Automotive Collision Center Inc.

7 things auto-body shops won’t tell you

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:30:59 +0000

Whether the accident is your fault or the other driver’s, make sure you go to an appropriate repair shop — and ask for what you require.

2. Approved shops are beholden to tightfisted insurers. Auto insurers contract with providers to repair vehicles for a pre-negotiated rate (think of it as managed care for sick cars). And your car could be the victim of cost cutting. Some practices, such as requiring low hourly labor rates and making the shop pick up the rental car tab if a repair takes too long, could tempt shops to cut corners — by, say, neglecting to align the wheels or using plastic filler in a dent rather than replacing the sheet metal.

“Insurers have wired the shops to give them so many discounts that, to stay alive, the shops often do the bare minimum,” says Erica Eversman, of Vehicle Information Services, which provides consulting and forensic experts for both insurers and consumers. For a list of independent shops that meet certain quality criteria,

go to Automotive Collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

www.mdaci.com

Services Offered By Auto Body Collision Centers

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:06:44 +0000

There are thousands of road accidents occurring every year and getting involved with one will surely leave you frustrated. There is no doubt that it is your safety that comes first, but damages done to your car can be an equally depressing affair. For those who love their cars, even a minor scratch is not acceptable to them. You may also have to wait for several days before your car is restored to its original state. Fortunately for the people residing in the state of Maryland , several collision repair centers have come up in and around this region. Their efficient, fast and timely service will make your vehicle look new again. The centers for collision repair in MD provide innovative services like paint less dent repair. With the help of this technology, minor dents can be taken care of without repainting the damaged portion. From bumper

repair to color match, centers for collision repair in MD can leave you fully satisfied with their quality work.

While choosing an auto body shop, you have to make sure that they are equipped with new techniques to repair your vehicle. Much advancement has been made in this industry and new technologies are being developed almost every year. Most of the centers for collision repair provide new and advanced repair services. Every attention is given to detail so that the job done is according to the highest industry standards. They even have expertise in handling high quality vehicles of luxury brands. Most of the shops for collision repair in MD provide a guarantee on their repair parts for the life of the vehicle. They also provide additional services like 24 hour towing, free estimates and free pick up and delivery. For your convenience and timely delivery, some centers are also open for six days a week and 24 hours a day.

The services provided by the centers for collision repair in MD are affordable and performed by authorized technicians having long years of experience in this field. You can browse the internet to find out more about Collision Repair MD and the flexible paying options that they offer.

Automotive Collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

410-799-2000

www.mdaci.com

Collision Repair Services Are Tricky

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:14:39 +0000

Getting your vehicle repaired after it has been involved in an accident or it just isn’t operating correctly is important. In many instances the vehicle can’t be driven until the necessary repairs have been completed. Yet many people are wary about this type of service because you don’t really know the quality of the work that you are getting. If you need to get your vehicle repaired it is important to do some checking before you take your vehicle to anyone.

If the vehicle is drivable you should attempt to get at least three written estimates. Body shops and repair shops will do this for you free of charge. They will give you an itemized list of the necessary repairs and the cost of them. Make sure you ask about the length of time it will take for them to complete the work as well. Once you get home carefully review all of the estimates. You should see the same items on there in the category of materials and likely some price differences for the labor.

If you notice that one of the estimates for vehicle repairs is much more than the others you may want to ask them why. It could be that they offer better quality products and your car will look nicer or run better when they are done then if you let one of the other businesses do the work. However, it is also possible that they are attempting to scam you and the estimate contains pricing for work that really doesn’t have to be done.

Find out how long a particular shop has been in business. Longevity generally means they have a good reputation for doing quality work. Ask about the experience of their employees so you can get a good idea of what their level of expertise is. You can check online with the Better Business Bureau as well to find out if the repair service has any complaints filed against them.

Most quality vehicle repair service centers will stand behind the quality of their work. You want to choose a shop that has a policy in place that they will guarantee the work for a specific amount of time. This way if you aren’t happy with it or the repairs don’t hold up you won’t have to pay for them again. Even if the cost of the initial repairs were covered by an insurance company you don’t want to have to deal with poor quality work on your vehicle.

