Monday, February 29, 2016

Car Seat Safety in Cold Weather | Consumer Reports



Puffy coats and snowsuits can make car seats less safe. We tell you how to protect your child when it's cold outside.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Considerations When Looking for Body Shops


If you have been involved in a collision or just have some minor exterior damage to your car from wear and tear, you will need to look into the various body shops in your area that can make the necessary repairs.

Estimates: Most body shops will offer free estimates for their work, and getting several quotes is the best way to avoid overcharges. Get all of the details in writing. Even though it's just an estimate, you want to be able to compare apples to apples among different mechanics. In some cases, one mechanic may even try to match an estimate if they can.

Experience and reputation for repair work: Even in the digital age, nothing beats word-of-mouth recommendations. You can also check with your local consumer organizations to get a better understanding of their reputation. To narrow the field even further, you need to know the extent of the damage. If the damage is structural, make sure your choice has the experience needed to take care of all the repairs and not just the exterior issues.

Insurance company relationship: Most insurance companies have built up relationships with specific auto body shops. These contracts help the insurance provider save money because they have negotiated lower parts and labor rates. The business your insurance company recommends also meets certain training and certification requirements. This, however, is just a recommendation. If you do not feel completely comfortable and confident with their work, do not be afraid to tell the insurance representative that you want to go with another shop. In the end, they must respect your wishes. It's the law.

Warranty: A reputable business should have no problem standing behind their work. There may be separate metalwork, painting, decal, and mechanical repair warranties, providing comprehensive coverage. Choose a shop that will guarantee their parts and service. Some will even provide a lifetime guarantee for certain services.

Other services: Ask what other services are included or available for an additional fee. While some may focus their work to structural and exterior detailing, other shops may be able to take care of your car's inspection, oil change, or other maintenance measures.

Even though auto body shops are not needed until an accident happens, it pays to do a little research beforehand, so that when the time comes, you are prepared. Some auto body shops even offer 24/7 emergency towing services, which can be a lifesaver if your car is too damaged to drive. With some research, your car will be back in driving condition for a fair price.


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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Two Advanced Safety Features Every Car Should Have | Consumer Reports



What does it take to be the best? We calculate which cars have the best Overall Score in categories from subcompact to luxury SUV to find Consumer Reports 2016 Top Picks.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Looking For the Best Auto Body Repair Shop


If your car is damaged, what you need is a good auto body repair shop to help you restore it to its original glory - without unnecessary expenditure. Good auto body repair shops will repair the car; paint the dents and other damaged portions of the car with properly matching paint. They will also repair the vehicle frame as well as the electrical and electronic system of the car.

Opting for auto body repair instead of a replacement of the damaged portion of the car, will not only help you save money, but will also help the environment in a positive manner. This is why; you should choose the best repair specialist in your area.

How will you choose the repair specialist?

Remember that the best way to come across an auto body repair shop that you like is by shopping around. You should check all the aspects of a number of repair shops in your area and then compare them and see which shop scores the most. Needless to say, the Internet is one of the best places to get started in your search.

Ask your friends, family and colleagues at work. Reference is a great way of determining which auto body repair you should choose. Even your two truck company or insurance agents are a good source for the reference. However, when someone tells you that they like a particular shop, make sure that you ask them why they like it.

You need to ask them various questions about the repair shop that they are referring, before you can choose the shop. If your friend says that she likes it because they gave her a waver in her Insurance Deductible, it will be a much weaker reason to choose the shop than if she says that she really loved the work of the shop and her car works great after the repair job.

You should also check out the car of the person who is referring you the particular auto repair shop. This will help you to get an idea about the kind of work that they do.

You should also check the background of the auto body repair shop and see how long they have been in this business. The age of the company will help you to understand its quality - after all, a company can stay in business only if they are doing good work. Check if the shop is locally owned and if it has any connection with the local community.

Sometimes your insurance company may have an agreement with some of the local auto body repair shops. This Direct Repair Program will help you make a good decision about the shop. However, make sure that you check the credentials and the work of the shop, before you entrust them with your car.

Sometimes, you can recognize quality service just by interacting with the company. Call the local auto body repair shop and see how they behave - were they welcoming and friendly? Do they have a clean and attractive office? The very "feel" of the local auto body repair shop may help you to make your decision.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Tips For Getting Your Vehicles Auto Body Repaired!


