If you get in an accident while driving the streets of Sioux Falls, it's important to know your rights when getting your car repaired. Most Sioux Falls repair shops are reputable, but some try to cut corners and rip you off. If you're armed with infomation, you're less likely to be a victim.
How Do I Choose a Sioux Falls Collision and Refinish Center?
As the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident or submitting an insurance claim, you have the right to choose the shop where you wish to have your vehicle repaired. Verify your Sioux Falls shop of choice is certified and look for certificates of technician training and memberships in professional associations. Choose auto repair shops recommended by people who have had work done there. Check the shop's reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Insist on a written estimate including parts, labor, surcharges and a completion date - you have the legal right to a written estimate. Under the law, your bill cannot exceed 20% or $50, whichever is less, of the written estimate. Review your invoice which must include a description of all work done, all of the parts supplied, all of the labor done and all work done by persons who are not employed in the repair shop. If the shop installed any used, rebuilt or reconditioned parts in your auto, it must be shown on your invoice. The auto shop must offer to return all of your replaced parts to you unless they are hazardous, require special disposal or must be returned to the manufacturer. The shop has no legal right to bill you for unauthorized work or to hold your car if you refuse to pay for unauthorized work.
Is the Work Guaranteed?
Most Sioux Falls collision repair centers warranty their collision work to some degree. Ask to see a copy of the shop's written warranty before repairs are started and have any information you do not understand clarified. Make sure the terms of the warranty are acceptable to you. Make sure you receive a copy of the finalized invoice itemizing repairs including any supplements. Verify that you are satisfied with the quality of repairs made to your vehicle prior to payment. Know all warranty terms, including what's covered, how long it's covered, and any deductible costs before you buy. Keep a copy of the warranty where you can find it easily. If you have a problem, review your warranty immediately so you will not miss any important deadlines and requirements. If you don't get satisfaction at the local level, contact the national office. "Lemon law" covers new vehicles for one year or the period of the warranty, whichever is shorter. Check the lemon law details. Don't waive lemon law or warranty protections - take quick action if problems develop.
What Do I Do if I Am Not Satisfied With Repairs After Picking Up My Car?
Immediately contact the Sioux Falls repair shop and they will address any concerns you may have.
What If Repair Costs Exceed the Original Estimate?
Often in the collision repair process, especially after and during disassembly, additional damages are found resulting in more labor and parts needed to restore the vehicle to pre-accident condition. Parts sometimes come in at a higher price than quoted. These additional charges are called a supplement.
What If My Airbags Have Deployed?
Most states have laws that prohibit any person from installing in any motor vehicle any airbag other than the one designed in accordance with and meeting federal law standards for the make, model, and year of the vehicle. Currently, all vehicle manufacturers state that only new, OEM parts may be utilized after an airbag deployment. Further, they also require other components to be replaced to ensure the system is fully restored to make certain it will function as it was originally designed and intended to perform in a subsequent accident.
Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms Commonly Used in the Collision Industry and the Estimating Process
OEM
The abbreviation “OEM” implies that the part or parts are made by the original car company manufacturer or its licensed supplier and is a genuine new part warranteed by the vehicle manufacturer.
A/M
This abbreviation for “aftermarket” indicates parts made by a manufacturer other than the original vehicle manufacturer. These parts are warranteed by the manufacturer of the said part or their distributor. There are two levels of aftermarket parts – one being “certified” and the other “not certified”.
LKQ
Like, Kind, and Quality – meaning used parts from a salvage vehicle of the same make and model, usually from the same year or newer than the vehicle being repaired with comparable or less mileage than the vehicle it is being used for.
Recycled
Used parts from a salvage vehicle that re-enters commerce when sold to a repair shop. The repairer then takes the used component and performs the necessary steps to put it in a recycled condition that will then be utilized in the repair process.
Remanufactured Part
A used, original factory part that has been refurbished to new condition. (This could be an original car company (OEM) part or an aftermarket supplier.) This procedure could be performed by an original car company supplier or a licensed aftermarket supplier for the car company.
Rebuilt Part
A rebuilt part may not be an original car company part; it could be an aftermarket supplied part. This is a part that is being repaired and serviced for the purpose of resale. Rebuilt parts are typically supplied by an aftermarket source.
CAPA
This abbreviation is for “Certified Automotive Parts Association” - CAPA parts are aftermarket parts certified by an unbiased third party that insures the quality of the parts they test are equal to or greater than the original car company part.
O/H
Overhaul - Remove an assembly, disassemble, clean and visually inspect it, replace needed parts, reassemble and reinstall on the vehicle making any necessary adjustments.
R & I
Remove and Install – Usually referring to parts being removed from a vehicle to facilitate repairs or to allow access. The same part is then reinstalled on the same vehicle it was removed from.
R&R
Remove and Replace – This abbreviation means that a part is being removed and replaced with a new, recycled or aftermarket part.
Blend
A process of gradually blending the paint into the adjacent panel being replaced or repaired to facilitate an acceptable color match.
Tint
Means time spent by a painter to tint the color to achieve an acceptable paint match.
Flex Additive/Materials
A product put in paint to make the paint flexible for use on soft parts, such as bumper covers and side moldings.
Color Sand and Buff
Process of sanding a repainted surface with ultra fine sandpaper to remove minor surface imperfections in the paint, or to achieve the same texture of the paint finish as the rest of the vehicle. After sanding the repainted parts are then buffed to restore original gloss. This process may also be referred to as “Denib and Buff,” “Final Sand and Buff,” or “Finessing.”
Courtesy of http://www.collisionboard.ohio.gov/guide.stm and http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/consumers/protection/brochure/autorepair.shtml.