Ask your friends, family, and co-workers for recommendations as well. Chances are some of them have had to use a vehicle repair or collision service at some point. They can tell you who they went to and the quality of the work. Ask them if they would go back to that business in the future for such needs as well.

You really can’t avoid having to go to a vehicle repair or collision shop if the need arises. However, you can do your part to ensure you are getting quality service at an affordable price. Most of us rely on your vehicles too much to simply trust the work to just anyone.

Automotive Collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd. Jessup MD 20794

410-799-2000

www.mdaci.com

Five Tips For Reducing Teenager Auto Insurance Rates

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:11:41 +0000

Teenagers have a profound impact on those auto insurance rates of yours. There are ways to help keep those rates lower when junior decides he wants to start driving though. Here are five tips to surviving the long haul of your teenager being on your auto insurance policy.

1. Younger kids get older cars

New cars are expensive on that auto insurance budget. This is usually due to the coverage that has to be carried on that sleek new ride. This might not be the best type of car for your new driver in the family.

The teenager might be asking for a fast sporty car, but in reality, they really need to be learning with an older sedan. Older cars often need less coverage than newer cars. Getting a sedan also helps with that monthly auto insurance bill as sedans often come with the “not going to play speed racer” stigma.

2. Scholarly rates are a win-win situation

Some auto insurance companies will give discounts for good grades. This is due to many scholars performing many studies. These studies have found that students with good grades are often involved in fewer accidents and acquire few traffic violations. Not only do you get the benefits of cheaper insurance, but you get a rocket scientist as a benefit.

3. How do you define that teenager?

How you define your teenager can have a drastic impact on your auto insurance. When you are adding little missy to your policy, you might be asked if they are an occasional driver or the primary driver. The answer to this question means the difference between steak or rammen noodles for dinner.

This also means that the teenager might need to drive the family car if they are defined as a hobby driver. Your teenager might be on the constant go, but they don’t need to be the only driving amongst their friends. Teach your kids the value of sharing the driving responsibilities.

4. Make them pay

Parents don’t have to take on the burden of everything their kids do. If your kid wants to drive, now might be the prime opportunity to start teaching them budgeting skills. Make that kid pay some sort of auto insurance to you.

This doesn’t have to be drastic. Remember, you want them doing important things like learning in school and developing good money habits. One of the most common practices is to make your kids pay the difference in auto insurance rates when you add them to your policies.

5. Take more than just driver’s education courses

Driver’s education just gave your teenager the basics they needed to get driving. It might be time for them to consider more education. Defensive driving and road rage classes are a plenty these days. Have your teenage successfully complete these types of courses and watch your auto insurance premiums return to your bank accounts.

Teenagers already cost you an arm and a leg in that weekly grocery bill. Don’t let them suck your bank account dry with the auto insurance premiums as well. Teach your kids good driving techniques on the road and enjoy that extra money in your pocket.

Automotive Collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd. Jessup MD 20794

410-799-2000

www.mdaci.com

What Is the Crash Tax?

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:58:52 +0000

“Crash tax” is a phrase that slowly creeps up when you look at the auto insurance industry. Just about every state is fighting for, or against, crash taxes in some form. The auto insurance industry is also fighting against crash taxes. What do all these people mean? Here is a breakdown of the crash tax and how it might influence you:

Let’s look at what happens in an auto accident. The accident occurs. This might be a vehicle-to-vehicle collision. There might even be some property damage during this event. There may only be one person involved in this accident. No matter what the accident is, rescue crews are sent out in response to this accident.

Everyone from the ambulance operators to the wreckers descend upon the scene. Cops pick out who was at fault and write up reports. Ambulances take the injured to the hospital. Fire crews clean up any potential explosive threats. All of this costs money. This is where the “Crash Tax” starts to come into play.