When your vehicle is in need of auto body repair you are already under a lot of stress. You trying to think of everything and hoping that your vehicles repair come out looking great. You have a lot to worry about so you should have something to help you as you prepare to get your vehicles auto body repaired. Here are a few tips for getting your vehicles auto body repaired.

First of all you need to be sure that you take the time to find a great auto body repair shop. You must find a shop that has a good reputation, so ask around and see what you find out about auto body shops near you. Also you should get a good feeling from the auto body repair specialist as well, so if you get a bad feeling move on. You can and should ask to see examples of work they have completed so that you can see for yourself their standards of workmanship. You also want to make sure that you are getting a good deal. Most auto body shops will give you an estimate for free, so ask for one from each shop you are considering. If you are going to be using insurance to help pay for the repair you must ask if they work with the insurance provider before you get the work done. After all this research you will move to the next step.

Once you have found the auto body shop that will work for you, your vehicle and your budget you will want to set up a time to get your vehicles auto body repaired. Before you set up a time you should ask the auto body repair specialist how long they will be working on your vehicle so you can plan for it. Some auto body repairs take more time than others. Once you set up the time you are on your way to a great looking vehicle. However you may need a rental car depending on your situation. Be sure to ask if they offer any discounts on rentals at nearby rental facilities that way you can save a little money. Plan on a little set back when getting your vehicle auto body repaired. They may have told you a 4 hour time frame, but may tell you they are running a little behind. Things can come up while repairing your vehicle that they might not expect. It will reduce the amount of stress you encounter if you simply just plan for a little delay. Once your auto body repair is complete they will usually contact you to let you know and you will be able to go pick up your vehicle. Usually when it comes to auto body repairs they can be completed in a way that it is not even visible that there was ever any damage to your vehicles auto body.

Follow these tips to getting your vehicles auto body repair and you will find that auto body repairs can really get your vehicle to look great!


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Sunday, February 14, 2016

16 Best Family Cars of 2016 - Kelley Blue Book



Kelley Blue Book's editorial team recently assembled a large group of family cars to see which stood out as truly exceptional.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Tips to Finding the Best Body Shops


After an accident, you want to have your car fixed as quickly as possible. While you want the work completed quickly, you do not necessarily want to go with the first auto repair service you find. In order to choose the right body shops to do the work, you should follow these simple tips.

Quotes

It might sound like a waste of time, but getting quotes from three or four body shops is a good idea. This is especially true if you are trying to file an insurance claim. In the event that you are working with an insurance company on the repairs, you should visit the businesses they have on their list to give them the best price. However, do not feel pressured to use those specific shops. As the driver, it is your choice in which company to use.

Most companies will do an estimate for free. However, some do charge a small fee to take a look at your vehicle.

Ask Questions

It is your car, and you have every right to know all the information you can about the people who are working on it. You should ask about any certifications the body shops may have. Do not be afraid to see copies of the certifications in order to verify that the group really does have them.

When talking about repairs to your car, ask if the technicians use aftermarket or salvaged parts in order to save money. You have the right to request new manufacturer parts be put on your vehicle. If you prefer manufacturer parts, you should tell them up front so that your quote is accurate.

You should also ask about any warranty that comes with their work. Most have a limited term warranty directly attached to the work they do. While speaking on warranty, if you have items on your car still covered under the manufacturer's warranty, you need to know if their work will void these terms.

Finally, you need to know how long they think the repairs will take. If they need to wait for delivery of parts, ask for a "no longer than" estimate. This keeps you from having any unwelcome surprises in the repair time. If it takes more than a day or two, ask about loaner vehicles or rental cars.

Check Credentials

Even though you have asked about credentials and certifications, you still need to follow up and check them out. Many body shops are part of their state's Auto Body Association. If they are, you can quickly verify qualifications online. Ideally, you want a service center that carries, at least, an ASE certification from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. Another good organization for the service to belong to is the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, better known as I-CAR.

Check References

Finally, be sure to check out any references you obtain from the company. You should also ask around for customer feedback and check online to see if any complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.


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Monday, February 8, 2016

6 Safety Sensors to Clean on Your Car This Winter | Consumer Reports



Winter driving can make your car filthy with dirt, salt, snow, and ice. These are the six sensors you need to keep clean to make sure your vehicle's safety features operate properly.

