Estimates, RVs, and Black Boxes from Schiro's Collision Repairs

1. There are huge variations between repair facilities. Variations can include the types of parts or products the shop uses for the repair, the skill and experience level of the technicians, the shop's policy of repair vs. replace on the damaged parts, whether or not the shop uses up-to-date equipment and systems, etc. At Schiro's, we explain the different options and costs associated with each repair plan so the customer is fully involved and educated about the work being done on their car.

2. Visual damage vs. unseen damage. Visual damage is obvious to everyone that looks at the car. Unseen damage can only be detected, and properly dealt with, by disassembling the vehicle. For example, damage to a door intrusion beam might only be detected by taking the skin off the door. If the estimate is written for visible damage only, you may be hit with supplements once the car is taken apart and further inspected. At Schiro's, we clearly communicate the need for a thorough disassembly, if needed, and document any open items that might come up later.

3. Aftermarket parts vs. OEM parts. Make sure you ask the shop what type of parts they are putting on your car. Aftermarket parts are considerably less expensive than OEM but there are many variations of suppliers. At Schiro's, we explain the different parts options and if a customer chooses to use aftermarket parts, we recommend only CAPA certified parts.

4. Repair vs. replace. It is also less expensive to repair a damaged part than it is to replace it. The individual damage should dictate which method is used; however, in order to write a lower estimate to win the bidding war, some shops may repair a part instead of replace it to lower their competitive estimate. That's fine for them, but it may put you in danger. The part may not be safe in a second accident. At Schiro's, we try to repair parts when it can be done without compromising the quality or safety of the repair, but the customer is always informed of the best route to take. We never compromise safety in order to "win" for lowest estimate.

5. Paint techniques.The idea behind repairing your car is to restore the vehicle back to pre-accident condition. If you can visibly see where the new paint ends and the old paint begins, the expectation has not been achieved. Paint matching and blending into adjacent panels is a critical part of the repair. A talented painter that can blend the old and the new for a seamless visual effect, is expensive. They work miracles everyday. At Schiro's, we explain our recommendation for blending the old with the new so that your car does not advertise that it was involved in an accident.

6. Paint products. Shops do not use the same types of paint. Some paint products are less expensive to use but they fade early and don't last as long as the higher quality products. At Schiro's, we use an advanced, European paint system called Sikkens. This system, regarded as one of the most advanced refinishing systems in the automotive industry, ensures a high quality paint job that will last with high durability. Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Audi are just a few of the auto manufacturers that use the Sikkens lines of paint.

7. Be careful when accepting a payoff up front from the at-fault party. The estimate you get may not be accurate and supplements can vary widely. Mr. Smith might say to you, "here's $1500 to cover the damage," but, to repair the car correctly, and safely, based on the above points, it might cost double that amount. At Schiro's, once the car is disassembled, we will inspect the damage and make a recommendation of whether or not to file a claim. When damage is minor and clearly visible, it may not benefit you to file a claim. However, if the damage is significant with possible open items, we may recommend filing a claim, for your protection.

8. You're better off calling his or her insurance company and filing a claim. If the at-fault party is unwilling to pay to have your car repaired to safety and quality standards, you can call their insurance company and file a claim on your own behalf.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on our website for more information.

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