Local municipalities are now looking to recoup some of the costs for sending rescue crews to accident scenes. These municipalities would like to send your auto insurance company a bill for some of the cost of this emergency response. The hitch here is that these fee only apply to out of town drivers who are at fault for the accidents.

The key phrase here is “out of town drivers.” If you are driving across the country, you will travel through states that see no taxes from you. This means that in the unfortunate event that you cause an accident, the cost to deal with this accident are harder to recoup. This is where the crash tax comes in.

A crash tax would be a fine that municipalities can charge to the auto insurance companies. It doesn’t matter where you live when you get in that accident. The municipality would bill your auto insurance company some fine for the rescue work that was provided.

As it stands right now, most counties pay for emergency response situations from local taxes. When an out of town driver causes an accident, the money comes out of local taxpayer pockets. You can see where this debate starts to take off.

Many organizations will point out that a crash tax does not fit nicely with existing liability or medical payment policies. If you are required to start carrying auto insurance to cover these crash taxes, just imagine what your auto insurance rates would look like.

Some states have already come out and banned this crash tax all together. Those that have not are still considering how to handle the costs of crashes caused by foreign drivers. As states and counties look to recover for budget downfalls, don’t be surprised if this issue keeps resurfacing.

Now you have a better understanding of how crash taxes might have ties to your auto insurance rates. Talk with your agent and find out how the local municipalities might be driving your rates up. You might be shocked at just how much a car accident really costs.

Automotive Collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd. Jessup MD 20794

410-799-2000

www.mdaci.com

Maryland Auto Insurance

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:38:49 +0000

When choosing auto insurance, it is so important to know the criteria in any given state. Maryland is no exception to this rule as the state has its own guidelines about auto insurance. Before making a selection, there are several important factors to consider. No matter which city or county in Maryland you live in, the state guidelines should help you make the right selection. However, there are also some consumer tips that will assist you in choosing the right provider from which to purchase Maryland auto insurance.

Maryland has certain coverage levels for auto insurance that are required by law. For instance, the bodily injury liability coverage must be 20,000/40,000 minimum. Most people choose 100,000/300,000 so this is not a hard number to reach. The same requirement is in place for uninsured motorist bodily injury, but again, most people choose a much higher coverage amount.

Medical payments are not required under Maryland auto insurance, but the majority of individuals choose to have some coverage in place. Collision is also not required but many people choose to have that coverage in place with a deductible. In addition, comprehensive coverage is not a requirement either although most drivers like to have that coverage.

Before choosing Maryland auto insurance, here are a few tips and tricks to help you make a good decision:

• Visit the Maryland department of insurance website. Most state’s publish information about the various insurance carriers in their area. You can compare the ratio of complaints against a company to help you make the right choice.

• Check the J.D. Power ratings. This company compiles data from individual policyholders across the United States and then rates each company based on factors such as claims handling, coverage options, pricing and customer satisfaction.

• Compare prices: Of course you will have compared prices early on in your selection process. However, compare them again after you have all of the necessary information in place about each company. Remember that price is not the only factor that you should consider when it comes to buying Maryland auto insurance.

• Ask body shops: This is one way to find out who are the best auto insurance companies to do business with. Ask body shop workers who they recommend. This is because they work with insurance adjusters on a regular basis and know who has the smoothest claims processes. They also know which companies actually pay when they promise.

Finding Maryland auto insurance does not have to be difficult. In fact, the process can be seamless if you take the time to do all of the necessary research before making your choice. Do business with reputable, highly regarded companies and you will almost always be happy with your selection in the end.

Automotive Collision Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

410-799-2000

Six Tips for Avoiding a Staged Car Accident

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:35:43 +0000

Staged traffic accidents are on the rise, endangering the lives and boosting the car insurance rates of innocent drivers who may unwittingly think they’re at fault.

Questionable claims from staged accidents increased 46.3 percent from 2007 through 2009, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB, a nonprofit agency in Des Plaines, Ill., funded by 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies nationwide to fight car insurance fraud and vehicle theft.

