General rule of thumb is… if you run your fingernail over the scratch and it doesn’t get caught, it can most likely be buffed.

If your fingernail gets caught in the scratch, chances are that buffing will not do much since the scratch has gotten past the layer of clear coat.  This will require minor repair and for the area to be refinished(repainted).

If you are still unsure, come on by for one of our Estimators to take a peek!

The only person who can authorize repairs to a vehicle is the owner.

If you are leasing or have a loan on the vehicle, the owner is finance company.  In those instances, the person who is leasing or financing the vehicle would be considered the “owner”.

That really depends on the type of damage sustained to your vehicle.

There is always the chance of hidden damage behind a panel or bumper that is not visible until they are removed from the vehicle.   At the time of the estimate, the Estimator should be able to inform you if there is a chance of hidden damage.

Here at Collex, we always try to capture as much of the damage up front as possible.  This might require the estimator to look under the vehicle, snap some photos or even put your car on a lift to see if there is anything additional behind/under panels.

Once your vehicle is brought into the shop for repairs, we do a strategic disassembly to capture anything that might have been missed on the original estimate.  If there is anything that is found, we will photo document and contact the insurance company and the customer immediately.

Welcome back Ancil and Vinnie!  They just returned from a two day class at Metropolitan Car-o-liner  – ‘Computerized Electronic Measuring System / Collision Damage Analysis and Repair’.  They join our two Pauls with having had extensive on-site and classroom training on our state-of-the-art frame straightening and measuring systems.

At Collex we use the industry’s best: a Car-o-liner Q42 and Benchrack 5500 along with the Car-o-tronic Vision X3 computerized measuring system.  We continue to believe in the basics: the best people with the best technology and the right training.  As today’s vehicle continue to morph with greater use of high strength steels, new technologies and energy management, we continue to invest in ourselves to provide the quality and efficiency our customers have become accustomed to.  Without it, a modern shop simply can’t repair vehicles properly.  Collex works hard to be your ‘comfortable solution to an uncomfortable situation’…!

Congratulations to Vinnie and Ancil!

How Do I Know If a Quality Automotive Paint is Being Used?

The first question I would ask a repair facility would be if they offer a Lifetime Guarantee on their refinish workmanship.  Any reputable paint manufacturer will offer their shops a lifetime guarantee on their product, so as a shop we are able to pass that along to you.

Not only do you want to make sure that the repair facility uses quality paint, but the experience and training of the technician can make all the difference.   Aside from the standard on-going I-Car training that all of our technicians participate in, we sent each of our painters to the Akzo Nobel Sikkens training facility in PA for extensive 2 day training to ensure they are using the product correctly.

When a vehicle is properly repaired, prepped and refinished the repair should be invisible and last for the lifetime of the vehicle!

How to Check the Quality of an Auto Body Shop

In a business where quality matters, first impressions are everything!  If the exterior of the building and parking areas are a cluttered mess, you can only imagine what’s going on in the shop!

Take a look around the shop.  Ask the repairer if you can take a walk through the shop floor.  Here at Collex, we invite our customers to take a walk around with us to see our processes and technicians at work.  We even have windows in the waiting room so our customers can see the hard work in action!

Ask the repair facility about their training programs.

How long have they been in business?

Of course a referral from a friend or family member who had a great experience would top choice, but with sites like Google and Yelp, you can read reviews of others past experiences.

What Should I Do if My Insurance Company Refuses to Work With the Shop of My Choice?

In the State of NJ, you have the right to choose which repair facility you want to repair you vehicle.

NJ Law (11:3-10.3) states that “the insured may use any repair facility of his or her own choice” and that “the insurer must make all reasonable efforts to obtain an agreed price with the facility selected by the insured”

As long as the repair facility is willing to negotiate with the insurance company there is no reason why they should try to steer you elsewhere.  If your repair facility does not negotiate on your behalf, you should seek out a different facility!

If your vehicle is here at Collex we will work with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure your vehicle is repaired properly.

First, we hope that everyone is ok.  Getting into an accident can be stressful and traumatic.  We understand that at Collex.  Here is a small check list to help assist you through the process.  Of course, should you have any additional questions, feel free to call us.  We are here to help!

If your vehicle is not safe to drive and it was towed from scene, you can follow the list below to get started with the insurance company.  You will need to contact the facility that is storing your vehicle to let them know that you are releasing it to Collex.  Once you have done that, give Collex Collision Experts a call and we will arrange to pick up your vehicle.  You can then follow the list below to initiate your claim with the insurance company.

If you were at fault for the accident, and carry collision coverage, contact your insurance carrier using the telephone number provided on the back side of your insurance card

• Have your insurance card available as you will need to provide them with your policy number and your VIN    number
• The representative will ask questions surrounding the accident.  Date, location, other people involved, what was done to avoid the accident
• You will then be provided with a claim number.  Keep this handy as you will need to provide us with that when you come in for your estimate
• The availability of a rental vehicle will depend on whether you have that coverage on your policy.  You can ask the representative when calling in your claim
• Many insurance companies have relationships with shops.  They will suggest the names of the shops that they are affiliated with.  Collex has relationships with 12 of the top insurance companies in NJ.  There are a few that we are not, but we will negotiate with them to ensure your vehicle is repaired properly.

If you were not at fault for the accident, there are 2 different options:

• You can call the claim into your insurance company and follow the above.  This option will allow for your vehicle to be repaired much quicker, but you will be responsible for your deductible.

If you do not carry Collision coverage on your policy, this is not an option for you.

• The second option would be to wait for the police report to call the claim into the other carrier. (This means that you are a claimant, you will not be responsible for a deductible and you will be entitled to a rental vehicle)
• Once you get the police report, there will be an insurance code by the other person’s information.  You can        either call Collex or come down to the office and we can “decode” it for you.
• You will then have to call that company to initiate a new claim against that person. (Depending on whether theother person had already called the claim in or not will depend on the time frame it will take forthem to accept liability.)
• The state of NJ gives insurance carriers 45 days from the day the claim is initiated to settle liability investigations.
• During the investigation they will need to make contact with the at fault party to get their side of the story.

They will also need written statements from both parties.

Come into Collex Collision Experts for your estimate.  Don’t forget to bring your claim number!

Regardless of how you chose to proceed, Collex is here to help you through every step of the process.  Should you decided to go through the 3^rd party carrier, just give us the claim number and will be do all of the follow up necessary to push the investigation along.