tires make it hard to stop, even if your brakes are in good order. Try the coin test on your tires: Insert a quarter into several grooves across each tire. If part of Washington’s head is always covered, you still have 4/32 inch of tread left and can probably drive safely. If you have less tread, it’s time to think about replacements. (A definite danger signal comes when you slip a penny into a groove and the tread does not reach Lincoln’s head.)

Even if your tire tread are OK, make sure you keep them inflated to the pressure listed on the placard visible when the driver’s door is open. You can boost your gas mileage by 3% or more and make the car safer as well. To get an accurate reading, check the pressure of tires when they are cold, not when you have been driving.

Check the belts and hoses: A broken belt or hose can cause problems ranging from the loss of power steering to an overheated engine, but these parts are easily overlooked. Look for cracks and peeling on the belts, softening on the hoses – or ask your mechanic to do it for you. “Broken belts are one of motorists’ worst summer breakdown surprises,” says Swims.

Test the air conditioning: Turn on the cooler full blast and make sure it reaches that max chill in short order. If you suspect problems, get a mechanic to check it out soon.

Check your oxygen sensor: This one is obscure, but it is important to gas mileage. Because the sensor helps set the fuel mix going into your engine, a faulty one can cause too much gas to be used – cutting your mileage by up to 40%, warns auto repair web site CarMD. Replacing the sensor, which usually costs less than $200, needs to be done every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. And it is the repair problem that most often causes the “Check Engine” warning to light up near your speedometer, CarMD reports.

Getting a spring checkup for your car not only could avoid a summer breakdown, it could save you money on your monthly gas budget.
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Here at Auto Innovations we can not only FIX the issues you have if you find them on your checklist, but we can do the checklist for you!
Call us today to get set up for a check or a repair!
770-499-6011
2083 Canton Rd.
Marietta, GA 30066