According to the NICB, the top five staged accident states for the period were Florida, 3,006; New York, 1,680; California, 1,619; Texas, 792; and Illinois, 433. The five cities with the most staged accident questionable claims were New York, 1,304; Tampa, Fla., 562; Miami, 511; Orlando, Fla., 422; and Houston, 376. (See videos of three common staged accidents below.)

“Swoop and Squat”

Auto insurance fraud added $4.8 billion to $6.8 billion to auto injury claim payments in 2007, according to the Insurance Research Council’s November 2008 study “Fraud and Buildup in Auto Injury Insurance Claims: 2008 Edition.” NICB investigations in Florida, New York and California uncovered sophisticated, multistate rings that included the staged accident participants as well as doctors, chiropractors, lawyers and even body shop owners that profited from the car insurance scam.

“A lot of these are $1 million-plus claims cases,” says Roger Morris, NICB chief communications officer. “That’s what they’re in this for, the medical side of it. You can see $200,000 in claims before you know it.”

Multiple claims for one accident

One common element runs though most staged accidents. The “victim” vehicle will contain three or four passengers who will file medical claims against the victim’s car insurance company in addition to a car damage claim.

“Left Turn Drive Down”

Staged accidents are most common in “no-fault” states such as Florida and New York, where the insured stager can collect for bodily injury from their own car insurance company through their personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage.

Morris says the stagers often target young women and older adult drivers as they enter or exit a shopping mall or parking garage. If you are talking on a cell phone or appear otherwise distracted while driving, you’re a perfect mark.

“There will be somebody sitting there at the curb and you pull up and they will wave you on by. The next thing you know, you’re getting blocked and then getting clobbered,” he says. “Don’t always assume that it was an accident; it may well have been deliberate.”

“Right Turn Drive Down”

The NICB trains law enforcement and special investigations units of car insurance companies to recognize the patterns of staged accidents. “When they see multiple people going to the same clinic and multiple claims from one accident, that’s what they need to look for,” Morris says.

Auto Body and auto Collision Services

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:24:12 +0000

We offer many helpful services to make life easier for our customers:Did You Know?

*Free Shuttle service (certain restrictions apply)*Free Wash and vacuum of all repairs completed
*Free Wi-Fi

*Free Towing (certain restrictions apply)

*Free Touch up paint with all repairs

*Free Valet service to our parent company- Preston Ford Lincoln Mercury, Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda–to complete routine maintenance, recalls or warranty service.

*Free Limited Lifetime Warranty (certain restrictions apply)

*Free Mobile estimating within a 25 mile radius

Services for just about any accessory you can think of—, running boards, pin stripes, graphics, sunroofs, spoilers and more. We can paint anything from one small scratch to the entire vehicle.

For your convenience we have a late night drop box just in case you cannot make it to our Collision Center during business hours. Simply fill out the information packet, slip your keys inside the envelope, seal it, and then place it in the slot next to the drop box.

We also provide pick up and delivery services to residents or and surrounding the Jessup / Columbia , MD area :

8201 Washington Blvd. Jessup, MD 20794 or call 410-799-2000

We will provide customers with a special service—Automotive & Collision Cares. We put them in contact with our Collision Repairs management to get them back on the road quickly. We also can accommodate them if they need to speak to an agent about auto insurance needs and even provide coverage all in the same location. We make sure that any damages to suspension, engine, transmission, or electrical systems receive the highest quality care from our Preston Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, or Mazda Service departments. We provide quality repairs and excellent customer service from our highly trained team.

We have access to factory OEM parts for any make or model vehicle

Other features:

Customers can schedule a repair or estimate online

We offer a night drop box service

We take Insurance Checks payable to our customers so they don’t have to go to the bank to deposit

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
We also handle many commercial accounts, as well as our local government’s vehicles. We repair for some of the community’s leading companies and businesses

Automotive and Collision Inc. Cares

Our staff is experienced in all aspects of repair. Our management and customer service representatives work hard to determine how to meet our customers’ needs to the fullest, and our collision technicians are certified to provide the best quality repairs. We seek to exceed expectations, performing exceptional repairs and refinishes to restore vehicles to pre-accident condition. We work with all insurance companies and are a direct repairs facility for some of the leading insurance companies in the nation. Customers have the right to choose who they want to repair their vehicle—it’s the law. When a major accident occurs and an insurance company deems their vehicle a total loss, they will have no worries.