Friday, February 5, 2016

What to Do If You Need Auto Body Repair


If you were recently involved in some type of accident or have neglected your care a little it may be in need of some attention. This can happen to even the best of car lovers. You may need to get auto body repair. But what are the steps you should take in the event that you need auto body repair. A lot of times auto body repairs are avoided due to simply not knowing what to do when repairs are needed. So, here are some helpful steps to take if you need auto body repairs to get your car looking its best!

The first step is to find out if your insurance company and policy cover the damages that were incurred to your vehicle. Then you need to find out how much they cover and also know you deductable. Once you have that figured out you can go on to the next step.

You will then need to find out how much money you have that you can spend on the repair out of pocket or in unison with your insurance. Once you figure that out you will know how much you have available to spend on repairs for your vehicle.

Then you really need to find a qualified auto body repair specialist at a well known and recommended auto body shop. It will be important if you are using your insurance to find an auto body shop that accepts the insurance and will work hand in hand with your insurance provider. There are some auto body shops that do a great job with this. Once you know that they will work with your insurance provider you will need to check that they are an upstanding repair shop. Make sure that you see for yourself that they provide quality work to your standards. Also check their prices and see that they are comparable to what you can afford to spend. Also, if your car is in need of more than one type of repair you should search for an auto body shop that offers all the services your vehicle needs with a high level of quality. Make sure that you get a quote from the auto body shop before you agree to let them begin work on your vehicle. No work should be completed without your consent, that way there are not any surprise bills.

Once you have found the auto body shop and received a price quote for the repairs you need to set up a time for them to begin work on your car. Depending on the degree of what needs to be done you may be without a car for a while. If that is the case you may need to make arrangements to get a rental car, unless you have another form of transportation.

So, if you are in need of auto body repair there are a lot of things you will need to do and take into consideration when planning a budget and place to get them repaired. Make sure you take the time and follow all the steps to get your car back to new in no time!

If your car is in need of auto reconditioning start looking for a qualified professional to handle your concerns. Look for an auto body professional to take care of your ride from interior repair to fixing the major auto body repairs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Samantha_Mccartney/239936

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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Taking Your Vehicle to an Auto Body Repair Specialist


It is important to care for our vehicles properly. You should maintain the regular scheduled maintenance and take care of repairs promptly. If you got sick or broke a bone you would go to a doctor or specialist to get you feeling better. So, if your vehicle is in need of repair you should take it to a repair specialist. A specialist of your vehicles auto body repairs should specialize in auto reconditioning. Find out why you should take your vehicle to an auto body repair specialist and what to expect from them!

Simply taking your vehicle to just anyone or trying to repair it yourself is not the best solution. Sure you can try to complete auto body repairs yourself and they may come out looking o.k. but it will not be the best quality work. It is important that the repair is done right and that a quality job is done to preserve the car and keep it looking great for a long time. There are many auto body repairs that if not repaired will lead to more auto body damages, which will be more money out of your pocket. Also, if they are not completed correctly they can also lead to more damage.

Qualified specialist in the auto body repair shops should have received classroom and on the job training before actually working in a repair shop. In most cases they are still receiving ongoing training from there company and/or an outside source. They are professionals in their field. They are continually improving upon their skills and technique. Also it is their job to repair vehicles auto body, so they have had plenty of opportunities to perform the repairs and become masters of the trade. They also know and use the latest technology and skills of the trade when completing the auto body repairs. They know what will work best for each auto body repair and can fully complete the job.

When you take your vehicle to an auto body shop for an auto body specialist to repair your vehicle there are a few things that will happen. First they will asses your vehicles auto body damages. They will recommend repair services for your vehicle and give you a price quote and a time frame for the job to be completed. Some repair shops will give you this estimate for free. You may ask to see examples of the work they produce to see that their quality of work is acceptable for you. Then they will schedule a time to bring your vehicle in for the repairs, if you so choose. They may give you a rental or you may need to get a rental if you need. They will complete the work and return your vehicle back to you. The best part is they will return your vehicle to your looking like new!

So, if your vehicle is in need of auto body repairs be sure to take it to an auto body repair specialist. They will really get your vehicle looking great and keep it protected for a long time to come!


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