When you’re in the process of getting an estimate for your car repair, it can be one of the most stressful experiences if you don’t know where to go, who to trust, how much things cost, and many more questions. Then if you’re basing your decision on who will repair your car based on the different repair estimates, you’re going to notice big differences between quotes. One repair estimate could be much more expensive than the rest, with many more parts and “lines” on it compared to another body shop.
We at Cherry Hill Collision often hear from New Jersey drivers that feel the most expensive estimate is just a body shop trying to rip them off. But surprisingly, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We want to clear up any confusion you might have and why the most expensive estimate could very well be the option for you and your car.
In the car repair industry, an estimate is simply a starting point for the work that has to be done and not the actual repair plan, which is an itemized list of things that the technicians will need to do to repair your car. The repair plan will be created after your vehicle is disassembled and the technician can get a thorough inspection of the damage externally and internally to your car, including checking if the advanced safety technologies your car is built with (such ADAS) are working properly.
Depending on where you go, there are some shops that can create the estimate during the initial inspection than others. And if your insurance company insists on a photo estimate, it will typically result in a series of additional bills known as “supplements.” This is because it is challenging to get an accurate quote from just two or three photos.
It’s always interesting to us when drivers complain about an in-depth estimate and think they’re being ripped off when it’s the insurance company is who will ultimately pay the repair bill. We want to ease some of that anxiety and clear up any confusion you may have about autobody repair estimates.
The highest estimate is usually the most thorough and accurate.
It may come as a surprise to you that the body shop with the most expensive and comprehensive estimate would be the best choice. This is because the body shop with the most thorough estimate is the one who truly knows what it takes to repair your vehicle to factory specifications step by step. They’ve researched the repair procedures from the manufacturer and outlined everything your car will need to be brought back to a pre-loss condition.
The highest estimate will be the fastest repair.
When a body shop writes a lowball estimate, they know there will be supplements that will need to be written and approved by the insurance company. Each time the shop finds additional damages, they need to document those needs, write a supplement, inform the insurance company. Then, an insurance adjuster needs to return to the shop to inspect the newly discovered damages and approve the supplement. This can sometimes happen multiple times, and each time a supplement is needed, repairs are put on hold until that supplement is approved. This approval process will add additional days to the repair.
If you compare this to the thorough (and more expensive) estimate, it only requires very few visits by the adjuster once the repair is approved. All the parts and materials can be ordered at one time, and the car can enter the repair process with nothing left to hold up the repairs. This can often save a few days that the other shops would need to perform the same repair. No auto body shop is ever the same, which is why you only want to take your car somewhere where you feel confident with the repair, even when you get the estimate.
The highest estimate will often be the better repair.
The body shop who took the time to research the repair procedures from the manufacturer has also estimated all the parts, materials, and most importantly, the time required to perform a proper repair. This is the shop that knows how to fix your car the right way and will not cut any corners.
So, if you’re currently in the process of finding a body shop in New Jersey and you’re reviewing collision repair estimates, ask yourself who you would instead perform the repair: the one with the accurate estimate who can knock out the repair start to finish? Or the one with the cheap estimate who will need to stop several times and await supplements, ultimately being a longer repair process? Keep in mind, that you will typically only ever have to pay the same deductible for both types of repair.
Where in New Jersey can I get my car repaired?
We at Cherry Hill Collision provide our customers with thorough repair estimates that are created just for your car because we know no repair is ever the same. No one likes to get their car repaired, which is why you want to trust where you’re getting your car repaired. Our customers are our number one priority, which is why we intend to provide you with a fast repair that has safety and quality as the top priorities so you can return to a normal life, as soon as possible.
We are also proud to be able to say we are I-CAR Gold Class trained so that we can ensure every single vehicle leaves our shop precisely repaired with the most up to date standards so you and your passengers are safe.
Let us help you with your auto repair process by calling (856)-663-0500. Or to schedule an appointment or get an online quote, click here to get started or click any of the buttons below!
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your auto repair needs