Automotive and Collision Inc. Guarantee

THIS CERTIFICATE assures the repairs to which you and “Automotive and Collision Center, Inc. ” have agreed on Repair Order No. __________ have been completed. We guarantee the work performed at “Automotive and Collision Center, Inc.” so long as said vehicle shall remain under the present ownership. Items on the repair order, such as Sublet Work or Sublet Labor, are subject to the guarantee of those suppliers. This warranty shall only apply if the defects occurred under normal driving conditions and not where any vehicle has been subjected to accidents, negligence, abuse or misuse. Specifically excluded from this written warranty are rust coming through the metal, scratches and gravel marks acquired from driving conditions. This is a fragmented, four part Written Warranty, and specific additional stipulations pertaining to each fragmented part are stated hereafter:Metal Work:
“Automotive and Collision Center, Inc.” provides a Lifetime Written Warranty against defective workmanship to include welding and the application of materials utilized in making collision repairs against cracking, flaking, pitting or deterioration. The Shop will, at its sole option, repair and re-paint any metalwork warranted hereby.Painting, Stripes and Decals:
“Automotive and Collision Center, Inc.” provides a Lifetime Written Warranty on painting-related priming and painting work against solvent blistering, peeling, hazing and excessive loss of pigmentation; and, a One (1) Year Written Warranty on the application and adhesion of decorative stripes and decals, excluding defects which are caused by extreme environmental conditions to which the vehicle may be exposed. The Shop will, at its sole option, re-prime, re-paint, re-stripe or re-decal the specific section or sections of the vehicle warranted hereby. Paint Warranty is valid only when paint is applied over original factory finishes that are free of defect.Mechanical Repairs:
“Automotive and Collision Center, Inc.” provides a One (1) Year Written Warranty on all mechanical repairs pertaining directly to original collision damage, excluding suspension, air conditioning or other electrical assemblies or components. The Shop will, at its sole option, re-repair any mechanical assembly or component warranted hereby.

Parts:
“Automotive and Collision Center, Inc.” guarantees that parts or materials used are of the first quality. Those parts or materials are subject to the guarantee of that supplier. We will assist you in handling any claim under the supplier’s guarantee. We guarantee that used parts or other than original equipment manufactured parts were not used without authorization from you as noted on the Repair Order.

SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED are incidental costs, such as towing fees, car rental charges, travel expenses or assemblies and components which are not specifically covered by this WRITTEN WARRANTY, nor are consequential damages such as damage to other assemblies and components resulting from a defective part or installation of such part installed or repaired during the repair included in this WRITTEN WARRANTY.

This WRITTEN WARRANTY shall not be varied, supplemented, qualified or interpreted by any prior course of dealings.

This WRITTEN WARRANTY shall be null and void if the repair is altered, adjusted or tampered with by any person not authorized by the above named shop. This warranty is not transferable

Automotive Collision Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

410-799-2000

Auto Body Repairing and Painting in Maryland

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:57:39 +0000

Auto Body Repairing Painting

If you have been in an accident, or just want to revamp your old vehicle, then you should seek out an auto body shop that specializes in repairing and painting. An auto body shop employs trained mechanics that can do a variety of services to bring your car to perfect working condition. Whether you are seeking to make the exterior of your car shiny with a custom paint job or need work done to your engine, these professionals can help.

An auto body shop can offer many different services for your needs. Some specialize in customizing vehicles by using special painting techniques, while others use repair kits to hid damage. Your classic car or new truck can get a whole new look with a new acrylic paint kit in powder blue, fire red, or midnight black. Also, you can do work to the interior of your car by replacing the old vinyl. If you have been in a collision, these mechanics can also fix your bumper’s tip to make it look like nothing ever happened.

Whatever work you are seeking, it is important to do some research about what services your car may need beforehand. Start by going online and searching by what it is that you would like to repair on your car. For instance, if you have a worn out paint job, seek out what is involved with getting a new top coat applied. Make sure to know what you are seeking before heading to an auto body shop.

Auto body repairing and painting services provide detailing and repairing services to vehicles and cars, utilizing exterior paint, acrylic, wax, and powder coating. Auto body repairing and painting shops may also offer interior cleaning, custom paint jobs, car repairs, car painting, paint techniques, custom color combinations, and body repairs. Any vehicle can be detailed and painted, from a car or van, to a truck or SUV. Some auto body repairing and painting services specialize in a few different makes and models of vehicles and cars, while others offer services on a wide range of vehicle makes and models. Auto body repairing and painting services can be part of an auto dealer business, or an independent service. Some services may also provide custom automobile restorations, custom car painting, paint tips and techniques, custom paint jobs, acrylic paint jobs, custom color combinations, and vinyl work. Restorations or custom jobs can include painting, customizing, new upholstery and seat covers, auto body work, electronics and sound system upgrades, and accessories. You can find auto body repairing and painting services by checking your local phone book or trying a directory search online to find a shop near you. Be sure to choose an auto body repairing and painting shop that specializes in what you need. If you’re looking to restore your vehicle or auto, shop around at a few different automobile restoration shops to get price quotes and ideas on interior and exterior restoration. If you simply want your vehicle spruced up a bit with detail work and paint, contact an auto body repairing and painting service. Whether you want a wax, body repairing, custom paint job, vinyl restoration, tips and techniques, auto painting, powder coating, exterior paint, body service, or truck and car repairs, auto body repairing and painting services can help.

If you are looking to have auto body repairs or auto body painting done just call us at 410-799-2000

Visit uis at www.mdaci.com

Minor Dents and Scratches Can Cost You at Trade In or Lease Return

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:14:47 +0000

How much is that going to cost to fix?” That’s often the first thing you wonder when your car’s had a minor scrape or a fender bender.

Automobile insurance provides coverage, but many drivers have a high deductible and potentially face higher premiums, so they tend to live with it. But that’s not always a good idea. For one thing, a ding or scraped paint can cause rust that will get worse over time.

“Even minor defects can reduce the trade-in value of a car, or can become a big expense when a leased vehicle is turned in, The expectation is that when a lease expires the car will be returned in good condition, without excessive wear and tear. Rather than just paying up at the dealership, you may get a better deal on repairs at an independent shop.”

It’s estimated that half of all vehicles with 15,000 miles suffer nuisance scratches or other cosmetic damage, According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most car bumpers, for example, do little to resist damage in even low-speed collisions.

“Modern-day bumpers improve aerodynamics, fuel economy and appearance, but they can easily get dented, scuffed or torn. With over 35,000 auto body repair shops, there are lots to choose from. The best choice is often a shop recommended by family or friends.

“We specialize in repairs on newer cars that maintain their resale value, while at the same time saving on the repair costs. On older cars, Automotive Collision Center Inc. services many times increase the value, Much of our business comes from recommendations and repeat business.

For more information, please contact,

Automotive collision Center Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

410-799-2000

Automotive Collision Center Inc.

7 things auto-body shops won’t tell you

Services Offered By Auto Body Collision Centers

Collision Repair Services Are Tricky

Five Tips For Reducing Teenager Auto Insurance Rates

What Is the Crash Tax?

Maryland Auto Insurance

Six Tips for Avoiding a Staged Car Accident

Auto Body and auto Collision Services

Automotive Collision Inc. 8201 Washington Blvd. Jessup, MD 20794 410-799-2000

Auto Body Repairing and Painting in Maryland

Minor Dents and Scratches Can Cost You at Trade In or Lease Return

Automotive Collision Inc.

8201 Washington Blvd.

Jessup, MD 20794

410-799-2000